grazman

An absolute indictment and travesty on the game that the people that implemented an injecting regime where they cannot produce any documentation of what players were given can be allowed to remain in the game. I have no problem with the players not being banned, but FFS how those in power can allow the reputation of the game to be trashed by allowing Hird and Co to continue on is beyond me. The end result is the game suffers and pecuniary interests always win out against what is morally right - reprehensible.

One of my favourites, but I've always been biased in favour of unobtrusive - get the job done backmen. I think Tommy has improved in all facets of his game this year. We know his disposal and decision making at times aren't elite, but he's playing the percentages so well now and playing within his limitations, I think that's benefited his confidence because while his making and spoiling have been his strengths (along with his speed) he's taken that to an even higher level this year. His improvement has helped both Dunn and Garland in their roles too (though Dunny was outpointed against the Giants) hopefully along with Salem and Jetta we're building a solid and dependable back 6.

Being a Canberran I went to the game yesterday. Without wanting to sound like a bitter old curmudgeon... (yesterday was also my 47th birthday so I realise the description probably fits), but... I mistakenly took a call from the club the day before and again tipped in for the raffle thing that I never get any joy from either so that just increased my sense of frustration. Anyway some rather limited observations FWIW. Pregame warm ups. Jeff Garlett and Dean Kent need to practice kicking sodas 30 meters out in the V. We do not do the basic things well. I'm prepared to cut Hogan some slack in his second game, but these two are experienced players and to miss what should be absolute gimmes in footy terms was simply not good enough. We go in 27 points up rather 42 points up - scoreboard pressure counts and I've no doubt at half time that the Giants think they're only playing the demons and about how they towelled us up both times last year and believe they're still in the contest and they're right. Secondly it wasn't so much a lack of genuine pace (which has been addressed somewhat) it was more simply our lack of intent. Not once did a Melbourne player line up a GWS player and sit them on their arse (i'm not talking dirty tactics, just hard contested footy) they brushed through tackles and we simply failed to stand up to their pressure. They ran with impunity through the middle of the ground and were able to dob goals from the fifty because there was no point trying to hit up Cameron who was well and truly beaten by Tommy Mac. Mumford is along with Sandi is competing for the best ruckman in the comp (probably better in terms of physical presence and importance to his side). I was really hoping when he left Geelong we'd get him. He is easily GWS's most important player. There is no way they would have won yesterday if he didn't play. Jamar was Jamar and he battled manfully, but he wasn't helped because our mids just couldn't get near the ball, he doesn't get a lot of possessions but outside of Dawes who really struggled to impose himself he's really our only physical presence on the ground. I also think it is why Spencil will be persisted with for a while as he is aggressive and physical. We are a better football side than this time last year and substantially better than two years ago, but we are still no where near having the consistency required. We drop off the pace far too easily and we have too many players who are simply not hungry enough and drop their heads way too quickly. I think we will improve as the year goes on, but I'm envisaging as part of Roos/Goodwin's realistic appraisal of our list that there are probably 5-6 of our regular starting 22 last year that are playing their last season in Melbourne/Casey colours. As Roos said we need more talent and I'd expect a few to be offered up to get what we need. We need someone like a Josh Kennedy almost as much as we need a Dylan Shiel. Tommy Mac would be one of the best backs going around ATM. He dominated yesterday and apart from Cameron's freakish goal and a couple of low worm burners onto his chest when we were being overrun beat him convincingly. If he continues in this vein he will be a genuine bona fide A grader, along with Salem who is well on track to be as well. I think Hogan is something special, his game for a second game player will probably be largely overlooked, but he is going to be our first genuinely elite player in quite a while and hopefully one of Brayshaw or Petracca (or both) can join him. And for some perspective an arguably stronger Suns outfit than the one we played was beaten by the wooden spoon favourites at home, maybe we buttered them up for them, maybe...

