Forest Demon

Mark Robinson has really handled this Essendon affair horribly. I generally find him reasonably harmless and can handle him in small doses, but he really is out of his depth in what is one of the biggest jobs in footy journalism. Mark Robinson as the lead football writer at the hun, and Dwayne Russell having any job whatsoever in the footy media are two of the great mysteries.

Geez the Bailey-era sides were packed full of some ordinary footballers. Many posters, myself included, perhaps started to look back at Bailey's reign as better than it was, given what came directly after during the Neeld years. Blokes like Bate, Miller, Morton, the list goes on. In saying that, I know he had some obvious flaws, but Aaron Davey was a very good player. I would have him just above, or level with, TJ as the best kick we have had post 2000.

I am still scratching my head about the Travis Cloke sentence

An improved version of Mark Ricciuto? Nice to see someone with some realistic expectations on the young kid.

I only caught the last few minutes, but heard him say he still had faith in what Stephen Dank was doing because "what would Stephen Dank have to gain from doping his players?"....seriously, what a moron. There is such an obvious answer to that question, I can only assume he actually knows the answer, but isn't letting on.

The fact he has a 4 year deal at least gives him the time to turn it around. Using the word "mistake" may have jumped the gun, but it is a horrible start to life at his new club, and I think there is now extra pressure on himself, and also Goodwin, that he hits the ground running in 2017.

I don't really know where I stand on it all in terms of the ban, but I don't see how you can argue picking up Melksham was not a mistake. If we got him for peanuts, maybe, but we gave up a decent pick for a player who will spend his first year sitting on the sidelines. Would you trade a second rounder for Melksham if he had just done his ACL and was going to be out for the next season? I certainly wouldn't. And it is not as if this wasn't foreseeable. Melksham needs to come out absolutely firing in 2017, and considering Simon Goodwin was behind picking him up, it also applies a little extra pressure to the start of his coaching career in 2017.

If we are able to promote a rookie, I would like to see Mitch White get the opportunity. Melksham was recruited to play half back, and while I am sure they could shuffle things a bit, Harmes and Michie are not like for like replacements. White had a very good debut in the last game of last year and pre-season form permitting, don't think he would look out of place on the senior list. Give him the opportunity, put the heat on him, and see if he stands up. I am pretty confident he would succeed.

North Melbourne won't make the 8. Port Adelaide to get going again and finish top 4.

Gee, why don't you just tell us what you really think

I know a couple who played against him in his younger days, and they are both huge wraps for him. Seems he was quite a star as a junior. But obviously remains to be seen if he can transfer that to the top level, but I am confident he can.

I think people will be pleasantly surprised by Kennedy. He was used as the sub at Collingwood on countless occasions, meaning his stats are somewhat misguiding. Collingwood are stacked with his type of player moreso than just about any other club. I think he will play round one and good luck to him.

Jim Carrey certainly makes for great gif material. I knew we butchered a couple of drafts around this time, but I had forgotten we had 4 picks inside the top 20!!! Hopefully Gawn continues and Trengove gets back so we can at least salvage something.

Hawthorn have Hill and Smith, and to a lesser extent Rioli, who play on a wing and have lightning speed and can really take advantage of the space when it is there. Freo have Hill, Pearce and now Bennell as well. IMO, we only need one or two, but I don't think we have any at this stage. Garlett plays closer to goal, other guys like Hunt are still speculative and some way off, Kent is more of a forward and I don't think he has the top end speed those listed above have, JKH isn't quick enough etc etc. A young Aaron Davey would be handy.

The time was probably right to draft another ruckman, and I know nothing about Mitch King, but I must admit, it's hard to get excited about an 18 year old ruckman that will take years to develop.

If this was the coaching group's solution to Hogan's forward partner for the long term, I think Jesse would just tell them he would rather do it on his own.

I honestly didn't even know this game was on until I saw the result this morning, and I am assuming there were no dees players in the squad, thank god. I know I am not alone in this thought, but surely this game has to go. There is only one time a year where the best players in the game come together, and it is for some strange hybrid sport that barely resembles footy. Surely if we are going to the trouble of getting these great players together, we let them play a game of bloody footy. Amirite?

Certainly makes for an interesting night. We have two picks inside the top 10, and looks like we could have any 2 of about 10 players. Unlike other years where it was clear who we were taking, or at least down to a selected 2 or 3.

If he was out of contract next year I would be concerned, but he still has 2 years FFS.

Do Academy players have the ability to say no to those clubs? Like how a father/son doesn't have to go to his father's club if he doesn't want to ala Marc Murphy (I think).

I don't get your point. Of course good players come of the rookie list.My point was that the chances that for any given player on a rookie list, the chance of them making it are quite slim. For every Dean Cox, there will be 10 or 20 who didn't cut it. I know very little of Max King, only seen him a couple of times and was reasonably impressed. All I was saying is I doubt the club would have all their eggs in his basket and not be looking at drafting another ruck/forward at some stage.

Akermanis was an absolutely amazing player. I would have him only behind Voss in that Brisbane side, and even that is debatable for me. Geez, it was an impressive midfield though.

I don't think the club would be putting too many eggs in the Max King basket. Not saying he won't make it, but the chances of a rookie listed 200cm 20 year old making it are pretty moderate.

This one also has me a little miffed. Surely the Pink Lady game on a Saturday night, with the women playing a curtain raiser is a no brainer. But it wasn't specifically requested by the club, so perhaps there is a reason that we are unaware of.

Definitely his non-preferred. If that was his preferred he would be playing down at the park with me, not the AFL, he barely made contact. But as you say, it's not a deal breaker, just more food for thought than anything. Surprised they included it in his highlights to be honest.