rpfc

Honestly, Harvey is under so much pressure if he held a piece of coal in his sweaty palms he would quickly have a diamond. He may want to win, but without Hasleby, Schammer, Pavlich, and Sandilands firing they are no chance against anyone.

With all due respect... I'm not getting straight answers from 'non-tankers,' please tell me if you agree with the following management ideas in this losing year: - Sylvia might not be straight back in for the Tigers game, he may play a few penance games for Casey. - Tom McNamara, Kyle Cheney, Jack Watts, Rohan Bail, Jordie McKenzie, Austin Wonaeamirri and Jake Spencer may get one or two games they don't deserve on form as a spur for the future (ala Jack Grimes' 1 game at the end of 2008). - Valenti, Newton, Dunn, Batram, Johnson, Miller, and Buckley might see extended runs so that Bailey and the development coaches can make a judgement on their futures. - Perrenially injured players - McLean, Moloney, Rivers, and Jamar - may be wrapped in cotton wool with an eye to 2010. - Grimes may play RR, Petterd a wing, Bate a FF, Jurrah a HFF, Jetta a HBF, Morton a CHF, or Bennell a FP to develop different aspects of their game, and increase their base knowledge in various positions. Is this not the way to go? Strategically done, it will mean 6 more losses. Please tell me why these actions are wrong?

Yes and we should be playing not only PA up in Darwin, but GC17 and WS18 when they come in. I would add Freo but 3 out of 12 home games is more than enough away from my MCC... And anyone who says "you can't play that many away, the G is our home!" - we would get around 14k for those three fixtures and would be ridiculed (and lose money). And after Jurrah, Davey, and Wonna are retired we will play 3 games a season at the new Casey Stadium (30k capacity). Off topic... Great kick is Liam...

The confidence is the thing I love about LJ. Whatever he does, he just turns and celebrates like he's not surprised at his own skill. His handball to Moloney and his setups for two Petterd goals were just as impressive as the goals he kicked himself. I, personally, think he will be too selfless to kick a hundred, but I know a bloke called Jack who would appreciate the gifts he shall receive for the next decade.

Players don't tank. Whitnall missing [censored] easy goals in 2007 wasn't him tanking, he was that crap. Matthew Lappin retiring with a round to go, and TJ not being tagged was tanking. Tanking is what I described, we are 6 losses away, and we should keep to the script. Play the kids, protect the injured, and develop the kids.

This thread has tanked...

I posted this in another thread, but I am really interested in people's views, and I don't know which thread people will be reading... I think this is where a lot of posters are butting heads: I only believe we should tank to this extent. Basically what you describe in point 2. Players don't know how to tank and should never be asked to compromise themselves. Skills32 on D'ology is against tanking but I have gleaned that he is not against 'point 2' at all. Therefore, he is not against tanking at all. For those who are still iffy on the subject - these are the tactics that the coaching staff will/should use to develop players, give opportunities, and plan for 2010. - Sylvia might not be straight back in for the Tigers game, he may play a few penance games for Casey. - Tom McNamara, Kyle Cheney, Jack Watts, Rohan Bail, Jordie McKenzie, Austin Wonaeamirri and Jake Spencer may get one or two games they don't deserve on form as a spur for the future (ala Jack Grimes' 1 game at the end of 2008). - Valenti, Newton, Dunn, Batram, Johnson, Miller, and Buckley might see extended runs so that Bailey and the development coaches can make a judgement on their futures. - Perrenially injured players - McLean, Moloney, Rivers, and Jamar - may be wrapped in cotton wool with an eye to 2010. - Grimes may play RR, Petterd a wing, Bate a FF, Jurrah a HFF, Jetta a HBF, Morton a CHF, or Bennell a FP to develop different aspects of their game, and increase their base knowledge in various positions. That is my idea of 'tanking,' I call it that because it is not trying to win a game and I think calling it 'list management,' like some people do, is being disengenuous. Would those that oppose tanking, oppose the above measures in this losing year?

I think this is where a lot of posters are butting heads: I only believe we should tank to this extent. Basically what you describe in point 2. Players don't know how to tank and should never be asked to compromise themselves. Skills32 on D'ology is against tanking but I have gleaned that he is not against 'point 2' at all. Therefore, he is not against tanking at all. For those who are still iffy on the subject - these are the tactics that the coaching staff will/should use to develop players, give opportunities, and plan for 2010. - Sylvia might not be straight back in for the Tigers game, he may play a few penance games for Casey. - Tom McNamara, Kyle Cheney, Jack Watts, Rohan Bail, Jordie McKenzie, Austin Wonaeamirri and Jake Spencer may get one or two games they don't deserve on form as a spur for the future (ala Jack Grimes' 1 game at the end of 2008). - Valenti, Newton, Dunn, Batram, Johnson, Miller, and Buckley might see extended runs so that Bailey and the development coaches can make a judgement on their futures. - Perrenially injured players - McLean, Moloney, Rivers, and Jamar - may be wrapped in cotton wool with an eye to 2010. - Grimes may play RR, Petterd a wing, Bate a FF, Jurrah a HFF, Jetta a HBF, Morton a CHF, or Bennell a FP to develop different aspects of their game, and increase their base knowledge in various positions. That is my idea of 'tanking,' I call it that because it is not trying to win a game and I think calling it 'list management,' like some people do, is being disengenuous. Would those that oppose tanking, oppose the above measures in this losing year?

