Last week did show up a real weakness re our height restrictions in the backline. I think Martin should be now groomed for say a backline role with a turn in the ruck whwn required-similar to Tippet when he goes from a forward to a ruckman.

been pushing this barrow for a while. would love to see him in the back half and leave chip to towel up the mid sized forwards, warnock as the other tall and Garland another who can swing between talls and smalls.

not sure what to do with jared.

been pushing this barrow for a while. would love to see him in the back half and leave chip to towel up the mid sized forwards, warnock as the other tall and Garland another who can swing between talls and smalls.

not sure what to do with jared.

I'd be very cross if is not given another decent chance. He worked his butt off to become a forward/ruckman, but if not good enough in that role I agree he's needed to pick up the very biggest of opposing forwards. I wasn't surprised that Tippett did well last week. With 3 Adelaide talls I thought we'd be in trouble without another backup ruck

A few months ago I heard from someone within the club that Stef, as well as being injured, was apparently going thru a particularly messy relationship breakdown, and that the club had given him some time off while he was injured to clear his head up.

Just passing on what's been told to me. I actually don't know if this is 100% true (although the person who told me wouldn't have any reason to lie i guess), but if it were true, i think it might explain a lot.

A few months ago I heard from someone within the club that Stef, as well as being injured, was apparently going thru a particularly messy relationship breakdown, and that the club had given him some time off while he was injured to clear his head up.

Just passing on what's been told to me. I actually don't know if this is 100% true (although the person who told me wouldn't have any reason to lie i guess), but if it were true, i think it might explain a lot.

Well, that'd do it. If it gets messy enough it can certainly mess with your head in a big way.

A few months ago I heard from someone within the club that Stef, as well as being injured, was apparently going thru a particularly messy relationship breakdown, and that the club had given him some time off while he was injured to clear his head up.

Just passing on what's been told to me. I actually don't know if this is 100% true (although the person who told me wouldn't have any reason to lie i guess), but if it were true, i think it might explain a lot.

If that's true I wish him the all the best and hope that he can use his footy as an outlet to get away from some of life's troubles. IMO he has a fair bit of ability and as we know mobile 198cm players don't grow on trees. I think he can cement a place in the side next year if he can get fully fit and muscle up a bit more. He may surprise a lot of Dees fans.

If that's true I wish him the all the best and hope that he can use his footy as an outlet to get away from some of life's troubles. IMO he has a fair bit of ability and as we know mobile 198cm players don't grow on trees. I think he can cement a place in the side next year if he can get fully fit and muscle up a bit more. He may surprise a lot of Dees fans.

I still say we need to use O'Hailpin as a benchmark for Martin's development. By that timeline he's got probably another two years before we can expect him to be really damaging. On the bright side, that's just about when we'll be challenging for finals/top four, so wouldn't it be nice to have him firing?

If that's true I wish him the all the best and hope that he can use his footy as an outlet to get away from some of life's troubles. IMO he has a fair bit of ability and as we know mobile 198cm players don't grow on trees. I think he can cement a place in the side next year if he can get fully fit and muscle up a bit more. He may surprise a lot of Dees fans.

Agreed he is a great athlete and I have seen him take a couple of great marks out of position. If he really wants to be an AFL footballer he needs to be persisted with.

Well, that'd do it. If it gets messy enough it can certainly mess with your head in a big way.

Yeah, especially when your trying to learn a new caper @ the highest competative level.

I thought I could see he wasn't traveling well within himself. I hope he's coping with it now.

Good luck to him.

Maybe we can be a bit more supportive of him instead of trying to crucify him?

I still say we need to use O'Hailpin as a benchmark for Martin's development. By that timeline he's got probably another two years before we can expect him to be really damaging. On the bright side, that's just about when we'll be challenging for finals/top four, so wouldn't it be nice to have him firing?

I'd give him that long to become a fair forward. He can already play back, could brush off some rough edges. I think he's a fine footballer in the waiting.