mdemon

Today's game may be considered 'meaningless' by some, but when the last game is finished, and we are all ruminating on the 2015 season, 7 (or possibly 8) wins reads better than 6. At the same time, let's not obsess over the win/loss record. The upcoming trade/draft periods are Roos' last chance to select & shape the Melbourne team that he knows will define his coaching legacy. 2016 will be the season that we use to assess his contribution.

Recycled players from opposition clubs are obviously 'let go' intentionally - occasionally there may be 'behavioural' or 'cultural' issues but more often than not, they are simply not good enough to command a higher spot in their previous team's best 22. Roos, Taylor & co have proven to be remarkably adept at identifying players who, whilst not top 22 at their previous club, nevertheless offer something to us ( which, it must be said, is not saying much for 2007 - 2013). Newton, Michie and (to a lesser extent), Riley, are all young enough (relatively speaking) to provide some 'bottom 6' depth for the next 2 - 3 years until the truly talented youngsters we have drafted, ( and will hopefully continue to draft), fully mature. Guys like Matt Jones et al will be long gone by then but, for present purposes, they have a role to perform that Roos and Goodwin will no doubt clearly articulate for them (e.g. for Matt Jones later today, tag Dal Santo and stifle his run & creativity).

IIRC, Jackovich still holds the record for quickest (least games) to 50 goals. A genuine talent - possibly the last, (or one of the last), "rock'n'roll" full forwards.

Marvellously skilled player - all of the 1st & 2nd year players should be looking on enviously at Bernie's effortless left foot goal kicking and be furiously trying to emulate him. The left footer that effectively sealed the win at the Cattery together with the one that kickstarted us against The Filth are genuine highlights of the season so far. (P.S. The final 1/4 boundary line rightfooter against the Bulldogs after nailing Bontempelli was also pretty good).

Agree with today's posters. This young man seems to not only have a bit of mongrel but also a good bit of tenacity/speed/workrate. Skills might need some polish.

Sadly, the lack of comment is a fair reflection of the overwhelming sense of ennui that seems to be enveloping even the most devoted supporters. Let's hope that Roos can somehow conjure strawberry jam out of the merde that was dished up last week.

Crazy to even consider dropping Dawes. Although the word "structures" is arguably the most overused and overrated terms in modern day football, the reality is that (as others have posted) Dawes knows what he is doing up forward. Individual stats may not amount to much but his ability to bring others into the game is impressive. Probably have to retain Big Jake - be nice to see him jump into Nic Nat when he launches for one of his spectacular leaps. Jake might conced agree or two but Nic Nat will end up getting very sore very quickly. Bail and Riley out for Hogan and Garland in are the logical (albeit minimalist) changes. Yes, it makes us a bit top heavy but, as the saying goes, at the end of the game, a bloke who is 195+ cms is still that tall whereas the little guys may just have run out of puff.

Goodes is an interesting footballer - talented, courageous, inspirational. Yet strangely, (almost perversely), he is respected at best, admired by few, and loved by not many at all (outside of Swans supporters). An almost uniquely polarising player - everybody seems to have a strong view about him, one way or the other. FWIIW, I see him as a prat - the fact that he is an indigenous prat, to me, is utterly irrelevant.

Leigh Matthews was impressed by Hogan and Brayshaw - bit different to his initial observations on Jack Watts

Surely it is a no-brainer. Toumpas was the 22nd player selected purely because Bernie was underdone. Only quandary is who goes out for Dawes. As previously mentioned, (subject to Garlands fitness), the only candidate is Kent (and he would be unlucky).

Maybe, just maybe, Roos and Rawlings have come up with a solution for a player who, as other have noted, has been bereft of luck in his 5 or so years on our list. Lets hope that it works out and gives us an additional tall defensive option as 'insurance' if anything happens to Tommy Mac. Could end up being another example in the long line going back to Bob Murray and beyond of guys recruited as forwards becoming very reliable key defenders. Fingers crossed!

IIRC, Steve is also the answer to a truly trivial piece of trivia, namely: "who was the 1st Little League participant to play VFL seniors?"

GB might be just a little too soporific, but then again, not sure if we need a President with razzmatazz. Presents as a careful, competent and committed. PJ is refreshingly direct - clear & unflinching focus on the 'bottom line' which, in turn, can best be improved quickly by better on-field performances/results. What a contrast to the new-age, corporate-speak waffle that I recall Cameron Schwab spouting at the 2013 AGM. As for Roos, as always he seems to be in complete control of what he is doing, why he is doing it, and where he is going. Once again, a clear contrast to the well-intentioned (but Ill-equipped) Mark Neeld.

Spot on assessment. It surely must have been line ball between Matthew Bate and Dunn as to which one was to be cut just a few seasons ago. Remarkable transformation by a player who seemed to be destined to be a classic 'journeyman' footballer. Now commands respect as someone who is not only rarely beaten in one-on-one contests, but also provides run & drive out of defence. Hopefully with a few more competent forwards and a quicker transition style of play, Lynden's ability to kick penetrating drop punts will frank his value to the team. Congratulations on his elevation.

