Gator

What do you mean your boy ?

Excellent news. Tough quality left-footer. We need some experience and quality ball use in the back-line and he fits the bill.

I was asked a question and it was said with no venom. Your post suggests you've taken it too seriously. Mind you, I thought Nasher did too.

I saw it too, but it was very innocuous. Just fell over and grimaced a bit as he ran off. Looked nothing.

Didn't Hogan not train early in the week because he had a cold ? He trained at the last main session, so I'd be surprised if he didn't get up.

Hawthorn won't win it and West Coast is arguably the worst top 4 team I've seen. Edit: looks like West Coast won't make tip 4.

I agree with all of that. Neal-Bullen may not be like for like, but, as you say, he's being played more forward and he's better in that role at AFL level than midfield, where he makes poor decisions and has poor disposals under pressure. At this stage of his development, he's far better with a bit of time and space. I think he'll do well in that role tomorrow. That said, I find him a bit underwhelming as a selection.

We have been quite good, but also had our worst loss for the year in the wet (Sydney).

A couple of days ago Nasher was lamenting the typical "group think" on Demonland, because some were suggesting Harmes be dropped. Timing didn't work out well for old mate Nash this week.

You're overthinking my "point", which is merely highlighting another team's similar yearly win/loss pattern.

Neal-Bullen to take Garlett's forward role and Michie for Harmes. Looks like Roosy gets "group think" too.

I'd like to lend my voice to the naysayers. I have no interest in this pea-hearted gimp.

Saints 2000 - 2.5 wins, 2001- 4, 2002 - 5.5, 2003 - 11, 2004 - 16 They they then stagnated for a few years mainly in the lower reaches of the top 8 (only missed once) until Lyon really got them going with 20 wins in 2009 - his third season. Alas, all to know abail.

You'll note I used the proviso in a good team. If he replaced Bradley Hill at Hawthorn he wouldn't get a tag.

I doubt anyone is against dropping a player in the right circumstances, but it's folly to even consider dropping our best forward, who takes the opposition's best defender, is virtually never out-marked and creates opportunities to either crumb goals, reset with the ball locked in our forward 50 or clunk a mark and line-up for goal. Hogan isn't in great form, but he's performing a valuable role. Sometimes you support your best forward rather than undervalue what they're bringing to the table.

I agree. Brandon Ellis is very outside and doesn't win enough contested footy, but I reckon in the right side he could be very handy in a good team.

The last two are now B-graders. Cotchin doesn't hurt with his ball use and Deledio has an old man's calf. Their midfield is pox.

Well said. We've been waiting for a forward like Hogan to come to the club for 15 years and some seem oblivious to his talent.

I don't know the answer either, but I suspect he'd be more susceptible to injury without a really solid base.

I reckon it's pretty obvious that Melbourne cooled on him. There's no first round draft pick to trade and with a midfield of Viney, Tyson, Jones, Oliver, Brayshaw, Stretch and Petracca coming through I don't think the 175cm Prestia was a priority.

You don't think he needs a preseason to get match fit ?

Grapeviney has saved me from responding to this misguided rubbish.

You mean like Roos dropping Watts twice in his 7th year ? Let's not pretend that Watts hasn't saved his career in 2016. Oscar was played before he was ready. I'm OK with that as it happens to most young players.

Weren't Demonlanders accused of GT when it came to Garland and Grimes ? I'm not so much referring to Harmes, as he has attributes I like, but if he doesn't improve his kicking he'll fall the way of the above two. Anyway, my point being it wasn't GT with Garland and Grimes, it was using one's eyes.

Like Grimes and Garland ?