Bedraggled Dee

I am confident of a very solid performance tomorrow night. The midfield is playing a simple but effective game and anything like the possesion we had against the Tiges will see us very competetive. We need Fitz to stand up so we dont rely too much on Hogan. The challenge will be for the youngsters to kick a winning score against a top class back line. Go Dees!!

My guess is that the powder on Dank is being kept dry and the government has bigger goals than just breaches of the WADA code. If he is subject to coercive powers it will be done by the ACC and AFP who will be chasing possible criminal charges agaisnt Dank and his cohorts. The end game is getting these people out of sport and removing them from positions (like pharmacists) where they can access and administer controlled substances.

I suspect/hope Jack will be okay and the AOD advice from ASADA being incomplete will ensure that no players are charged with use of that product. I thnk there will be infractions issued for the use of Thymosin Beta 4 and possibly other drugs to Essendon players. By by Hirdy, Hirdy by by (Bay City Rollers)

You are taking the P155 arent you? Watts did not whinge he mearly highlighted the difference between now and previous coaching groups and that he wished he had had this all the way along. That is a ligitmate comment and not beng a softkok as you put it, Are you seriously equating the requirements of todays modern footballers with those who played the game in the 50s 60s and 70s? Are you suggesting that player effort was the missing element in Neelds game plan or maybe that Watts and the other players should collectively design and implement the the structures required to play todays game in opposition to the coaches coz they obvioulsy weren't working. Maybe they should all go out and get medical or sport scence degrees so they can work out there own training loads and biomechanics while they are about it? I doubt you will find a coaching group in the AFL who dont understand the need to train the mind at least as much as the body. They all spend considerable time and effort in developing and training these boys minds because very often that is the difference. Are you sugesting that payers should just do it and we are wasting money and time on this. Of course the coaches have enormous impact on the mental side of the game in every club, successful as well as ones like ours. Thats not a weakness inherent in modern humans its just human nature. Read some books on great leaders if you dont believe me. There is no logic in your statements. The game today is very different from the one played by the players you note. Its not as simple as trotting out a series of cliches and expecting the players to be "hard at it" or "get there head over the ball" or "dont think DOOO!!" and have that result in wins. If it was we would have recuited Danny Frawley to coach us.

I just dont think you can use the words 'quality and journalism together in a sentence without finishing it with 'not' How rubbish like this qualifies as news and gets past and editor is beyond me. And the Age is the best of a bad bunch. i wont read the Murdoch papers it just makes me angry.

I recon Grimes, Trenners and I thnk Bail if he continues to show what he did on Friday and keeps his head away from stray knees. The jury is still out on Watts for my part. Like eveyone else I think he has a massive up side but not sure we will ever see it. I hope so coz if we do we will be a tyough side to match up on.

Loosen up buddy, have a laugh. Chipper is a prankster from way back

Just had a listen to Captain Jack's 3AW interview, The boys just seem so much happier and more relaxed. It certainly looks that way a training. I agree with Gerard Healy's comments introducing Jack that he played a great game on Friday against the Tiges. His defensive work was first class as was his run out of defence. He seemed to be moving freeer that in the past and had more zip about him than I remember. This may be the year we see what this young man can do, I certainly hope so.

I know a VFL umpire who although a Tigers supporter was very positive about Pedo when we picked him up, I know there is a fair difference from VFL to AFL but as a big solid forward or back he will be servicable. I cant see him playing when Hogan, Clark, Fitz and Dawes are available but he is capable of filling a gap and who knows he may take the next step. Well worth an investment I woudl have thought

For a young skinny kid he did extremely well. I was pretty happy with his game and effort. He needs a couple of preseasons before we can see his potential on game day but I recon he sohwed enough to suggest he may make it.

The game plan - The Roos Blueprint!! We finally have one that has a workable structure that can be executed by the players on the ground. I was at the game on Friday night and the was rapt to see the players drilled and knowing what to do an when. We consistently outnumbered them at the breakdown and have numerous options in defence. The congestion was cleared with a number of quick handballs out the back to players streaming behind the ball to provide options. A number of times the handball was instinctive because they knew there mates would be there. A big contrast to last year where the option was a long kick along the line to a contest. The spread for the most part was outstanding providing options going forward. They had players in space and created the overlap on many occasions. With a decent forward line and an average number of marks inside 50 we would have creamed the Tigers. Overall the team was well drilled and managed to execute the plan far better than I would have expected at such an early stage. I would think the Coaching team would be very happy with the performance and we may be a fair way ahead of expectations. I dont like bagging Neeld and this is not intended that way but the game on Friday undescored why we have been so bad and its not because of the players. Neeld acheived sme great things, the fitness base he established and professonalism have provided the base for Friday's effort but it is obvious that the previous game plan was not right and the players were never able to execute it on game day. I am goining early and going hard - we will be the Port Adelaide of the 2014 season, finals are not out the question. It will be interesting to see how we go against the cats but the boys would have have got plenty of confidence from Friday night and if they have not already bought in they will now.