Depends. Still have to find a deal to satisfy Brisbane. Aish is not a free agent. At this stage it'd be an early first round pick and a player* you would think. Yarran is interesting, like others I think he has a tendency to be a little lazy, not so much soft as just not liking the way he is coached. If you could get on his right side he could be a real weapon. We have few other players that could match his pace and skills. Interesting times ahead. Garlett was a steal, but Mick wanted him gone and he may want Yarran gone too if he doesn't play to instructions, but he's no guarantee to be coach in 2016. * a good player not the usual DL party bag of potential delisted players.

No tagging in TAC is a myth. I had a conversation with a TAC coach 20 years ago when I was coaching school footy and while he wouldn't tag opposition players other TAC clubs did. Of course they don't call it tagging - "they run with- or at least close to opponents". Maybe there's been a mindset change, but I doubt it. Good football starts with defence. Its why Neeld was such a culture shock when he walked through the doors. We had no concept of two way running. We could always play attacking 'attractive' football under Bailey, but it was never going to win us games consistently because better teams with better players would just rebound far too quickly. These days even one forward who won't chase his man (like a Brendan Fevola) is enough to destroy defensive structures.

And expect the saga to go on. Irregardless of the verdict there's an extremely high likelihood that there will be more lengthy appeals. Many are wailing and gnashing their teeth that this may take as long as four years to resolve... welcome to modern justice. Without the wisdom of King Solomon and a device such as a guillotine for cutting things in half (or off) this is what we are left with... thanks James

Here's my 2 cents for what its worth, to quote Nietzche. "All things are subject to interpretation, whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth." In 1916 before the first battle of the Somme the British subjected the German lines to the greatest ever bombardment in history (to that point). A bombardment so great that it could be heard across the channel - sort of like the Essendon media bombardment but on a bigger scale. The British full of confidence that the overwhelming weight of force had settled the battle for them, then got out of their trenches and casually strolled towards the German line only to be mown down. They lost 20,000 men in the first hour alone and 60,000 men in 24 hours. They had engaged in an escalating commitment to a failing course of action, very much like Essendon, but the AFL aren't sitting behind their Maxim guns waiting to mow them down, ASADA/WADA are. I think the only thing more likely (and more stupid) for the AFL on Tuesday than to deliver a 6 month ban is to deliver a not guilty verdict. I expect that Gill et al have one eye on the clause in their contracts that kicks in their performance bonus and they're wondering how the hell they can get it if one of their biggest drawing teams suddenly starts drawing MFC like crowds. I also suspect that there's a certain amount of hubris and ego involved in both Essendon and AFL camps and they're choosing to ignore the messages that ASADA and WADA are making about appealing. Though I think given the situation that ASADA may look for a way to sidestep the issue and let its bigger brother bare the brunt in this regards. All of this clouds the issue that the AFL like most professional sports is only interested in growing profits. They've instituted a three strikes regime to ensure the best players continue to get on the park. The Issue around drugs in football is both the prolific (at least larger than the common perception) recreational and performance enhancing use (see Dale Lewis) and how the risk can be mitigated. I find claims by all and sundry that they were unaware of the issues at West Coast with Ben Cousins a reflection on their culpability. (I wish I had of known, prove that I didn't). Now they are no longer heroes because we can't use them to sell the game (i.e. merchandise, memberships, sponsorships etc), but we're comfortable to wash our hands of the issue and claim its a bigger society wide problem (yes it is, but that doesn't absolve you from your responsibilities). Issues like Karmichael Hunt and the Gold Coast Titans I'm sure lurk in the back of most football club CEOs minds and you better have a strategy because football is entertainment, and entertainment is about perception (your selling a fantasy - people don't want reality). Ruin the illusion and people switch off. I might be a damn cynic (and I think most idealists are) but I do believe in humanity... and Karma. We may never learn the truth of the Essendon saga, but we might find out who has the most power Essendon/AFL or ASADA/WADA?

Go you good things! Well done the Vics. Obviously a very flat deck, but still a great effort.

