surely LJ's 4 weeks is garbage - they can't put down to 'indefinite club suspension pending criminal conviction'

the fact that the Sylvia omission is club-imposed, it means we esssentially have a full-strength side for round 1 of the season, it has been a long while since that has happened. Props to David Mission?

In case you missed something, I beleive that Sylvia has a back injury 4-6 weeks

In case you missed something, I beleive that Sylvia has a back injury 4-6 weeks

I think C & B was trying to say that since Sylvia was not going to be playing regardless of his injury, the selectors will be picking from what essentially are all players that deserve a shot at Round 1. I.E. None out of a fully fit Cook, Evans, Gawn, Spencer, Taggert and Jetta would be in our best 22 players, and at this stage it appears Jurrah isn't either.

That being said, I disagree with C & B in that Jurrah should be able to play when he is fit. Innocent until proven guilty. It is not the MFC's place to impose bans when the law is taking its course.

I think it is worth noting that St Kilda sacked Andrew Lovett early because of team mates refusing to play with him.

They were also prepared to be witnesses against him. As well as that, the charge was clearly an indictable offense which would require a jury.

Jurrah's matter is being held in a Magistrates court (at this time).

There is no reason at all to hold up his career until after the case. Its just a pity for all concerned that the proceedings cant be brought forward.

I think it is worth noting that St Kilda sacked Andrew Lovett early because of team mates refusing to play with him.

They were also prepared to be witnesses against him. As well as that, the charge was clearly an indictable offense which would require a jury.

Jurrah's matter is being held in a Magistrates court (at this time).

There is no reason at all to hold up his career until after the case. Its just a pity for all concerned that the proceedings cant be brought forward.

Precisely, Franky. Jurrah will play again before his case plays out, there's no doubt of that in my mind. There's no logical reason for him not to - can't say I found C&B's "it's not a good look" case very compelling.

Back on the topic, Misson on DeeTV.

- Spencer available Rnd3

- Gawn doing lots of strength work in the gym, looking to run soon

- NevJet super unlucky - 4 weeks in the boot, 8-12 weeks away

- Evans - stress fracture in back, opposite site to 2011 fracture. Also hip problems, so they've done both his back and hip.

- LJ - conditioning and strength in the gym, back on the track now as part of rehab group

- Taggert - stress fracture in his back - back onto running program

- Strauss - unlucky

No mention of Col...

cant you read

i said 'sidelined until closure has occurred' not 'sacked immediately'

What about Montagna and Milne?

They got to keep playing and they were under investigation - twice.

And from I sit - rape is a more worrisome allegation than hitting your cousin with a machete.

Well other than the fact that most contentious situations in life are not totally black and white, you could be a judge.

Back on the topic, Misson on DeeTV.

- Spencer available Rnd3

- Gawn doing lots of strength work in the gym, looking to run soon

- NevJet super unlucky - 4 weeks in the boot, 8-12 weeks away

- Evans - stress fracture in back, opposite site to 2011 fracture. Also hip problems, so they've done both his back and hip.

- LJ - conditioning and strength in the gym, back on the track now as part of rehab group

- Taggert - stress fracture in his back - back onto running program

- Strauss - unlucky

No mention of Col...

No news is good news I guess....

Well other than the fact that most contentious situations in life are not totally black and white, you could be a judge.

Nothing is ever black and white.

Even 'rules' with what to do with players under investigation by authorities are, and should be, nuanced.

No situation is the same, so why pretend they are? (That goes for my reference to M&M too)

We are on new ground here, and the decisions we make are our own and we will have good reasons to do whatever we decide.

Personally, I would let his rehab take its course and play him in the VFL for at least a few games (if fit) and if his form warrants an AFL game before May then so be it, but as soon as May comes around he will spend half his time talking with lawyers and the distraction for him should mean we give him a few weeks off prior to the court date. This course of action will likely mean he won't play AFL before the court date.

Assuming Liam is telling the truth and justice prevails, he will be ready to resume through the VFL.

Back on the topic, Misson on DeeTV.