Spencer is a ruckman last time I looked and I recon potentially a good one. He will be supported by the young fella for a short stints. Roos has stated that the Dees are in a different situation to the Swans and he is approached the NAB Cup differently But hey dont let me inturrupt you pessimism

Not long to wait now. Scial club bar opens soon so I can have a couple of frothies before the game. I have a good feeling that no nay sayer and harbinger of doom on this site can diminish. I have recorded the game on IQ in anticipation of watching a stellar win when I get home. Carn the Dees!!!!!!!!!!

If he wants to pay for GWS or another team of flogs. We need to play hard ball mate. He is a professional athelete, if we want him and match the offer he stays and does what a professional does. The only thing I dont understand is what aout contract conditions? We can match the money but must we also match the contract arrangement?

Just had a look at the Tigers squad and I recon even without the big three we are a reasonable chance. Their squad is not that strong. We are going to need Howe and a couple of smalls to jag a few goals but I recon $4.50 is a good bet.

He is a restricted free agent at the end of this year. So if we can match any offer we probably will.

I agree mate, I dont recon floggings at any time do any good, especially for young kids. The old addage applies train well play well. These games are traning runs and they would have got nothing positive out of it in fact it may well have had a negative effect. I think the game showed Leppas inexperience as a coach and makes me glad we didnt go down that path again. Contrast this to Roos comments that he wexpects the older heads to take a few hits for the youngsters.

I saw Clark do his hammy and it didn't look too bad at the time. Definately not that "shot in the backside with a .22" looking injury. I think due the extended period off with the knackered foot they are taking a very conservative approach to building him back to full fitness. His whole body needs to me managed carefully so rather than it being the hammy healng its more about preventing further soft tissue injuries.

From what I hae read, heard and observed Clark wont be used till at least a few weeks int the season. Riley long term injury list/ The rest are all a good chance for round 1. I would very surprised that barring further injury Viney, Dawes and Hogan played in NAB 2. I think the ruck division wiill be right for round 1.

You do realise they did not commit a crime dont you. They are not murderers, drug smugglers and child molesters. I suggest you reserve your bitterness for people who deserve it and accept that they are not evil people and they probably wish things had turned out better more than you do. As a club we need to accept the past and ensure these people and their history are3 not lost from the club.

Ones a low life illegal drug peddling lunatic who doesnt take responsibility for their own actons. The other took some dope to Bali

I dont want to limit opinion and commentary but I think this club tends to be a bit black and white when it come to past club officials and board members. There is no doubt that Club made some serious mistakes when Schwab etc where running the show. I am not sure how much of that was soley down to Schwab but as the CEO the buck stops with him and the board. That beng said we posted a loss based on years of poor on field results and extraordnary payments required to restructure the club. We should all recognise and appreciate that Schwab as CEO with Stynes, Mclardy, cuddles and others got this club from a dire fnancial situation to a position of relative security. Even with 5 years of disaster on the field and numerous restructures, fines and legal costs PJ is confident that the Club will return to profit after one year. This is a club that has its financial fundamentles in a reasonable situation given its opportunities and market value. We are not a power house club but we are set up to head that way and alot of that is thanks to Schwab. There is also no doubt that Schwabs time was up and we needed PJ and everything he has brought to the club but please lets not continue Melbournes history of burning every bridge. The club cant afford to cast off essentially good people who with the best will in the world may have made mistakes. We need to ensure Mclardy, Schwab, Cuddles, Lyon and anyone else involved in the last few years stay red and blue and we forgive their failings and recognise their efforts and acheivements.

Stil giggling Cant wait for the Bombers to implode. I cant stand that club and while I feel for the players I hope they cope a flogging.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!! Laughed myself stupid over the Age article this morning (Little 'undermined' Hird) It appears that delusional self obsessed former icon of the game is taking aim at Little now. This will end up in court. I wonder as this year progresses how much Little will come to regret Hirds 3 year deal. If Thompson does well and wants to stay the Bombers will implode. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!! Funniest thing I have read in months.

Just had a listen to Rawlings on the Demons site. From that I would be very surprised if we did not play the best available to push as a far into the preseason comp as possble. Terlich Frawley Dunn Grimes McDonald M Jones Cross Tyson Watts Toumpas Fitzpatrick Vince Hogan Dawes Howe Spencer Trengove N.Jones Clisby Strauss Michie Evans MacKenzie Kennedy-Harris Blease Pederson I think they will try and go with three talls in the forward line to run the structures they would like with Clark back in the side. I would not be surprised to see Georgiou get a gig in place of Dunn if they want to have a look at him. The side looks good but I have thought that before. It is good however to have som depth in the side and not have to put in a bunch of draftees and players like Bail and Nicholson and also not wonder how we can cover gaps like Clark and Viney etc. Lets hope we get through the preseason relatively unscathed.