DemonDave

I think everything is going exactly to plan and expected this easing of responsibility in this final year for Roos. But how much of our current position is down to Roos, and how much is down to the Jackson/Bartlett administration getting the bigger picture stuff sorted? I guess the onfield and off-field stuff need to be separated. Also, given most of our assistants are "Roos people", how many will stay on beyond this year?

Good point there probably is a bit of overlap with his new role...

Has anyone replaced Brad Miller in the role he was doing? Or is it simply shuffling the chairs around a bit? As he was the only coach that we lost this offseason I believe. (Stone left the previous year IIRC)

I assume ruck coaches aren't the most highly paid positions going. We gave the Russian the heave ho so no qualms with him accepting an extension to his playing career. Cross on the other hand is an employee of the Melbourne football club so would take umbrage to him leaving.

By the barest of margins if at all, hence the mystery about their polar opposite appeal on here. Neither are solutions as the second tall going forward as both have many limitations..

Here's a comparison of stats between these two for last year: http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?tid1=12&pid1=1746&tid2=12&pid2=3552&type=A&fid1=S&fid2=S The love for Pedo vs the hatred of Dawes is mystifying given the similarities between these numbers..

This could make a huge difference for some teams, is going to be something the AFL definitely will need to address, percentage boosts from playing them twice could be the difference between finish 4th or 5th, or 8th and 9th

Dymocks in Fountain Gate had 3 or 4 copies when i was in there a few weeks ago may be worth giving them a call

Spot on Bossdog. People can twist perceptions on players once they leave. Both Howe and Frawley were finishing in our B&F Top 10 every year for their last few seasons, yet people accuse them of 'coasting'. What does that say about the other players below them if they werent trying. Both were and are still good players.

Plus one attendee got up to ostensibly ask a question, but stated that she'd now like to hear from our coach in waiting, thus brought an end to the Q&A component onf the night! No real revelations for me from all this, I did not when looking through the Annual Report that we extended our Lease at Aami Park for another 5 years midyear, not sure if that was reported anywhere, with an option of another rolling 6 year lease after that. Extensive renovations to the Leigh Oak had been delayed, and thus part of a debt to the Westpac for this was not included in this years financials, so expect that to hit our bottom line next year. Cash bar afterwards was exorbitantly priced as usual.

That match was #1 for mine by a clear margin. Just being there was amazing! Then running over to the race to cheer the players off, still in disbelief at what we'd just done.

Yep he's definitely a Bulldog!

3XY is where he's most famously hosted, used to listen to Rocktober et al back in the day. Definitely not a comedian, not sure where people are getting that from. Also writes a column in one of our local Inner West newspapers about local sport.

Here you go, first quarter it was, this is the actual goal. I've watched this game on replay many times! The ball starts about 30 out from our own goal, and goes coast to coast. You can see ANB behind the wing as Lumumba takes off: http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-replay?round=CD_R201501412&matchId=CD_M20150141206&eventType=Goal&seek=1201&videoQuality=high

Frost has shown freakish athletic ability and thats all so far, as impresive as his pace is, his footballing smarts are still a somewhat unknown quantity. To have him ahead of either Garland or Dunn in the backline is illogical. He's competing with the likes of Lumumba and Melksham as a rebounding defender, or Dawes/Pedo as a roaming forward/ruck...

Thanks for the training updates, always appreciated!

He was hardly clinging to the captaincy. What a load of rot. He played 15 games in 2013, the only ones he missed were after breaking his collarbone against the Blues. And the clubs players and coaches voted him as one of the co-captains again for the next season. Thats hardly 'clinging onto it' is it? I'd assume every game he was available for that year he played in the seniors, hardly the type of choice you'd make just to ensure you kept getting a game! But go on, keep revising history for your own arguments..

Aspley just had their second player picked up in this draft by Richmond, pretty impressive outcome for their system

Casey really struggled for key position forwards to reliably kick goals last year, Smith, Moncrieff, King and Fitzpatrick and the resting ruckmen all rotated through there with varying levels of success. Next year we'll have at various times the first 3 of that lot again (provided Moncrieff doesnt get taken in the rookie draft), Weideman, Hulett, Mitch King and possible Dawes/Pedo depending on their form. Obviously the loss of Jamar, Fitz, Panozza, McKenzie, Bail, Riley etc lessens the gains..

Jeremy Howe is quickly forgotten around here, played every game last year and had a top 10 in our B&F. He would still be in our best 22 Round 1 next year. FWIW I see Oliver competing with VanDemon, ANB and maybe Petraccca, depends how quickly he applies himself, for the 'fringe' hard onballer role.

Not to mention his good mate Sam Edmund who wrote this pearler saying we made a blue trading for Salem/Tyson instead of Josh Kelly: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/if-youre-a-melbourne-supporter-look-away-now-demons-draft-bungles-aplenty/story-fni5f91a-1226881324821 Edit: Thes was a 2014 article not a recent one. I've kept it bookmarked in case Edmund ever decides to tell the world how good he knew Salem would be when he wins his first Brownlow. D'oh it was Edmund not Clark who wrote the piece!

Looked quite good in his debut against us this year, rotten luck. Best of luck in his recovery..

Twomeys take on Oliver: "With a clump of clubs keen on the tough, physical and big midfielder. The Morrish medallist kicks goals, marks well above his head and has an explosive streak that sees him dominate clearances" Wisbys take on Colin Sylvia pre drafting: "Powerhouse 6' “ruck-rover”/forward. Strong overhead but needs to improve kicking accuracy" Lets hope if we take him he's more Wines, less Sylvia

ANB be for mine, along similar line to Goodvibes I think he'll make the Round 1 side, and stay there. To come off those two knee dislocations to get the games he did was great. And to see the way he tore apart Collingwood twice at VFL level shows he is a natural at accumulating the footy.