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Reason why Georgiou is on the extended bench, looks like there is an issue with Tommy Mc, he had a compression bandage on his calf and did very little training, before heading back indoors, Chip also did work with the defence....so Roos looking at options. Interestingly Riley, Salem, Barry and Terlich did a lot of work with the forwards, maybe for 'whoever' was watching, (I am sure oppositions are only interested in the midfield these days anyway, unless there is a gun halfback to look after), I lost Nicholson in this drill, but he was out there I asked Paul Roos about Barry getting a game and he said maybe, asked Dom Barry himself, he hasn't been told anything, there was no announcement at training, so maybe just a bit of encouragement this time and he will be an emergency I asked Nev Jetta about that first goal against Norths (as requested), the team rule if the ball is in that situation (ie in the pocket, inside the 50) is to get it over the line and out of bounds, this rule was not followed, then it was turned over and the defensive structure was not set, as they had been expecting to set up for a boundary throw in, this sounds slow in writing but in real time it all transpired in about 5 or 10 seconds, Roos wants them to be proactive rather than reactive but unfortunately if somebody doesn't follow the rules, it throws a spanner in, hence why after the first few goals, team went reactive not wanting to stuff up The team received 2 sprays, a decent one at 3/4 time and the other I would assume at the review, Roos was 'bitterly disappointed' (my words) with the failure to follow team rules and structures An interesting little highlight, in one drill Max Gawn was matched up on Ben Mathews, and he proceeded to knock him over, much to other players amusement, but in the next play, Mathews beat Gawn cold with movement and took an uncontested mark, gave Max a look as if to say "you have a lot to learn"......he spoilt it a bit by producing a horrible kick Jesse Hogan was out early, still lap running, and some Casey players and MFC listed players for Casey this weekend, except the extended bench, trained before main group and finished about 10 Any questions feel free.

Watts will talk about the disappointment of last week and how the team is "looking to bounce back against the Doggies" Sam will make a couple of jokes about how crap Melbourne are/have been, with some chuckling from the audience. Garry will tell him to ease up. They will show some embarrassing photos of Watts as a kid Everyone except Garry will tip the Bulldogs There you go. You no longer have to watch it.

Essendon players want no part of legal battle, plead with ASADA again to show possible doping evidence In following this debacle it has never been lost to this reader that central to much of the dilemma currently confronting the EFC and its players is purely of their making and yet they steadfastly refuse to see it for what it is. The latest development whereby the players are demanding they be informed goes to the crux for mine. They seek enlightenment about their predicament not from the instigators, their own club, but from those who seek to make them accountable. Why are the players not making these demands to the club? Surely they are best placed and indeed morally bound to inform them. They want information then go to the source (sauce) and get it. As Peter Fitzsimmons puts it in Criticism of ASADA investigation ignores the real issues "Why pick on ASADA, which is simply doing what has to be done to enforce the anti-doping rules designed to protect the sanctity of Australian sport and the health of Australian sportspeople? No doubt these notices are upsetting to Essendon and the AFL, but who is responsible? Is it ASADA or those who allegedly CHEATED, by giving and taking these banned drugs? The government is either serious about enforcing the anti-doping rules, or it's not. Certainly, there has been criticism about how long the process has taken, but since when have the wheels of justice turned quickly? Yes, its ugly. But its Essendon ugly, not ASADA ugly." The Players need to go ask the club, what have you done to us ? This is not ASADA's doing, this is Essendons.

Wish we were teetering as much as them

JT said on 360 that he saw his surgeon a couple of weeks ago and that he was really happy with the way his foot was healing. Said the bone had fused well. He is starting to bike ride and swim now that the moon boot is off which only happened yesterday or a couple of days ago. He is off on Sunday to the commonwealth games to cheer on his sister who is running the marathon. Good luck to her. Also said he would give the Girls Demons a few words of wisdom prior to their game on Sunday before the main act. Will be good to c him running around in the red and blue again next season (and preseason).

Will you leave demonland if we lose?

A big congratulations to Dom Barry on making his debut this Sunday. Hurrah Hurrah

The truth revealed. Read attachment jh.doc

With that report, if McDonald isn't right I would like to see Gawn come in Frawley sent back. Leave Pedo as permanent forward, in doors roof closed Dawes, Pedo and Gawn can work

we know he's loaded with talent, still only 22, has no issues with work ethic or anything like that, he'll be fine i reckon

In one breath we laud roos & the coaching panel with what they have done with Dunn, Pederson etc & in general the development of the whole team & then we presume we know better than that same panel with the ins & outs. I would suggest that the coach ( whom we pay over $1 million) & the same coaching panel would have a better idea of who should play & who not. Whilst we as melb supporters are mentally scarred I can't imagine who we could possibly have as a coach who could do any better. It is fun to speculate about who will be in or not, but this forum is simply for opinions & discussions .......but to criticise & assume we know better is simply ludicrous. Can we just show some faith!

