mo64

Billy Stretch is not only under-appreciated by the supporters, he's under-appreciated by the coaching dept. He's regularly been dropped after playing ok the week before, whilst other young players are given extended time in the seniors despite playing poorly. His ball handling, decision making and disposal is underrated. There's definitely not enough love for Billy on Demonland.

I'd prefer Hurley and a lowly draftee than a combination of Melksham and Hibberd. I'm in the lock up Hogan and T Mac camp, but if they need to lower their $expectations to attract a player like Hurley, they should for the betterment of the team.

Tell Lake and Frawley that, and they'd laugh in your face.

Because if he wants out now, there's a long queue of clubs prepared to do so.

The issue that many of us had with your initial post was the 6 months till confirmation. Now you're saying that the club will inform the media in the coming weeks. Also, we've heard many times that a player say that he "wants" to remain at a club, only to leave. Until the ink is dry on the contract, nothing is confirmed.

But posters will bring up his Disposal Efficiency to counter your argument. His decision making and execution by hand is deplorable. They invariably reach there target, but disadvantages the team. He reminds me of an Essendon player of the 80's, Kevin Walsh. When he first started, he was the whipping boy of the Bomber supporters. Ended up playing for Victoria. One can only hope that O Mac can improve at the same level.

The "signing in six months" puts the credibility of the post in doubt, because it doesn't make any sense.

So T Mac actually discussed this with you?

Such as?

If this is true, it would suggest the T. Mac is all about himself and not the team. He's 23 and isn't a marqee player, so his big payday is still ahead of him. He should also realise that it takes a big offer to attract a big name player. Did any of the Bulldogs players crack the sh!ts with Boyd's big contract? No, they all extended their existing contracts as a sign of faith in the club.

Ouch, that hurts DC.

47 years of support has scarred me.

I'm an atheist. I only believe in things that exist or I have factual evidence to be true.

I nominate for POTY. It's a Demonland tradition that players who leave the club (Frawley, Howe) or don't join the club like Prestia, suddenly diminish in ability. Conversely, players that join the club like Melksham are far better than their record suggests. Prestia is only 23, and a sound investment by Richmond.

Agree. If Hogan has agreed to re-commit, his signature asap is important for 2 reasons: 1. It's a massive endorsement of the club and a huge selling point if we're trying to lure players to the club 2. The club knows how much cap space it will have to re-sign players like T. Mac or lure a big fish like Hurley. Putting off signing for 6 months actually hurts the club.

I don't think we're in the hunt for T Mitch, so a straight swap is unlikely.

If that's Hibberd's motivation, I hope he stays at the Bombers. He's not that important a player to warrant a 4 year deal, as neither was Melksham. Hurley on the other hand is a different kettle of fish. I'd throw the kitchen sink at him. For Roos' entire tenure, the club has been spruiking about landing a big fish, and failed. This year is looking no different.

Melksham has less of a track record as a HBF than Wagner. Hunt's run and carry is pivotal to our backline structure, as is Salem's ball use. IMO, Hibberd needs to play as a 3rd tall, and Melksham needs to find a place in the midfield.

I like him as a player, but he's not a game changer. At his age, he's the type that you'd pick up as a free agent. At worst, would could use a player like ANB as bait, but let's not overpay like we did with Melksham. Hibberd has had a year out of football, so his currency should be lessened.

That's exactly my point.

Not sure what the point of your post is? Steve is entitled to dismiss the quantitative argument of Disposal Efficiency, because like me, he sees it as a meaningless stat. It was mentioned on Fox Footy during the week that the only individual stat that Clarkson cares about is Score Involvements. Hawthorn rank low is certain categories that people seem to think are important, like contested ball. Our game against WCE was a clear example of why so many stats are irrelevant.

If Rance was looking at getting out and wanted to stay in Melbourne, the Bulldogs would be the obvious destination club, because they're contending and his old man played there. Can't see why he'd be interested in coming to us.

FFS. The game's on the line, and you're content with players making basic mistakes? We're forever destined for mediocrity with that mentality.

Then why did you write "after what had occurred"? They were your words, not Strauss'. They insinuate that there was more to it.

He wasn't up to AFL standard. Saty makes out like Strauss had some legitimate beef with the club, and gave up.