BDA

Agree. Tegan Cunningham has been a warrior over the journey but she was poor last year. She just couldn't take any marks. I doubt she’ll go around again next year. I think its time for Eden Zanker to step up and become the imposing forward we need her to be. She’s powerful and got the talent but needs to start showing it consistently.

I'm expecting an AA jacket for May this year.

Has games where he looks the goods but consistency eludes him. Doubt he'll nail down a regular spot in the 22 but his versatility is a big plus for the team.

Just checked Kayo. They're showing.

He’s been overlooked in the draft by every other club. He wasn’t a stand-out for the Colts. If he didn’t have the name Farmer on his back I doubt we would have looked twice at him. Maybe he’s a late developer and we strike gold. It would be a great story for sure but the odds are against. Let’s see how he goes but I won’t be getting my hopes up.

Any update on how the new Irish recruit is going, Lauren Magee? She's an excellent Gaelic player so if she can master the oval ball i reckon she could be a great addition.

We get it. You never rated Watts. You’ve mentioned it once or twice previously.

There are not many ex-demons that I dislike. I think Frawley gave good service and earned his move and I was sorry to see Watts go but understood the reasons. I hope Jesse Hogan can get his career back on track at the Giants. I hope whatever personal issues are afflicting him are resolved but I couldn’t care less about Tom Scully the footballer

I agree. Finals may not be enough. I guess we all have extra reason to hope that the pies flop this year.

Play finals at the very least otherwise we risk losing him. We can’t expect an A-grader like Trac to rang around waiting for us to get our act together when he would grace any team in the league. Not much point worrying about it in pre-season though. Let’s see how the season pans out before fretting about his contract.

I’m sure there are very good reasons for having leadership groups but the whole concept leaves me cold. Leadership isn’t conferred or bestowed. It’s demonstrated. Steven May didn’t have a title last year but in word and deed he was head and shoulders above every other player on our list. It’s been said elsewhere and I wholeheartedly agree but Trent Rivers showed more leadership than most of the list. Run, carry, defensive efforts and clutch goals. He was outstanding and is a born leader. I love Gawny. He leads by example on the field, taking important marks defensively, taking responsibility and copping plenty of treatment from the opposition but he’s too much of a joker off field. Nothing wrong with that but it doesn’t translate into gravitas or respect when demanding greater levels of effort from the team. They can hand out the titles any which way but I think Steven May is the de facto captain of the club.

Fantastic intel GWD. Thanks for sharing. I’m very encouraged by this news. Bodes well for the season ahead. For too long our much vaunted midfield has got away with poor defensive efforts. Brayshaw was the worst culprit but Oliver was a serial offender as well. Surprised by the inclusion of Viney but I guess if you have the heart on the sleeve, bull at the gate reputation you can get away with this. IF players don’t buy in they should be moved on, Oliver included. Simple as that. We’ll know soon enough whether the penny has dropped. Freo are well drilled and well coached and will take full advantage if we dish up a half assed effort. Can’t wait for Round 1.

2 very favorable fixtures so hopefully a 2-0 start which will set us up nicely for the season. We’ll have a few youngsters playing as well so the easier fixtures affords them a good opportunity to settle in and find their feet. I might head along to the Tigers game. Do we know yet whether fans will be allowed into the game?

Zach Merrett would be a very handy addition to our midfield! He was obviously unhappy towards the end of last year and if Essendon have another bad season (quite possible) i think we could get him. He'd be expensive so not sure if we could fit him into our cap but worth it i reckon. I'd sacrifice Gus to make it happen. If he goes to Geelong or Richmond I'll cry.

I’m not sure it’s helpful comparing a youngster to a legend. Creates unrealistic expectations and puts unnecessary pressure on the young mans shoulders. Kozzie is very talented for sure but best to avoid the comparisons imo and let the kid develop in his own time.

Super player. absolute legend.

Great report TK How was BB looking and moving? Any obvious knee discomfort?

Nothing new here. What I would like to know is when the feasibility study is due to be finished and the site announced. Either we get agreement from all stakeholders and commence construction or agreement can’t be reached and we move on to plan B. We can’t keep going around in circles. I’m prepared to give Bartlett and the Board until the end of this season to have the plans finalised and a date confirmed to start the build otherwise he has to step aside and give someone else a go.

Threaten to cancel your membership and they'll call your back pretty quickly.

I’m obviously not up to speed with what the youngsters are up to these days (and I’m not sure I want to know tbh). Didn’t realise this was widespread practice. If he’s an entitled ahole then throw the book at him. If he has been threatening, aggressive or abusive then he deserves criminal charges and a day in court. If he’s mentally unwell then get him the help he needs.

His behaviour has been roundly denounced and far enough too. But you do have to wonder about the blokes state of mind. Either he has a gargantuan sense of entitlement (quite possible) or he’s not thinking straight. I mean how could anyone be so oblivious to the obvious consequences of these actions? Apart from possibly ending his career he will be an object of scorn and ridicule as the posts in this thread bear out. Not trying to make excuses but his career has been blighted by injury and frustration. Who knows what mental demons drove this bizarre behaviour? Maybe he needs a shrink and some professional help rather than blanket condemnation.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/846744/ben-brown-s-first-day-as-a-demon?videoId=846744&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1609908689001

None of players look out of shape or in need of more fitness training in fact i'd say they all look in good nick.

He may indeed not make it but he has real physicality and can take a strong contested grab. His kicking style is a concern but he’ll be working with the best in the business in Chocco. He was a speccie selection for sure but his upside is enormous. All depends on skills development from here. I’m hopeful.

The one good thing to come out of this crazy episode is that Trump has alienated a lot of his enablers and poisoned any chance of winning the 2024 republican nomination. Lyndsay Graham, William Barr and Mitch McConnell have all turned against him. His treatment of Pence has been disgraceful. When the pressure came on, Pence acted constitutionally. He’s the early front runner for the 2024 nomination. And another good thing is that Ted Cruz has tarnished his credentials irredeemably with his shenanigans in the senate. That guy is as dangerous as Trump!