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it probably is rough - but the "bleed red and blue" cliche is highly overused. ( used in relation to Viney) We laud Jones and his commitment - the same commitment that saw his last contract negotiations stall somewhat as Essendon put in a huge play for him. I am always bemused by the "he aint going anywhere" statements because the reality is now that the greatest majority of AFL footballers will consider offers from other clubs for varying reasons. I have now taken the stance that a player will either re-sign or he won't. I don't lose a minutes sleep over it anymore and after Scully i don't hold an opinion on any player at our club staying or going. The only fact I cling onto is that if a Hogan wants to go to the Eagles or Freo, it will cost them plenty as they have to trade with us. Unless you are a free agent you cannot get to the club of your choice without our co-operation. The only way a non free agent player can walk for nothing is if he prepared to be drafted by a cellar dweller.

That's your perception. Money was a factor, but hardly the sole reason for these moves. Goddard - left the sinking ship that was the Saints for an up and coming Essendon side. No one foresaw the drug debacle, and he's still better off. Frankin - left for money and the desire to get out of the spotlight. Good luck with that. Judd - wanted to come home and get out of the drug-addled self-destructive culture at WestCoast. He went to what looked like the next up and coming side at the time. 3 x number 1 draft picks on the list, presumably a huge backlog of talent due to previous years being a bottom-feeder. Money was a factor, but only after the decision to leave WA was made. Ablett - had achieved everything there was to achieve at Geelong. His name was synonymous with the cats, but it brought with it a spotlight that few before him had experienced. His coach was a cantankerous burn-out who he clashed with. The side was ageing, and he had limited prospects for the leadership he craved. The opportunity at GoldCoast was a new challenge - build a club from scratch, and help turn it into a competitor. Improved pay, and a more anonymous lifestyle and the captaincy. And so far, I'd say he's done a pretty good job.

if he can get over this injury..he will become the elite player we hoped. This new game plan suits him to a tee, he is an endurance runner who loves the contested footy and is clean in tight. If he gets fit, watch him get to contest after contest as the others tire off through out the game and use his clean hands to extract it and lets not forget his tackling, he's no slouch in that department. He will thrive with the enthusiasm generated from the rest of the team (no wonder he looked so flat, imagine being a 21 year old captain with that sort of team morale). Another if, but if he gets that burst power back then he could be anything. We never got to see him play this game plan, just watch him run all day every game contest after contest, where his lack of speed won't be shown up as much. Could be a luke ball type. Hate to use the word but the potential of him and Hogan coming into this team next year is just massive so don't be as surprised if we are not as aggressive come trade time as you all think.

I'd expect them to wait until the end of the season, in case we change our minds. They hate to flatfoot the fans.

Brisbane's is my favourite.

Lets just wait and see if he can get on the park again before making big calls.

Anyone other Demonlanders making the trek? I came via Uluru and and Kaja Tjuta which were both mind blowing. Off to the Palm Valley and West MacDonnell Ranges in the next few days. I should have come from Uluru to Alice via Kings Canyon so Kings Canyon will have to wait for another trip. Rookie mistake. In contrast to Darwin the ground is in the centre of town. The ground looks in great nick. Not as spongy as Darwin. Pretty small grandstand!

I agree, his pre season game he was on his bike down to the back. That said one more fwd would be good. We need a good mid and a elite fwd, so i'm in favour of someone like Cameron, if all our eggs needs to be in one basket (and that has never ever worked for us) then i'd go Fyfe, but he will not leave, willing to bet a slab on that. Dangerfield is brilliant but for some reason i don't see him lasting durability wise, more risk with picking him up. For me a midfield is a team gig and we'll get another season out of cross and vince at least, then we have a huge need for another, but fwds we need now, our 'score for' is woeful, whereas our mids are finding synergies together. As to trading Watts, while he is not 'protected' everything i get from the club is that he is a 'team' guy and respected internally, it was terrible when Junior was let go and Watts departing would send the wrong message. But back to Cameron, we have some room, he is young and would fit with our other guys, he is worth the cash, and we'll have room for one more big contract in a year.

don't be surprised if Mark Williams is not at Richmond either.

Vickers is a soft dud who plays a reasonable game every now and then, usually when the tiges are well on top. Wouldn't have him if he was free and gift wrapped.

