rpfc

JKH is playing because of the role he can fulfil. If his form warrants it, of course he plays, I am all for proper development but that doesn't mean leaving in form talent at Casey because we are scared they will be whatever we are scared they will be. Debuting both Salem and Hogan in a pre-arranged week is as stupid as it sounds. I wouldn't put it past Melbourne but surely Roos wouldn't put up his crap.

I understand that. And prior to being able to see him live on Sunday I was happy with his progress. I didn't see good technique however, as another poster said, he should have been penalised on a number of occasions when he didn't have eyes for the ball.

Moving past the credibility of any one of us and our observations at training - all I am referencing is the fact that Hogan had a back complaint before playing a practice match and then he is out for at least 8 weeks. I am not claiming any inside knowledge, only the opinion that we got the decision to play him in that game wrong. How you can argue the opposite I don't know.

Who would you prefer? Mark Stevens? TGR explicitly wrote that Hogan was being treated for a back issue days before he 'hurt' his back against Geelong.

That WC game and the dearth of tall players for a month really hurt. Took the steam out, a real punch to the membership gut... Come out and beat Sydney and it is restored however...

Yes, I always temper my thoughts for those who are less experienced but he has had a pretty good mentor in Jamar for the last 5 years... We all give Jamar a bad rap and (mostly) with good reason, but his tap work is top 5 in the comp when he is upright and running around. And yet Spencer doesn't have the confidence to practice what he has seen at practice - it's a shame, he will never have an opportunity like this again. He isn't making as much of it as he could be. He needs to fire up, looks inside himself and believe he is the best ruckman running around on the field (even if he isn't) and go for the ball. Him worried about what Tom Nicholls is going to do is an indictment on his faith in himself.

I am not saying much different - they made an understandable mistake. I am just frustrated with the understandable mistake being made for a practice match with the 19 year old future of the club.

Yeah, I saw that. I think NM have won as many...

Where is the hindsight? A poster on here saw him having treatment on his back before the Geelong game, that game exacerbated the injury, Hogan won't play for a further 2 months and counting. That was a poor decision to play a 19 year old key position player in a practice match with a sore back. We all make innocent mistakes - this was one. And I understand that all players don't go into games 100% - he's a 19 year old blue-chipper in a practice match. I am sure they are happy to wear the criticism.

Except this guy from the Dawes in doubt thread:

I am still pizzed off that they played him at all in the PS. He had work being done on his back in the training session before the game - he pulls up sore after the game. It was a poor decision to play him but hopefully some good will come of it and we will get him right before playing him again. Footy players rarely play at full capacity/health but you don't fool around with certain injuries - Dawes' calf and Hogan's back being those that come to mind.

Of course it would be. Fairer draw, a much more comprehensive FA/draft/trade system, and equalisation of merchandise, and match day revenue - these things would have to come in the next few years if the AFL wants to have a game that doesn't look like the EPL.

I don't think he is a 'hole' on our list. I can see what you are saying, but jeez, the words you are using grate with me.

That game is our institutionalised welfare that we should do away with in our quest for equalisation of the game.

Yeah, KingDing, Strauss is another one of those players with a temperature gauge up his arse.

Do not agree. Outside of this place, Grimes is not seen in the right light at all - he's underrated. You say he is an 'ok' defender, 'poor' with the ball, and whatever the hell a 'cat' is under pressure. With that write up, you should be 'disgusted' that he is captain of your club. Why don't you watch him closely and then look at your descriptors - I think you will be disgusted with 'ok', 'poor', and 'cat'...

Watched Spencer closely in a few stoppages and he is far too concerned with what his opponent is doing. He needs to try and think of himself as someone others need to be concerned with - not the other way around. Jamar/Gawn/Spencer - our rucks are very limited for various reasons.

It was Spencer. If he gave it and Spencer fluffed it - we all would have said "take it on yourself to kick that Chris!" I know I would have. As a forward I know one thing - he wouldn't have slept well Sunday night - you just cannot miss the ones he did.

Wow. Even a name... Do you want to share where you obtained such information? Or perhaps how you can now 'confirm' it? You can throw vague grenades if you want to, but don't expect love for it.

Mate, the locks are being changed at the club. No-one wants a rah-rah, beer battered tough love coach anymore - it doesn't work. It didn't work for Neeld/Watters in the AFL and it isn't working in the league that you were in. Deal with it.

Riley looks solid, but he is coming off a broken leg, his lack of a base makes it hard for him to have an impact. And I don't want to throw in and spit out more fledgling kids, and yes, I know Riley is more mature than most rookies.

Bit flippant maybe?

Mate, it's all over. You told the blokes there was nothing but negatives to take from that game. The players are coming to me and saying they are leaving if you are still in charge. I have called the president and it's done - he could not believe you didn't see any positives in that game - you will be getting a call in the morning. I am going to have to captain-coach again...

I was there, and I saw them - as hard as they were to watch - I don't think you get a full picture from the TV either. But it cuts both ways, Watts has a good workrate and gets to more contests. The way he 'affects' most of them isn't good enough. It just isn't. But he will trust his teammate to win the footy and get it to him and that is something. We are like moths to a flame when around the footy, and other clubs have 'release' players and 'outlets' and they destroy us. Watts' skills are suited to that as we all know. It's the lack of intensity when about to get the footy in contest with another that is frustrating and I am looking at Roos to fix this.

If you were my coach, you would have already lost me.