I convince/delude myself each year into thinking our list is better than it actually is.

But, this year, it seems to have much more depth and better balance to it - Neeld, Viney and co seem to have tweaked it very nicely indeed.

I think the bolded bit is where you have hit the nail on the head. We have definitely improved the list balance in age and experience but most importantly true mids (of varying size, style and speed), smalls and key position. The inbetween size (permanent half forwards) have either been culled i.e: Bate, Petterd or provided a proper role i.e: Dunn.

With so much change it is hard to know how much we will improve but you can start to see the mix is getting right.

a guy called mueller kicked 8, 6, 6 in the 1948 PF, GF, GFR

he was missing two fingers on one hand

Was he an archer?

Was he an archer?

no, you're probably thinking of gordon bowman

Of all the selections in last years drafts and trades, the biggest surprise was probably Dom Barry.

The club had skinned the 'skinnies' from our list and the recruiters were clearly after more mature bodies - guys who are ready to go.

Yet out of nowhere we also picked up this slim kid from Ballarat. i heard he really pushed himself at draft camp and his results were outstanding. .

He may not get regular games in the Ones till his body is ready, and that's fine. Byrnes and Rodan can do the job till Barry can take over. There's probably some mentoring going on there too.

I guess there is skinny, and then there is skinny with class and something else in the head that all our rejected skinnies lacked.

Sure hope HE is the one!

People being a little hard on Dawes. We know he has only really just joined training proper, so he will/like anyone feel a little out of touch with the footy for a bit. If Jack Riewoldt was in the same boat im sure tiges fans would be a little worried about him too lol.

Neeld and co have seen Dawes play some quality in a quality side at Collingwood and if Neeld had doubts about his ability he would of wanted him. Dawes had quality season in 2010 and 2011 under Malthouse and Neeld, but under Buckley obviously not so and from what i can gather that Buckley isn't aswell liked as Malthouse amongst Pies players!!!

Ive got a few keen Pies fans mates and they rather liked Dawes and werent so happy that he left/traded.

Time will only tell with Dawes but i hope/sure he will come good and become a quality player again.

Excellent reports guys.

Thank you

FNQ Demon