Without Dawes we'll only scrape in by 17 points.

Best wishes Clarko! You are a tough lil bugger.

a night out at the gat with biffo and bbo

yeah i did it better though

I remember thinking at the time we struck absolute Gold with Trengove because I thought he was a clear number 1 draft pick ahead of Scully. His first two years had us salivating at the thought of a future star on our hands. I dont know what happened after that but I think one obvious why his form halted was because of the captaincy. He was just way too young. I also reckon he tried to play through injury aswell. He just lost the power and speed off the mark. I really he comes back fit and firing next year because he showed traits of a seriously gun midfielder. If Roos can turn Pedersen, Bail and and Mark Jamars career around I have full faith he can do the exact same to Trenners

You say that like it's a bad thing..

just for jazza, here is a stoned dairy cow

After seeing him speak to Burgo on the mfc website I thought I'd remind myself of his potential at draft time: http://afldraftinfo.blogspot.com.au/2009/07/jack-trengove-sturtsa-draft-profile.html Height: 185cm Weight: 82kg Position: Midfield Potential: 8.5-9.5/10 Style: Trent Cotchin? Strengths > He has an outstanding football brain - reads the play very well as both an inside (including being a prolific 1st possession winner) and outside player – averaged 22.8dpg at U18 championships > Tremendous poise, vision and DM with the football – has time with the football and is creative > Sharp reflexes , decent-good pace off the mark and evasive ability – is capable of bursting from a stoppage into some space or weaving through traffic – can find a higher gear in space if needed - capable of a good leap too > Good attack on the footy > Excellent core strength and balance with great ability to stand up in tackles – very tough to bring down in a tackle > Very good-excellent dual sided kick – weighting, control and accuracy over short-medium range is first class – OK-decent depth at best would be the only 'slight' knock > Clean, reliable hands at ground level > Very strong OH for a midfielder – uses his leap very well and attacks his marks – takes some classic floating marks across the pack > Excellent work-rate in both directions – defensive ethic is good and does the 1%ers - in terms of ground coverage him and Scully are the clear standouts of those I’ve seen live > Has been said to have excellent leadership ability and future captain potential at AFL > Has very good scoreboard impact in terms of both assists as well as goal kicking ability averaging 1gpg across the U18 championships Weaknesses No notable concerns. Other > He’s a genuine midfielder, but is very capable and adaptable to playing off either a HB or HF flank or a wing > Decent build at present and has the frame to develop into a strong midfielders build > Outstanding form at SANFL level for an U18, was a consistently very good performer particularly in finals footy – was widely considered BOG in the preliminary final (29d, 8m including a match saving mark late in the game) – should be ready for AFL action R1 next year and best positioned amongst all in this draft to have the biggest impact next year > 2009 SA U18 Captain, AA U18 RR and SA U18 MVP Overall Trengove is a potential elite midfield prospect – the complete package - with an excellent and very well rounded game without any real concerns. I think he has the potential to at best be a top 20 AFL player in the competition when he matures – and is a definite top 2 prospect in this draft.

Your love circle is growing smaller by the year.

Don't forget we pinched Tom Gillies out from under their noses Weren't we clever !

That's where I sit with it 'Adam'.

Haha, what the hell?? No way I'd agree to that from an MFC point of view.

You're trying to tell me the recruiting department of a multi-million dollar organisation is going to make hiring decisions based on the love life of their mentally-suspect colleague's daughter...? Riiiiiiiiight.

Who did Dom live with back in Sydney? Might help us work out who he was closest to at the club. If Shiel was interested in us after LAST year, you'd think he'd be even more interested now. Things must be toxic at that club. Imagine growing up wanting to play AFL, then end up performing in front of 5000 person crowds for half your playing life.

He's one of those players that fans in the competition love to give it to, but good on him for offering advice on getting Jesse through this difficult time in his career. If he gets a couple of games in before the end of the year I'll be happy.

Thanks Saty, 173 is IMHO a truly excellent height, as many, many very worthy gentlemen stand so tall. We, er I mean they are more often than not smart, witty and very handsome. JKH can be satisfied to be in such exalted company.

Just heard Scully referred to as "an irelevant footballer" on SEN. Pretty much sums it up perfectly. The Dees are so much better off without him.

