BW511

Straight over my head!

If ‘their story’ is only half true, it’s still a horrible situation. I’m sure Clarkson and Fagan have access to very, very good lawyers who could create any narrative they like around the indigenous families. It won’t be fair

Interesting. I was speaking to someone who had family connections with McStay and he was apparently signed and sealed from March this year

If the AFL manage to sweep this under a rug, I’ll be furious. I can understand completely if the families involved don’t want to go into the courts as they will not win, regardless of the outcome. I do believe there is a genuine chance for the AFL to make a statement and influence a huge audience for future generations. Like it or not, we all need to be better with how we treat people and culturally we could improve immensely as a population. This should not happen to anyone, from any background, yet the fact it may have been happening, in a very formal manner, just a few years ago, is truly horrifying.

I don’t want to start a loading argument again, however if you can’t get the loading in, fitness will drop off. Perhaps we went with the loading mid season and then when we went to have a second go at it we could not get enough work into the players due to injuries, hence the drop off in fitness/running power

Saw Rendell mentioned Cam Rayner as a possible trade, in my opinion he’s a type of player we lack. I love Spargo as much as anyone but Rayner on his flank would be a serious upgrade I also acknowledge it won’t happen

I can't help but feel for North. Poor buggers thought they had a chance to right the ship and now they likely won't have a coach and all those who requested trades based on the coach may now lose interest. We could end up with Brisbane, North (& Essendon) without coaches and very little time to get people in or re-start a process. There are huge consequences to this report across the entire league. There would be a lot of very nervous people in the AFL today!

I mean, the ABC would have had to cover off a lot of things to get this to the public. The implications on them would be enormous if it’s found to be untrue. I don’t doubt that the accused would try and deny it, because it will ruin them

This has to go far beyond footy and clubland. This is human rights stuff, as people have suggested. It’s not dissimilar to the MeToo movement. People in power influencing decision making and tearing families apart for gain

Wonder if North Melbourne knew this was happening? This does not paint a great picture for the Hawks as a club and Clarkson as a person, not exactly what you want your marquee signing being associated with

I did not think he played much permanent mid time on the weekend, however I was watching a little sporadically.

The thing in Chandler’s favour is that he can rack up big numbers in the VFL, don’t think Bedford can. I like them both and think they should get more opportunity this year with Spargo/ANB/Melksham not being effective enough for 2022

No doubt Max has been very banged up this year and a strength of ours has disappeared as a result. I don’t like Max forward at all but we can’t not play him at this stage of his career We need a good ruckman to allow Clarry, Trac and Viney to work so we have to keep invested in that area. Grundy might even offer more by way of follow up or clearing space too.

I also agree with that to an extent, our midfield lacks some points of difference

I tend to agree with the view that Brayshaw has not helped our midfield dynamic. In my opinion his most valuable position for us is the half back role. I feel exactly the same in that we’ve come full circle to 2018 and are crying out for the exact same thing (skills and speed) I’m genuinely curious as to why there was some talk about contracts demanding midfield minutes and him suddenly being in the mix from that week onwards. It’s quite tinfoil hat, I know, but there was some sort of promise made there to keep him

Yesterday was my first exposure to JVR. I can see why people are excited about him, he's going to be a good one. His attack on the footy in the air (on a horror day for a KPF) was brilliant and his follow up work is very good.

I was always confused with the circumstances when he was delisted. Was in the side consistently, made a couple of errors and smiled and never sighted again.

If Josh Kennedy is coming back to Melbourne, as suggested, he’d be on equal footing with Stevie J in my mind. All reports suggest he’s a ripper bloke and universally loved, doesn’t hurt that he’s kicked goals at will for many, many years I’d also add, Chocco seemed to have a great influence first up but that has vanished

100%. If we bring Gunston in at the expense of Ben Brown, for instance, we could run with 3 of T-Mac, Gunston, JVR & Fritta at any one time, maybe even all four. That takes a lot of defending. Using our own defense as an example, that setup would certainly keep Petty, May & Lever honest and we are the only team that has 3 defenders of that quality. Certainly a lot more mobility/flexibility in that lot versus our current Brown/Gawn/Jackson rotation.

I reckon it is There’s enough media chatter to suggest something is up with him. Barrett potted him this morning in his Sliding Doors piece

Tomlinson and Bedford are the only ones we have that could get other teams interested, even then it’s probably touch and go with Tommo. Thats why his name keeps coming up

Sorry, I read a post about father son and got tangled about how many games it needed. Anyway, as we were @Grand New Flag?

There would be a little bit of hope in nursing him to 200, I have no doubt

My immediate thought is 'under enormous pressure', although it doesn't answer the question. My guess is the industry thinks he's a talent, but no one is really sure where he will end up positionally. It's an enormous amount of money for a second ruck or second/third tall forward. If he was not in the Melbourne side and we were chasing him from elsewhere, for that money and length of contract, the place would be in hysterics

Pretty bizarre, was insurance this year and came in and played a role for one game, then had multiple stinkers. He must be accepting very little cash to stay on and keep the dream alive.