- Spencer available Rnd3

- Gawn doing lots of strength work in the gym, looking to run soon

- NevJet super unlucky - 4 weeks in the boot, 8-12 weeks away

- Evans - stress fracture in back, opposite site to 2011 fracture. Also hip problems, so they've done both his back and hip.

- LJ - conditioning and strength in the gym, back on the track now as part of rehab group

- Taggert - stress fracture in his back - back onto running program

- Strauss - unlucky

No mention of Col...

Like Jetta, i think injuries will be the end to Evans

Evans was never going to make it. He has a crack and I like him but at his size you have to have at least blistering pace or very sharp skills. He has neither. Jetta is in a similar boat, but he has a couple of added tricks in agility and tackling ability.

As for Taggart, I'm disappointed that we continue to draft players who then have to sit out large parts of their first seasons. I'd love us to take a more conservative approach to selecting 18 year olds who can be ready to go from the start.

Nothing is ever black and white.

Even 'rules' with what to do with players under investigation by authorities are, and should be, nuanced.

No situation is the same, so why pretend they are? (That goes for my reference to M&M too)

We are on new ground here, and the decisions we make are our own and we will have good reasons to do whatever we decide.

Personally, I would let his rehab take its course and play him in the VFL for at least a few games (if fit) and if his form warrants an AFL game before May then so be it, but as soon as May comes around he will spend half his time talking with lawyers and the distraction for him should mean we give him a few weeks off prior to the court date. This course of action will likely mean he won't play AFL before the court date.

Assuming Liam is telling the truth and justice prevails, he will be ready to resume through the VFL.

Although, do we know what happens in May? If I have read correctly, he will be 'attending' the court by video link which suggests to me that it may just be a mention or a plea hearing, not an actual full-blown hearing. So, May might just be a mechanical, albeit important, part of the process and not the hearing itself. Mind you, I'm just guessing. if someone can provide facts (with respect to process, of course) that would be good.

Although, do we know what happens in May? If I have read correctly, he will be 'attending' the court by video link which suggests to me that it may just be a mention or a plea hearing, not an actual full-blown hearing. So, May might just be a mechanical, albeit important, part of the process and not the hearing itself. Mind you, I'm just guessing. if someone can provide facts (with respect to process, of course) that would be good.

That's the way it reads to me If it were a full hearing LJ would have to be present as the charge carries a Gaol term and if he were to be gaoled he would have to be in court. This is the way it happens in Vic, not sure about NT

The mention court system was brought in to speed up the prosess,ie; If you plead guilty the case will go ahead at that time,if you plead Not Guilty the case will be adjourned to another date to enable witnesses for both sides to be present and give evidence. In LJ's case this appears to be what will happen.

.As for Taggart, I'm disappointed that we continue to draft players who then have to sit out large parts of their first seasons. I'd love us to take a more conservative approach to selecting 18 year olds who can be ready to go from the start.

What indicator did we have when drafted that Taggert had a back fracture? You draft a player particularly in the first half of the draft for the next 10 years not their first season.

That being said, I disagree with C & B in that Jurrah should be able to play when he is fit. Innocent until proven guilty. It is not the MFC's place to impose bans when the law is taking its course.

Agree re: the criminal case, however there was the matter of the alcohol - what ever happened with that? Would any punishment be applied "once fit" or is it a case of not playing anyway so leave it at that?

Agree re: the criminal case, however there was the matter of the alcohol - what ever happened with that? Would any punishment be applied "once fit" or is it a case of not playing anyway so leave it at that?

My understanding is that he has had 2 weeks training alone outside the (rehab) group, presumably as part of his punishment. Also there was talk of a fine, which has presumably happened, but not been made public.

My understanding is that he has had 2 weeks training alone outside the (rehab) group, presumably as part of his punishment. Also there was talk of a fine, which has presumably happened, but not been made public.

Thanks, so IMO should be free to play if he is fit / uninjured and earns his spot. I really look forward to that!

Let's just cross our fingers and hope the only thing he chops up this year is Collingwood on a Monday afternoon.

Col just on OneHD, thinks he realistically could be back by Round 3. Is ahead of schedule.