Gator

They're not. You need to read their post again.

Laurie still being on the list is one of life's great mysteries.

He turns 22 in 2 weeks. It's his 4th year on the list. One would have to be delusional to not realise this is his make or break year.

If the typical old grey bearded cardigan wearing comrades that proliferate this site loved it you know it was bad.

I knew I'd forgotten someone I planned on mentioning. I'm not a fan of Tholstrup but thought he was one of the better players on the ground. He got quite a lot of it and used it pretty well. I find him a fumbler but only saw that once. It was my first preseason viewing but he looked noticeably better to me. Salem ran laps at a good pace and seemed unhindered. He didn't take place in any of the match sim. There's a large gate at the southern car park end not far from the goals. It was unlocked. A few of us were able to push it aside and watch from inside. I stood on the mound in the left forward pocket as you look north with the main grandstand to the left of me. No wind and beautiful weather, but a bit hard to see the other forward-line.

He was half back today.

I should add that Windsor's kicking was very good. We all know it's not always. I suspect his kicking is linked to his body health.

Rivers kicked 3 that I saw. All from set shots. Heath battled hard against Gawn and took a couple of nice marks. Howes was good. Got a lot of it and was strong in the air. I thought Rivers, Windsor and Langford were the standouts. Culley did his arm in the last few minutes. The forwards play a very high press. There was often no-one in one half of the ground. Lots of switching and short passes to retain control combined with long down the line when needed. Lots of quick play and ball movement that occasionally came unstuck. We'll be trying to get out the back towards goal quite a lot. Mihocek, van Rooyen and Jefferson all had their moments without starring. Fritsch is a different player from last year, but you already knew that. Sparrow was good. Plenty took turns in the centre square. Standing in the back pocket on the boundary line with Salem and Jiath while watching proceedings, Jarrad Rivers yelled out to Rick (Lever) about his positioning. Once play had moved up field Xavier Taylor turned around and yelled out to Rivers, "were you calling me "? Rivers shook his head. Taylor then nodded before saying, "call me Reg, or you can call me Daddy". Needless to say there were howls of laughter with Rivers telling Salem you're going to have to get that boy under control. He then told Petty the story of how Taylor told him to call him Daddy, before lamenting he gets enough grief at home. Just a solid hitout with some good bits of play interspersed with some errors. I think Mihocek will be very important and a handy pick up, notwithstanding his age. I left thinking we'll get a lot more of an even performance than the last couple of years and that I have no real clue how we'll go. I actually doubt we'll be worse and have a sneaky suspicion we could surprise a little to the upside. Pity I didn't see Latrelle.

I trust their observations on both. I've never doubted Jefferson's innate ability but having the physicality, aggression, nastiness, strength, etc. to actually make a regular meaningful impact at AFL level are other levels of magnitude. It's a make or break year. I'll be shocked if he makes it based on what I've seen thus far. Admittedly, I haven't seen any preseason, so it's possible he's been hypnotised.

There's a base level of talent a key forward needs to be worthy of selection. I don't see Johnson as having that base level. He's not a great contested mark and he's a chronic fumbler. His admirable aggression doesn't make up for his lack of skill. If Johnson had even Brad Miller's level of talent he'd warrant AFL games, but he's a rung or two below Miller's level. With Mihocek, van Rooyen and Heath why would Johnson be getting games ? Brisbane just won a flag with a mobile and skilled forward line with only one goal from a tall forward. Subject to injuries I'll be mildly shocked if Johnson gets selected.

Most players outside of your very best are role players. The word has become a bit cliched in AFL circles. McIntosh finished top 5 in the B&F in a premiership year. A great finish for a wingman. Johnson is a VFL player who may get a few AFL games. 32+ players get to pull on the guernsey.

It's not lost on me either, Gregory. Needless to say, I've been far more productive in other areas of my life in recent years.

The back up ruck comments are utter nonsense. Admittedly, van Rooyen is very good at it, but I've seen Johnson on multiple occasions last preseason go head to head against van Rooyen as second rucks in match simulation and get well beaten. Johnson offers nothing in the AFL as far as ruck work goes. I spent over 20 years arguing with dolts on this website about players who weren't up to it. Talk about deja vu. I'm trying to think of a player I got wrong...

Lacks talent. If this bloke is getting games it will be a long year.

I have a relative who is 102. How about her ?