rumpole

Bill Barham, Paul Goss and the Cockatoo- Collins twins. There's a few dud brothers right there!

Bloody Collingwood. One more goal and we would have moved ahead of Essendon on the ladder! Now we have to sweat it out and beat the Eagles by more than Essendon beats Gold Coast in Round 6 !

Many of the Directors are professional people who would only have acted if they had legal advice saying that what they were doing was appropriate and above board. The deal was above board, full disclosure was made and it was a win win for both parties so I see no reason why we need dwell on this any further.

Round two: Melbourne injury list Robert Campbell (achilles) - 6-8 weeks Troy Davis (thyroid disorder) - ongoing Jack Fitzpatrick (foot) - test James Frawley (shoulder) - test Jeremy Howe (ankle) - test Kelvin Lawrence (hand) - test Jordie McKenzie (groin) - 5 weeks Cale Morton (hand) - 1 week Tom Scully (knee) - 3 weeks

And that's how it should be because Jake is two years and two months older than Max and in ruckmen's terms that's a hell of a lot of development time he's had ahead of him.

Sad to say but no club will touch him now. It's over.

Let the commentators say whatever they want and let's hope that the rest of the world believes that rubbish. BTW - a bit harsh on Strauss who is just finding his way in the game.

Anyone hear the late Sandy Denny sing that song? Absolute goosebumps!

The AFL is going to give Brizvegas salary cap relief to allow them to sack a player who is recovering from depression but has been silent on what concessions it might allow clubs if their own creation GWS pilfers 19 year old players from other clubs with AFL money. Conflict of interest anyone?

Three Demons in the All-Stars squad: Jamie Bennell, Aaron Davey and Liam Jurrah. Obviously, they won't play on Thursday morning.

... and Al Jazeera is running with the one about Osama Bin Laden's imminent appointment as GWS public relations officer.

Agree with that. We can't punt on Campbell as our senior rookie upgrade unless he's 100% Depending on what happens in the NAB Cup you'd think either Nicholson or Newton would get the nod.

Well blow me down with a feather but please tell me Brett Ratten hasn't signed his death warrant as a coach by declaring that Carlton has embarked on a ruthless pre-season campaign aimed at making the players tougher mentally and physically - Ruthless Blues. Is that not similar to what Neale Daniher promised but failed to deliver some years ago at Melbourne. Ratten needs to carry his ruthless approach through because the word on Lygon Street is that the Blues are likely to have a new coach next year whose initials are M M and I'm not referring to Mickey Mouse or Marilyn Munro.

Congratulations to the Whites - twin boys born today!

WHAT HE SAID: WHAT THAT MEANS: THE IMPLICATIONS:

There's definitely scope for teams outside the eight to mount a challenge in 2011. I'm not saying that we will necessarily shoot up the ladder but, apart from Collingwood, I can't see room for great improvement among the teams that have occupied the top four in the past two seasons. St. Kilda, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs all have their issues losing key personnel and having difficult fixtures. Who can say Fremantle and Sydney will do better next year? Hawthorn have their issues and Carlton are heavily dependent on one player who, if he doesn't reproduce his Brownlow form, could see them easily fall. Of the teams outside the 8, perhaps Adelaide might challenge, North are a bit flaky and then there's us. We just need things to fall into place - improvement from our players and minimal injuries.

CJ was entitled to walk but ... at the time Carlton was boasting that it got him for nothing in the PSD. That he did nothing to help his old club get a fair trade when he left says enough for me. As things turned out (as pointed out above) the extra space left on our list by his departure enabled us to get Liam Jurrah. That makes him as much of a folk hero at the MFC as Jordan McMahon.

Don't wish to pry if this is too sensitive but has anyone heard whether Tom Scully's personal issues that caused him to go back home in the middle of the trip have been resolved?

Ben Newton Juice Mark II Possible 2nd rounder???

Jordan McMahon delisted by Richmond. Sad news!

Disappointing that he was injured or played injured for a great part of the season. Hope he's better next year.

Is there any word from over there in China or is there a total news blackout?

Correct me if I'm wrong but is there not also a second Viney son a few years younger than Jack who can also play footy at a good standard? I'd like to hear from those who know the family if this is true and if we could have two father son prospects coming through the ranks.

Two. Deal No.2 just signed off - Tiger Richard Tambling to Adelaide for two draft picks.

Reported on SEN: Queensland police say Brendon Fevola will not be charged over allegedly exposing himself to a woman last month. Insufficient evidence. Over to you Andrew Demetriou.