rpfc

Not bad for a Pick 26...

Nah, split personality...

Fact - Everyone in the football world knew we taking him - we even signed him to a laughable 5 year contract (well done Schwabby) in 2010: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jack-viney-commits-to-demons/story-e6frf9jf-1225959360745 GWS and GC could have made us pay with Pick 3 - they didn't. Why didn't they? Because we wouldn't have met their bid with Pick 3? We were always going to take the 'brick with eyes' especially with another pick right behind 3. So why didn't they bid? They would lose nothing. There is no risk if you know a team will take a player. GWS wanted 1, 2, and 3. GC wanted in on the mini-draft. GWS decide who gets what pick - so GC better behave themselves if they want Martin. GC did and we all get what we want. Your theory rests on The Greater Football World believing we wouldn't take Viney at 3 and, to me, that is absurd; he was touted to be a demon for years, we brought him down to break his jaw at Casey in 2012, and we even had a 'contract' with him for some stupid reason from 2010 to 2015.

In Basketball, that kind of drop step is colloquially referred to as "breaking your opponent's ankles"... And I hate to say it - but Astbury hurt himself. Viney is injuring blokes by just being in the vicinity...

Well put. I am proud and content in the fact that I know we will turn up every week and, at the very least, make it hard for the other side and bring some toughness and a little bit of arrogance. This started after the Sydney where we frustrated so many of their players - it was on their faces. That's the start - you frustrate them, then you worry them, and then you beat them.

Yes, and I am still wary... I bet he is a sleestak!

What the hell is going on with this kid?

I think the reason behind his better form this year is because he is decidedly not 'the man' and he even said it in interviews after the game that he was just told he is 'another player who has to play a role' and that is what you saw today.

I don't think Howe is going to spend much time forward this year - I think Roos is trying to make something of him. I am not convinced he can be anything other than a HFF with one very good trick, but we will see...

Excuse me, but you were not calling my theory 'plausible' at all, and now you equate what I say with what you say and tacitly call me ignorant and arrogant for believing me 'plausible' scenario? If they are 'equally as plausible' you just called yourself ignorant and arrogant, Billy.

You were the one having a go at me for having this view in the days leading up that event weren't you? As soon as that Mini-Draft process began - the deal was done. Which means it was pre-agreed. And considering that if GC forced us to use Pick 3 GWS would not have got it, I find it entirely plausible that GWS told GC to not bid for Viney for it would either cost them Pick 3 from us or cost their deal for Martin with Pick 2. You won't find people saying this was how it played out but clubs don't give other clubs an even break - without dealing for Hogan I am sure that the two clubs below us who have nothing to lose by bidding for Viney - would have bidded for Viney.

They got Martin in the same Mini-draft that we got Hogan. With the Pick 2 that they didn't bid for Viney with.

He had his second best season I thought immediately after signing that deal (2010). Then he had injuries for the next two and then it was 2013 and a long career had taken its toll. I don't feel any ill-will toward him or that deal.

They have concussion tests! Hopefully he is fine! !

It's his opinion! !

And I will throw this spanner in the works - we were playing a game of chicken with GC and GWS over the Viney bidding. They could have made us use Pick 3 on him. Our involvement in the Hogan deal allowed us to use Pick 26. And to those who still say that 'he wasn't top 3 in that draft class' - it doesn't matter. The entire footy world knew we were taking him wherever - GC or GWS could have forced our hand, they didn't because of the deal we made with them for Hogan.

Barry is only worth persevering with if Roos and co. think when he does develop - he will be a player. If they don't - he will be delisted. And they might even delist him anyway - and rookie him.

Byrnes is not just fighting players on our list for another contract - he is also fighting players Roos and co. are targeting. At his age, he would have to have a dramatic increase in form to warrant another contract. He is doing enough, with little competition, to keep his spot in the team. He will find it harder, with more competition, to keep his spot on the list.

Clark is gone of course, Byrnes, Strauss, Tapscott, Nicholson, Blease, and Barry will find it hard to get another contract. Spencer, Bail, and Terlich should survive as 7 changes is quite a few.

Michie, Tyson, and Riley might have different years than what is listed. I used my better judgement but...

Is he being needlessly dismissive? Neither is he. He simply opined on the value of your posts when you are needlessly dismissive.

I am not going to attack you, but I think that it is misguided to worry about Draft places after Rd 8 (if at all) if we want to be the kind of club Roos wants to build. Pick 9 last year was pretty good... Get a top 10 pick and you should pick up a player.

The collective groan, OD, is because we know that our list has players that are NQR. Some of them will be jettisoned at the end of the year. Some are doing a good job at the minute and that is the sum of what most are saying. You constantly doing a Statler and Waldorf from the balcony wears thin. If we dismissed all our (currently adjudged) NQR players - we would not be able to field a team.

... Do you need a lozenge?

Well, at least that was 9 minutes...