Mach5

Is it just me, or does he look like Beavis? or Butthead. Never know which is which.

Making parallels between negotiating at the trade table and form onfield is beyond silly.

Don't mind him, but a fringe player and I don't think he'll ever be anything more. Could be a solid role player.

If give up too much hope of getting Fritsch. It'd be like Bulldogs supporters last year expecting to get Hannan.

Not a great comparison, but they both did play at Freo. No where near as hard. Not really a contested ball-winner or decent tackler. Better vision, decision-making, skill (going by junior form), but about the same pace. Has size on his side.

IIRC Balic trained with us in preseason as an underage player, so we'd have a goodbye earn on him. I think we could better, even with a late pick.

Paid it because whether I pay subs now or in 6 months time, I still have to pay them if I want to keep my membership. Might as well have the option of attending finals matches if I choose to. Not sure what the problem is?

Wow, that was weird. Anyway, I'm not really bothered if we don't get a first round pick -- if Viney, Taylor, et al continue to pick up gems like Hannan later in the draft, I couldn't care less whether we have a first rounder this year or not. Culture & environment are so much more important than where you sit in the eyes of "experts" as a 17 year old.

Momentarily becomes a favourite son when he kicks a long goal, but after 5 mins back to "bloody milkshake"

He did, but at that stage Hunt hadn't played a game, Wagner was not on the list, and Salem had been played as a forward. Fortunately Mellsham now has the flexibility to play anywhere on the field and should be able to do it to a consistent standard.

Great post. I still recall a bunch of Richmond supporter mates calling for Rance's demotion in his 5th year on the list and lamenting his inability to hit a target and that he "had no idea what he was doing out there." It's amazing how with some valuable experience things seem to just "click" one day for a lot of players. Oscar has shown enough for me to be excited, he just needs to develop some real power in his core and have that sudden realisation of what he is really capable of.

To be fair, that's like me saying my mate Dave from down the pub expects the deal will get done.

Sad but true imo

His face?

You'd really describe Wagner in that way?

I agree, but I think it is the PTSD spoken about in terms of the players being conditioned to playing a non-attacking, fear-stricken style of football. They had it drilled into them for years. I'd dearly love to see Garland do better, and thought I would. His malaise in particular has really surprised me.

Hold on, only one is a must keep if no one else is coming in. If we had, for argument's sake, Sam Reid coming in, they are then both relegated to list clogger status.

Because it is not longer up for discussion; a deal has been agreed.

Says who?

Or maybe... you don't.

Evidently they do.

I wouldn't be basing any assumptions on a question like this. One of the 4 key elements the recruitment dept have looked for is the ability to listen and take on board feedback. Not hard to imagine them saying this with the idea of challenging how he sees himself as a player, and whether he is willing to listen to those that should know better, or if he steadfastly insists that he will be a forward in spite of their experience.

Just like we "overpaid" slightly for Melksham last year, we may end up "underpaying" slightly for Hibberd this year (although not in my opinion). And in spite of all that, you have to look at the net result at the end of the trade period, these days more than ever. "Overpaying" for Melksham was largely irrelevant when we (the supporters) realised we would have moved that pick anyway to achieve the fantastic result we did, of getting 2 top 10 picks to select Weideman and Oliver..

I think the onus was upon the players collectively to make that decision and move, and they failed to make it... On reflection, they will be aware of the error of their ways and will likely make the correct decision next time. How else will they learn to make the moves themselves, if not by being empowered to do so? It's how the Hawthorns and Geelongs have maintained their longterm dominance. They don't wait for the coach to make the move - Burgoyne goes into the centre square, or Bartel moves to play loose in the backline when they sense it is needed.

I guess with Brad Hill coming to play with his brother Stephen, and with an ageing Danyle Pearce still serviceable, Langdon is surplus to needs. I know he's fast, but I'm not certain he has the cleanest skills.