Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Agreed. Something to be said for flying under the radar I think. Not that the professional football world of our opposition would be taking any notice of the media noise or lack there of in assessing us, but if it means we don't deal with so much external expectations, I don't think that's a bad thing. In fact I suspect the near misses we've had in recent years, together with the external critisim and questioning of the club/culture will be something of a motivating force behind our players, similar to when the wheels fell off our finals hopes towards the 2020 season.

At the start of 2021, few had us as even making the 8. St Kilda were viewed as a more realistic chance of playing and performing in finals. ...just saying.

I could well be wrong, but I'd expect the Tassie team to capture most of their Aussie Rules following public. You only need to look at the dominance of support that the Eagles an the Crows get to see that. I suspect that from being on the butt end of the joke on a National level, the years of pent up demand from not having an AFL will make Tasmainians even more parochial than either of those states as well and it wouldn't surprise me if they get memberships and attendances it their first season that put GWS and Gold Coast to shame.

There's a reason why the Tasmanian govenment is a major sponsor of Hawthorn. Hopefully that arrangement dies it's natural course sooner rather than later.

The same rebrand argument should have been made for Port Adelaide's entry.

That's a bit harsh ... but I know what you mean. I prefer it when Jack let's his footy and physical pressure around the footy do the talking.

All these stats are well and good, but the one that counts most for me is the centre clearance rate from about the 27minute mark of the third quarter, till the 5 miniute mark of the last in the 2021 GF.

Let's wait and see how he goes in the season proper, but it would be very bitter sweat to see him go well for the dogs. I wouldn't begrudge Hamesy at all really in the circumstances, but would really rather him still in the red and blue and kicking the goals for us.

Just to be clear Macca, I'm not moaning or saying that there were pleanty that foretold this scenario at the time, just saying that at their age with recent injury history at the time, it wouldn't be unreasonable or unrealistic to anticipate that they would become more injury prone in the twilight of their respective careers. It was a risk I think the club took with a realistic view of the potential outcomes. We might have ended up with something on the worst end of those outcomes for both players to have had injury struggles the last few years, but that how it goes. Both were significant onfield contributors to our 2021 flag, with the roles they played that season IMHO and likewise in the subsequent seasons through lesser onfield roles and probably greater off field roles as mentors, team values etc. I personally view us as winners to date through the contracts we signed them to and the story isn't finished yet either.

I think we could have reasonably foretold that injury hampered last few years of the contracts of BBB and T Mac were reasonablely likely, given their recent history of injuries and age prior to them signing the contracts they did with us. Still I think they have both been good value for the club for many of the reasons already discussed. Even just having both of BBB, T Mac and Melksham around to play 6 - 10 games per year over the past couple of seasons has ment we've had some big bodies support for JVR etc, so we can develop them and play them when they're ready, not throw them against men too early.

I do certainly see leadership qualities in Pertracca (similarly for Lever and Brayshaw), but I think right now we are well served letting him focus his energy on being the best player he can be for the team, while he's at the peak of his game.

Such a shame Nev Such a shame Nev couldn't quite maintain his place in the team to make it to the 2021 premiership side.

It's a bloody good effort for a bloke of his size and age to be still in this sort of shape, particularly when he spent a big chunk of last season injured and not being able to train to his capasity. That sort of professionalism, attitude and resilience is the stuff that builds culture. Regardless of his direct impact at senior AFL level I think that guys like T Mac would have a great influence on our developing players comming through - pitty the media scum can't write about that. On a related note, what does it say about the media's culture to be constantly hounding and spreading innuendo about individuals going through personal issues.

...they'll change that rule next season.

Lol - I want one of those too I, but the real one has been somewhat elusive in my lifetime!

I'm getting a nagging feeling we might just explode this season. Possibly in a bad way, but I think we could just as likely explode in a good way and not just be compeditive, but really dominate the competition on the way to that illusive flag at the G. Starting to get a little impatient with the off season too and thinking about counting down the days till Rd 1, oh - wait does that even work?!

Not sure I buy it. From what I can gather, Guss is a pretty good golfer, so surely someone off his kind of handicap can keep it on the fairway. Players have been aware of the need to protect the head in golf for years now, so I think he's got off lightly if he isn't sanctioned.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/melbourne-demons/promised-him-some-tickets-afl-stars-wayward-tee-shot-leaves-fellow-golfer-bloodied/news-story/de1cec9a00c77cb83fab9bc76ddc2aa6 He was attempting to smother - nothing to see here.

It would be great if Laurie makes it after all the past and future investment the club has made in time. While I know those who have seen him perform at VFL level have some raps on him, however I don't think he can be compared to McVee. One of the things that stood out to me about Judd, is that he looked at home at AFL level from day dot and hasn't looked back since. In my view, Laurie has gone MIA in too many of his appearances to date, to be Judd like. Even Wowey Jnr had a quietish first outing, but IMHO, then looked pretty comfortable and quickly got involved and looked the part at AFL level - yet to really see that from Laurie. Maybe Laurie will make that next step this year, after another preseason and the AFL game time exposure he got to last year, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Doesn't like Terry Wallace to me.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.news.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-demons-forward-charlie-spargo-boasts-the-afls-best-mark-rate-from-kicks-inside-50/news-story/301768044e793a351428385997c595c6%3famp Melbourne Demons forward Charlie Spargo boasts the AFL’s best mark rate from kicks inside 50 Granted this was 2022, but Laurie and others will be doing well to better this. Charlie clearly showed what he's about in the final against Carlton, was one of our better players that night.

Agreed, much more mongrel than Laurie, who might as well not have been out there. In fact, at this point, I don't see that Laurie offers anything different from Spargo, but with less bite. Given the plethora of players we have around this size and skill set, I do think Laurie is going to find it difficult breaking into the team, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

They haven't called is zero Rd for no reason.

Merry Christmas to all. Not quite my favorite day of the year, but that's only happened 3 times in my lifetime and only delivered once. Hoping there is a bright shiny new one that Jack is holding in the stocking for next year.

Maybe this is another off field thing we can't talk about 🤷‍♂️