I can see as many as 6 new faces lining up for rd 1 based on preseason form... and depending on whether any or all of Kent, Vince and Howe are available. My side would be: Jetta, Dunn, Garland Salem, MacDonald, Grimes Lumumba*, Cross, Watts Vince, Hogan*, Kent Garlett* Howe, Frost* Jamar, Tyson, N Jones Pedersen, Newton*, Vandenberg* sub M Jones emerg: JKH, Viney, Toumpas, McKenzie I think sides are moving more to playing one ruck with players pinch hitting in their for 20-30 minutes a game. So I can't see a spot for big Max with Pedersen and Frost doing the relieving ruck duties. Cross to do the stopping duties on Prestia.

BB I'm not sure those clangers include Free kicks against (pretty sure they don't). Jones had 8 Frees against in the NAB (5 in the Freo game alone) and Salem 1. Again its a matter of perspective, (and I like to think that I'm relatively balanced in my views of players), but clearly its the one area Jones needs to work on. He falls into the back of opposition players far too often for someone at this level. He needs to sort it out and it makes him an easy target for detractors. Like you I think he's a lock for round 1, he provides run and spread and is team oriented, but he's going to give the haters ammunition to hate.

Next year the transition begins where you'll see Simon Goodwin assuming more responsibility. There's been a couple of occasions during the coverage with our NAB match against the Bombers that Roos was clearly bemused by some of the decision making taking place. I doubt its his intention to move the ball as slowly as we did after the first quarter, but its also symptomatic of our fragile psyche that he's mentioned more than once. I look at Colin Garland and now just think he's damaged goods, perhaps like Rivers and Co he might be better off in a new environment. We have only 15 players left on our list from 2011. Excluding rookies, but including others that have been on the senior list and are no longer at the club a total of 32 players in the last 3 years have been turned over. Not hard to see why there's precious little continuity and why it takes so long to learn to play the way the coach wants them to. (familiarity more than anything else breeds confidence and many of our players simply don't have confidence in each other). I used to be an optimist, but I've stopped believing in miracles. I think perhaps our best performances will again be in the middle third of the year.

Excellent, thanks 45.

Gee McRae and the Bont looked good last night. Along with Wallis and Liber the doggies midfield in two years time is going to be very, very good.

Had a bit of chuckle when Flem and Warnie were commentating the other night and wished the Vics good luck in the shield final being played at their traditional home ground in Hobart. Very funny. Then started talking about bouncer repellent. I like Flem as a commentator he's a very witty bloke. Pity there's no coverage of the shield final at least as there has been in the past. I find Sheffield Shield still one of the most enjoyable forms of the game to watch. Vic's have their work cut out for them though with the Warriors at 4 for 310. Still with rain forecast for all of Monday and showers on Tuesday & Wednesday they would want to bowl well on what looks to be an extremely flat deck. Ahmed might be a sneaky chance for the ashes tour.

I think you missed the point.

You mean our really experienced Key Forwards like Hogan and Frost? Maybe Vandenberg's dropped mark? They will get better.

Don't you mean WE. Let's not forget that most of us sold the farm for a handful of magic beans called Tom and Jack. You reap what you sow. I doubt that the club will worry too much about the 'ridicule' of losing a preseason match. It has a lot of experience in being embarrassing in its recent history. I doubt that they'll dwell on it as much as the armchair experts, I think they'll probably try and address the problems ahead of a match for actual premiership points.

It's always so nice to hear Roos cool and measured response to these sorts of performances. The really displeasing thing for me wasn't so much our ball use in tight it was our failure to to basic team things like block and shepherd for team mates in better positions. Matt Jones, Rohan Bail, Jordie McKenzie and Jack Grimes are constant whipping boys, but they do the team thing which is why they get games. Other more highly praised players are way too selfish - which is to say they try to do too much. Unfortunately it was some of our more experienced players who rather than laying a shepherd for a team mate with the ball ran to receive instead. I think this is probably what Roosy was referring to when he said we need to stop playing as individuals and start playing as a team. If the top up Don's haven't been let into the game plan yet... then it just goes to show you how over rated game plans can be. Get the ball and give it to your team mate in a better position.

