Gator

Let's just say I disagree with your pseudo science. I fully accept these insidious machines are programmed to pay out less than is put in and I think they're vile. However, they are far from victims and I'm in the camp that believes addiction is not a disease. Take some personal responsibility, or don't. I'm all for assistance for people wanting to break their addiction, but they need to be ready to help themselves.

They aren't "victims".

Were the moral crusaders up in arms when we took over these clubs ? Many posters weren't around when we took over The Bentleigh Club's debts years ago, but many were. I note the attached thread from 2010 doesn't have too many dissenters, although kudos for America de cali for expressing their concern, which wasn't one I shared. In fact, there weren't many posts at all. Seemingly, some of those who now laud this decision either didn't care at the time, or the dreaded pokies wasn't a popular enough cause. I'm glad some of you have now finally found your moral compass. Such a popular thing to do in 2018.

Seemingly, some supporters like how this makes them "feel" even though nothing will change for the customers of these machines. In some ways, a football club, which in essence survives through social cohesion, is better placed to support those who may end up having a problem with gambling than a profit-driven entity. That said, it's a legal product, a great revenue stream, and the club won't necessarily always be well managed. Unless there's a bigger game happening that I'm not privy to I think it's a poor and potentially short-sighted move.

Nothing will change, just the ownership.

That's great, but next time the club is broke don't come knocking on my door.

Perhaps there are different teams. This is the AFL Player Ratings team. Waite's player rating was 146 as opposed to Hogan's 133, so I guess there's no nuance.

Glad to see Jarrad Waite's 24 disposal one goal game landed him at full forward in the AFL's team of the week. Meanwhile, Hogan's 22 disposal 5 goal game didn't warrant a guernsey.

My favourite bit...

There seems to be a bug in the system. I just got notified via alert that I have a notification from this thread, but it's from an ignored user. Strange.

Port got Watts for a reason. They thought he'd improve their structure. I understand that. And he'll play some good games. We've all seen his handy contributions.

I saw it. It's nice he's giving Jack a cuddle. We all know he responds better that way. Have you seen young Marshall of Port play ? Now there's a talent.

Port beating Sydney had zero to do with your pinup boy. Watts had 4 kicks, no marks, and no goals. Played his role ? Is his role to do nothing ? You're very easily pleased.

He was back to his insipid best. No marks, no goals, no influence. And you'd be ecstatic with a game like that ? Nothing surprises me on here.

@Beetle is probably telling his version of the truth, but with Chinese whispers the messages can be incorrectly interpreted. And not necessarily from Beetle. Players don't know everything that's going on. And some information they get told may be incorrect, or have been misinterpreted. Anyone remotely familiar with second or third hand information knows how wrong it can be down the line. I don't believe Hogan was on the trade table, but I also don't believe Beetle is lying. Both stances can coexist.

When I was picking my best 22 just prior to the season starting I had Brayshaw on my bench and Vince out. If I had to put Vince in it would have been Brayshaw coming out. In other words he's close but around the 20-24 mark. I expect that to change over the next year or so and for him to become a staple in the team.

Serious question. Do the Jack Watts soy boys think that those who wanted his sorry backside gone think that we never thought he'd play a decent game again ? Do you really think that ? Thank you in advance.

A typical Watts game. No physicality, but given some space will show his skills. Two goals from left foot snaps, which is his bread and butter, and a goal from a free after he dropped a mark he should have taken. To top it off he drops a chest mark that would have given him an easy shot at goal. Just a typical Watts game.

Watt ? I'd be worried that we still had Watts.

As others have alluded to I'm sure his bung ankle affected his lateral movement in 2017. He missed 5 months in his draft year due to a stress fracture in his ankle and it was the same ankle that was operated on over the summer. Internally the club rates him highly. At a supporter function it was said he's got healthy doses of nastiness in that if he needs to run through a backman he won't hesitate. Those that have been at training have noticed a stronger body and with that comes added confidence. I also appreciate why some have queries, especially in the light of Charlie Curnow. But I'm quietly confident we still have a potentially good key forward on our hands.

You're embarrassing yourself. For his size his speed and agility is exceptional. What do you watch ? Dangerfield is the fastest player in the AFL. He makes Hunt look slow. Hunt can't match Jordan Murdoch and Dangerfield makes Murdoch look pedestrian in half-time GF sprints. Judd's speed was also elite. Martin's speed was one of his elite traits in his draft year. He ran 2.89 seconds for the 20 metre sprint. Ablett's speed is good, but not in the class of the above. 3 seconds or less for the 20 metre sprint puts you in the top 20% at draft combine. Petracca ran 3 seconds flat, which for his build is exceptional and he'd be quicker now having been in the AFL system for years. Some comments on Petracca pre-draft (different links): "When he goes forward, he proves to be an extremely difficult match-up: he's strong on the lead and tricky at ground level. His quick thinking in tight spaces is elite, and he also has leg speed to get out of trouble or hunt down opponents." "Despite carrying much more weight than most midfielders his age he has elite agility and evasion with an excellent sprint." St Kilda FC ✔@stkildafc Christian Petracca has just completed the 20 metre sprint! The result: 3 seconds flat. #AFLCombine 6:00 PM - Oct 1, 2014

What an odd thing to say. His speed is very good. Especially for a Mack Truck.

Whisky review #21: 1495 Blended Scotch Whisky Here's one to avoid, Read on at your own peril! This whisky is called 1495 which refers to the first mention in historic text of the distillation of whisky in Scotland. I could go on but this whiskey doesn't deserve the attention. This is bad whisky! My lowest scoring whisky yet! http://kevlikeswhiskey.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/whisky-review-22-1495-blended-scotch.html

Your maths don't quite work for me. I suspect he's on $500K per year, so we're paying 15% over two years, which would be $150,000, or $75,000 per year. Well, that's how I read it.

Tom McDonald kick 5 goals in a game last year having trained as a defender for years. Sam Blease kicked 5 in a game. I couldn't care if he kicks 10 and wins their B&F. The MFC outgrew Watts.