Straight Sets Simon

Where did you hear this?

I realise that calling the MRP inconsistent isn't anything new, but how did Kieren Jack escape with just a fine for throwing Luke McDonald over the boundary line? Earlier this year Andrew Walker was suspended for throwing Monfries into a fance, yet Jack only gets a fine for a near identical and equally dangerous action.

What happened to "End thread. No danger."?

Maybe they were expecting Essendon to win the court case on Friday?

If Melbourne somehow gave up picks 2, 3 (assuming we get it) and Toumpas/Trengove/Watts for Dangerfield and Mitchell that would be the biggest trading win in years and a miracle.

I don't begrudge Hawthorn for doing well as they have built a core of stars through clever drafting and trading (amazing to think they still have had a few high draft pick misses along the way) which has allowed them to have sustained success. Melbourne had this opportunity in recent years but Barry Prendergast and a lot of bad luck ruined this chance. Sydney on the other hand have been very good at trading at drafting, however the COLA has given them an advantage over other clubs to attract and retain star players.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. I'm learning to trust player managers less and less each year.

Exactly, I have always hated this "he won't play in our next premiership" line.

Great in a straight line as demonstrated by his hit on Shaw in his first game but has almost zero lateral movement. It's a shame becuase he is one of the few Melbourne players who can kick.

That makes sense, thanks.

Does this mean we should look to pick him up as a free agent next year rather than trade for him this year?

My uni results suffered that year.

Dangerfield is 24.

Yes, it does.

Dangerfield wasn't actually quoted as saying he is not leaving.

Much prefer to keep Trengove, although I'm still not holding my breath that he will come good.

I think it's a case of targeting players who have talent but for whatever reason can't get a game which is what Sydney have done well.

I really don't like the way he kicks the ball.

This thread seems to be slowing down so I thought I should reignite it. https://twitter.com/maddiewines/status/513457592027189248

Easily in the top 10 players at the club and if he played all year I think he could have made the All-Australian squad of 40. What impresses me most is that he stands up in the tackle and rarely fumbles. These are two attributes many Melbourne players struggle with.

It's not about if it will happen, it's about setting high expectations and no longer being stuck in the past.

Melbourne should be aiming to play finals next year. I was going to write some long-winded spiel about how we always look to and dwell the past, but that's dwelling on the past. Be positive, be bold and aim high. This should be the Melbourne of 2015.

Except they were all injured.

Sydney has had a core of stars for the past decade which is the backbone of their success. I just struggle seeing Strauss, Tapscott, Blease, Cook, Taggert and Toumpas being much better in any other team. We already know that Maric, Gysberts, Morton, Petterd, Sylvia, Cheney have not been any better under the development of other clubs so I doubt the others were any different. I just think that Melbourne were looking for the wrong type of player, hence why Prendergast got it so wrong all the time.

Culture is the icing, having talent first place is the cake. We don't have the cake and a player like Jack had talent in the first place.