Farmer

I'm not arguing about player development. For example, we destroyed Trengove and Grimes by making them captain far too early. I also think that in other hands early on the Jack Watts history would have been very different.

Do you suggest Scully was a bad pick? Starred in Y1, from recollection about 20 disposals in the final quarter v Footscray. Then taken from us by the biggest bid ever from Suns, after year 2. Was becoming a seriously good player with them when he smashed his leg quite horribly and Trengove was a great first year player, and his career was ruined by his foot injury. But in any event, more recently, I believe the drafting of Oliver, Viney, Petracca, Salem, Gawn ,Tom McD, Fritsch, Hannan, on top of recruitment of Vince, Lewis, Hibberd and Melksham, lay the foundation for the next few successful years

I suggest you revise your opinion. The draft failures are largely a thing of the past. Since Taylor has been there we have drafted well. Amazing successes from low draft pick choices

Well if Stephens is available to us and we don't pick him I will be disappointed. Look at all the forward line players on our list. Those who could expect to be in the team are devoid of pace. I just think Stephens us better than Pickett so, Jackson or Young , followed by Stephens

Just a reminder. We are v weak in key defence positions. May and Lever quite unreliable, unlikely to play, say, 20 games between them per season. Much as it hurts to say it, we need pitential key defenders

No mate! Dillon Stephens!

If we get Dillon Stephens, I don't give a stuff! Watch his highlight package, fast, kicks great goals. Exactly what is needed

Exactly. This is the best post I have read for some time

Why go past Stephens if available.? Genuine pace, lovely disposal, kicks a very good goal. if he can be got at Number 3 I would be delighted

These senior coaches don't teach skills do they? By the time a kid is recruited he must have the skills. Then teach tactics, game plans etc. why don't we accept that we haven't had a high draft pick for some years. The newbies we played this year were not exactly high-flyers. They were deficient in skills, otherwise they would have been higher in the draft. But they filled gaps left by senior players, and they were not up to it. Inevitably one or two will make it, look, eg, at Harmes. in 2020 we will have one ( at least) exciting new talent. More importantly, if each of TomMac, May, Lever, VDB, Hannan, Joel Smith are available following a decent preseason , if Viney and others who largely played this year but didn't have a preseason, then you will see an infinitely more skilful team

I think this is the example which shows there was NO conflict of interest. It is well known that Jack and Ollie were great mates, yet the decision was to recruit Toumpas who was disappointing.

I disagree. Pies needed to win by 10 goals. Considerable angst on their bench and coaching area

If u r rating Lever today, u r not watching the bloody match. He is awful. Oscar is better!

The players don't give a stuff? Really? You saw it tonight and thought that? I can't believe it. They were outclassed. Close to the weakest team on paper that I can ever remember. Guys like Baker and Kennedy Harris ( who didn't play well) nevertheless gave it a red hot go. Fritsch played well, Petty showed a lot, even Wagner had his moments. And at half time we trailed by 3 points. Cameron Ling's comments about Richmind in the wet are dead right, we weren't up to it but no-one wasn't trying

And just to add to the above. That is why Fritsch had to play back for so many weeks. secondly, when our stars were all up and running last year, some ordinary players looked ok. Oscar played a number of good games, ANB was pretty good, even Spargo held a place in a prelim final team. Hannan was often excellent. when the stars are missing the second and third tier players look v different

"Our backline is fully stocked" But 4 of them are half fit at best. They have barely played together all season . And some weeks none of May, Lever, Jetta and Hibberd were unavailable. Of course they have not yet meshed

Usually does. Ordinary disposal

Another superb kick by ANB, gives us a goal in the third! Great pass to Fritsch

Well you ignorant moron, he's made brilliant moves thus far in this game. Lewis v McGovern, did you foresee this? Has it worked?

ANB had a very solid last 20 minutes

No room for Fritsch? Some had him B o G

U are dead right! He is a genuine forward. As soon as he gets it he thinks " goal". Others such as ANB do not, they instinctively think " who will I give it to" Baker disappointed me once yesterday, had the ball 40m out, slight angle, I was screaming at him to kick it, but he tried an impossible pass. Team play is to be commended but if the chance presents itself---/

Players lazy. Don't give a stuff? You have to be joking. You , Picket Fence and other haters go and watch some other sport.. the absurd aspect is that if Weideman's kick had been a goal none of you knockers would have bern writing the crap you now are. every player tried his guts out, every player was bitterly hurt. When Melbourne was easily the best ream in 1955, they kicked 5.15 then 6.16 then 8.18. Surprisingly enough they lost all three matches. It happens to every team from time to time.

Deemania you r dreaming!

J Wagner and Fritsch are decent AFL players. Fritsch is a genuine forward having to play back because of injuries