Chook

I'm on under the alias "Chook".

You don't become the best journalist in your field by simply "writing for the masses." I assume you're a lawyer, but regardless of your profession, you probably respect the amount of work it takes to become knowledgeable in your field. Emma Quayle's field is quite specific, and she would have an extremely-well developed sense of the recruiting landscape. What she might not have is sheer footballing experience and knowledge of the coaching system, and that's where she'd fall down. But I would back her ability to spot (and, crucially, have her sources spot for her) young talent from all around the country. Emma Quayle probably has more contacts in Western Australia than Todd Viney, and in a country as large as ours, its the ability to gather and filter information that sets a recruiter apart. I don't see why Todd Viney would be particularly good at that, since his football background is as a coach and player. Given that our game-plan has specific requirements, Emma Quayle would be able to use her contacts to identify a field of potential recruits and develop an acute sense of where they would likely go in the draft. Todd Viney probably has no real ideas about where other clubs might take players in the draft, but I'll bet Quayle does. That's one quality that is essential to being a good drafter. If you know what the other guy rates as good, then you can develop alternatives in case the player you want is gone. On the other hand, if you want to pick up a player, but you know the other clubs don't rate him very highly, then you might forego that player in the hope of picking him up in the next round. These are all things that someone with a well-developed set of contacts in local leagues around Australia would have. I honestly believe that Emma Quayle's contacts are better than Todd Viney's, and that's why I'd go for her over him.

Define "a football background." If you're referring to having played football at an elite level, Clearly Emma's not the one to go for, but not every footballer would make a good professional recruiter. So obviously there are other factors to consider. I'm sure Todd Viney can do the job, but that doesn't mean we should hang on to him forever. I would prefer a recruiter who's had a history of success as a recruiter, and while neither Emma Quayle nor Todd Viney fill that criterion, Quayle's background is closer to it than Todd's, in my opinion.

If they're taking the time to speak to the family members of some of their potential recruits, you'd think they take the time to speak to all of their potential recruits at least once. I would hate to think Barry Prendegast had a chat to Fat Phil but not to Dangerous Dusty.

No, what you're saying is that Wayne Swan (Todd Viney) would make a good Prime Minister, since he's involved in politics. I don't think he would, since the job is very different. Clearly a professional recruiter would be the best option, but between a former footballer and a current recruiting journalist, I'd pick the latter. Having a football background doesn't mean anything. Do you think Garry Lyon would make a good recruiter (or coach, for that matter)? It's the same thing.

Why?

Only insofar as there are people who would do the job better than him. He's probably the best guy we currently have to do the job, so for now, he'll do.

I'd prefer a real recruiter. Todd Viney is not a real recruiter. Neither is Emma Quayle, but she at least has significant experience in the talent-scouting industry.

Seriously? Emma Quayle, as recruiting is actually her specialty.

Yep, you're right. Brucey really screwed us with that move, huh?

I think the argument is that these senior players are setting a terrible example, and that we'd be better off if our younger guys forged their own way.

What do you know? So do we!

Why not finish last and pick up 1 2 3?

Poor kid. I really feel for him, because nothing has gone right so far in his career. First he's drafted to a [censored] weak club that stunted his development and wrecked his knee. Then after finally catching a break by heading to the 2021 premiers in waiting, where - under the greatest coach of the modern era - he finally gets the treatment he deserves, he gets this terrible injury in a random collision with one of the greatest NRL players to ever play the game. Extraordinary! At least now he can focus on his true interest: the housing market. I hear he has quite a penchant for real estate.

It wasn't his head that was injured, which means that the tribunal system won't be able to correctly assess the damage done. Head-high contact is dangerous (and is punished accordingly by the AFL) but serious injury can - and has - occured in other ways. There isn't sufficient allowance in the current system for dangerous, non-head high contact. Therefore, Butcher will not be punished as he should.

You think the players that are out are gonna help us with our missed tackle count?

Judging from our past performances at AAMI, this is a better result than normal. Usually we're down by around 60 points by this stage.

Any more people defending this guy? Highly overrated, IMO. He's good enough to get a spot in the team, but honestly he's just another reason why his draft was the worst of all time.

I have a feeling this will be happening a lot. "Smash the packs" is going to leave some bruises on our guys.

Nice goal from Jonesy

Don't worry. They were probably coming from the context of "Melbourne's out on the ground. What the f#$k are they doing here?"

I don't NEED A DEAL NOW!!!!!!!!!!! or anything. I just hope that the people in charge of our club have realistic expectations about what we can get for our brand. Perhaps our brand will be worth more mid year. If so, fine. Just as long as Cam Schwab et al, are able to make an accurate assessment of what a realistic sponsorship offer is.

That's the same attitude that saw St Kilda get nothing for Luke Ball and Melbourne get nothing for Cameron Bruce.

Out of all the players on our list, I am the most disappointed with Jamie Bennell. I see him as a forward, shifting through the midfield. But unless he can contribute to at least three goals a week, he has to be able to pick up more possessions. Until he can do that, I would not be looking at him as a regular player once the real thing starts.

How many players from bottom clubs went to top clubs? Not many that I can think of. David Hale, maybe, and that's about it. Footy's becoming more and more professional (in the truest sense of the word) and consequently, money is soon going to be the major factor in determining where a player ends up. Bottom clubs can pay more than top clubs, and unless a premiership contender has been able to manage its salary cap extraordinarily well, they simply won't be able to match the offers of lower placed clubs.