Older demon

Whilst I feel bad for Fritsch I think you will see if you review the replay that last week was not his best. At times he rushed and was panicked and turned the ball over, especially in 2nd quarter. He was luck Gunston hit the post in the third as Fritsch rushed at the loose ball over ran it and allowed Gunston to swoop and miss what was the turning point of the game. At half back who was minding Gunston who almost turned the game and kicked 3.5 and got coaches votes for 2nd BOG. I can see the need for the extra tall as Vardy had a big influence up forward in week 1, while Lycett was battling Grundy

This finals series has shown we are now in "Hunting Premierships" mode. We do not need to trade out our guns for speculative draft picks. Fremantle can come up with whatever they like but Hogan stays put and enjoys playing finals for the next few years, not travelling back and across the country every 2nd week and living through a rebuild.

It is rumoured that GWS have to offload about a mill off their salary cap next season. This is why there is all the noise around Shiel and Scully. Ironic that Scully's hefty contract may come back to bite him.

My concern will be Geelong tactics especially at Max. The Scott boys didn't get nicknamed the Cray brothers for nothing. Scott is a brilliant coach and possibly the hardest to coach against as well as being seriously nasty. His team has a habit of jumping into the back of opponents in marking contests, with Hawkins having being suspended already this year. Likewise don't forget the corked bum Hogan copped at GMHBA stadium in a marking contest. Do not be surprised to see Geelong players constantly jumping into Max or trying to nail him in a marking contest, I want our guys to provide support and be aware who is in the aarea around Max. Another thread has already mentioned Guthrie's crash into Nev in the past. I seriously hope we come out tactically and play like the anti social hawks used to in their premiership yearsand assert some physical pressure on Geelong as I guarantee there will be plenty coming our way

Correct it was Jake, he is much taller than I anticipated as well

Sam Maclure did state that Freo were preparing a massive offer to throw at Hoges. And they may well be doing that but I think they have missed the boat. Goody stated on Monday "On the Couch" that Hogan is a Melbourne (city) boy now and despite his injury is everywhere at the club embracing the finals. This is his home. The players all know where we are at and what success brings. At a function Sunday a rehabing demon said he expects to play finals with us for the next 9 years. Freo are a rabble with an ageing list and all Hoges mates are at MFC.

I can see why everyone is discussing who we put on who but consider that we finished 5th, our midfield of Max, Oliver, Brayshaw and now Harmes is A grade, so let them worry about us and our weapons. Viney and Vandenberg didn't play and Garlett, Hogan and Vince were in for the last Geelong game. An inexperienced midfield contributed to the loss at geelong and we can add experience and grunt. Remember Hogan was lame after he got a knee in his back in the first quarter. I am starting to believe that we are much better than we all realise and yes we have days and quarters when the team loses its way but they are becoming fewer. The last 2 weeks highlight what we can do, so let the Cats worry about us and what stategies THEY need to combat us

You have to wonder where all the Norf money is coming from. They are a bit scattergun with their approach offering a fortune to anyone.kelly only signed on for 2 years at GWS and Norf were very confident that they would get him next time but cannot see that happening if Gaff goes there. If he is too pricey then move on as we don't want to disturb the pecking order at MFC. lewis has already spoken to the group about pay structure and keeping the group together just as they did at Hawthorn in the premiership years. I truly believe that if MFC offer was similar to GWS he would come home (as per Jane's info) but 1.2 for 7 years is crazy money. Target what we need to comlement our existing list do not get into a bidding war just to prove you can attract a player.

For years we have been looking for the Messiah. Roos often stated that the Messiah complex and expectation is what limts player development and in this case we cannot expect Weid to come in and emulate Hogan. Thinking about this I will be content for him to play his role as defined by the coaches. If he plays on McGovern then make every contest count. If he plays in the ruck, get the ball to ground to our mids and make a contest and drop back in defence. He has played 15 games and is still learning and cannot be expected to come in and clunk marks, kick a bag and dominate especially against such a well organised backline such as the Eagles. Will he however provide a better option in contested marks and rucking than Pederson? I believe he will and our goals will need to come from the mids and flankers. Last week pederson was on Heaney and one contest in particular he gave us nothing. The only alternative I would consider is Hannan as a key forward but then who backs up Max against Lycett and Vardy?

