titan_uranus

No. I definitely don't want to see Martin (or Garland for that matter) being moved up and down the ground through the early parts of their careers. As evidenced with Miller, it's better to let talls like them settle into one or the other. In Martin's case it is defense.

There's a lot of potential with Buckley, but still a lot of improvement. I used to get the feeling that he feels as though he's Superman with his constant attempts to run around people, but on the weekend I noticed he didn't try that as much, which really pleased me. I think the bigger issue is his disposal, but considering how much he's improved this year, hopefully it will continue next year. But his workrate and ability to run out games are great.

Good on him. Not the easiest of jobs though...

I think Collingwood and Essendon (if they actually have a brain) would be keen to get there hands on Nathan Jones and might be willing to part with picks between 8 and 10 to get it. (Given there lack of quality young inside midfielders right now).

The last thing Collingwood need is a player like Jones. They need some pace.

We should keep him. So long as the coaching staff make him work on both his kicking and his tendency to look sideways after every mark, he'll improve with age.

Can you imagine Jack Watts joining Geelong? Wow. They would win the next 10 flags.

What makes you think they won't regardless?

I heard this morning that they want Ricky Ponting to promote AFL in India.....

He also needs a few things called "commitment" and "dedication" and "urgency". I'd focus on them before body weight.

Me too. Newton's shown he can leap (tried 2 different MOTY contenders on the weekend), but he's yet to show me he's committed and dedicated.

titan: -

The crucial chief executive appointment at Melbourne now appears to rest largely upon whether Fox chooses to remain a contender. He was quietly persuaded by the Demons to return to the frame last week and has spoken several times with the club, which has also interviewed Hawthorn's No. 2 executive, Terry Dillon.

That's it. Thanks HT.

Keep him. No trade value. Great player when fit.

I think Schwab pulling out of the race may have had a little to do with it too. Fox may have pulled out initially thinking it was a foregone conclusion that Schwab was going to get it. Fox meeting with the MCC and AFL regarding the Demons position may have had something to do with it too. Then again, there may be some other circumstance..

That's probably it. But last I heard there were 2 guys who were considered the front runners (I've got no idea who they are, it was in the paper), so maybe he missed the boat.

Clearly people could hurt players whenever they want. I was just making a point as to why people shouldn't be able to run onto the ground.

he is good around the ground. and average in the ruck. the reason he still would get a game, even if warnock comes to the club, is that he is a beautiful kick. he is a chance from anywhere within 50. and his kicking to the forwards is spot on. that makes him dangerous around the ground, rather than just handy. if he can improve his ruckwork even 10-20% he could become a top line player, and amongst the best rucks in the comp. he needs to be able to reak even against the big guns in the ruck, because he is better than most around the ground.

at this stage, i honestly believe that it will be jamar to miss out if warnock comes across, even though he is the better ruckman.

Even though he is the 'better' ruckman, his ruckwork still isn't that great. Both he and PJ need to improve, so considering PJ has so many other aspects to his game (where Jamar has none), PJ should be kept over Jamar. But I'm not convinced Warnock's coming here, so my guess is both of them will stay anyway.

yes, he wil; win it.

But Morton and Cochin will be the best players of the draft.

I think when all is said and done, the 2007 draft will go down as the greatest of all time.

Agree. It's kind of sad to know that Palmer isn't really going to amount to much as a player compared to these two, yet it is a dead set certainty that he'll get 45 out of a possible 45 votes.

Fev won't get there. Buddy will, probably in Round 22 but considering how bad West Coast are there's every chance he'll get it this week.

As much as I love running on to the ground, and would probably do so if the opportunity arose, I don't think it should be allowed: there is every chance that amongst the hundreds of 'good' people who will run on to the ground there could be 1 or 2 'bad' people who have the intention of hurting a player. It mightn't Buddy (or whoever) either. I guess this is more of a chance now that the media have been talking about it.

Freo - Matthew Carr (Retired)

I hate that, personally. Let the players forge their own history with their own number. If it were me, I'd want to keep the same number I got, whether it were 1 or 46.

Exactly. I read early on in the year that Jake King was given the opportunity to change to a lower number (he's 46). He was going to until he found out a sick young kid had just bought a jumper and put 46 on the back, so he decided to keep it for life. Aussie should stay at 39 so that kids can put 39 on their back like they used to do with Aaron Davey.

Somehow they beat Hawthorn today, which puts them on 9.5 wins. If St. Kilda loses, they're only 2 points outside the eight with 2 rounds to go and Freo at the G next week. If they win that they'll go into Round 22 against us looking desperately for a win to play finals. Which means we could have the beautiful honour of sending Richmond out of the finals race and into 9th spot*.

*Provided we lose next week...

Hutchy made a point in the paper today that it doesn't matter (so long as we don't win the last 2 games) because we're almost certain to take Watts and West Coast want Naitanui or Rich, so even if we get pick 2 it doesn't matter, Watts will be there.

Give it a break. The umpiring was actually okay.

Were you even at the game Chook? The umpiring was unquestionably bad, not just in terms of the lopsided free kick count, but the decisions that weren't paid to both teams. They were inconsistent in their decisions as well.

The only time it's ever happened is in the selection of players and the decision to put players in cotton wool, so that they can be 'Cherry Ripe' for the next year.

And on that logic, West Coast is tanking: Hansen, Masten, Hunter, Staker, Kennedy, Rosa, Wirrpanda and Rosa all put in cotton wool.

The absolute worst one was when Braun had the ball in one hand, got tackled, and threw it in the air. The umpire was DIRECTLY in front of him and didn't so much as move his arms.

My vote's for Holland. At least we know what we'll get with big Dutchy

Would someone please fill us in on what the heck this thread is about?

Nasher, I believe this thread is something to do with Mick Malthouse calling the recent media coverage of Collingwood 'disgusting' at a press conference during the week. But who knows.

Have we ever had a season without beating a Victorian side? We MUST beat Richmond, especially if it costs them finals

Only if you include 1919, where we registered 0 wins for the year.

Why would anyone who had a modicum of sense even pose the question ?

Exactly.

I agree that Hawkins isnt worth a No 1 pick.

Everyone keeps saying 'Hawkins cant crack into Cats team', 'Hawkins cant even have an impact in the VFL', which is all just absolute rubbish... You cant just spout lies to make your point sound better. He HAS dominated at VFL level, his last game before they put him on ice he kicked 6 while carrying an injury! You are wrong.

Hawkins is a kid in a mans body who has played a season and a half of footy. If you want to write him off now go right ahead, Im not sure on what basis though, since when were 200cm 19 year olds required to hold a senior spot in a Premiership team to be of any future value?

I cant wait for the 'Watts is rubbish' posts next year when he doesnt have an immediate, ongoing impact:

'What sort of a hack 18yo beanpole cant hold down a spot in the AFL!'

'Only kicked 7 in the VFL, cant even dominate!'

Moronic.

Dominating at VFL level doesn't translate to being a competent player at AFL level. Just ask Mark Jamar or Paul Johnson. There is a significant gap between the two, even more so at Geelong. Hawkins has yet to play in the AFL like he has at the VFL.

And it is true that he can't crack into the Geelong team. He has been fit for most of this year, yet Lonergan and Gamble have taken his spot in the team.