Neil Crompton

This is where I’d be hopeless as a list manager. I know from what he showed this year that he is at or near the end, but he is such a quality person, and such a great influence and role model to our players, that I couldn’t let him go. id be offering him a role at the club to keep him. When you have a gem like Nev, you should never part with it.

Haha - you were “ruddy annoyed” - I haven’t heard that saying since I last had tea and scones with the Queen.

Melbourne has the better list. St Kilda has the better coach - which makes all the difference.

Welcome back!

The moment we trade Preuss, Max will do his wonky knee again. Don’t trade him!,,

I think it’s also interesting to note that in the 10 years between 1955 and 1964, where we won 6 premierships, we only had two AA players selected - Barassi and Dixon. The old saying - a champion team, rather than a team of champions - would seem to have applied during our golden years. Which I think is really relevant to us today. We have probably 6 players that are AA quality - or there abouts - yet we are a pretty ordinary team. IMO our list is not the issue - it is the managing and coaching of that list that should be our biggest priority. This is the area that we have failed badly - and where massive changes to our approach is urgently required.

So you are the one that leaked it to McClure!!!

I’ve never heard this and find your statement that Tom said that incredibly hard to believe.

Maybe a coaching role but definitely not a playing role IMO.

Why f ck with the game at all? Perhaps Goody could take Gil with him when he goes.

Predicted “learnings” that will need to be learnt following today’s game: - if we kick straight, we can win, even if we are playing poorly - think the Saints game, and what could have been if we’d kicked straight against the Swans. - we need to be switched on for the first bounce, not just after halftime- and we need to remain switched on for 4 quarters. - we have no idea what our “brand” of football looks like, let alone how to play it yet. - we need to make up our minds, before this season ends, as to whether we want 2 key forwards or one key forward; one ruckman or two - we cannot keep chopping and changing as this might affect how we play the game - see the learning above. - football IQ might be a good criteria to look at when selecting recruits; - a club psychologist might be a good investment for next year - Hogan is still an AFL force - after he kicks 5 against us. - I’ll have a huge bag of learnings that I can draw upon at my next coaching job.

There is so much negativity about our selections this week, that it probably means we will win comfortably!

Agree Earl. I would imagine a number of opposition recruiters also took note of his performance. His value just went up.

After watching the last two matches, it’s now obvious why Clayton handballs so much - he can’t f’ing hit a target by foot. How sad that a player of such ability will never reach his potential all because he has such limited kicking skills.

Mods, please close this thread before our season - and probably the next 10 - disintegrates.

happy to keep the ads if it helps. Although very sick of ear cleaning ads - I would prefer some of what BBO is getting if possible.

After listening to the Glen Bartlett 1st July podcast, and particularly his statement that our new home base will be within the MCG precinct together with additional facilities at Casey, would anyone now, other than me, consider the above prediction to be accurate?

i think i knew her mother dl4e. I went to the 1970 grand final - Collingwood Carlton. I think I bought a ticket from a scalper at the ground. Unfortunately I was seated behind the goals at the punt road end - among the pies cheer squad of all places. Wanted Carlton to win, but had this little old lady with a brolley "tap" me on the shoulder whenever I cheered for Carlton. Although to be fair up until half time i copped a lot of abuse from many others around me. Fortunately Carltons miraculous third quarter comeback put a gag on the rabble around me and i didn't get too many more taps from that brolley. But I will never forget the look of horror on their faces when the final siren sounded. And I simply smiled at that little old lady.

I think you are selling yourself short BBO. I would have considered a "good thrashing" to be the exercise of choice for a gentleman like you with er "refined" tastes. The benefits of course will depend on the level of gusto with which it is performed .How many times a week would you participate?

Besides Gawn, name one other of our players that does consistently take contested marks FD? Agree he should, but he is not alone there by any means.

BBO - the modern day William Shakespeare! A few of us here appreciate your talents mate - do not despair.

Dear Demonland - I have a problem I hope you can help me with: THE CAUSE: I’ve read this discussion and I don’t know if I am in the 3% astute category or the 97% non-astute group, and it’s worrying me. If I call myself astute, then I am possibly labelling myself as arrogant or elitist. If I say I am not astute, then surely I’m belittling myself, perhaps unfairly (although maybe not). Can you please help?

If Weideman is picked - as I hope he will be- he needs to play as a permanent forward, and not a part time ruck. For that reason, and the size of the Dons backs, I’d also retain Jackson. id like Smith to be given a couple more games before wiping him as a player. After nearly a year and a half out of the game, it is likely to take a game or two for him to find his feet. As with Wiseblood, I think there is footballer inside the current athlete. If there is room, I’d like to also see Lockhart, Kossie and AVB come into our side sooner rather than later.

Whatever you’ve ingested Skui, I want some.

I agree HT. If he’s fit he should be picked IMO. I’d like to see him tag and place a few good tackles on Cripps.