Is Dom....is good.....good luck lad !!

For all of the mud slinging towards ASADA I am yet to see any substance behind any of it. They've been cleared of leaking information, nothing has become of the supposed 'deal' with the AFL and they have kept out of the AFL and EFC politics. All of this following the former Minister for Sport's announcement which made what should have been a relatively unknown investigation into the most public sporting scandal in decades. ASADA deserve public support for their perseverance, professionalism and diligence.

You've swallowed the (pro) Essendon spin hook, line and sinker.

What's a "Beatle"? lol I kid, I kid. It's an insect right?

Couple of bits I forgot, Gawn worked with Jamar and Stafford and played forward in the drills Slightly off topic, the 'over excited' new father assured me he would keep trying until he got a son

Because they're being Hirded in the wrong direction

Then why are the players happy to still have Reid as the club Doctor? Why haven't they had him replaced?

I know someone who sees one the players regularly. The players did mention it and when question were told Hirdy, Corcoran and Reid had ticked it off. People trusted them and it's this breach of trust that is so sad. Such is the trust once held for those involved in footy clubs. Let's face it, if Paul Roos and the club doctor said "we've double checked it and it's fine" would you have question it? All this critique is being done in hindsight and mostly by people who have no idea of the complete trust that players and parents have in the club and in this case in a club doctor of the highest repute. That trust has now of course been broken and those with limited knowledge and no understanding of a footy club environment will not understand why the players didn't realise something was wrong.

What has me completely gobsmacked ( and I have said previously I have some sympathy for the players) - that 35 players were taken offsite to be injected and not one of the players questioned it ? Not one of them mentioned it to a parent and if they did why was there no concern from the parent ? Not one of them mentioned it to a manager and if they did why was there no concern from the manager ? That this happened with the absence of anyone thinking "this ain't kosher" is mind blowing to me.

I'm going to make a bold prediction here but given the events of recent AFL history, the boy Tester who plays for Vic Metro is a perfect fit for the Bombers!!!

Garry Lyon's contribution, FWIW: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/clubs-scour-secondchance-saloon-for-hidden-gems-20140627-zso4i.html

I know we are rewarding play your role but this weeks ins do astound me somewhat. Best of luck to Dom hope he gets the job on McRae.

There are no geniuses at the AFL. Self evident

Andrew Dunkley's (ex S Swans) son Josh, is a 1st year Gipps Power u/18 player who has played 2 1/2 years of sensational senior footy with the very strong Sale Magpies Football club. Was also named in the 2013 GFNL senior team of the year as a 15 y o. He has played some great footy for Vic Country this year. His father had some issues about when he was delisted by the Swans and would be more than happy for Josh to be drafted to a Vic team in 18 months time. They have a big farm machinery business in Yarram and are widely admired as a freakish sporting family here in Gippsland. Dunkley's daughter is an elite netballer and there is another 14 yo son who is also a very good prospect too. Very high potential here with Josh as he already has a man's physique.

Sandra Sully with the late news.

I see an ad on the AFL website ' why the umpires will be wearing blue this weekend'. Is it because it's traditional for them to wear 'clash' garb in Melbourne V Bulldogs games?

You have no idea. The AFL receive upwards of $100m a yr in stadium developments, grants etc from the federal government. If you think that they would turn that down and refuse to comply with WADA rules (like most major sports in the world) you are being foolish. The AFL in reality had no choice. As for your statement the AFL should have kept out of it. Really, do you think before posting?

Could be the constant hyperbole and ridiculous statements given as fact. "Disgrace"... You plum. (Seriously, is idiot that bad?)

There's gonna be some swearing at the tv this weekend.

The rolling stones sung all these songs,before changing their name for tax purposes.

We{the medical science team }are going to INJECT YOU,upwards of 50 times in the gutz. And not one player so far has had the balls{if still left} to stand up and say no thanks. If one of my kids{all over 22yo}didnt ask questions,they would be footed up the clacker by their dad. This whole saga stinks of no person in the club wants to accept the blame and stand up and admit yep i did it. Weak,gutless rudderless group of people,players,coaching staff,medical staff and club directors and president.

I wouldn't be surprised if we saw N.Jones go to Libba.. We saw earlier in the year jones go to murphy & ablett. I don't think we have much choice, if Barry or Nicholson came in I couldn't see them going with Libba in and around the contest, his a bull. I think jones is he only logically match up, likes it in tough and maybe that would break Pickens tag and then he can try and get Libba going the other way.

