rpfc

That doesn't rule out us simply being wrong about the players chosen, in fact it lends itself to everyone being wrong about where they rated the players we chose.

That may be, but I would argue that there wasn't enough potential there in the first place. If saying that players 'not coming on is their own fault' is too easy an out, then equally the notion that 'some players have that internal drive to improve, and some don't' is similar an easy excuse. Surely you pick the players with the internal drive to improve? I don't blame the entirety of our predicament on our poor recruitment but I refuse to believe we would turn a Dangerfield into a Morton and vice-versa - which I don't think you would disagree with me on. We needed to have the best people in place, in a stable environment, with on field, experienced leaders...but we also needed to pick Dangerfield...

Bitter experience disagrees with that...

He is 18 years old... Do you think that the judgements made by people when you were 18 can be fairly extrapolated for a decision like this?

Well said, Macca. The players that deal with the nonsense and get on with it - do so. Jones has shown the way in that regard, but Garland has made the most of himself as well, and I not about to say that are development has been great, nor the circumstances at the club stable, nor that we have had appropriate senior players for the lowly years, but the state of the list comes back to the talent picked at the draft. And it hasn't been strong at all.

Maybe the kids that say "Are there any real questions?" get extra marks...

I love that attitude, rjay. It's not a reach till history says it is.

Well, in the argument of Drafting vs Development the team you chose as a team that develops well chose not to select the kid we did select. So I guess the answer is - did the Eagles overlook a player they didn't think was worthy of a high selection? Or did we not develop him to his full potential? I think it's both. But I really don't think Morton had a much of a future in the AFL even if he went to a club that develops well. The fact is, he went to the Eagles as a mature player and person and he still failed, I think that lends itself to the verdict that we drafted poorly with that selection.

The Saints are losing their minds... And we are reaping all the benefits...

Honestly, what are you talking about?!

The irony of that view is that the Eagles passed on Morton with the pick before ours...

http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/ols/auspat/quickSearch.do?queryString=petraccattack&resultsPerPage=

Hang on, didn't we get ND3 way a few days before GWS got ND7 from Carlton, and ND6 from WB? Although, they may have tried to get that done because of their desire for Petracca... Intriguing ideas but I don't think I will subscribe to your magazine...

Yes, I wonder what player taken in the teens will end up being the best player from this draft...

Yes. So easy. So very easy. <Jon Lovitz from Wedding Singer gif>

I would have given Billy a high number so that all the kids get high numbers... It's a silly little idea but I would still do it that way.

I would not be unhappy if we didn't have the opportunity to pick this bloke...

Do you think you are taking yourself a bit seriously here? I am worried about you, BB. You are an excellent poster. But you are defensive, obtuse, and prone to hounding those you feel to have aggrieved you or your views with enough prose? Or eloquence? I saw it with Hannibal, but he is just a bully pulpit looking to be contrary at every opportunity. You have been following me around for months picking on every little thing that gives you a chance to criticise me; we have now graduated to 'post count' and 'how promptly I reply to posts' as reflections on me as a poster... Maybe you should consult one of the posters on your list that you do respect and ask them whether you should 'move on' and begin taking my posts at face value once again?

I'm probably covered under there too...

He's a kid. If he earns it, then great. Personally, I hope he doesn't play AFL in 2015. I want Pedersen to continue his form and give us something over and above what a teenager could give. And I want that teenager to learn how to play against men in the VFL.

Speaking of tiresome - hello Bob. How is that personal (when others reply to those you ignore, you can see their replies)? Do you not think it healthier for binman to ignore him than to troll him? Think about it... And how many advices have I given recently? Would you like to show them to the rest of the class or would you like to follow me around and jump on everything; you think I post, don't post, you misread, others paraphrase that you misread, remember wrong, etc Is it the 'vibe' of my posting that offends your sensibilities?

Is he better? Or will he be better? Pedersen would be his little play thing for a couple of years if they went head to head. You say Pedersen and Fitz are depth? I say McCartin is depth too - until he proves himself to be more than that. We are a terrible team with a compromised list - there are going to guys being gifted games, there should now be an emphasis on properly preparing talent before exposing them to AFL. All I will say is that McCartin will earn his place in the 22 because Roos has a history of not playing kids simply because they are 'supposed' to be better than the journeymen that are currently in the team. I can see a team with Gawn, Hogan and Pedersen as tall forwards in Rd 1 being the best combination the list has at that present time.

They are not coming from the same base. Hogan has been at the club for two years now and had even had a season against men. McCartin will not be training until December and is straight out of juniors. He's excluded because that is what good clubs would do - they would have no need to throw the pressure of being a part of an AFL forward set up 4 months into being a player. If he plays Rd 1, my flabber would be gasted...

The remorse would be for trading for Vince with a pick that would have got Taylor. And I understand the desire to try and get a rise out PF, but spare the rest of us - there is a reason I, and so many others, have him on ignore.

If Pedersen, Gawn, Hogan, and Fitzpatrick are available - I don't see why we would bring in McCartin. I have no doubt that he is a talent but he will not provide more than any of those four in his first game. He would have to have an exceptional pre-eason tournament to play Rd 1, even with Dawes out. I am sick of gifting games to kids.