The Taciturn Demon

I think Goodwin simply didn't rate him.

I think you're probably right. But if there's any chance of even moderate success next year, we need someone like Sparrow or at least one other 21 to 25 year old to improve significantly. Even Petracca and Oliver back at their absolute best doesn't guarantee much, I don't think.

Me too. Houston seemed like a really bad idea to me. Especially in this draft brimming with out-and-out onballers. I'm not sure how solid our under 22s are, though. Windsor looks excellent. McVee is really good. I think everyone is hopeful rather than certain about Jefferson. I'd rather bolster this area of the list than get another 28 year old "maybe" player.

He was. Unless he's really fallen off a cliff, Daniel is a far better footballer, but I'm not sure about his age. Is the idea that as long as we have Oliver, Viney, Petracca, May and Gawn, we're in the flag window and so somehow duty bound to top up with 28 year olds?

One and a half million refusals to acknowledge that Goodwin didn't rate him.

Hard to watch, not least because the Brisbane women are close to the most unlikeable team in all of football. I'd just like to add my name to the "What the eff was going on with holding the ball today?" gang. Having said all that, far too good in the end. We're short a really good centre bounce midfielder.

How often does a consensus draft designation - "deep", "shallow", "even", "lopsided" - match the reality. For example, was 2019 considered deep or generally good before hand? In now looks like an absolute beauty.

Did the quick maths on the MCC/MFC fee divided by the number of MCG games we play. Works out to nearly $70 a game. As someone who takes no interest in cricket, it's not great value. I'm doing it, but it's starting to feel like a wild extravagance.

Well, why stop at a Craig Bradley type? Why not Craig Bradley himself? Some would say "He's 60 - what are you talking about?" I'd say, "We're right in the Flag window. He's the mature and experienced final piece of the jigsaw puzzle we need. Start cutting massive arm holes in the number 21 jumper. Sorry, Jeffo, you're wearing number 30 now."

Good summary. Imagine going through the entire Petracca saga, ostensibly about an un-ignorable slip in standards, and then getting Stringer.

I think leaving Pearce out of my votes was bordering on scandalous. Chaplin seems hugely underrated to me.

I'd love Tom Sparrow to work on his agility and become a really strong midfielder who can hurt oppositions when resting forward.

My perfect player: - End of career - Played half a good season four to 12 years ago - I heard someone once say they were "clever with footy in hand" (I've seen no evidence of this, but it sounds good) - Studiously avoids contact

Has our handballing significantly improved or did our run out of defence and through the middle just make it look better than it has been before?

Has our handballing significantly improved or did our run out of defence and through the middle just make it look better than it has been before?

Underrated footballer. Very sorry to see her go.

No, because trading him to Richmond or North would get us what we want, but he'd never say yes.

That sounds fair to me. But every indication is that he wanted to leave. I can sympathise with enormous frustration. But I find it very difficult to admire a desire to just walk away.

You've got to give players games if you want them to accept new contracts.

How come?

He definitely can. And as a leader of the club, you can't just shrug away his responsibility (I did with my comment earlier, so sorry about that). If the rumours of a "suck it up" approach to Petracca's injury are true, that concerns me. But all a lot of supporters have to go on when judging people at the club is public statements. At a time when a lot of what we heard was incoherent, insincere and corporate waffle, Gawn came across as honest, reassuring and realistic. He strikes me as a good person with a deep love of the club. If that's all a facade, he is a brilliant actor. I'm not convinced that if another person had been captain during this time, things would be significantly different. He also remains the most reliable player at the club, which is vital for a captain.

Beatification? Yes.

They do.

Going by the Port praccy match, not quite there yet.