And Yet they're talking about potential two year bans for Ryan Crowley and the RL player who tested positive today... hmmm.

One of my workmates made a comment about whether I was upset with Clark's performance. My observation was A) It would be hypocritical if I was considering the circumstances of how the MFC recruited him, B) I'd rather have Lumumba, who has an amazing record for actually getting and staying on the park and C) HL actually offers something to the culture of the club with the way he prepares and trains. Clark brought nothing.

I know people don't like Hutch much, but I did chuckle when he made the comment that Pickers was his manager and that hopefully he keeps him in the loop next time (obviously referring to his DUI)

Yep, straight down to the rooms, my impression was he had concussion and didn't come back on. Hopefully someone can clarify. I assume he'll play next week, I just wanted to see a little more this week, the second half would have been a good opportunity for him.

Not sure, If talls could play like smalls then maybe, but typically they don't. When they say a tall is 'great below their knees' - what they mean is 'great below their knees for a tall'. The Swans have two of the best talls in the business (and one who plays much like a small) but they didn't have the flexibility that Hawthorn did in the GF with their medium talls. I think the standard set up would be for Dawes & Hogan as permanent talls, resting ruck of Pedo or Gawn, with Watts, Kent and Vandenberg rotating as the medium talls Garlett and JKH crumbing and Howe and Frost able to play that swingman role.

I guess many people like me are reading the preseason tealeaves as a portent for the season to come. I've almost given up reading DL for any meaningful insights or rationality - certainly there's no balance. Still If I'm going to have a crack at 'others' I may as well offer a contribution rather than just whinging. Firstly I was heartened that the club did the right thing by its supporters and provided a telecast of the game that I could access (at least the first half - the connection in the second half was very similar to our on field display). I know there are many that have been unhappy with the engagement with the membership of late, but from where I sit at least the club is trying, not always getting it right, but trying. Secondly our on-field performance was definitely a game of two halves. What I liked in the first half (even though at times it seemed like a training drill) was our ability to move the ball quickly by hand. Something that we haven't been able to do for the longest time. Instead of just hand balling under pressure and coughing it up, which has been the norm for too long, we were hand balling in front of the player to run onto rather than at their feet, over their head or behind their back. Once the player hand balled they automatically put on a shepherd. These are football basics, but something we obviously had to relearn. Based on what I saw Garland and Grimes will finish top ten in the B&F if they play like that consistently. Matt Jones I thought was also good in the first half (didn't make any errors that I could see anyway). Tommy Mac and Nev were superb. The midfield kicking wasn't flash, but as Roos said the conditions were difficult. It always seems to be windy in Ballarat. I thought our intensity in the first half was fantastic and actually intimidated the Doggies a bit, - when was the last time we could say that about any Melbourne side? Not so much in the second half, but at least we're raising the bar (previously the difference between our best and worst football was OK to Insipid). Now our best looks a lot better. Hard to gauge what our worst will be like at this stage, but hopefully a damn site better than in the last few years. I doubt we'll see a centre square set up like we had in the last quarter once the real stuff starts. The Bulldogs were missing 5 of their best 7 from their top ten from last year (Griffen, Libba and Crameri were unavailable) we had all 7 of our best 7 from the top ten available (Howe, Vince and Frawley unavailable). So yes the Doggies were inexperienced, but in general I think we found plenty to be excited about into the future. Our recruiting is getting better Frost, Lumumba, Newton, Garlett all look like being in the best 22 and I think we're actually a much better side immediately which takes the pressure of Petracca, Brayshaw and Stretch to adjust to the tempo of league footy rather than throwing them to the wolves to make up the deficit of talent. I was disappointed Vandenberg got injured because I think he's also a smokey for round 1. Tyson, Salem and Toumpas all appear to be improving rather than just plateauing and Hogan just looks like a player (easy to see why there's so much hype - well founded IMO) won't be dominant in 2015, but I can't wait to see what he's doing to opposition team in two years time.

And Carlton won a preseason comp and then finished last. Preseason is just match practice. It gives little real indication of how the following season will pan out once premiership points are on the line.