Wiseblood

The comments in this thread, as well as the Goodwin thread, show how scarred some fans are. It annoys me, but at the same time I slightly understand where they are coming from. The last month shows how we need to be patient - a couple of bad losses and we had some supporters, who now look rather stupid, questioning everything as if the club was caving in. Now look at us. Just goes to show that we don't need to be negative about every decision made and be able to see the long term view, not just the short term.

Kind of reaffirms my stance on his article - Jay Clark is connecting dots that simply aren't there yet. All the chatter has been about us having the room and that we've looked long term for some time now to ensure we have the space to sign our players and add others. Seems like he's seen one Brayshaw at the Eagles, looked at the potential of Gaff leaving with Melbourne being interested and gone from there. Nothing in it.

Yep. The link they make with the Eagles is the fact one of his brothers plays there. It's thin at best.

For those that might not be able to read it - that article is a joke. Nowhere does it actually say that the Eagles are interested in Gus, more that it wonders if the Eagles will chase him as 'revenge' for us chasing Gaff. There is absolutely nothing to suggest he wants out, no quotes from managers or coaches or anything resembling something new. It's a headline purely for there for clicks.

I don't think we'll ever know the reasons behind it unless Goodwin, or McCartney himself, come forward with it. We could speculate all day - perhaps they moved him there as an extra voice on the bench to encourage, support and teach the players through the game, something he has always been really good at? Either way it's been a positive move and further proof that Goodwin is happy to make changes when required.

Not only is it good drafting, but they're not getting games because we have no one else. They're keeping out very experienced and capable players. It's fantastic to watch.

To add to this, and some mentioned it earlier, he has already played some rep footy during his junior years so he isn't coming from a long way back. He will know what he is doing pretty quickly. The beauty is that, at 17, time is also on his side and he can develop his craft at Casey without being thrown to the wolves too soon. With Gawny taking him under his wing he has a good chance of developing into a player for us. And we got him for nothing. Gold.

A 204cm ruckman will replace Jordan Lewis, a short half back flanker? Yeah, nah.

Can you squeeze him into a possible 2022 team for us?

Can only be seen as a positive thing, especially with the moderate success we've had in adding Maynard and Joel Smith to the list, players who many not be best 22 but are excellent depth players. Getting Austin Bradtke on the list will cost us nothing, and he's a tall player who could develop under the guidance of Max at Casey for a few years.

Why would we give Weid away, who is under contract, for a 28 year old? Nothing 'simplez' about it. It's silly.

There is no room for him now. 4 years ago, when we last chased him, he would have been a superb pick up for us. Roosy was very keen and he would've added some real class to our forward line. Now, we have no need for him in our side. With the players you mentioned above, plus Gawn resting there, 'Bull' Smith doing well and our plethora of medium forwards, there is no reason to chase him now.

We have absolutely no need for Tom Lynch.

I'm not surprised. Got a hypothetical trade for us, norm?

I came in with low expectations and I was still disappointed.

@Deemented Are Go! - does your ex-missus happen to be Maggie Beer?

If he wants to come back home for money then I don't think we're ahead. You would expect the Saints, North (who have tried to poach anybody with two legs over the last couple of years) and Carlton to have more money to give. The Bombers wouldn't have a whole lot of wriggle room and us, well, we must have something to spare lying around. However, if he wants to come home to potentially win a flag, then the decision at the moment is a no brainer. Three of the mentioned clubs are absolute poo and going nowhere fast, while North are batting above their average, just like Mick Martyn did with any woman he dated in his lifetime. If we can offer him competitive money then we're a mile in front of all the clubs mentioned. I still think he's more likely to sign with the Eagles but I'd like to think we're a sneaky chance of nabbing him as well.

I'd be more than happy to get him, but the article doesn't reveal a whole lot. I'd be surprised if he didn't re-sign with the Eagles.

I've heard he wants nothing more than to stay a Demon and will sign a contract sooner rather than later.

So one minute he is never in the box, the next minute he does both during games...? Why anybody listens to a thing you say or backs you up in anything is totally beyond me.

Before we start jumping off the West Gate, again, let's wait and hear from a trusted source about issue first. Right now all we know, from a rumour, is McCartney will be on the bench instead of the coaches box. We know nothing else, regardless of what someone like Tom Morris (who has come up with some absolute shite this year) has to say on the matter.

Which means what? You seem to be trying to insinuate something off one piece of play.

You would expect that figure to jump a little again on Sunday. I think the number is pretty good considering the bitter taste our end to last year left in the mouth. We would surely be above 40,000 by now if we had of made finals, so this is a fair number all things considered.

He has a really good mix of the attributes you want in a player - he clearly works hard and puts in on the training track, and he has the swagger and confidence to go with it that screams 'I'm better than you, and if you give me a moment, I'll show you why'. I hope we go with Gawn, Oliver, Petracca and Jones in the guts on Sunday. We can smash those buggers into the turf from the moment the ball is bounced.

There are a number of posters on this board who provide insightful, worthwhile and interesting training reports and photos, and it's incredibly disrespectful to say that we rely on 'one poster' to get them. I, for one, appreciate what the others are able to bring to the table over the summer and we should be thankful we get them. So, thanks to the others who go along, give us a huge training report and answer all questions without bias. It's always appreciated.