ignition.

I disagree, he was just as much part of the problem. When he took over the backline it regressed, when he took over the midfield again it regressed. He had the same cattle to work with the exception of a young Scully and a disgruntled Moloney. Lets look at his record of the last 10 years as an assistant coach: 2003: North Melbourne finish 10th. 2004 - 2009: Richmond predominantly bottom of the ladder. 2010 - St.Kilda (Golden years), couldn't hold the job after one year under Lyon. 2011 - 2013: Melbourne, turned the Wellman backline to garbage, and had his midfield labelled as the worst ever seen - Gerard Healey. Whether it was bad is one thing but having the midfield labelled as the worst ever seen or to be a little nicer one of the worst ever seen MUST reflects in some way on the midfield coach along with the players and head coach. In no way shape or form should he be exonerated from that.

I don't think your trolling. I must say I agree, after hearing so much last year about his excellent pace I have not noticed it once as he waddles along. I haven't seen him break away from the pack at all. I am only hoping that it's due to a limited pre-season, or some training regime that was in place under Neeld that also has slowed down the likes of Trengove (I hope Roos identifies the issue and fixes it). For all we know it could just be mental thing as he is not yet comfortable in the AFL. I will give him another season before I properly judge him on it.

I must say I find it bizarre that people have thanked Royal for his time and effort. I have allowed myself to sleep on this and still can't come close to thinking something similar. Whether the cattle was no good or what not he was in a well paid position and did a shocking job of it. From seeing the purring Wellman backline go to a shamble over one season, and then taking over the midfield and have it labelled as the "worst ever seen" in no way shape or form can I thank him for his overpaid efforts. He was a massive part of the problem under Bailey and Neeld, sure he may be a nice bloke but he did an appalling job. Good riddance I say, I'm glad he's gone... hopefully to the pies.

Unlike Didak, I'm a big fan of Heater. Although I don't want him at the MFC, I don't believe he matches the general consensus age of our list nor brings any real leadership.

Swallow hands down! Adams is good although at times a little overrated. I see Adams as the Josh Caddy of last year, he is potentially available so everyone from every club want him, therefore he must be insanely good...

WHAT AN AMAZING LAST 6 DAYS IT'S BEEN!!! - We officially sign Roos. - We F*** off Royal (FINALLY) and delist 4 spuds and a plodder. - Neeld's buddy Brown is gone! (nothing against him really). - We sign a well respected forward line coach - Brett Allison (also sticking it up to the whinging Kangas). - It's reported and rumoured Roos has convinced Watts to re-sign, hopefully he can do the same with Hogan for the long term (reported). - It's rumoured we may obtain David Swallow in a trade for pick 2 (I hope this eventuates).

I can't stand this guy and have no respect for his game in any way shape or form. His time is up, he will add nothing to our list from a playing or development perspective. He will only hinder the team by taking up a position on the field, leaving someone with a missed opportunity. He will not be at the club in 2014 - end of story.

I hope the same goes for Brian Royal.

Just make sure you vote at the bottom of that article (^^,)

I hope not, I don't rate him as high as the draft picks we have on offer, if that be the case.

On the basis it's a direct swap for pick 2 (no more) and that Swallow's knee injury is not long term or degenerative, I'd take Swallow hands down. He already has 50 odd games under his belt and about to step into those break out years (e.g. his brother broke out in his 4th and 5th seasons). He is also a far superior ball winner... exactly what we require. As for Aish if he came in we would see him playing more of a wing role or running of half back (initially) like Gibbs, I just don't feel we have the time or list to wait for his development.

It's really hard to say, on one hand (long term) I would love it to be one of the Jacks, although if it hinders their game or their development its not a wise move. On the contrary Jones seems like the best fit but will all this chopping and changing be wise? In Paul Roos we trust (^^,)

I'd like Simpson as successor, with Ling as a midfield coach. Only reason I don't want Ling as the successor is that he has no coaching experience thus far.

No we didn't we got Toumpas at pick 4 (T$ compensation pick #1). Hogan was traded using pick 3 (obtained by ladder ranking) along with pick 13 (T$ compensation pick #2) to get Barry and Dawes.

I just like the look on his face when he walks out on the footy show and hears the boos coming from the audience. I would love it if it got progressively louder every week.

There is only one ex-Demon I would want/ accept back and that would be Liam Jurrah.

He's now too old and too slow. The game is beyond him, he is more of a wrestling ruckman, with the recent rule changes (start of 2013 season) its swayed towards the big jumpers like Nic Nat and Goldstein.

Thanks dazzle for the info. I would be more than happy to see a direct trade of pick 2 for Swallow, seems fair. As for Frawley, I'd be pi**ed if he was traded.

Although the difference with Hogan is that he's ready to go round one, Watts wasn't - let alone the Queens birthday weeks later. The games he played (and dominated) in the VFL is enough to merit excitement for his introduction, and include him on the banner. If Viney is on there after his first season I don't see why Hogan can't be either. Although I completely agree with you both, I would hate see another "Hogan is our savior like thread" with people expecting him to come out and immediately play like a Lance Franklin, or prime Jonathan Brown. It's the same kind of bias and hype people get caught up with regarding the top 10 draft picks.

For those who haven't seen it yet. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2013-09-09/my-heart-beats-true-2014-membership

I'm a big fan, it's a well designed piece of art really. I like the moto, steering clear from the excessive history yet still blends whilst looking forward to the future. The photoshopping with the hint of light in the background is just fantastic. In all honesty it's one of the better pieces I've seen. I also like in their now video how they have steered clear of the white jumpers (exc. Hogan because we only have footage within him in the white).

It's a valid point, although if it sells a few more memberships while the hype is high I'm all for it.

Great thread Jack. I agree I hate the clash jumper, I think it represents our last 7 years perfectly (absolute pushovers). I would be happy enough if the club just inverted the colours or used the old royal blue and bright red. Collingwood, North and even Sydney do something similar. Even the bombers and tigers haven't ventured far from their colours and not incorporate the white, so I don't see why we should.

I bloody hope we can crack 40 k and I don't see why it can't get to 45 k before the start of next season. We currently have just over 33 k members, PJ has stated we have lost ~ 12 k in the past two years, 45 k should be the target... not to mention the potential of any new additional memberships. I hope the staff and volunteers have been back tearing up the phones in the hunt for new or renewed members whilst the Roos hype is high. Let's hope Stynes wish finally comes true.

Exactly how good do you think Aish, Kelly, and Sheed (midfielders) are? And which one would you take because that is the challenge. Also what do you base it off... media hype? Why not trade pick 2 for Coniglio, O'Rourke, or Macrae... they are in the same category as those stated above... I doubt anyone here would. I'm sure one of these three midfielders you've stated will turn out to be great, although it's likely in time one or two will disappoint and not live up to expectations. Also I ask would you trade pick 2 for Joel Selwood? I'm sure everyone here would in a heartbeat. If so what would be the maximum you’d pay, again I'm sure most people here would be happy to pay overs (more than pick 2). As for Scott he's not that far off Joel he matches him in nearly all areas of his game ex. shots on goal and assists. So I look forward to seeing what he'll produce within the next 2-3 years and YES I would want S. Selwood over 1 of those three midfielders that you've stated. If you still think little of Scott Selwood look at the statistics below in comparison to his brother. Both in their 6th season: http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?tid1=19&pid1=2322&tid2=10&pid2=1725&type=A&fid1=S&fid2=P&fopt2=2012