Gator

Stratton is a key position player, not a small back. Morris is an undersized key defender, not a small back. Smith is a gun. The likelihood is that Jetta plays, it's just my hope that he becomes redundant sooner rather than later.

I like to look at the blueprint of successful teams. During their 3 flags Hawthorn mainly rotated the following 8 or 9 players through defence: Lake, Frawley, Gibson, Stratton, Hodge, Burgoyne, Burchill, Duryea, & Suckling. None are a limited lock down defender. There are lots of left-footers and all of the midsize players use the footy brilliantly by foot. Jetta doesn't displace any of the above. And they are all able to play taller than Jetta, who can get caught out on a mismatch. Jetta is a good player, but my hope is we develop a premiership quality back 6/7 that goes past a player of Jetta's obvious limitations.

That's why I made it. Easy calls are easy calls. Jetta is our best lock down defender and has improved his attacking game, but it's still below what I'd like. His kicking and creativity is lacking. I want us to be a top 4 side, which for me means moving past players of Jetta's calibre. He's a good player, but not good enough or damaging enough with his disposal for my liking. Now, if Smith or Wagner cannot defend a small like Betts or Wingard for example as well as Jetta then Jetta stays ahead in the pecking order. But if they can then they immediately go ahead in my rankings. Now I know Smith is a bit of an unknown quantity, but I've heard that internally they rate his talent up there with Hunt and I've loved the glimpses I've seen at Casey. He has pace to burn and serious x-factor. In an ideal world my back 6 would be: Wagner O. McDonald Frost Smith T. McDonald Hibberd I have some reservations about moving Hunt to a wing, because my suspicion is he plays better behind the ball, but then I say why can't he play up the ground ? If Hunt to a wing worked it would be a gamebreaker for the Dees and really elevate the team's performance. Just my take.

I predict Smith and/or Wagner go past Jetta in 2017. I also have strong doubts over Garlett.

Surely that's a red flag for you and the penny drops on what a rubbish stat it is ?

The best players in the AFL are always top 10 in clanger counts. This stat is as meaningless as disposal efficiency. Would have liked you to include Lewis in the numbers.

Clearly, and I mean clearly, your view of Wagner is very different from the clubs.

One only had to look at how well Wagner did in the B&F to see that he's highly rated within the club, especially for a first year player. And when he missed 2 games mid year with a knee he came back in immediately to the senior team and not Casey. He faded late in the year, but if one reads the tea leaves, especially with this mooted 2 year signing, there's a clear message the club sees a future. I don't currently have him in my best 22, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if he's in the club's. If he's been promoted it's for a reason. And I wouldn't water down those reasons.

Unfortunately, we obviously still do, but like the OP I hate it and can't wait until every home game is played at its rightful place. The G.

If you go back to preseason last year you'll note that it was mentioned on Demonland that Dunn was out of favour. I think you'll be able to find posts that stated Goodwin was a fan of Oscar. These posts were made prior to round one. Anyway, I'm quite happy for you to take the pose of a mushroom.

I hasten to add that I have no contacts within the club whatsoever and that my views are formed by the occasional credible bits of information I come into contact with. I add this not because I doubt what I've said, I don't, but I don't want to create the wrong impression.

I won't be providing that information . You're welcome to be dubious.

Agreed. I think 11 or 12 wins are very gettable and I wouldn't be surprised if we won 15, but there are a number of games that could go either way.

It doesn't have to be either/or. Just look at Luke Beveridge . I'm told that Goodwin is a relationship builder, but also has a very hard edge and that the players know where they stand with him. Dunn didn't play in 2016 because of Goodwin not Roos. I certainly don't think Goodwin is just their buddy. But I do think they really want to play for him, while I'm not sure they had the same emotive feelings for Roos.

What sentiment do you not understand ?

Call it a hunch, but I suspect Goodwin, McCartney and perhaps even Jackson thought it would be better for Roos not to stay on at Melbourne and give Goodwin some clean air. The players respect Roos, but I'm not sure they're overly fond of him, while it's clear they love "Goodie".

What Roos does beyond his tenure at Melbourne is of no interest or significance to me whatsoever. He got paid well, did a great job and both parties move on. Good luck in whatever he does.

I think we all agree with that, but like they did with Oscar, I have no doubt Weideman will play 15+ games to hasten his development. I also have little doubt he'll play more games than Pedersen, therefore when I name a best 22 I'll have Weideman in the team and not Pedersen.

Today I made an exception. Needed a laugh. Status quo tomorrow.

Apparently, Salem needs to win back a spot, even though he was our best player in the last game we played; while Melksham doesn't need to win back the spot he never had. Thankfully, Salem has 5 months to win said spot and funnily enough, Melksham has 5 moths to win a spot too.

Incorrect. We were nearly always well behind and rallied with a couple of late goals to only lose by 17.

Buddy, Dermie, Kouta and countless others. Dees players from the 80's/early 90's did like "Hollywood Boulevard" though.

Liked what i saw during the year, which has only been reinforced recently. I'm not a huge Jetta fan. I acknowledge his terrific contested work and lockdown abilities, but to keep progressing as a footy club I want to see more drive from the back half.

On other forums I will state all preseason that we can't win this, but I do believe we can. Goodwin has another summer to hone his 'outnumber at the contest then spread' game-plan and from a talent perspective, especially in the midfield, I believe we have the Saints covered. The players will be excited to play for Goodwin and won't take in any baggage. Joel Smith is highly rated and suits a fast deck. He's a smokie for round 1.

They obviously hope so.