8 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

Get real? 

We have the worst disposal in the league.

We have no forward structure.

Our greatest strength is a brigade of tough nut midfielders who can't kick.

We have never seen any evidence that our talls are able to work with each other instead of getting in each others' way.

The team still falls asleep for large portions of games. 

Realistically, I think we're a damn good chance to go backwards next year. 

That’s the spirit Ralph

realistically you don’t want the team to get better....

16 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

That’s the spirit Ralph

realistically you don’t want the team to get better....

I want it to, but I think they're missing some key points with their planning. 

I’ve just been in Adelaide & read an article by Dean Brogan who was pretty scathing about Ports drafting.  Felt that they had made some big mistakes by not holding on to some early picks & draft some youth.  If they don’t take the flag this year he thinks they will have some serious problems with their future with not a lot of young talent coming through.  It will be interesting to see how 2018 pans out for various reasons.  I am still very glad that we have 3 picks in the second round & am pretty confident we will unearth someone with those picks.  

8 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

I want it to, but I think they're missing some key points with their planning. 

Heart?

Wrapped for Trenners.

I thought he was done, but its fantastic to see him get another chance.

Its about time he got some luck on his side.

 

4 hours ago, Deestar9 said:

I’ve just been in Adelaide & read an article by Dean Brogan who was pretty scathing about Ports drafting.  Felt that they had made some big mistakes by not holding on to some early picks & draft some youth.  If they don’t take the flag this year he thinks they will have some serious problems with their future with not a lot of young talent coming through.  It will be interesting to see how 2018 pans out for various reasons.  I am still very glad that we have 3 picks in the second round & am pretty confident we will unearth someone with those picks.  

And that's why I was content with what we paid for Lever.  We are three years away from needing to worry about youth coming through.

5 hours ago, Deestar9 said:

I’ve just been in Adelaide & read an article by Dean Brogan who was pretty scathing about Ports drafting.  Felt that they had made some big mistakes by not holding on to some early picks & draft some youth.  If they don’t take the flag this year he thinks they will have some serious problems with their future with not a lot of young talent coming through.  It will be interesting to see how 2018 pans out for various reasons.  I am still very glad that we have 3 picks in the second round & am pretty confident we will unearth someone with those picks.  

They kind of had to go for a flag. Their best players are Gray, Boak and Ryder. Not only do they owe it to those guys to give them a shot at a flag, but there is no guarantee in the future that they will be this close to a flag.

42 minutes ago, KingDingAling said:

They kind of had to go for a flag. Their best players are Gray, Boak and Ryder. Not only do they owe it to those guys to give them a shot at a flag, but there is no guarantee in the future that they will be this close to a flag.

That's nice but its not a sound basis for drafting. Plenty of clubs have been down this path, thinking they are close to a flag and botching it with some mature age players.

Port may do well but they have drafted two very inconsistent players in Watts and Motlop. Rockliff is a workhorse, meat and potatoes kind of player but not particularly damaging. They had a pretty good run in 2018 with injuries and maybe have over-estimated where they are as a list. Will be watched with interest in 2018.

4 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

That's nice but its not a sound basis for drafting. Plenty of clubs have been down this path, thinking they are close to a flag and botching it with some mature age players.

Port may do well but they have drafted two very inconsistent players in Watts and Motlop. Rockliff is a workhorse, meat and potatoes kind of player but not particularly damaging. They had a pretty good run in 2018 with injuries and maybe have over-estimated where they are as a list. Will be watched with interest in 2018.

Among the most healthy teams in 2017 and couldn't get close to a top 8 side. We destroyed them and should have won by 10+ goals but gave them a sniff which was very Melbourne in 2017.

Hinkley is a one-trick poney. They'll go on a run but they've added depth and still have Toumpas as their midfield depth. Watts and Motlop are easily blanketed. Rockliff is unpredictable but consistent enough to be a good addition. 

I think they'll be top 4 but like Geelong they'll be blown over by a rampaging team with more answers. I hope it's us.

2 hours ago, praha said:

Among the most healthy teams in 2017 and couldn't get close to a top 8 side. We destroyed them and should have won by 10+ goals but gave them a sniff which was very Melbourne in 2017.

Hinkley is a one-trick poney. They'll go on a run but they've added depth and still have Toumpas as their midfield depth. Watts and Motlop are easily blanketed. Rockliff is unpredictable but consistent enough to be a good addition. 

I think they'll be top 4 but like Geelong they'll be blown over by a rampaging team with more answers. I hope it's us.

You think Port will be top 4. Wow.

I have them struggling to make finals.

25 minutes ago, Redleg said:

You think Port will be top 4. Wow.

I have them struggling to make finals.

must say I agree with your assessment Redleg.

Another view is that they are playing a slightly longer game and have taken players on one year contracts with the intention of going big next year either in the draft or free agency.

11 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Heart?

Skill. 

Port still have 5 or 6 picks after pick 45 for this year's draft. It makes some sort of sense that they've picked up all these FAs and DFAs rather than take more picks in the hundreds. What doesn't make sense is how they found themselves in this situation in the first place. And gee, another year for the Toump

11 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

Skill. 

We have enough skill to match it with most other sides

i worry that we have the will to do it weekly. Through a succession of coaches the same trait has always prevailed. 

On one week, off the next...

