M_9

Yeah, well I don’t know about all of youse, but I don’t need any help to look silly.

Only one remaining - one retired.

Enjoyed a meal named after your horse in Italy a coupla months back. Maybe have a fiver each way.

Bert Newton got 'Boy' and 'Roy' mixed up also (for those old enough to remember). One minute mark:

I'll be keen to hear from track watchers in regard to the difference between our previous forward coaches (Stafford et al) and our new forward coaches (Chaplin et al). Blind Freddy could see that for the past x years there appeared to be little or no 'system'. And for goodness sake can we see JvR played as a full time forward.

Well, we all know his role for the first three matches. Unfortunately it's not new.

Fair analysis IMO. No excuses given that we'll start the season with a full and fit list unlike this year.

Not sure. We have McVee, Bowey, Salem, AMW and possibly Brown. His kicking lacks depth and I'd rank those five above Bailey.

When you're Bailey's size you need a point of difference - clever/good user, tough inside, fast, skilful. Think Bowey, Viney, Windsor, and Chandler (?). I don't see any of attributes in Laurie.

Oh no, you're telling me we have more than one?

NO. We have MJ, Fullarton, Kentfield and Sestan on our list - all untried. Tom Campbell might be tried - couldn't be worse (as a forward) than Petty. I'll say it again, no more delisted players. Success rate is close to zero across the league.

List cloggers IMO (current): Billings, McAdam, Fullarton, Laurie. Potential: Adams, Verrall, Sestan, Kentfield, Campbell. Yes, we need 'depth' players, backups, whatever term you use, but four of those named have been delisted by other clubs for a reason. Reports from Casey are that Jefferson is the only player that could debut next season. I hope I'm proved wrong.

No DGB. No Narkle. We've fully subscribed when it comes to list cloggers, with at least eight.

No. No. No. Billings, McAdam, Fullarton and before them Hunter and Schache. Surely we've learnt our lesson.

David King last night reeled off half a dozen players, either delisted by their clubs or told to explore their options, who were taken late in the draft by another club. He included Billings. Not one success story. I just can't see Billings, McAdam or Fullarton getting a regular gig. And then we have Laurie, Adams, Sestan, Verrall, Kentfield and now Tom Campbell. Spargo has a lot of ground to make up. Hore is only ever going to be back-up. That's close to 25% of our list. I don't want Freddy Kruegar. Nor do I want Membrey.

Tim, IMO, has remained very restrained in answering Sam Manure's questions. I would have said "Sam, you've banged on about Clayton being desperate to get to the Cats for two weeks. If you'd listened to Andrew Mackie you would have heard that it was Clayton's manager who contacted Geelong believing that a change of club would be in his (Clayton's) best interest. Given that the manager would have picked up a tidy commission on a new contract, it certainly would have been in his interest for Clayton to move to Geelong."

9 looks taller than 5 to me. More rounded also.

CEO. I've no doubt that BC would operate by the letter of the (AFL) law as regards player payments but if there are any loopholes, and I've no doubt there are, he'd find them. An example would be the prospect of Clarry going to Geelong and taking a pay cut. I mean, really?

Brian Cook is a very good operator. If anyone can 'restructure' player payments he can.

Given that he's got a year to run at the Blues now is not the time. May ask about his future intentions but I doubt he'll know. Pretty sure he was hesitant to commit to three years with the Blues. Right now is the busiest time of the year for the likes (life) of Brian.

I know Brian quite well. I think he and his wife Claire are keen to travel. They've only been able to have brief stints OS the past few years. He's also keen to spend more time with family. He has a soft spot for the Dees as he started his senior football with our U19's. IMO he be a great get for a board position or similar. He would similarly have been ideal for a position on the review panel had he been available. Both Brian and his mentor, the late Frank Costa, resurrected the GFC leading to their 2007 flag. As a football administrator he has no peer.

If the recruitment of this bloke means JvR spends 100% of his TOG in the forward line, I'm all for it.

The meeting, from my reading, was organised by his manager. His motivation would have been money in his (the manager's) pocket. The Cats would be an easy sell: your own hectare or ten of land (in your parents' name), new cars courtesy of [dealer's name withheld] motors for all family members, sensational training facility a short drive from your farm, 40k lunatic fans cheering for you in our stadium every second week etc. As I've reported, I know how the club operates. I know the legacy that Frank has left.

According to Andrew Mackie Geelong was contacted by Oliver's manager who thought it might be in Clayton's best interest that he move to another club. Bear in mind that his manager would pick up 5% of a new contract. Tim Lamb said Clayton was not shopped around. I believe him. I do not believe Pert made phone calls as McClure claims.

TBH I know nothing of PL's gripe. He's obviously determined to get a position on the board, and the current board appears equally determined that he doesn't. There must be a reason for the opposition to him from the likes of Pert et al. I guess if I'd taken the time to read his policy statement I'd know. But I didn't, so I don't.