joeboy

Thanks for the positive feedback - it makes a nice change .

Bartram - must be commended for his endeavour and application but his foot skills are unbelievably poor , at best , and there must be some concern that he has a future in our best 22 next year .( 2/10 ) Bate - probably the major disappointment of the year IMO . He was expected to assume a key role in our forward line but aside from the occasional cameo performance he failed to excite and was justifiably languishing in the Sandy team at season's end.( 4/10 ) Bell - there was no denying the spirit was there and the body was willing , but serious concerns are evident with his decision making and turn overs .( 4/10 ) Bode - not up to it ; after 2 mediocre seasons with limited senior appearances , the writing is on the wall .( 1/10 ) Bruce - had his detractors , but IMO was a very consistant player who was always given the hardest tasks and performed very creditably , but his foot skills were not up to the standard of the top-class onballers in the league.( 7/10 ) Buckley - the best thing to come out of a most disappointing year .He has the full package of strength , pace , poise and endurance and with a solid pre season should become a force in mid field .( 6/10 ) Carroll - just a filler , and curio item . He has no future when a full list of tall backmen is available .( 3/10 ) Davey - our most important player , IMO and needed to be fit , eager , and hungry , but was none of these because of injury or other distractions . Aaron faces a crucial year next year and could rise to greatness or fall by the wayside . I believe his future is as a permanent small forward , not an onballer .( 5/10 ) Dunn - seemed to have found his niche as a run with player , but there are concerns that he doesn't get enough of the ball , nor does he take enough overhead marks or impose himself on a game for a player of his strength and size .( 4/10 ) Frawley - failed to convince that he was worthy of such an esteemed reputation and high draft selection; his body has probably not fully developed yet , but he appears to be too short for a key position and too slow to handle the quicker small forwards .( 3/10 ) Garland - was probably the first defender selected each Thursday , such was the improvement of the player from last year's abysmal performance . With a concentration pre season on building muscle onto a formidable base , Colin will become the cornerstone of our backline for 10 years .( 7/10 ) Green - easily the most impressive and consistant of our senior players , Brad added bravery and courage to become a complete package this year , and must be the early favourite for captaincy next year .( 7/10 ) Grimes - only saw a fleeting glimpse so the jury is out ,but Sandringham watchers are quietly expectant , whilst his credentials suggest that he has the necessary qualifications to make it . ( 3/10 ) Holland - did nothing this year in his limited opportunities to suggest that retirement was premature .( 2/10 ) Jamar - we saw some progress when he was given the responsibility of first ruck , and his tap work was usually first class , but there are obviously great limitations in all other aspects of his game and he is just a cumbersome dinosaur when compared to top liners of the league .( 4/10 ) C. Johnson - made some giant strides this year to become our half-back-of-choice . Chris has the skills, temperament , poise and size now to become an important attacking weapon from defence .( 6/10 ) P. Johnson - became one of the Demon fans' favourite players after developing from a fringe ruckman into a talented and versatile big man . If he can continue to use his height, strength , and pace for good and not evil he could become a major force in our forward line .( 6/10 ) Jones - was often tagged out of games and struggled to be as effective as we'd all hoped . Nathan does not seem to think quickly enough , nor does he successfully take the first option when it is presented , seemingly preferring to take on opponents and invariably being caught in possession .( 5/10 ) McDonald - same old , same old . We Knew what we'd be getting with Junior and he didn't disappoint , but at the same time we will never see a game won by our key on baller as he lacks the pace , skills and smarts to hurt the opposition enough . His retention on our list next season must be regarded as a safety measure only in case of further injuries to McLean , Moloney, and Davey.( 6/10 ) McLean - will we ever see the greatness that we have been tantalized by ? Maric - has genuine skills and footy smarts , but he is so small and without the blistering speed to atone for it . Addam needs big bodies around him to work most effectively , and with the absence of any Jonathan Brown - like figure in our forward line , his short term future is limited ( 3/10 ). Martin - plenty of upside to this guy ; Stefan has a great physique and temperament but does he have the desire ? I often noticed that he was a spectator rather than imposing himself on a contest, possibly as a result of the late start to his football life limiting his understanding of the ebbs and flows in a game.( 4/10 ) Miller - definitely enjoyed his roles under Bailey and had his most consistent season at the club . Brad obviously needed to kick more goals as our biggest and most senior player in the forward line , but pleasingly he always provided a contest and played with urgency and controlled aggression .( 6/10 ) Moloney - another season cruelled by injury . Morton - so talented but so skinny - we'll all be expectantly looking for signs of muscle and strength in 2009 to add to the exciting package . Cale came to the club with the reputation for being a talented kick , but frighteningly resembles Cam Bruce in much of his disposal .( 6/10 ) Neitz - farewell to the champion Newton - a major disappointment who appears to lack the urgency or commitment to make it as a permanent key forward . Michael has the enviable height ,long kick ,and 'tricks ' , but needs greater strength and application ( 3/10 ). Petterd - a season ruined by injury . Rivers - a season ruined by injury - probably the most significant factor in our year from hell . Robertson - for many reasons was underperforming even before his season ending injury .Does Robbo still have the desire to make it as a footballer or are there bigger markets to crack ? ( 4/10 ) Sylvia - a slow start to the year but an encouraging and impressive second half that has probably saved his future at the club . Where is his best position - he's too small for a key position , and does not seem to have the endurance for an on ball role ?( 6/10 ) Warnock -seemingly came out of hibernation ( as imposed by Daniher ) to grab and hold the important roles on key opposition forwards , and for the most part , and under extreme duress , handled the task with aplomb .( 6/10 ) Weetra - will not be retained . Wheatley - certainly in career best form this year . Paul was finally fit and was able to use his pace and outstanding kicking to great effect .( 8/10 ) Whelan - it was great to have Mathew back doing what he does best . We tend to overlook the fact that he missed so much football with such a serious injury and he returned to his tough and competitive football self with little fanfare or fuss.( 7/10 ) White - won his fare share of ruck contests but it's arguable that much of his work was to our advantage .( 4/10 ) Yze - a fantastic player in other years who probably stayed on 2 years too long .( 3/10 ) Valenti - a pleasing break through year but his future is probably limited because of his size and lack of pace .( 3/10 ) Wonaeamirri - some thrilling cameo performances but needs a strong and concerted pre season to bring him up to the required levels of fitness .( 4/10 )

