TeamPlayedFine39

Correct me if I'm wrong... but is it now all over..?

He's been so brave.

Generally curious; what's the politics involved here? This case has spanned 2 state governments, 2 federal governments, 4 Prime Ministers, 2 AFL CEOs, an Australian court appeal, a National anti-doping body, an international anti-doping body and an international court of appeal. It does see like everyone outside of the AFL that has come into contact with this case has found Essendon to be at fault. To my understanding, the only body in the world that has sided with Essendon has been the AFL tribunal.

To those who know Hibberd better than I... will we be looking for him to play as a third tall/intercept marker or as a mid-small defender off halfback? To which role is he better suited??

You're absolutely right, but gee... Still hurts.

I mentioned over the page that he had a kid this year, so presumably he's been getting thrown up on, slapped in the face, screamed at, eye gouged, pooed on, praying and being deprived of sleep, rest and any semblance of peace.

It's really hard to say if he'd be rookied - as an outsider looking in. It's been so long since we've been able to have a good look at him playing. He has some real strengths, but also some significant deficiencies that he needs to have been working on. Unfortunately, he hasn't been working through these as he's been injured so often. Hopefully he can snag a few matches for Casey at the end of the year. ***** Just checked the contract thread - looks like he's signed on til the end of '17. Good on him - hopefully can get a game or two at the end of the year and hit the preseason at full tilt.****

He's had a kid this year so hopefully he's looking at this as a year of Paternity Leave and enjoying every moment of it.

Agreed, it all a ruse to get the price up and add a year. If he's asking for four and they're offering 2... it'll be three. If they're offering 300,000 and he's asking for 500,000, surprise, surprise! Happens every year.

We've got something pretty special here. His vision in traffic, exemplified by THAT handball in the fourth quarter, is amazing! In the team for round one on the back of the past three games. He's the kinda player you'd love to play alongside.

Him and his mates were trolling the draft pages before he was drafted- some very funny stuff; was positive the MFCwould have put an end to it.

Fantastic debut for Oliver. Seems a natural footballer; finds the right position and the ball seems to find him. Actually reminds me a bit of vandenBerg. If he plays like that in NAB two and three, then he'll be playing round one.

Agreed. Brayshaw was always slated to start the year in the VFL and played the practice match for them the week before round one. His form at that level was irrepressible, so he got the early call-up. Not to put the pressure on Oliver, but it's good that he knows you have to earn your spot through performing in the 2nds.

I've only heard positives about him on the track. I'd say his eyes probably lit up when Petracca broke his toe. Did his chances of slotting into the half forward flank for round one no harm at all.

FWIW... Head says Parish Heart says Curnow Both have been known to be spectacularly wrong in the past.

Very true. They released a lacklustre highlights reel for Brayshaw which had people on DL very nervous about his kicking. Week of the draft, they released the 'real thing' and DL rejoiced. Highlight packages are a bit of fun, but you can't take too much away from them.

Welcome to the MFC. He's one of us now and I will back him in. Bring on 2016!

Vince agreed to be traded to Melbourne after being told he wouldn't be offered another contract at adelaide after 2014.

Butcher would be dirt cheap, if not free. Big bodied, key position forward who regularly takes contested mark and is good in the lead. Yes, he kicks like a mule- but with all those other attributes, I think the kicking can be worked on; never to be perfected, but perhaps improved. IMHO.

Whatever the offer is, add %10. Needs to be too good to refuse.Our first pick and Howe... And fingers crossed.

If only we'd taken Brad Johnson instead of Trent Ormond Allen!

I would take Aish in an instant. Last year's form is a better reflection of his ability as a footballer; and that form was very, very promising.

I suppose it comes down to perception and perspective. I remember at the time being really disappointed that it looked like we'd be spending pick 4 on someone who didn't appear to have any weapons other than a big body when playing against 17 year olds. Whitfield and Toumpas were the classy selections of the draft, players with real X Factor who could cut up an opposition zone with speed and precision. O'Meara and Crouch were taken from the pool, Viney would most likely be coming with a second round, which left us with a guy that most seemed to rate as going between 7 and 12. I liked the idea of more grunt in the midfield but was disappointed that that was all that we were going to get for our top pick. I was wrong. Wines, so far, is the pick of his age bracket. Most were wrong. Even those who thought we should have drafted Wines, would not have believed he was the best player in the draft.

The keen interest from StKilda and Hawthorn again indicates where recruiters saw Wines at the time. Leading into the Carnival, he was not considered a top ten pick. Even with an awesome Carnival he only went at 7. Look at the two players taken before Toumpas in that draft - O'Rourke and Plowman, those two are even further off the pace of AFL than Jimmy. Recruiters go off the information, and the player, that they have at the time - it is ridiculously easy to draft three years later.