Goody knows it, which is why he offloaded Watts

Having been a lifetime supporter I am used to disappointment, so I will again watch with great interest. This is a time when Hinckley will be exposed for his abilities in getting maximum performance from his players. If he does it Port may be the surprise packet. Watts performance will also expose Goody to an additional query over his judgement. Melbourne has momentum and despite the last two games failure was certainly on the improve. The list movements must continue the improvement or he will be seen as a fail. I support MFC and hope he doesn't. I want to support a successful team 

Fully agree - particularly with Jack Watts' contribution to our side and the aspirations of the coaching panels. Sometimes I think these two things were in conflict, given the changing nature of our coaching panels across the last 12 years or so. Watts was close to being the most skillful forward around and given a team with genuine momentum, would have ideally suited the emerging Demons in all regards, and now, must adapt (yet again) to another, alien set of coaches and teammates, considerable egos and anxieties.

Boy, I would still like to see Jack in Attack Watts with the Demons, in our best 22. Particularly now that there are signs of smarter, more quick thinking young players making progress with a defined development.

The speed of Watts' thinking and execution were always highly regarded on-field and supported by his great team play, and was often too quick for 'developing' players. Thank heavens for a duplicate quick thinker and mover - Clarry - who added great similarities in play-making to the team as Watts tried to do for so many seasons. 

 I really think that Nathan Jones was the only other player who could 'read' what Watts was doing, could do and often did in attack. Pedo was on to it as well, whenever he had 'game time' . Watts' legacy will last for years at our club. We are going to miss him as a footballing asset, not just as a sentimental 'favourite' battered from pillar to post.

Good article on JT going to Port.  http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-17/trengove-happy-with-upfront-and-honest-hinkley

He noted:  "The other thing that struck me about Ken is that he really does just focus on what you can bring to the team, opposed to the little inefficiencies you need to improve on...for a player that's been around for a few years now, it's great to hear what you can do again".

Watts said something similar in a post trade interview.  I don't think either meant to chip Goodwin or Macca but it makes one wonder about positive motivation vs 'carrot and stick', post Roos.  

On a lighter note JT is the designated 'chaperone' for Watts:  "Ken was pretty keen for me to live with (Jack) to keep him on the straight and narrow."  Watts said in a recent interview they will share a house at Henley Beach. 

Having his mate who knows his way round Adelaide, is a known hard worker/trainer to buddy with, may just be the making of Jack Watts. 

Wish them every success.

Edited November 17, 20177 yr by Lucifer's Hero

I liked the Jacks but they’re now the enemy. 

34 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Good article on JT going to Port.  http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-17/trengove-happy-with-upfront-and-honest-hinkley

He noted:  "The other thing that struck me about Ken is that he really does just focus on what you can bring to the team, opposed to the little inefficiencies you need to improve on...for a player that's been around for a few years now, it's great to hear what you can do again".

Watts said something similar in a post trade interview.  I don't think either meant to chip Goodwin or Macca but it makes one wonder about positive motivation vs 'carrot and stick', post Roos.  

On a lighter note JT is the designated 'chaperone' for Watts:  "Ken was pretty keen for me to live with (Jack) to keep him on the straight and narrow."  Watts said in a recent interview they will share a house at Henley Beach. 

Having his mate who knows his way round Adelaide, is a known hard worker/trainer to buddy with, may just be the making of Jack Watts. 

Wish them every success.

They are now Port Adelaide players...

49 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

I liked the Jacks but they’re now the enemy. 

Absolutely, ET.  On field enemies. 

But as they stuck with our beloved demons thru thick and thin and neither chose to go they are in my 'favourite enemy player' category.    Just can't bring myself to feel badly towards them. 

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Good article on JT going to Port.  http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-17/trengove-happy-with-upfront-and-honest-hinkley

He noted:  "The other thing that struck me about Ken is that he really does just focus on what you can bring to the team, opposed to the little inefficiencies you need to improve on...for a player that's been around for a few years now, it's great to hear what you can do again".

Watts said something similar in a post trade interview.  I don't think either meant to chip Goodwin or Macca but it makes one wonder about positive motivation vs 'carrot and stick', post Roos.  

On a lighter note JT is the designated 'chaperone' for Watts:  "Ken was pretty keen for me to live with (Jack) to keep him on the straight and narrow."  Watts said in a recent interview they will share a house at Henley Beach. 

Having his mate who knows his way round Adelaide, is a known hard worker/trainer to buddy with, may just be the making of Jack Watts. 

Wish them every success.

What player going to a new club is not enthusiastic with the new club and coach.

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Good article on JT going to Port.  http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-17/trengove-happy-with-upfront-and-honest-hinkley

He noted:  "The other thing that struck me about Ken is that he really does just focus on what you can bring to the team, opposed to the little inefficiencies you need to improve on...for a player that's been around for a few years now, it's great to hear what you can do again".

Watts said something similar in a post trade interview.  I don't think either meant to chip Goodwin or Macca but it makes one wonder about positive motivation vs 'carrot and stick', post Roos.  

On a lighter note JT is the designated 'chaperone' for Watts:  "Ken was pretty keen for me to live with (Jack) to keep him on the straight and narrow."  Watts said in a recent interview they will share a house at Henley Beach. 

Having his mate who knows his way round Adelaide, is a known hard worker/trainer to buddy with, may just be the making of Jack Watts. 

Wish them every success.

Well said LH. You beat me to it. Only thing we differ on is I think it was a sneaky dig at the coach. Amazing two players who wanted to stay say similar comments.

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Having his mate who knows his way round Adelaide, is a known hard worker/trainer to buddy with, may just be the making of Jack Watts.

If only Trengove was at Melbourne for multiple years with Watts then it may have helped Watts become a more professional player.

13 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

If only Trengove was at Melbourne for multiple years with Watts then it may have helped Watts become a more professional player.

Today's winner of the best Friday Funny -- by a country mile!  Love it CB!

1 hour ago, Clint Bizkit said:

If only Trengove was at Melbourne for multiple years with Watts then it may have helped Watts become a more professional player.

Wise words CB

Goodwin made a decision...