Rhino Richards

Its just that we are more practised than most other Clubs.

Agree. I cant split them. I have a bias for Jurrah but would not be surprised or disappointed if Goddard got it. After marking Jurrah did kick a goal. Newton did the same in 2007....Pity he has done little since.

As has been said a number of times the team is young, inexperienced and they will be inconsistent.... The results have not been surprising overall.

Wise move. Both players are injured. Will you wheel them out onto the ground to get a taste of the big time? Agree. But if it was a choice between PJ and Newton for a low cost one year contract....I would tend to Newton...as a better punt than a 26yo that has failed in core big man skills. I am surprised no one has put forward giving Miller a send off game. He deserves it. Hell, if we gave the overweight mercenary in Pickett a charity 200th game in his final year at MFC, Miller deserves a send off in a match with no bearing on finals. Didn't Jurrah ping his hamstring toward the end of the game? If so, possibly Bate.

Is this the same torch bearer that wanted the uprising on Bailey after Round 1? Seen it all before. What it did not know that?? Clearly the Club just accepts mediocrity and every other cliche under the sun. Sampson does appeal to a certain demographic though. Too much sense dandee.

He badly burnt his bridges at Melb. A good footballer in the right place at the right time throughout his career. There have been many better players who dont get to play in flag let alone 4. Perennial social menace with huge issues. Whatever Beams has is hperbolic compared to the litany of Pikes failings both during and post his career.

That's what they probably would have done with Pavlich (groin), S'lands injured. B'tyne unavailable and Tarrant and Barlow out for the season anyway. That's why they want to bring them back fresh for the R22 clash. The game will be a cracker for both sides as a home final is at stake for both of them. They could potentially meet up again for the following week. Its a desperate not arrogant ploy by Freo based on a side that could feel their season slipping as there key players succumbed to injury/form.

Tankiong? They are actually doing it to better their chances in the finals (where it counts) with fit and fresh key players. Even simpler.

Your implication of arrogance is so misplaced its funny.Nice flip flop. Freo are desperate to get their shot on the finals back on track. They need to have their best fit and fresh. They also need S'lands back as well. Its hardly tanking when they were odds on to lose in Tasmania anyway on current form and with the definite outs they had. Its hardly tanking when the aim is to maximise the limited opportunities they faced after R20 coming into the finals.

Prior to the match the wheels were off the Freo machine. Injuries and poor form. If MFC were in the same boat I doubt whether your opinion would count one way or another. Pror to the match, Harvey was looking at 3 straight losses including the semi final. Wrong. The players they brought in are the players they will drop for the crucial Rnd 22 and first final. Two more will go if S'lands and B'tyne come back in. So the shot in confidence is a self serving point at best. There was a good chance even if they did not rest these players they would still struggle such is there bad form. Going in with a white flag???? An hour ago they were arrogant!!!

They would likely have been mince meat even if they had played Pavlich injured and others. There move smacks of desperation given their situation rather than arrogance. You misread the tealeaves again.

Agree but jury is out on whether the decision was justified. They rested seven players with soreness. It was not 60% of the side. They already had S'lands, Tarrant, Barlow and B'tyne out. They little confidence going into the game. Many of those rested were down on form and condifence. This was hardly arrogance at all if you had actually listned to Chris Bond (Gen Mgr- Footy dept) rather than drowning in your own hyperbole It was not just Harvey's call. Freo have performed way above expectations. Harvey is safe and his contract will/should be extend for 2 to 3 years. It would have been worse had they played players jaded and injured through to the finals and lost further games including the first week in September. I'd review this decision when the season is over and taking into the context of the fitness and position of their best 22 rather than making wild potshots.

FWIW, the Dockers have been a revelation this season. Who had them pinned for 5th at the end of the H and A prior to the year starting? The test resting sore players is necessarily this week (although todays result was terrible) its how they back it up in the finals. And they need Sandilands back in the ruck. And Fwiw, Pavlich has not been playing well the past six weeks. They also miss Barlow who was tracking as a B'low possibility until injured.

If we trade and recruit for depth then we may as well close up shop. Anyone we go after must be seen as being regular if not best 22. And I would not recruit "a charman". We already have one of those called "a meesen".

Not according to this site. http://www.essendonfc.com.au/team/player.asp?id=19 No mention of F/S. This may be confirmed somewhere else. But he looks like a great draft pick notwithstanding the family connection. He had been underwhelming since drafted. Injuries dont hide the question marks over his capability to cope with AFL. He has 12 months to turn it around. He could start by getting a BOG in the VFL 2nds.At real risk of being overrun by other candidates. I cant see us delisted him at all. Seriuously...they're not showing. He would have been a great pick up on ability. Hate the tatts though.

Hughers does not fulfil the forward who can ruck position. The other poster said the 2nd ruckman is dead due to a change in the I/C rules. If so then PJ if not already is in some difficulty for the future. Agree on Newton. As someone else indicated Moloney may be a late withdrawal for Bail???

I know his salary position. There are a number of posters that think its a fait accompli if we want to keep on the rookie list he will be there. As you point out thats not the case. If he shows something in the next two weeks, I would not be surprise if they did retain him on a 1 year contract and cut PJ. I think there is a message potentially there in the MFC and Casey selections this week. I guess we will know in the next 6 weeks if not sooner

Agree. He is in the leadership group On another note its amazing that a number of people are quite happy to dish Cameron Bruce, our VC off to GC when he might be our next captain. I am sure all posters would respect that decision!

*Cough* You were saying. HT and I are not the same poster but we share a Swiss bank account and a passion for a certain club.

Agree. It may be a matter of whether Newton wanted to live the AFL dream on a rookie salary.

Scully..your kidding. He may have been slightly down against the Hawks but he had leather poisoning against Richmond and Brisbane the weeks before.

You know you will have to expand your routine sometime.... B) http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=76855 Its all there.

But its the Tom Harley model!

I think every proud aging footballer believes his body is Ok/good for another year. Buts that their personal perspective. A platying footballer career is a finite arrangement governed by fitness, form and opportunity. At 33yo its arguable whether one player is fitter than the other. AFL is a bruising relentless game. At the end of last year,Brad Johnson was still an effective forward option. When your times comes to hang them up, many stars have the curtain called on them by injury or loss of form. Junior is actually very lucky to call time when he is still on top. Too many stars have gone on too long and result has marred the perspective of their career. ID and Daisy also raise some pertinent and relevant points. Leadership is not the sole ownership of any one person. Its an ever evolving process in the life of a Club or Company. And its a credit to Junior that his loss is recognised and its a testimony to how well he has fulfilled his obligations. But its time for the next generation of leaders to continue to step forward. And as Junior remarked about his career..it started in 1997 when another player, Paul Prymke, retired (through injury). Junior's retirement represents an opportunity for new blood. This is part of our exciting future.

Good points but I would skip point 5. FWIW, I would rather give Newts a one year contract than PJ on a low wage. After 5 years on the list, PJ just cant take the first ruck role and does not have the requirements to impact forward or in the centre. Newton has his issues but I hold more hope in Newton clicking and display his potential than PJ suddenly discovering the basic core big man talents that he has lacked all along. I dont think Newton will accept a rookie wage to be on the rookie list and I am not sure he could be rookied again.