6 - Sylvia 5 - Buckley 4 - Yze 3- Warnock 2 - Garland 1 - Green

Bartram - nothing to commend Bell - pretended to try Bruce - showed little interest Buckley - took opposition on Carroll - tried but failed Frawley - little to enthuse Garland - stood up manfully Green - needs the holiday Grimes - a forgettable debut Holland - a forgettable farewell Jones - slow to act McDonald - a miserable game Maric - little boy lost Miller - big boy lost Morton - failed to impress Petterd - needn't have played Sylvia - terrific until injured Warnock - continued to try Wheatley - lacked any resolve Whelan - had no influence White - a lazy game Yze - prolific but ineffective

I'll be there so I can provide a 3 word analysis if required

You're welcome

Don't you mean 'make your 3 word analysis agree with my point of view' ? Thanks for taking the time out of your important day to read my'tripe '

My son is actually playing in a practice match against the ' Peace Team ' this week .

The Age actually did report the game and gave votes to Bell and Whelan , whilst declaring Garland's game as 'brilliant '. I suggest that the HeraldSun and Age journalists were getting drunk together and not actually at the game .

Well 'nosebleed' , if I wanted to write an essay on the merits or otherwise of each player's performance then I'd be wasting space and energy so I restrict myself to 3 words for brevity , and to provide WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE ,the overall sense of the players' performances ON THE DAY - note the thread's title . There are 3 things you can do now as far as I'm concerned : - offer to pay me MORE for this weekly 'tripe'and I promise I'll agree with your summation of each player's performance . - don't offer me the Archibald Prize . - don't read the 'tripe ' again and just present your own breakaway analysis. : flicks ponytails over shoulders to indicate grumpiness and reapplies makeup :

Hey Nosebleed , what's your problem with my comments ? Why do you refer to them as 'tripe' ? If you don't care for my comments then don't read them !

