deanox

The AFL is entitled to know the evidence because in this case the AFL/ASADA are prosecuting together, at an AFL convened tribunal. For a representative of the AFL to come out and say "ASADA evidence is weak" that is the same as saying "our evidence is weak". What it shows me is that the AFL (i.e. Gil) are not interested in protecting against drugs in sport, in their sport, they are interested in protecting "the financial integrity of the 18 team competition in 2015", regardless of the situation.

The big problem I have with this statement is that the AFL are actually the prosecution in this trial. ASADA are preserving the case on behalf of the AFL. The evidence had been reviewed by multiple legal minds period to infraction notices being issued. What makes Gil think he should be commenting publicly?

I disagree, I suspect he'll either be the player he was or won't be a player. It either heals or doesn't, i can't see why there would be a physical restriction.

Back to 4 points?

Was Fitzy holding his own down there? From a "coaching to win" perspective, late ina gave while up by less than a goal doesn't seen the time to unsettle your defense unless it really needs proactive changes to hold on. From a "coaching to develop players" perspective, I would have thought that if you had just decided a player was now a defender and they are playing on that position for only the 2nd or third time, and that match was a practice match, then I'd want a pretty good reason to move the player away from getting the experience in the position I want him to learn. Any thoughts behind this move?

Maybe you're memory is failing but as a 19-20 year old he played good football. Not just "promising young potential" stuff, he was contributing, averaging 20+ disposals showing strong overhead capabilities for a mid, strong tackling and a good kick. He also had good pace over 5 meters. He had played 80 games and while he struggled in his last season due to injury he was still not our worst. We've seen he can play. If he regains those physical attributes he will be a player. The question is can he get fit, not can he play.

I'd like to take a moment to contrast the adulation that Hird gets with the vitriol and hate directed at Schwab. Schwab may not have got it right but his love of the club and his final actions (including that interview and conning to training) put him on a-whole-nother level compared with Hird. He may not have been successful, he may have been misguided and u suspect ultimately he was a bit of a micro managing control freak who thought he could run on field off field etc but at the end of the day he did what he thought was best for the club.

He is only 23, 24 in September. Given we know he can play, if he can get back from injury he has an 8 year career ahead of him so there is upside worth persisting with if it looks promising.

While I understand what you are saying, the family day was last week and was free. This event is a fundraiser, would cost at least $130 a head before and fund raising takes place. Plus there are limited seats. If it was available at $100 reach the spy would out strip demand. The market drives the price of the event.

Sorry guys. I forget deadpan doesn't work on the internets.

For the stats you gave Salem had a DE of 77.3% and Jones had a DE of 82%. Pretty close. My problem with DE is what it means. A long kick to a contest we lose is fine as is a short kick to not a contest even if the kick or handball is horrible. What I see from Jones is poor mistakes at crucial times. Often silly mistakes, with no apparent need or a better option available. I like Jones. He has a go. He tries and takes it on, but my observation is, he does a couple of things a have that hurt us. The difference with Salem is that he looks to have the ability to hurt opposition through more than endeavour. That is why he is given a break, the thought that his mistakes will balance out with a bit of skill/genius.

Our bottom 2-6 (depending on injuries) are still a worry. We have a couple kids who will step up eventually but they aren't there yet. I must admit I feel another big trade week bringing in 4 more "best 22" players is needed before we truly become a middle of the road team. The challenge is can we show enough improvement this year to attract a couple of those players at the end of the year. Once we get to middle of the road we can join the pack, cycle through and spring board to the top 4 like any team with the right management. But we need to get out of the bottom 4 first and that's what Roos is here for 3 years for.

Not everyone reads all 6 pages of every training thread Saty. If it isn't on the injury list it is legit that many posters, both regular posters and occasional drop ins may not have read those posts. I read a lot of them and personally didn't realise that was the case.

Well someone has to step up and fill the leadership gap left by Frawley.

The one positive for me this preseason had been our wilingness to go for the fast break and score. Hopefully we can do it more as the season goes on. The worry for me was how we struggled to clamp down when the opposition got a run on. Maybe it is sourcing between attacking and defensive mindsets that is the problem? RE Roos I suspect he had tried to salvage what he could of the list. Then over the old duds set in old ways. Dump shine kids that were too scared. Add some experience and hope that the core middle of the list can perform with this new support. What I saw on Friday indicated that even though we have pruned hard there is still section of the list who can't do it. Maybe the skills aren't the major problem for some of them, but the mind set is. Winning games is not something they understand and further changes are needed, more than roos thought.

Pretty sure that our constitution says if there are vacancies then the board can appoint members to fill them. At an AGM anyone is able to nominate for a position however if there are less than our equal to candidates than positions then there is no vote, just appointment.

There is a spot available for Brayshaw if he treats it up at Casey before round one. If he keeps the form up, the encumbants haven't done anything to keep their spot.

Sounds like a minor corky, he'll be right I suggest. Just hope he didn't do it on purpose. "I'm the only small forward in this team!".

I bet they take long lunch breaks and knock off early, the slackers.

I'm gonna put it out there Webber. I hate myself for it. And I don't want those clubs to fold/move, but if there was a scenario where they were getting an offer, I'd be giving them a little push, or supporting the decision to move. Because it means it won't be my team. I feel sorry for the supporters, but honestly, I don't think long term the competition will maintain 10 Vic teams. So if there is a chance one goes that isn't us, I can't see a way around secretly hoping for it.

Good question. Anyone know?

Because the rules need to act as both a deterrent as well as a "benefit reduction" period. If I rob back with a gun and take 50k should I only get 12 months in jail because 50k is one year worth of cash?

Was waiting for B sample before taking provisional suspension. I have no problem with him waiting for that right. Was only issued an infraction notice on October 1. (Or so I read)

When issued show cause notices the players refused to respond. They also have not admitted any guilt and chose to fight the process at the Tribunal. They lose any "benefit" based on these two items.

Toumpas may not make it but comparisons between him and Sylvia are off the mark. Sylvia didn't make it because of his attitude. Toumpas certainly doesn't have that problem.