Very interesting that the players don't want to be involved in the legal proceedings, unless the Show Cause Notices are enforced in the near future. They don't want the stress, expense or loss of anonimity according to their Counsel. So the proceeding ATM is being conducted by parties who haven't been given Notices by ASADA. Not sure that the Court would be overly concerned with their interests.

It's ironic how so many here talk about commitment and loyalty yet are happy to slag off all our players both professionally and personally at the drop of a hat. He has every right to hold off until the end of the year and we know barely any of the facts. It's his livelihood and so he should be able to assess where the club is at. Would you trust this club? It's funny all that all negative comments posted here over the last 7 years are forgotten because we've played ok for 10 weeks which all of a sudden means we're going to win 6 flags.

The wife and I went across for the Crows games Round 7. We stayed on North Terrace in the Mercure which is a short walk to the ground. Adelaide oval is fantasic well worth the trip. The South Aussies were very welcoming and we attended the SA Demons prematch function which was good. Every Crows supporter we talked to were dirty on Bernie being traded. Fantastic trip with the win beng the cherry on top. Hope the Dees make it 2 from 2 for you.

Rabid Bombers collegue believes that Essendon is pathfinding for AFL clubs and that all the clubs are behind the Bombers who if successful will forge a bright new future for the AFL outside of the WADA code. She thinks the Gold Coast will join the Bombers shortly in an aliance against the AFL and ASADA, not sure why? Unbelievable that otherwise rational and intelligent people can be so convinced by the spin from Essendon. It does nothing but convince me that that clubs culture is a cult like toxic mix of blind faith and stupidity. I cant help compare wth the commentary on the Demons tanking affair and how most supporters were outraged that the club was singled out but no one was dumb enough to belive that strings were not pulled to ensure we got the No 1 pick. I am still not sure what tanking is and am convinced the players that ran out tried to win on every occasion but I dont think the membership was blind to the reality. Given the Bomber atitude I cant see them ever letting go and moving on. Regardless of the outcome today or the later ruling this will go on for a very lng time will cost the code and the cubs a significant amount of money. This could see the death of clubs like the Bulldogs and maybe us because potentially there will not be same money around in terms of television rights and sponsership going forward. The AFL for all its attempts to control the fall out may well have failed and made the situation worse. Its easy in hindsight but maybe the best approach would have been to step back let ASADA do its thing and come in after the event. If that meant taking a premiership cup or two off the Bombers then so be it.

Let's just hope GWS resume their run of miserable losses now, so the year ends on a sour note for everyone up there feeling homesick.

I agree. A working class mid is something to be

Don't you remember - we didn't get done for tanking....we got done for....can someone please remind me ?

apparently you do care as you just called Frawley a dog ?

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-06-26/honeychurch-to-stir-the-pot Griffen and Roughead confirmed out They are also missing Cooney and Gia We simply have NO excuses this week. We must win.

Confidence and adjustment to game plan. Last year Garland had to be everywhere and was. This year he has to stick with an opponent and play it safe. It will come for him with more fitness. With Terlich back in as the 7th defender I wouldn't be against throwing Garland forward in the second half or just plain swapping him with Frawley. But he hasn't been horrendous. The rate at which we've conceded inside 50's means at times defenders are still going to be caught out. And the lack of run through the middle and confidence with the forwards is hurting all their kicking. Plus we need defenders who run with the ball then kick.

He hasn't been struggling, he's young, been injured and playing in a rubbish team for most of his career. I would take him at MFC no questions asked.

It's not depth we lack so much, as genuine class and speed in the midfield.

I'll make a disclaimer that I know Tyrone and whilst he has not come on, if anybody could get the most out of him it's Roos. Wouldn't dismiss it out of hand.

People have short memories. Vickery isn't that bad. He kicked 36 goals in his third year in a team that finished 12th and was focussed on kicking to Riewoldt.

LOL But in all seriousness, look at what's happened with like Pederson, Jetta etc. Some ordinary players have developed belief under better or different structures I think we may need to look outside the box a little, lower the eyes a bit....

Do you think Roos an Co. could turn Tyrone Vickery into a player? Because I don't think Hardwick can and seems like he's on the outer a bit, Clarke replacement potential with good coaching

Dylan Shiel mentioned also. Still feel like Shiel is gettable, perhaps the most likely out of GWS. I wonder how much their improved form will affect go home factor of the Vic kids. http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-inquires-about-richmond-skipper-trent-cotchins-contract-status-with-buddy-money-in-mind/story-fndv8os9-1226964217933