rpfc

Another team bringing back underdone players against us. At some point we are going to make a team pay for this BS.

You don't 'sit out' players who are holding out on re-signing their contracts in this modern era of FA. You have to just deal with the fact that players are going to sign later and later.

He might retire... They should have let him go last year - this is no way to end a career like his. Cross is a specimen, you would want to see how is body is but I am all for getting in leaders to drive standards.

He obviously feels his development would be harmed if he plays...

The clock got wound back three years over the summer, OD. And, once again, 'Yay, we have Paul Roos as coach! Everyone gets a clean slate... except for the players I don't like/rate.'

Roos is a man after my own heart: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-04-24/systems-first-then-personnel-roos There are some who would say you should coach for the list you have but Roos is saying that the players we have are going to learn the game plan he wants to implement. And I sense the implicit point that those that play the system will be preferred to more talented players that don't play the system.

It may happen but it isn't acceptable. Getting dropped isn't the end of the world. I honestly think that some fans see a long term injury in a better light for a players career than being dropped. Players lose form, they lose desire, they get dropped, they change roles, they lift after a spray, they get inspired by a teammate, et al. I hope he bounces back because he was having a promising start to 2014.

Excuse me? I am not hanging anyone here, I have already maintained that it is an understandable error. But it is a frustrating error and one that continues to annoy me for the fact that they did not tell us that he had a sore back before the game when he evidently did. Nothing is ever black and white, Billy. But this is a dark shade of grey - he shouldn't have played.

You don't know that however... He's a good player now. Haven't you heard?

Agree with Cudi. Outside of a couple wilfully blind rah-rah merchants Landers can see the light at the end of the tunnel. To the bandwagoners that will make up the 36k-45k members we want over the next few years - all they see is more darkness that we are travelling through. We need a big statement to get half of them onboard this season. Otherwise we will have to continue the small improvements and get them next year or the year after. They want to rock up to a QB game and have their friends and the voices on the radio tell them we are a chance. Until that mindset happens - our support and membership will stay where it is.

Kept Dunn 2 years ago.

I didn't see that hit, did you? I think that is BS. He exacerbated an injury to his back and it was a mistake to play him.

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.