Although this thread is at risk of being renamed "Chris Dawes 2015 - make or break?", FWIIW, I thought Dawes did well last year, given the circumstances. In the first part of the season, (e.g. Carlton, Adelaide), he was simply inspirational. Yes, he flagged towards the back end of the season (but he certainly wasn't Robinson Crusoe). Coming off an interrupted pre-season and at the same time being asked to do all the power forward work due to the absence of Clark and Hogan meant it was inevitable his form would tail off. Pedersen suffered a similar fate. If Hogan stands up, (and Jamar, Gawn and possibly Fitzpatrick make consistent, rather than occasional, cameo, contributions), then I would hope/expect Dawes to have a more meaningful and productive season given that he will be enjoying some long overdue support & relief.

Remarkable achievement by PJ and his team. Vlad has his (deserved) critics but he deserves credit for persuading Peter Jackson to step in. What a relief it is to not hear any news or rumours about off-field dramas or crises either during the season proper or during the off-season. Can we dare to dream that we will in future be respected as a Club? Congratulations to Glenn Bartlett, Peter Jackson and the Club administration.

Notwithstanding his less than glorious last couple of seasons, Chip did have the two indispensable qualities of a good defender, strength & positioning for the one-on-ones plus excellent closing speed for the KPF on a lead. If our current crop can emulate those traits, then the key issue is whether we have the personnel to 'mop up' and then run or pass the ball out of the back half with minimal risk (of turnover). Grimes and 'The Prince' don't inspire confidence - Salem/Toumpas?

Makes sense for the Saints to pick up McKernan. He can provide the cover for McCartin whilst he develops under the tutelage of the peerless Saint Nick. In a couple of years, the transition will be complete (or so the Saints hope) with Riewoldt retiring gracefully and McCartin accepting the mantle of the new 'go to' KPF and McKernan hanging around to provide protection/2nd option. Let's just hope: (a) Hogan receives the same tutelage/protection from Dawes; and (b) Fitzpatrick/Gawn/Pedersen can provide the 3rd tall option.

You are correct. Ed did indeed teach science at Peninsula - was always modest about his onfield achievements, including the time he snagged a lazy 5 (I think) as resting ruckman - (got on the fortunate end of one or two 'handballs over the top'). As for his off-field achievements, well, that is another story (or so I am told......)

The enormity of the achievement by WSW should not be in any way underestimated - truly amazing for a team that has only been in existence for the proverbial "5 minutes". Having said that, the seeds of WSW were certainly cast on fertile ground. Sadly, the AFL (as noted by other posters) took a rather hubristically market- orientated approach which meant that they conveniently ignored (or under-appreciated) the fact that the GWS seeds were being cast on VERY stony ground. Ordinarily I wouldn't give a fat rodents clacker about the issue, except for the fact that the generous draft concessions gifted to GWS have meant that the supposed rewards for teams like ours finishing at the bottom of the AFL ladder for the past few seasons have been hard to realise.

Anything to be read into the article on McCartin on the AFL site this morning regarding the Swans, Essendrug & us not sending recruiters on the AIS-AFL Academy tour? Does this mean Roos has already decided who we want at 2 & 3? If so, does it mean that McCartin is "in" or "out"?

Again, Martin Flanagan encapsulates, expresses and delivers the essence of the subject that he has chosen to write about. Is there a contemporary journalist who does it better? Thank you Martin.

Interesting theories regarding possible strategies being employed by Roos & co, but could it be simply a situation where Roos does not want to have on his list anybody who is even remotely 'doubtful' from an injury point of view. The 2 'shocks' that we have encountered this Trade Period are Mitch and Trenners. Both are coming back from serious foot injuries that history tells us layers do not always recover fully from. Perhaps Roos' view is "if in doubt, throw them out". Definitely harsh, but let's not underestimate the depths of Roos' embarrassment at some of our woefully inept late-season performances. He will NOT want to see anything remotely like that in 2015.

Interesting to see former footballers on the front pages of this morning's newspapers. Both revered by their respective Clubs. One played in a Premiership and won a Brownlow, the other one didn't. One was the epitome of selflessness, grace & humility, the other one isn't.

Managed to rise above and conquer so many obstacles (poorly performing team, unsuitable physique, etc.,) to go on and carve out a career that eclipses all others at the MFC over the past 40 odd years. Gave Demon supporters a reason (often the only reason) to brave a cold & wet Saturday afternoon in the middle of winter. Alf Brown in his pre-game analysis in Friday night's Herald would invariably proclaim that Robbie would win his wing in the following days game (and would be proven correct). The late season surge in 1987 that carried us into the finals and all the way to the gutting Preliminary Final at VFL Park was a truly fitting finale to an exemplary career. Thank you, Robbie, for all the wonderful memories - gone, but will never be forgotten. RIP.