Gator

I used to love listening to Dermie, but now find him unlistenable. While I appreciate some of his keen insight, the waffling, maniacal laughter, and self-absorbtion is too much. When he's commentating on a Hawthorn game it's amplified and officially unbearable. No, I won't be there Bob. I don't do Etihad. Especially in the preseason.

One of the best things to come out of today's Foxtel coverage is that I won't have to listen to Brereton, as he's doing the GWS / Lions game.

Sam Gray will be hoping he can be our Aaron vandenBerg.

Yes, it revealed that he sat up and was awake for a "couple of hours". Encouraging.

Care factor - zero.

How can you run under 3 seconds for 20 metres if you're a slow runner ? He has a deliberate style, but he wasn't"slow". But I'm sick of arguing about it. He'll either make it or he won't. I think he will.

He was slow because he had (undiagnosed) stress fractures in his foot. He ran 2.97 seconds for 20 metres in state screening before he was drafted (considered good), so he certainly wasn't "slow" when he first came to the club. And I didn't think he was slow in his first 2 years. Ever since he's looked like he was running in quicksand, but I put that down to the injury.

So when I said we were 12-18 months behind in development this is what you "don't agree with at all" ? I'm not sure how you could disagree. They're a year ahead in developing their game-plan (ours has been revamped for this season) and their age and games experience puts them 12 months ahead. Their elite junior talent (Bontempelli, Stringer, Macrae, Liberatore) is also 1-2 years ahead in the system. Btw, I don't think we're that far behind either and can see us catching them within a year or two.

OK

Apparently, Lumumba will be playing a half for Casey, so don't expect him to be named.

I'll let you ponder that mate.

While they played hard off the field they also talk of being very hard trainers with stringent standards.

You don't buy what at all ?

Comparison of approximate best 22's Wood I Roberts I Morris Murphy I Hamling I M. Boyd Johannisen I Liberatore I Macrae Dahlhaus I Redpath I Hunter Dickson I T. Boyd I Stringer R: Roughead* I Bontempelli I Wallis IC: Picken I Mclean I Suckling I Stevens E: Biggs I Adcock I Daniel * Minson or Campbell Jetta I Dunn I Garland Salem I T. McDonald I Lumumba Vince I Viney I Brayshaw vandenBerg I Hogan I Kent Garlett I Pedersen I Petracca R: Gawn I Tyson I Jones IC: Trengove I Harmes I Watts I Oliver E: Frost I Stretch I Bugg Average Age and Games Played as at 26 March, 2016 Dogs: 24.64/83.95 (3 x 33 year olds) Dees: 23.82/73.64 (oldest player 30) Italics = top 10 quality talent (taken or bid) ~ Dees x 9; Dogs x 4 Conclusion: They're 12-18 months ahead in development and we need a gameplan that will match the best teams in the competition We have a better ruck/spine and a developing midfield that should at least become the equal

I don't know if there was a "label", but everyone at a footy club is under no illusion as to who the senior players or leaders are. EDIT: Archer has been quoted as saying that the LG is "far more important than who is named captain".

A club's LG is hugely important. They drive the culture, tone and standards at a footy club. If you ever listen to former players, such as Archer or Brereton, you'll understand how important they are.

They'll all be regulars by round 3/4. Their all best 22 now. Their best footy will come after the age of 24.

A work in progress.

I'm not sure of Petracca's pace. My Brother doesn't think it's explosive, but he's quick enough and just so powerful. He's also an elite mark. The comment was that despite his 186cm, he could play full forward and kick plenty of goals. He also noted that he certainly isn't a lazy trainer. He's fully switched on.

I'm not sure what's happening but you're right, what you've quoted isn't me.

My Brother told me this afternoon that he'd pay to watch Petracca train (he was at Gosch's today) and that he's the most exciting talent he's seen come to Melbourne since Jakovich. Best of all, they're all different and will complement each other. Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw and Viney will be as good as it gets in 4 years time.

Sms just received: "It is seriously exciting to see Petracca training". Looking forward to reading the training report thread later on.

No, it's because they want a full block of training because he's missed so much footy. It's now nothing about the toe.

Your assertion is inaccurate. I'd love Watts to have his best year, kick 30+ goals and become a dangerous roaming tall that can help this club win a premiership. It's a make or break year and while I genuinely expect it to be his best I'm not confident he can consistently elevate his game. It's all between the ears, so I remain hopeful.

I may have a different take to some, but I have no doubt that the club has no intention of busting a gut to re-sign him until they're convinced he can take his game consistently to another level. He's started well, but won't want a dip in form or efforts in the contest.