Thanks Yoko. As per my post earlier in the thread it's the work rate and improvement in the younger midfielders (2-4 year players) and trade acquisitions like Michie, Newton, Kent, Viney, Toumpas, Riley, JKH etc who I believe are the absolute keys to our improvement next year.

Thanks for the reports peoples, will miss them over the next few weeks.

The optimism that is creeping in feels very familiar, but also very new too, do not know whether to embrace it or banish it.

Hurry up Rnd1

Didn't spend a great deal of time watching him. When I first got there it took me a while to work out who was who, with a few players sporting similar facial hair.

That being said, when I saw him kick, did not see him miss any targets. Looks like a solid player at training, but who knows what that all means until we see him in a game.

??...Alex Neal Bullen is clean shaven, perhaps you mixed him up with Newton who is now sporting a beard

??...Alex Neal Bullen is clean shaven, perhaps you mixed him up with Newton who is now sporting a beard

Yeah, i worked that out eventually, but there were a few similar looking people with darker hair that I was trying to recognise.

??...Alex Neal Bullen is clean shaven, perhaps you mixed him up with Newton who is now sporting a beard

no he's not.. in the photos he is clearly rocking advanced stubble on the chin and upper lip

Now we're getting to the good stuff.

Any new fragrances in the air? Perhaps a new cologne or body spray?

Fitzy has all of the tools to become a cult hero, just needs to mature and build some consistency.

Fitzy does a couple of miraculous things once in a blue moon and people think he's got all the tools. It's most likely complete arse.

Regardless, it'd be a great to see him do well.

In Fitzy's defence he only really plays "once in a blue moon" though McQueen, I think we haven't sen enough out of him yet to make a call on him. Could be anything still.

In Fitzy's defence he only really plays "once in a blue moon" though McQueen, I think we haven't sen enough out of him yet to make a call on him. Could be anything still.

I hope you're correct Pork but Fitzy will need a long period of consistency to win back the optimism that surrounded him a couple of years ago.

In Fitzy's defence he only really plays "once in a blue moon" though McQueen, I think we haven't sen enough out of him yet to make a call on him. Could be anything still.

Doesn't the fact you just mentioned reinforce my point?

In Fitzy's defence he only really plays "once in a blue moon" though McQueen, I think we haven't sen enough out of him yet to make a call on him. Could be anything still.

I guess he kind of didn't get a good run last year. Concussed in game 1. Post concussive in game 2. Soaking wet day in game 3 then only back at the end of the year.

But I think he needed that spell at Casey. He can't be in and out of the team whilst doing some good things but not nailing the basics.

Like a cricketer with a shaky technique he needs to sort out his marking so he can be reliable at senior level.

if you watch live games you will see Watts leading time after time and being ignored by his teammates. He will burn off his opponent and lead into wide open spaces seven or eight times to get one pass which is generally directed behind him to his opponent's advantage. It's no wonder he always looks stuffed. If we can get some better kicking and decision-making at half back and through the midfield you will see Watts' possession count skyrocket as they actually take the option he presents and put the ball to his advantage. Once the ball is in his hands there are no worries.

Great post RM, I've been saying this too.

I hope you're correct Pork but Fitzy will need a long period of consistency to win back the optimism that surrounded him a couple of years ago.

He's probably done more then your love child Spencil though Uncle Bitter. Both however are largely untried, with unfulfilled and unknown potential and would benefit from a good preseason and a run of 8-10 games in the seniors.