hemingway

okay fair point. I guess I was not being as analytical as you regarding the specific comments by HH but rather as a positive expression of the kids potential to make an immediate impact this year.

Bit harsh to call this is a ridiculous statement Moon. A big statement perhaps but not ridiculous. HH comments express an optimism and confidence that this kid was going to be something special this season. Perhaps he is right. Incredibly disappointing and for many shattering that we will not get to see him play this year. Sure we expect injuries but seeing one of our young guns like Petracca play this year was an exciting prospect. He has great marketing potential and would have got supporters through the turnstiles. Exciting young players have an enormous impact on the psyche of supporters and the club. After the misery of past sessions we all need to feel that excitement again. Not only us oldies but also the kids who have never known what it's like to follow a club that actually wins games of football. Serious injuries have a very negative impact and already we see that negativity expressed by supporters and by non supporters a like. We do not need any more negativity. On a positive note, we do appear to have greater depth this year and perhaps a more realistic attitude in regard to player and team development. Perhaps there will be others who will step up and provide a reason for more supporters to turn up to watch an emerging footy team.

okay wise old dee i have great respect for the elders of this site. but let me go to the bar and have 5 or 6 whiskys to settle down.

As usual Nut you have summarized the position well. But still Incredibly upsetting and disappointing, even if there is a rational and objective view of it all. DubDee expresses that raw emotion. I would like to be wise and objective about it but to hell with it. This is an emotional game and this is a serious injury for a club that needs everything going for it.

ALL reports greatly appreciated. Information and insights in all posts ... another whisky and soda please waiter.

in short, lets just withdraw from the civilized world and isolate ourselves from reason, ethical standards, and all criticism. fortress australia. let it roll on.

TDI and other track watchers I would be interested in your views. For me, Fitzy has always had the physical attributes but has lacked footy smarts. He is not a natural. Despite his size and pace, I have never seen Fitzy impose himself on a game and his hand-eye coordination seems poor (missed marks and fumbles) and his kicking is not great. Given his history and his battle with diabetes I would love to see him make it, but I have doubts. From what you have seen pre-season do you see it any differently? How much longer do you give him?

why is it that I have this sick feeling that this mob are either going to get off or receive a slap over the wrist. I know that ASADA appears to be holding the line on it all......but the way professional sport is conducted just makes me very cynical. although we all have a clear opinion on the morality and ethics in this sordid affair it seems that as so often happens in professional sport the processes and investigations have been flawed. at the end of the day we have big money, politics and sports administrators ...all providing a recipe for a soft outcome. Things that trouble me are- -there has been no positive drug finding just a lot of circumstantial evidence (this did not stop the Armstrong case, but it did take over 10 years to rub him out-and only after confessions of Landis, Tyler-Hamilton and others) -the affair has been dragging on for ever. it is only natural that all parties want an end to this. that means compromise and concessions. -politics and deal-making pervades all professional sports administration -professional administrative bodies are hopelessly conflicted. -AFL power brokers and Gill in particular are natural deal-makers. -the AFL cannot afford to punish EFC in any way that weakens the competition or threatens the existence of the club. -big money is pervasive and will always influence decisions. -there seems a lot of sympathy for the players from all quarters. Somebody reassure me that my logic is flawed or that my cynicism is unwarranted. Or point me in the direction of a good psychotherapist. EH

man o man bb you are all over it. impressive work..

we have options..........unlike past seasons that comment says it all even given the inevitable injuries that will come.

nah your response is stupid, inane, misguided and pathetic.

Not a weird thought at all junior, entirely possible. Certainly delay, obfuscation, turning over the list has been their intent all along. And Hird is protected under the Little regime.

totally agree Leoncelli, better still to announce a contract extension for PJ putting paid to media trash talk.

A person has an opinion that some people would share and others not share. That does not make that opinion "stupid, inane, misguided and pathetic". Ironic that you then give your opinion that some would share and others not share. You could equally make those disparaging comments about your own opinion. Using personal and insulting comments about another's opinion is why so many posters get fed up with the site. We have just got over the hoo ha with TDI however after the initial melee everyone responded in a mature way allowing for the dialogue around training reports to continue. Your opinion is a reasonable one. Your slanging off at RGRS is not.

Many ex-coaches have respectable reputations as ex-players, but Roosy had a stellar career. That brings respect. However as we know Roos has outstanding communication and interpersonal skills backed up by a teachable realistic game plan that players have confidence in. He has been realistic about the club's prospects and players abilities from the start. Players want to play for him. That is a powerful force. He has brought new blood to the club and players that have chosen to play for him (cite Lumumba) that otherwise would have viewed Melbourne as a graveyard. Then look at his support staff. He may not be the Messiah but he has gone a long way to resurrecting our old club.

Interesting comment on Viney TDI. Although I have enjoyed Vineys attack on the ball and the player, i have also been concerned about his longevity. A more moderate and even paced approach to training in particular might be good for him long-term. How do you rate Newton's pace/speed compared to Michie? Have not seen either Michie or Newton play. We know about Viney.

Good post. Smart move being Caligula's Cohort. I hope he had a long life. We no longer have the Praetorian Guard but we do have the Demonlanders.

Great reports guys. Ruffles and TDI tag teaming. great stuff and sensible mature response to recent posts. Well done guys.

TGA or Medical Board? No, Dank is not a registered medical practitioner although he may be certifiable!

defender for mine. we be disappointing if we have to play him up forward it will mean our forward line is in bad shape.

who honestly cares?

fair enough a well reasoned opinion

in one sense don't disagree nut, however, at the same time Trenners has a different background to say an under performing fringe player. Ex-Captain, committed loyal servant who renewed his contract early, dedicated trainer. In short an all round class act and a good role model for others. Remember the club has been heavily criticized for its handling of Junior and others. Would have been a very bad look to have delisted him.

agree on both statements. this site like others is just a representation of the biases, knowledge differences and divergent views of society. There is your right wing, left wing and moderates, including a few offbeat independants. these sites are what they are. you read or don't read depending on your interest and whether you can take a light hearted view towards the silly stuff. it's like going to a bullfight. you can put up with the gory bits like when the bull puts his horns through the horse but you admire the bull and the skills of the matador. despite it all, the training reports are great and there a lot of well informed posters which make for interesting reading. gotta be a tragic though.

Agree nut. Unfortunately his foot injury is one of the most difficult injuries to diagnose and manage. it will be very difficult to return to the top level for any sustained period of time given the amount of sustained running and variation of pace now required at the top level, i suspect that he will be walking a tightrope. my guess is that these injuries will become more common as time goes on. I hope I am wrong but I have a bad feeling about this one.