I can confirm Hoges is left handed. I asked him as he continually shot left handed at one of the MFC holiday programs at MSAC where he and Trac were shooting hoops. Both would not be out of place on a basketball court.

I have stated this before Hoges is left handed but right footed and that is why the weird ball drop. As a right handed left footer I can attest to the difficulty using you non dominant hand to drop the ball on your foot. Nick Riewoldt was the same and early in his career he had similar problems kicking for goal, but he got better with experience. I found that I could become pretty good on my right foot because I could control the ball drop better and maybe Hogan can kick in play on his left. He is a pretty good kick in field play.

Hogan has a lot of improvement still in him and every other club would offer a trade for him. Talk of trade is nonsense as we don't have enough A listers or key position players now. We need to replace Jones, Vince and Lewis in the next 2 years as well as a backup for Max. Trading Hogan out for their replacements will yield nothing. Gaff is a RFA and will come to us if the Eagles don't match his offer.

Aaron Hall of Gold Coast, quick outside mide who will be a lot cheaper. Weideman is being groomed as the 2nd ruck. Dalhaus doesn't impress and I think Gaff and McGovern will be too expensive. The loss of Naitanui complicates things as now they need Lycett more than Gaff or McGovern. They may be less inclined to stick with Gaff

The proposed parkland is where the club held its family day this season. It is a great location and much better suited to being an open park and oval. The only drawback is it is on quite a slope so no jokes about downhill skiers plaease.

Jane02 wont kiss and tell but I will. Same source close to the Gaff family. If he returns to Melbourne MFC is preferred location. As RFA the Eagles can match whatever he is offered but historically very few if any clubs match offers made to RFA's. Sorry Jane

If Gaff returns to Melbourne it will only to play with MFC despite what others offer atm.

The throw away line in the news articles is that this has the approval of the AFL. Last week on radio one pundit stated that PJ favoured a succession plan as did some at MFC but the AFL did not like this idea, for whatever reason. Maybe they thought Mahoney was a risk or lacked experience. Pert's credentials are impeccable and far more advanced than any of the internal candidates. In some ways the AFL still owns MFC and dictates our fixture, where we play and who we appoint to senior positions. There is still a little way to go before we start dictating who we play and when and where. This has AFL all over it

You didn't mention Balic! I thought he was on a 1 year contract for this year. Agree McKenna if he cannot get on the park and similarly Vandenberg and when Gaff nominates MFC I suspect JHKH will be surplus too. Mitch King is a ruckman and they need time so doubt they would discard. Bernie and Pedo might get another year. Then there might be a left field decision like Jack Watts last year which no-one saw coming

Too early to call who is more polished. When recruited together all they wanted to do was play in the same team. Trac does a knee in year 1 and is a season behind. Gus has a great first year, gets knocked out and basically loses a season and a bit. I would be interested to see how many games they have played tgether. On the weekend, don't forget Trac spent 4 days in hospital prior to playing and was a little sluggish. That was the best game I have seen from Gus since his first year so it is a bit early to call who is better. I seem them as 2 different styles of footballer who will compliment each other and form a very formidable team with Oliver and Viney in the midfield. I like that each brings something different to the mid field and hope Angus signs up soon.

At last a rover who kicks goals, crumbs packs and has attitude. Go Charlie

Well done Charlie congratulations. My son will be spewing as he is a Kangas supporter and rates Charlie highly and cannot belive the Roos didn't pick him. They couldn't get him as a father son as his old man played 81 games with North. Charlie has followed the path of his father, Paul (North Melbourne and Brisbane), grandfather, Bob (Footscray), and great grandfather, Bob snr (Footscray and Melbourne), in making the big-time.

Just posted in the Goodwin forum the same thing. Things notgood in the box for the first 4 rounds and macca will sit on the boundary line. Mentioned elsewhere that there may have been a clash of egos. When asked to elaborate the reporter stated that Macca wants to be in the boc so I am not sure who he has upset but clearly not a happy camp

I like the look of his play and it was Buckenara who suggested we got a bargain as he rated him at 22 in the drafte and the best key position player available.

Not sure why he was cut from brisbane Academy but he looks well balanced, has some pace and hits targets. Clearly the FD have kept an eye on him

And now pick 28 has been used by carlton to get their GWS player. Just got a bit easier if we want Fritsch