Tough Kent

Every expert/commentator/pundit in the game has him in their All-Australian team. He's been in it before, he will be again. Some have him in Brownlow talk. Yet you think he won't make us better. You sir, are a goose

Good luck to Wattsy, but if you want to build a game based around relentless pressure, ferocious tackling and every player playing their role you just can’t have a weak link in the chain.

Neal-Bullen gave his groin a tweak last week. Will not play Thursday and is racing the clock to play round 1.

I reckon you can add ANB to this list. He'll be touch and go for round 1.

Ollie has been told to play the game by his manager. Nothing surer he will be at Port next year.

Why does one feel the need to start a thread to tell all and sundry that we'll finish 10th??? #lookatmelookatme

Michael Hibberd not played International Rules tonight due to a very minor calf strain.

Jonsey actually took part in the City to Surf Fun Run last Sunday. He walked the 5 km with his family. I'm tipping there's no way this happens if he had even the slightest of calf complaints.

Bit of talk going around that young Jake is on $650,000. Good coin for a 21 year old, but certainly not going to throw things out of whack too much.

A few of the lads from the local footy club are regulars at the gym. They saw our two boys there.

I hear young Jake attended a boxing session with Jack Viney at Richmond Boxing this morning. Adelaide who????

You do deals in good faith. Never want to screw another party because you never know when it might bite you on the ass.

JL is a very accomplished boxer apparently. I reckon the kid will hold his own.

I'm not sure why people are so concerned with what we might potentially pay Jake. Todd Viney and his list management team plan for every conceivable senario years out from it eventuating.This will not be a panicked, spur of the moment decision.

The club placed Nibbler at Scotch too.

Sorry mate. I just find it a really frustrating time of year. I'm praying your news is on the money.

Lever is 100% coming home. Put your house on it. (I have no inside mail and no sources but if I don't divulge anything nobody will be any the wiser. Is that how you play?)

He is running around in the Casey Development team. Played on Saturday.

Gosh, I bloody hope so!

Last thing I'll say on this because I haven't got all day to trade quotes with you Stuie. Our list will improve through trading, free agency and continued good drafting. And continuing to be patient. Your argument is flawed because our kids are developing, aren't they? Is the team not improving?

Fair call. I think the development of players under the current coaching set up if far better. I also believe we have senior players around them who can help the team develop. We could do with some more experienced, quality players, but our list is a slow build and will take time.

If we had the best of both worlds (a great blend of youth and experience) we'd be a top 8 team. We don't, that's why we aren't able to play consistently against good sides. It will come.

Not my graph. I think the poster was answering a prior question about us having a side one week that had an average of 30 games played.

It happens with good coaching and by playing with good footballers. We are providing them with both.

This is why Oscar, Harmes, etc. are given games when they are perhaps not at their best. The coaches want to show faith in these boys and get them playing games together. Playing a Grimes might help us slightly in the short term, but it's all about building a side that can compete for higher stakes long term.