Young Dee

Happy that Toump could have a good game - could give him a lot more confidence going into the preseason. One of the kids that will really benefit from a full preseason (as well as Trengove, Taggert, Kent and Evans). We have to make sure we develop him right - not like Trengove (Viney and Hogan will be fine). I think its a matter of building up his body without losing speed (like GWS do). In his draft highlights video he looked to have great speed and confidence - I think he would be getting 20-30 touches every week in a collingwood midfield (ours just doesn't suit him). I see him as a good rebounding player - getting the ball on an open wing and legging it then kicking it from 50m (like in his draft highlights)

Melbourne Football Club - go to the snow this winter!

Melbourne Football Club - supporters are weak as [censored].....jokes

I would tend to disagree with that. I think you have forgotten what the team was like under Neeld - go and watch one of the mid season games. Craig has thrown Neelds boundary line/contested ball gameplan in the bin and has said take the game on and go through the corridor. Craig was not really left with much and I don't think his team selection has been that bad (he is playing Fitzy and Kent, Davis and Strauss and generally left Rodan, Pederson and Nicholson out). I would like to see Taggert but think he should stay in the Casey environment for the rest of the season (so really there is no one else who we could really bring in accept maybe Magner).

I tend to agree - probably just because my mind tells me that Craig has been at the club for a couple years now which must mean he is bad (also seems to be almost to relaxed) Not sure about Ratten as coach - maybe Williams as coach and Ratten as assistant or as midfield coach. In any case we should be looking at getting him to the club as well as Ling.

Is there any room for anyone else in that forward line? Say... Clark or Dawes?

I wouldn't disagree with you. I really like Craig but just don't want to see him as coach next year. In the public eye he is damaged goods (from the Neeld regime). I really wanted Roos (just love everything that comes out of his mouth and his personality) but I will accept that thats not going to happen. So I guess its Eade or WIlliams or ...... with Craig as an assistant or in a development role - thats what I want. The coach is pretty much an investment into hope and as much as I like Craig he just doesn't bring as much as a Williams. I keep saying the players need a clean slate but we can't just keep giving them clean slates every time they try and drive this football club into the ground (this is our last shot). Who ever is the next coach is in it for the long hall - is Craig up for another 4 or 5 years? Can Craig sell hope to supporters and players? (the former most important!)

Can we get Aish on the peptides now? I seriously don't have any patience left. I just cant listen to 100 "Aish" threads describing him as the next Chris Judd... in 7 years time. I am a patient person but seriously it makes me sick thinking about development. If anyone has a time machine speak out now! (I will accept a time freezing device also)

I am pretty sure his stance is: he definitely does not want to coach next year or in the near future but does not want to completely reject the idea of coaching again (3-5 years time). It would be a very hard thing to say that you never want to coach again - you don't know how you will feel about it in 5 years time and if he does say that he would never get offers in future. He seems a very reasonable and intelligent man - I would be very surprised to see him coaching next year because he is not going to enter the coaching ring if he is not up to it.

Not intended (otherwise it would be "give this kid another break")

I just pictured you lying in bed with a hot coco in one hand and the report in the other. Good night? Can you summaries it in 100 pages or less?

This is how I see it INS Good: James Frawley, Chris Dawes, Jimmy Toumpas Bad: Cameron Pedersen, David Rodan OUTS Good: Troy Davis (Omitted), Sam Blease (Ankle), Shannon Byrnes (Foot) Bad: Jack Fitzpatrick (Concussion) - easily replaced by Dawes James Strauss (Shoulder) - [censored] give this kid a break Could someone explain to me how Rodan gets a game over Magner? (there is definitely something wrong there!)

I don't think anyone can ... not even Hird (I think he has started actually believing the [censored] that comes out of his mouth)

Could someone please summarise the situation for me (in one post) - I really can't be bothered reading the 21 pages and looking for the facts. Would be greatly appreciated! So James Hird has been rejecting the possibility that the players were ever injected and flat out rejected the claims that he every injected himself. But now he has changed his stance and decided to go with 'I am the victim here'? So basically he has been lying through his teeth, thrown the players and everyone else under the bus and yet the supporters still drop to their knees when they see him? And the players have been reported to be using AOD and yet they are unlikely to be charged because it was supposedly not banned when the started using it? (was it banned at any time when they were using it?) Is there any real chance that the players will be charged after the full report is released? Thanks YD

I read past the headlines...... until the quote "I’ve said to both of them definitively that I’m not interested in doing it." I believe him (he is no James Hird).