This is really bad. Family member who's an ICU nurse told me. Long-term recovery at worst - but it can kill you quite easily. Best of luck Clarko.

agree JORDAN SCHRODER, is a must target. 21yo. winner of Liston trophy in 2013 and NOT getting a go in Cats midfield. Stars at VFL level and squeezed for opportunity.

Shiel is a brute, i'd like him at Melbourne. but i dont want to pay overs for someone who hasnt produced

Great gesture by Hawkins - a genuine champion in all aspects of life.

I think Shiel would rather play with the rising MFC under Roos and with his mate Dom Tyson Richmond are going nowhere and Hardwick is average at best

'Never say never' Sean Connery (the wig years)

Don't know who would want Vickery but don't think GWS need another tall forward anyway even if they loose Cameron. What else have the Tiges got.

A bloke involved at hawthorn said they inquired and were told we had offered an attractive 4 year deal and he was very interested but GWS weren't happy with it, they felt they would lose Tyson at some stage anyway and I actually think we got the better of the two players anyway.

Thank you Doctor. Your opinions on these medical matters are always highly valued.

Yeah, or "acute adjustment disorder with depression and/or anxiety" for those technical types.

Even Caro Wilson had a shot at Scully last night - just dismissed him with a couple of words - now the jury is really in! The joke is that it was not about Scully at all. It was Sheedy trying to do us over and at the same time trying to get the hype about picking up another number one draft pick. If we had drafted Trengove at one then Sheedy would have gone after Trenners. Watching Scully run plenty but win little ball last weekend was very satisfying.

I've heard DS wants out of GWS - wont name sources but he's keen to come back to Vic... Probs no real new news but I don't expect him to be in Sydney for much longer (ie end of 2014) - take from that what you will

If he does elect to leave I would hope we would do everything in our power to be one of the front runners to nab him. Something is also nagging at me that the AFL might step in to try and convince him to stay, what little supporters there are love the way he plays and it would be a massive blow to the AFL's pet project if he were to leave.

I never like when any individual abdicates from responsibility in any organisation and places all blame on other parties. Footy is a team game, all share in the blame and the plaudits, coach included. I don't like it.

Do you even actually consider what you are saying? 10 kg lol....If you had any idea of the mechanics of a human body, and the science that goes into it, you would realise how stupid this comment is. Understand that a player like Jack who has been in the system this long, with his frame, would be as low as he can with his fat percentage. Any weight gains would be purely muscle. 3-4kg of muscle would be considered a large amount. Adding anywhere around 7-8kg would put massive strain on his joints, and cause complete havoc.

I agree...I don't rate him as a tagger. I'd rather have someone like Riley or Matt Jones tag, and play Grimes on a half back flank.

It does put in some perspective how tiny Jay K-H is. That in turn highlights how spectacularly he has done and the need to bring him along carefully for a year or two.

Cameron is a wonderful player and will be for many years, but as Bomba said on 360 recently you can get away with an average forward line and win flags. For us it is still about mids, mids and more mids. Quality tall ones that can deliver to our version of Cam Mooney. In theory I would rather spend the salary cap space on two or three up and coming mids rather than betting the farm on Cameron. Those multi year, multi million dollar deals aren't the path to sustained success

I'm not as big on throwing the kitchen sink at Cameron as most here seem to be. I think success is built on team and committing a big chunk of salary cap to one player is not going to build long term sustainable success. I would rather spread the love.

Who gives a toss how much he costs? Leave the money issues for the bean counters and the dreaming of gun players for the fans. It really does floor me when fans would prefer to worry about player's salaries than making our side as good as possible.

Then again, GWS will be eager to further spread the age profile of its list, preferably with "elite" talent, and that means early picks. Dangle a top 6 pick infront of them and it'll be fairly enticing. Not only do they need to do it for salary cap management reasons, but it's a lot easier sending an 18 year old kid to the 2s to develop for the next 2 years, than trying to sell it to Tomlinson, Shiel, O'Rourke or Plowman, when they've already done it for a couple of years and are now getting overtures from every single Victorian club trying to lure them home. I just hope other clubs keep their head in the sand and their picks to themselves, letting us reap the spoils.

HaHaHa, waddayamean, leave it to them; its always been up to them to decide, but many have picked poorly. Us, well we are just playing. speculators on a monopoly board.