6- McDonald 5 - Sylvia 4 - Morton 3 - Warnock 2- Miller 1 - Buckley

Bartram - devoid of skill Bate - not on field Bell - not on field Bruce- little to enthuse Buckley - good first half Dunn - not on field Garland - just a spectator Green - missing when needed Jamar - murdered in ruck Jones - a poor game McDonald - our only trier Martin - looked totally lost Miller - very limited involvement Morton - classy but flawed Newton - a schoolboy's performance Sylvia - tried all day Warnock - tried but limited Wheatley - loose and ineffective Whelan - game to forget White - lost Carlton's interest Yze - a farewell nightmare Wonaeamirri - continued poor month

Let's hope Richmond is still in the running for the final 8 when we play them in the final round so we can lose 'gracefully'.

Bartram - good defensive run Bate - little to commend Bell - aggressive but flawed Bruce - plenty of possessions Buckley - better disposal today Frawley - an encouraging display Green - year's best game Jamar - made few mistakes P.Johnson - excellent despite restriction Jones - mostly well held McDonald - fine captain's game Maric - was disappointing today Martin - occasionally a spectator Miller - good not great Morton - effective and prolific Newton - brief cameo involvement Sylvia - exciting and frustrating Warnock - some defensive run Wheatley - prolific and reliable Whelan - tackling to behold Valenti - just a game Wonaeamirri - little when needed

6- Bruce 5- McDonald 4 -Maric 3- Valenti 2- Whelan 1 - P. Johnson

Bartram - loose and reckless Bate - abysmal forward pressure Bruce - our only winner Buckley - tried but failed Carroll - justified his return Dunn - still learning role Frawley - little to commend Green - just a game C.Johnson - not as prolific P.Johnson - effective but limited Jones - very little impact McDonald - battled overwhelming odds Maric - exciting and talented Martin - out of depth Morton - poor when pressured Sylvia - tried but limited Warnock - tried but failed Wheatley - disposal was disappointing Whelan - reliable as expected White - age has wearied Valenti - burrowed and persevered Wonaeamirri - a poor game

and Morton's 20 metre handball that gets penalised as dropping the ball .

6 - Sylvia 5 - Bate 4 - Morton 3 - Jamar 2 - Dunn 1 - McDonald

Bartram - brave but erratic Bate - constantly provided target Bell - aggressive but flawed Bruce - plenty of possessions Buckley - tried but mistakeridden Davey - insignificant until injured Dunn - fine tagging game Garland - overly difficult assignment Green - just a game Jamar - outstanding in tapouts C. Johnson- not as effective P. Johnson - enjoyed his efforts McDonald - gave constant drive Maric - promising but tiny Martin - occasionally a spectator Morton - elusive and effective Sylvia - season's best game Warnock - found opponent intimidating wheatley - lacked customary run Whelan - played as expected Valenti - continues to impress Wonaeamirri - a poor game

Obviously the club can't either

Newton will certainly be a valuable player for us for many years IMO . He has had a poor year because of injury and suspension - obviously being unable therefore to gain momentum . There are , however ,giant upsides to the guy who is extremely young and inexperienced in football terms . He is very tall and extremely agile for his size; very smart ( albeit lazy ) on the field ; a huge , and usually accurate kick ;and with a body that is ripe for developing over the summer . You don't give up on players of his size when there is so much to gain with patience !

Greg Healy - same build , same bullocking attack , and very similar kicking style .

The fact that Green wasn't voted into the leadership group this season by his peers suggests all may not necessarily be well amongst the players if he is made skipper.

Bartram - tried but failed Bate - disappeared when needed Bell - comprehensively poor game Bruce - year's worst game Buckley - thrilling first half Davey - missing too often Dunn - was rarely sighted Garland - very quiet game Jamar - little to enthuse C.Johnson - continued his renaissance P.Johnson -easily our best Jones - a better game McDonald - rusty but valuable Maric - commendable first effort Martin - was rarely noticed Miller - good first half Morton - some classy touches Newton - freakish but flawed Sylvia - worked into game Warnock - a poor game Whelan - tough and uncompromising Valenti - enjoyed his game