Good call - A club can't just bunker down and stop making decisions whilst waiting for a coach. Fitzy is a good prospect and Watts is looking like a deserter - Fitzy is a required player (forward/rucks don't grow on trees). The suggestions that we already have a coach lined up are silly - the interviews are still going and the coaching selection panel are not going to just make a hasty decision again (unless its Roos - maybe then).

That or you can create a place where everyone will be fighting for contracts (all starts with getting the best possible people into the club). As for Ling I don't see any position higher than an assistant coach (midfield role) - he has no training I believe. Having said that an assistant midfield coach or midfield mentor role would be perfect for him and he is well worth the money.

Damn! Cooney has just signed on with the Bulldogs untill the end of 2015. We better get some experienced leader type players in this off season (and not your Rodan types!). I will be very cross if they only focus on the draft - this club needs some on-field leadership (why do you think the cats develop their youth so well - it's all about leadership and culture and we have neither) http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-08-22/cooney-finally-signs-on

I don't know how I missed this thread..... Jurrah for Couch?

Possible new nickname for fitzy: The Mantis

His chest and legs are still too small to play as a crashing packs type forward. But then agian look at Jeremy Cameron. (2013) - I think (looks like one of those starving African children ads)

Agreed - I will admit I also thought he was a dud (like I did with Spencer) We definitely need him - not as a forward but as a forward/ruck. Instead of taking 2 ruckman into a game we can have Gawn and Fitzy (2nd ruckman). Gawn and Spencer are really just plain ruckman although Gawn could develop into a good resting full forward.

Don't know if this has been mentioned! (2 year contract) I guess we won't be trading him then? or does that mean we can? Good on you big fella! FORWARD/ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick will remain a Demon until at least the end of 2015, after he signed a two year deal. The 22 year-old has played 14 matches, including the past 11 this season, since making his AFL debut against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in round 24, 2011. Fitzpatrick’s new contract comes on the back of an impressive second half of the year, since holding his place in the side from round 10 against Hawthorn at the MCG. He has booted 18 goals, including 15 this year. This included a career best four goals against the Brisbane Lions at TIO Stadium in round 17, and three majors against the Sydney Swans at the MCG in round 15. General manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Fitzpatrick’s commitment was some good news for the club. “Jack has shown signs this year that he can be a good AFL player,” he told melbournefc.com.au. “He’s kicked multiple goals in a number of games this year as a key forward and his ruck work is continuing to improve. “Jack has had an injury interrupted start to his AFL career, but hopefully he can finish off this season [strongly] and have a good pre-season. We still think he’s got a lot of scope for improvement in his game.” Originally drafted at No. 50 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, Fitzpatrick has had to overcome several hurdles to not only make it onto an AFL list, but also hold a place in the team. He suffered chronic fatigue syndrome as a youngster and during his time at the Demons has been diagnosed with diabetes. Injuries have also interrupted his career, but his running capacity for a player of his size – especially quick over 20 metres – makes him a rare commodity in the competition. After dominating in the VFL, Fitzpatrick’s development, particularly in the second half of the season, has been one of the positive aspects of an otherwise dismal year for Melbourne. “He’s taken the next step into the AFL, and has taken his opportunity through some injuries this year,” Mahoney said. “Jack, being 200 cm tall and with the speed that he has, [he] will prove to be a very difficult match up for any opposition defenders in the future.” http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-08-21/fitzpatrick-signs-new-contract

Which ones exactly? I thought Neeld drove them all away. Jetta will probably be gone at seasons end. We really are missing that kind of spark that came from Jurrah, Wonna and a young Davey (could really get the team going)

Viney: ..... nuff said Kent: Lots of promise Strauss: defiantly something there Sylvia: must stay on Captains: need full preseasons ...That's about it