Gator

Loved Brayshaw's goal on the left. It showed a level of class not many players have.

What am I missing here ? Ah, ok. Caleb ...

Daniel may win and probably deserves to win, but a player of his calibre winning diminishes the award a bit in my eyes. I'd give it to Mills. Btw, I'm not meaning to sound disrespectful to Daniel, but I don't envisage that he'll ever be more than a good ordinary player.

I've spent a fair bit of time at training and keenly kept an eye on Hogan's goal-kicking and I've never seen him attempt a kick from 50 or beyond. He always sets up about 35 metres out.

Exactly ! The amount of posters who said I was wrong to bemoan his action last year was incredible. I'll be amazed - again - if he doesn't do something about it during the preseason. Can hardly kick over a jam tin.

There is only one player presently not in the team who has undoubted class and at his best makes us better and that's Salem. I look forward to he and Weideman being staples of the side in 2017. I admire Harmes. He has speed and aggression. Really needs to tidy up his ball use. Probably no changes.

I've read a gameday thread once in 14 years and it was this year. Still don't know why. Why are people posting when the game is on ?

If this is Hogan's version of second year blues we have much to look forward to.

Players with Hunt's attributes are often soft. He's not. At all.

Not sure what you mean. But no, I've never opened that thread.

Affirmative (on both counts). There aren't enough letters for my liking.

I've never opened that thread.

Agree. He has definite talent and I hope we persist.

The team Roos took over wasn't much better than the 1 win 49% Fitzroy team of 1996. The Dees in 2013 were 2 wins and 54% (including a win over a fledgling GWS). Roos took on a 2013 Melbourne team coming off 11 defeats of over 10 goals, including 6 losses of over 90 points. Half of their season games were 10 goal plus hidings and over a quarter were 90 plus. Two of the losses were 148 points and 128 points. To put that into perspective, this year Essendon and Brisbane (presently) have had just 2 losses of over 90 points. Roos took over a worse list than the 2016 version of both Essendon and Brisbane. Brisbane are considered an utter rabble with 2 wins and 60%, but at the corresponding period we'd kicked 221 points less in 2013. That he's been able to strip back the list and have the least experienced side in the competition last weekend (66 games to Brisbane's 67) beat the all conquering premiers, who'd delivered another 105 point thumping last year is testament to the incredible improvement and transformation of the list and club. He knew he'd first have to teach the players how to compete at AFL level, then win and finally win consistently. He took over a team that had won 20 quarters for the year and this year they'll be more than double. We're currently within 2 quarters of the Dogs and 5 of Hawthorn. We've won 5 more than St.Kilda. Peter Jackson has been a Godsend too, but it's the coach who sets the tone of a football club. He's brought in Goodwin and allowed him to have control in the areas he's good at, such as player relationships and game style. Roos has created an environment where Goodwin and others can thrive. He's been a culture changer. And he's been worth every cent.

Fair enough. There are some incredibly deranged posters who contribute to this excellent site. Say hello to Stu for me.

Good news, but I doubt anyone thought he was actually leaving.

Nostradamus.

Someone who can accurately report what was actually said. Congrats.

Incorrect. He said what I said he said and he ALSO said that he was no longer as sure that they'd stay AND that Essendon would want a trade of comparable value. It's incredible what people "think" they hear.

Watson said he wasn't sure of the legal implications or whether Essendon had breached these players contracts. Once again the Chinese whispers are not being translated accurately.

Correct. He needs a stone plus of muscle. It's quite a lot and will make a big difference to his performance.

Other than Salem this is virtually as good as we get from a pure talent point of view. It's hard not to be excited. (although I still live in hope - perhaps misguided - with Trengove)

The omnipresent Jesse Hogan.

I'm as excited by today as I have been for just about any game this year. That will change if they don't have a sustained crack, but I think they will. We will have 8 top 10 players (bid or selected) out there, who are the core of our future. I believe today's side will be one of the youngest teams ever selected outside of the expansion clubs and Carlton round 22 2007 in the tankfest against Melbourne.

I too don't think he's ready, as he's just not strong enough to impact contests. In fact, there are contests he doesn't even get to because he's bustled out of the way. That said, I don't mind him getting a taste. Plenty of players debut before they're ready. It's all part of the journey and education. His teammates will love having him out there.