Deemania since 56

Bradtke is a raw talent at the moment, nothing more. Placing our ruck back-up hopes on an unproven youngster who lacks match and intense training time (for quite some time now) would be foolish and the concept of ridding the MFC of Preuss for longer-term hopes of a Bradtke talent surge in an unidentifiable future timeframe is absurd. Preuss is not there yet, either but is a long way towards the craftsmanship that the MFC will be requiring, and we have him NOW. He has several ruck back-up qualifications already and particularly, has proven himself in being 'difficult' to handle; plus, he is already under Gawny's talented influence (as experienced by Goldstein) and capable of improving even more in several important 'big bloke' roles. These are the things that interest other clubs at the moment. Our coaching team must make the effort - it must stop skirting the development of our talented list and its requirements.

Ken Oath!

I'd reckon that Preuss has a fair bit to give - perhaps, quite a good deal to give the MFC. By the time Gawny plays his sunset year with a walking stick and medical assistance - Preuss has the basic profile now (with close development and well-structured performance targets ongoing) to be hot-to-trot as number one ruck, with the young 'uns so aspiring to play in the ruck under very intense development processes, as well. Game time is what the Beast requires, albeit in cameo to Gawn for a few more seasons. He's a big obstacle to any opposition side when going for the tap, leaning well on opponent rucks and thus negating their experience at the task and reducing their skill exhibition. Plus, he can kick 'em when resting from immediate rucking duties and screen anyone for the little blokes to clean up towards or near goal. Keep him!

We could do with a fresh start that concentrates on both a football skilling and onfield development emphasis, obviously through a revamped FD ably led by a new Head Coach with advisors / roles of choice.

That may well be the answer - even if it is an amusing one.

Exactly, the Coq is way off the mark with that comment. The list is enormous. This commentator stuff is all about self-promotion without admitting that their presence in a premiership team is more an outcome of good luck combined with good teammates with exacting coaching and an individual role that they might have played personally was controlled by that scenario.

... and those disposals were at the elite level - these always were, except the occasional 'rushed' clearance - then, as for scoring shots, he was a marksman class exponent.... just played short of the half-forward line to give his deeper teammates a good chance under the percentage requirements to score effectively. Highly, uniquely valuable and wise.

Nicely posited. A case of all roads leading to Rome. Coaching abilities.

Amusing thing is that the more Sam says to feel relevant, the further he steps back in the realm of reality of which, relevance is an essential. As a journalist in sport, he must be encouraged to quote on the occurrences, the post-game reviews because he is way off the mark when it comes to cause and effect. Speculation is no reliable ally when credibility is at stake. All the rest is pillow-talk.

Sone of us always knew - from what we saw over time - that he was going to be an adept player. Onyer, Frosty.

Riverside, nice course. Haven't played there for 30 years, at least. Thanks for the memories. The Yarra owes me about 20 balls when I changed my clubs. Maybe OMac might take that advice after training. Myself, I like to hit off when the sun is rising, 6 days per week. Willunga is my course, here in SA - down south of Adelaide city. Carna Dees.

Nailed most of the problems in one short sentence.

Excellent in both regards, Chook. Such breaking good news heralds another slice of bacon at breakfast. :-)

Those words were not used once in my posts. What were used to relay opinions and thoughts represented other language that described my observations and disappointments in so many games. However, I eat 'spuds', wear 'duds' and as for nobility, I uphold the tenets of the law and social integration.

The collapses were, IMO, a result of Jetta, May, Lever, Salem and Frosty having to cover for the anointed one whilst manning their own opponents, zones and interactive plays - the workload became too much across a whole game. Opposition sides knew the corridor for success and their forward line opportunities well - and, where to send the ball and runners in what represented forward line free territory. This led to our defence coverage being extended in a KPD zone, releasing an oppo forward closer to goal in establishing a more deadly, shorter, almost guaranteed corridor for a goal or two or three per game.

Touch of irony, there. I'd reckon if it happened, Frosty would be overloaded once again covering for the other two.

Brown can be developed, particularly in the muscle, running and mongrel departments. More than handy if these elements were achieved. A mongrel does not stage for free kicks, either.

Very noble, however the penny had to drop sometime as we don't get to speak to the FD to verbally express our disappointments - or get the vote at some ballot for a definitive / justified improvement on selection (in SO MANY GAMES that were wasted).

OMac will not get any better as a footballer. He peaked in his second year for two games, and has achieved very little since.

There is no point being a fantastic kick - if you don't have the ball. Similarly, there's no point being where the ball ain't. There's also no point being a backman if you cannot get to your opponent - or any other opponent - in time, staging disappointment at seeing another goal score against your team because you are as slow and non-competitive as a week of Ballarat rain.

He does - in the longer-term. He gives me a few moves and challenges to think about, as well; some of the stuff he does is so very similar to some of the Gary Hardeman skills but these are irregular and not fully developed yet. Oh, for a development coach who is successful!

Yep, a long summer running (sprints and distance intervals) combined with a relentless weightlifting agenda. I want to see muscles on his muscles, shoulders, biceps, triceps, pectorals, abdominals, gluteals, hamstrings, quads and calves. He has a mentor and role model to moderate his development closely: Petracca. He is going to be a star this kid - he needs to develop that impenetrable body to take the knocks, give the knocks and a few straight-arm 'far coughs' on the run, and of course, to minimise the injuries from such contacts.

Terrible mistake to keep OMac getting a game. He was getting to be extremely valuable, our Frosty.

Tempting. Well stated.

Still has my absolute support, young Jesse. I am sure this is carried by many DL contributors, as well. If there was a feasible way in which his troubled and challenging environment could be soothed I would donate every effort to achieve it for him. LIfe demands one walks through dark woods at times, emerging into the sunshine beyond with a lesson attached to stroll that fortifies rather rapidly. We can only hope that Jesse emerges unhindered with resolve - he still has what we all know he has: immense talents and longer-term capabilities. Wish you well, Jesse, and if you are ever done at the MFC again, bring your fountain pen for that dotted line.