Straight Sets Simon

In a heartbeat, however I doubt Gold Coast would do that deal.

I hear Phillip Morris is a great CEO.

Even the almighty Ben-Hur/Hannabal thought we would be better this year after watching training and he's never wrong...

So it's fine to get flogged if before the game you state that this would happen?

A few years ago on the cover if the Melbourne year book/magazine the heading was "The Future" and there were photos of Schwab, Bailey and Connolly. I remember feeling uneasy about it at the time and so was proven correct. Does anyone remember or still have a copy if this?

I wrote the same thing early last year. All game plans can work if executed perfectly, plus you can only turn a list over so much each year therefore you have to play to a list's strengths and then tweak it.

The problem is he is using it as an excuse, he shouldn't be making excuses.

All Neeld should be saying is we are trying to win. Being competitive is a non-negotiable, it should be expected of every player in every game, not an aim. It feels as though Neeld has just continued from where Bailey left off with all this "competitive" talk. Mind boggling to say the least.

Jack, the problem is that it is the same defeatist attitude both Daniher and Bailey had. His job isn't to predict what will happen one way or the other. His aim is to win, that is all he should be saying.

Their coach has always reminded me of Bailey.

I've been at the Sydney game (left at half time because the SCG double booked my ticket, terrible venue) but what Sydney do is simple, they run. With the ball and without the ball. It's not rocket surgery. Why can't we do the same?

He's frustrating but I would rather keep him than lose him for nothing.

Yes it is, easily.

Worst Melbourne team I've ever seen.

I only saw a few minutes if the show where Roos was saying Goodes still has "muscle memory" from playing soccer, hence the slide tackles. I would love him to coach Melbourne, but he is easily the worst football person when it comes to TV.

Why would a club trade for Sylvia when he can go anywhere for nothing?EDIT: Typo.

I don't think people realise just how big of a loss Jurrah has been. Personal issues aside, he needed to work on his fitness and defensive side of his game bit but I think that (like many things) was overplayed by Neeld. EDIT: What I notice from the Essendon game in 2011 is that a lot of what Melbourne does is one first option. No one is trying to do too much and there often is a teammate nearby in a good position and and on the move.

Amazing to see Melbourne beating the likes of Ablett, Bartel, Kelly and Johnson. I still maintain our team was pretty good back then.

I think Cameron Ling would make an outstanding coach. You need to be wary of having too many big personalities within the one coaching group.

His acceleration is surprisingly good and seems to be getting better. I've seen him break away from packs a few times now.

I said "yet", there is still time but I won't hold my breath.

I've seen nothing from Toumpas at AFL level yet to suggest he will be better than Wines.

He looks a bit bigger than when I last saw a photo of him.

At the game yesterday there was a kid, no older than about five years old standing up near me talking to himself telling Melbourne to kick more goals. I will always support Melbourne but these are the ones the club will lose forever.

I stood next to Howecroft at training this year, from what I heard it is fair say his knowledge of football and what was happening with the then "tanking" enquiry was limited.