Those who have the chance should watch the replay for Cometti's laughing at PA in the last qtr. He was just amazed at how pathetic PA could be and how our kids kept screwing up as well but PA was so bad they just handed the footy straight back. Humorous. How ferocious is Jetta? I was just thinking that his confidence is rising and rising, he already is about 5th at the club for scoring assists. Very pleasing. I wonder whether Jetta, Jurrah, Bennell, Wonaeamirri, and Davey can play together long term. Maybe Jetta and Wonna are fighting for a similar position but who knows? Very exciting.

Hijacked? You editorialised in the OP. We responded. I enjoyed the win, but I often enjoy things that aren't good for me.

I misread your tone. Sorry. I really hate this stuff too, it's just so bloody important. I'd much rather be making fun of Freak, he's such an easy mark...

H. can be patronising at the best of times but you have to admit, winning only 1 more game gives us a better chance of a flag than winning 2 more games. H. wants to go to lengths to ensure we only 1 more win (and give the MFC the best chance for that flag), so do I, but I fear we won't. H. is slightly more optimistic the club will muddle through and do what it has to do. I'm paraphrasing Homer Simpson here, but we have a crisi-tunity here and we need to make the most of it.

Maybe we could make Grimes do the kicking out and watch him screw up due to the 'fundamental flaw' in his kicking... (This post was written in front of a live ostrich Ostrich: Ha-ha!) Link for Family Guy fans

A bloke called Jack Watts just grinned a little bit... But it is fantastic to have two focal points, for a decade, that can kick straight - kick goals that should be kicked. It took Robbo till he was about 26 to get a routine that worked for him. So it's good to have naturally excellent kicks near goals.

Bailey was adamant that player development is his raison detre for 2009. As it should be. I want to see Wonna play a few, I want to see Watts play a few, I want to see McNamara play a few, and I want to know if Valenti can string some decent performances together. Watts should return for the easier trio of games against Rich, NM, and Freo. Give the kid some confidence on easier opponents. "Let the kids play! You let them play!" The cards will fall where they may - with a little bit of direction from the selection committee.

I know where you're at and you, and others, probably don't appreciate the lengths to which myself, Hannabal, RR, Rogue, etc would be willing to go to stay on 4 wins but it is just such an important 7 weeks for my footy club. And for the record - I will stop if we beat Richmond because that will mean it is moot - Freo couldn't beat De La Salle Old Boys (although they are strong this year), so a win against Richmond is the final nail in the PP coffin. Please don't infer anything in a coffin reference to the club losing a PP, it's a figure of speech.

I usually love your work Redleg but the importance of your last line means what I said in another thread rings true: this is the dominant story of my footy club for the next 7 weeks and will define the next 10 years. I have to discuss it somewhere and D'Land is fantastic at allowing me to vent, discuss, argue, and disseminate. I have never, and will never attack, the club for winning 5 games this season (It is obviously the PA 'leadership' group that is at fault). Bailey has stayed true to his youth, and has pumped games into perrenially injured - doing the best for the future of the club.

Neither is 6 more losses...

You started this thread to 'not talk about this tanking crap' but that statement in itself is talking, and commenting, on a view that a lot of loyal supporters have. Start a thread that doesn't attack my view on tanking and you can have your peaceful chat about the progress the players are making.

Of course, it changes the scenario: it means we are further along the rebuilding path than I thought. BUT your last line about being a year away from this kind of a rally indicates that you yourself don't think we are there. Hypotheticals are intriguing but hollow. A bit like a win against Richmond...

The way all the mids were trying to sit the ball on Jurrah's head reveals he can kick 4 goals as No.1 forward - FF. Tony Shaw said he can't be KP - what [censored]. It's sub-conscious racism, and I don't admonish for it, but it is a shame when a 20 year old takes 4 contested marks in the worst team in the league and kicks 4 goals at FF and he is called a "third tall option." And it's only because of the colour of his skin. And don't say it's because he's slight - he's 20. And don't say it's because his speed and agility equals a better fit for HFF, a FF that does what he does defensively and offensively is ridiculously valuable (look at Fev - at what he does and doesn't do).

I've give you more than your fair share of crap, but when you write a serious post you have more idea than most on this site. Three weeks ago the bolded part would have had you laughed at and ridiculed, some even called for Mahoney to be sacked mid-season, but you're right - our forward line functions well and has a number of options. We can argue 2nd and 3rd talls, and all that, but it comes down to service, to delivery, and that's where the next line connects with the one before it. A good midfield makes a good forward line a great forward line.

This isn't an ideal scenario but IF we get the 5th I want more than that. Finishing on 5 and 17 would make me sick. So if we do ge the 5th, I hope you're right.

You're absolutely right. And on his kicking: my mates and I have joked about his helicopter punts from 2002 onwards. His kicking was like this pre-guerra, so I don't know what people are talking about. Maybe it looks worse cause we've been crap for the past 30 months.

His biggest asset is his fight. He hates being beaten, and gets angry when he gets beaten, as does Frawley and Rivers. Anger is useful to focus the mind and enliven the spirit. I think back to Nicho, who could get the odd towling because when he was getting beaten he would drop his head and have a sook. Defalting himself and those around, especially me in the stands. You've got to get your chin up, swear at a teammate, and tell the bloke who kicked a goal on you that the next one is going to an F lot harder to get... Matty will be 26 in April next year and will be valuable FB as we progress in the years to come.