Gator

I posted in the Gaff thread that I had mail from a prominent player manager... Said manager also said (and he doesn't manage Hogan so it's just an educated opinion), that if Hogan wanted to go home, and he has no clue if he does and would be surprised if he wanted to leave the Dees, he didn't think he'd want to go to Freo. He says the constant referencing of Freo was misleading. In his opinion he'd want to go to West Coast. Freo might want Hogan, but he said he'd be very surprised if Hogan wanted freo.

Jones and vandenBerg have been playing the wing role in conjunction with Tyson. The three of them have been rotating through there for about 6 weeks. I want continuity with all players knowing their role. Fritsch has recently been playing in defence. I don't want him now trying on a new role in a cutthroat final. So, to answer your question, Tyson. 2019 is a whole new ball game and it will be interesting what roles the coaches decide to give to certain players over summer. Fritsch is yet to have a full preseason, so I expect a better, stronger, fitter version of him next year in whatever role they decide to give him.

Time waster.

His name is *Bayley, not Bailey.

Smith isn't in for his disposal count, he's in for his speed, size, agression and athletic profile. He's a manic tackler. He's a better "defender" than Fritsch. Smith isn't suited to being the second tall, but is a quality third tall. His selection also provides versatility. Smith is 191cm. He's the same height as Darling. When Vardy is forward Oscar can take him and Smith has the size and prowess to nullify Darling, while Frost takes Kennedy. It's all about matchups. It's a very good selection.

I never understand why people exaggerate like this. It's just a stupid comment. He's not "prolific" or particularly damaging in his wing role, which is the issue. As an inside mid he's quite serviceable. He's been pushed out by Brayshaw.

We have Nicholls again.

I too suspect there'll be no change, but if there was I think it will be the one I mooted.

He's been pushed out of his inside role on to a wing and he's just not a damaging wingmen or runner. He's playing a role, but in my opinion he's about player no.22 in the side in that role. He's better as an inside mid where he can pick up 25 disposals, but he's behind others now in there. My gut feel is that it's not Joel Smith who'd take his spot, more-so Kennedy-Harris. I actually think Kennedy-Harris can probably do that link up role slightly better than Tyson. Just an opinion.

I don't care, mate. You're welcome to believe what you want. So, no other posters need to bother telling me that they think he's taking coin. It's great you think that way. I don't care.

We were into him, but he doesn't like the proposed role. With Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, and Harmes playing inside roles there would be little opportunity for him to get his hands dirty in the centre square. But he may stay at West Coast. It's West Coast or North. Fullstop. As for Shiel, etc. how do we satisfy GWS when we have no decent picks to offer ? We'll only get a decent player if we can land a free agent.

My info is from the mouth of his manager. He won't be coming to Melbourne.

Who cares ? We break hoodoos every second week.

Tom Morris reporting Joel Smith "right in the mix". I don't think they'll make a change.

Speculate away.

This info was a week ago from a very well connected source. He won't be coming.

Mail from high profile player manager: Gaff will either stay or go to North. He's getting a lot of pressure from his parents to come home, but is happy to stay. He won't be going to Melbourne for one reason. Melbourne wanted to play him as a predominantly outside hard running wingmen and he wants to play as an inside mid. He won't be coming to Melbourne.

You've made the accusation now prove it. If you can't or won't then retract your accusation.

To Tiers I mentioned that I was at the match because you needlessly pointed out the obvious, i.e. we were ahead at half-time. In fact, I could have been in Egypt and known that. I assumed you wouldn't be happy losing, but it's possible I'm incorrect and that you're agnostic. Either way, we were [censored] in the first half against Hawthorn, whether you recognise it, or not.

To Tiers Yes, I was at the match. I'm glad you're happy (we're all happy), but if our first half is replicated on Saturday you'll cease to be happy. More importantly, it sounds like you'll have no clue what happened.

We were down contested ball at half-time. We're the second best contested ball team in 20 years, but were being beaten. We weren't playing our game. It was being played on Hawthorn's terms. We can't afford a first half like that next week. It has nothing to do with your "woe is me" commentary. Just facts.

Misleading heading and King is exactly right. We were average last night, which in some ways makes the win sweeter. King isn't saying we'll lose, although he may tip West Coast later in the week, just that we can't afford a first half like last night. King famously loves the Dees in 2018.

It won't happen and I too think player unity is huge at a football club. That said, if the players and club wanted it to happen and they thought it would help secure a flag I'd be fine, because I'm a mercenary when it comes to footy and winning. Even though I despise the bloke.

I can officially say it won't be Melbourne, although that's no surprise. The Dees aren't interested. I've seen a text directly sent from Hannebery confirming it won't be Melbourne. And why would we be interested ? His body is shot and we don't need him.

Don't ever think your bottom six determines finals. And don't ever think your "stars" cancel each other out. Dustin Martin was the reason Richmond won last night. Stars win finals, not your most mediocre players.