And the irony in all this, Damien Barrett has most likely never even laced a boot.

So all in all, a bloke who has most likely never played football, is bagging out a kid who he has never even see play..

Yet this Barrett fool gets these media gigs, I think that just sums up the media landscape at the moment.

I must sound like a broken record, but for the hundredth time, you don't need to have played football to have an opinion on the game. FCS, this attitude gives me the shits.

The kid needs a haircut lol

What's wrong with his hair? It's a great mop.

He's got a bit of the Tom Piotrowski going on, like a boss.

My missus reckons he's the best looking bloke in the AFL, and she's a blues supporter.

I kind of think he looks a bit like Alan Jakovich.

My missus reckons he is too tall and skinny.

I guess she is comparing him to me.

She must love me heaps.

I must say after watching a few of his recent interviews he is a fair unit and appears to have put on some solid mass since his GWS highlight reel. He stated on SEN radio the other day he had put on ~7-8 kg (by memory) since he was drafted.

I hope he can complete a full pre-season, I look forward to seeing what he will produce.

Someone at work lives near a person associated with the oakleigh chargers. Dom was very highly rated there.

I must sound like a broken record, but for the hundredth time, you don't need to have played football to have an opinion on the game. FCS, this attitude gives me the shits.

Anyone can have an opinion on football, how much weight that opinion carries is another thing - and it's down to each reader/listeners individual perspective.

IMO playing the game is part of the education process, therefore I don't pay as much attention to some media journo's who have never picked up a football.

It's just my take on it, doesn't make it right or wrong.

IMO there is expert football opinions and amateur opinions and it just seems that the papers are full of the latter - this is because the writers have never even played the game. It's no co-incidence that some of the most astute opinions come from Leigh Matthews, Robert Walls, David Parkin, blokes who have played and coached the game of football.

Anyone can have an opinion on football, how much weight that opinion carries is another thing - and it's down to each reader/listeners individual perspective.

IMO playing the game is part of the education process, therefore I don't pay as much attention to some media journo's who have never picked up a football.

It's just my take on it, doesn't make it right or wrong.

IMO there is expert football opinions and amateur opinions and it just seems that the papers are full of the latter - this is because the writers have never even played the game. It's no co-incidence that some of the most astute opinions come from Leigh Matthews, Robert Walls, David Parkin, blokes who have played and coached the game of football.

Apologies to Mike Sheahan.

Anyone can have an opinion on football, how much weight that opinion carries is another thing - and it's down to each reader/listeners individual perspective.

IMO playing the game is part of the education process, therefore I don't pay as much attention to some media journo's who have never picked up a football.

It's just my take on it, doesn't make it right or wrong.

IMO there is expert football opinions and amateur opinions and it just seems that the papers are full of the latter - this is because the writers have never even played the game. It's no co-incidence that some of the most astute opinions come from Leigh Matthews, Robert Walls, David Parkin, blokes who have played and coached the game of football.

Then there is Tony Shaw...

Honestly, I think it is a terrible debater that attacks ones right to debate, not on what they are saying.

Mark Robinson and his cohorts are not terrible journalists because they have not picked up a football, they are terrible because they rarely put it down and picked up a dictionary, thesaurus, or read anything other than the sports section of the newspaper.

Anyone can have an opinion on football, how much weight that opinion carries is another thing - and it's down to each reader/listeners individual perspective.

IMO playing the game is part of the education process, therefore I don't pay as much attention to some media journo's who have never picked up a football.

It's just my take on it, doesn't make it right or wrong.

IMO there is expert football opinions and amateur opinions and it just seems that the papers are full of the latter - this is because the writers have never even played the game. It's no co-incidence that some of the most astute opinions come from Leigh Matthews, Robert Walls, David Parkin, blokes who have played and coached the game of football.

Mike Sheahan, Martin Flanagan, Emma Quayle. Three names that spring to mind. They all have one thing in common and interestingly enough they are three of the most insightful, thoughtful journalists.

If you possess good observation, skills are able to arrange your thoughts coherently and unbiasedly and strive to understand the game then you can become an expert. If you don't have these qualities you will struggle to provide decent comment whether you have played the game or not.

I think if you possess those qualities and have played and or coached then you are probably going to have a greater understanding than someone who hasn't.

There is also a difference beteween someone who might understand the game very well but doesn't have the necessary skills to be able to express that understanding, most players are probably in this lot.

There are plenty of self proclaimed footy experts who may be expert when it comes to footy culture, club and AFL politics etc but really have little insight into the game itself ala Barrett and Wilson.

You may have a greater understanding and therefore a greater ability to make a good point in football discussion, but a good point is a good point, no matter who made it, and should not be dismissed out of hand because of the author.

Rather, the point itself should be assessed on its own merits, and without regard for its author.

But the ability to understand and that form that opinion depends on the experiences of the author

But the ability to understand and that form that opinion depends on the experiences of the author

So what?

Even the more impressive if they make a good point.

A good point is a good point, no matter who made it or what their previous experience is.

That shouldn't be a difficult concept to grasp.

Beyond that, opinions of authors can built upon, which should give some idea what weight you should put in anything they state as fact that you do not already yourself know, and even then it won't always be correct.

Really, any stereotypes of particular posters based on past "performance" should only be used to determine whether you spend your time reading their posts, not on judging the merit of the points they make.

^{Can we get back to Dom Tyson on this thread?}

Anyone can have an opinion on football, how much weight that opinion carries is another thing - and it's down to each reader/listeners individual perspective.

IMO playing the game is part of the education process, therefore I don't pay as much attention to some media journo's who have never picked up a football.

It's just my take on it, doesn't make it right or wrong.

IMO there is expert football opinions and amateur opinions and it just seems that the papers are full of the latter - this is because the writers have never even played the game. It's no co-incidence that some of the most astute opinions come from Leigh Matthews, Robert Walls, David Parkin, blokes who have played and coached the game of football.

It's been covered, but this view is unfair, ridiculous, and down-right wrong.

My missus reckons he is too tall and skinny.

I guess she is comparing him to me.

She must love me heaps.

maybe she just realises that she is stuck with you

and your insurance/super is worth sticking around for

Cam anyone tell me if Tyson is ready to do a full pre-season?

Sorry but can't be bothered wading through a lot of irrelevant stuff on a wide range of disparate topics in the one thread....

maybe she just realises that she is stuck with you

and your insurance/super is worth sticking around for

I'm retired

She is still working. I know where the super is, and it aint mine.

Cam anyone tell me if Tyson is ready to do a full pre-season?

Sorry but can't be bothered wading through a lot of irrelevant stuff on a wide range of disparate topics in the one thread....

Well then you're not that interested.

Check his interviews on the MFC site - if you can be bothered.

Cam anyone tell me if Tyson is ready to do a full pre-season?

Sorry but can't be bothered wading through a lot of irrelevant stuff on a wide range of disparate topics in the one thread....

Yes Tyson mentioned he has spoken to Misson already in his interview on the MFC site. May do some initial sessions to see where he is at with his knee, but overall he is ready for a full preseason. He played the last two games of the season for GWS.

He will be a very good footballer for us; home where he wants to be with the best coach in the land, nothing to stop him from reaching his full potential.

Yes Tyson mentioned he has spoken to Misson already in his interview on the MFC site. May do some initial sessions to see where he is at with his knee, but overall he is ready for a full preseason. He played the last two games of the season for GWS.

Many thanks Bonkers