DeeMfc

Alex McDonald manages all of Frawley, McDonald and Garland. Tom McDonald is also out of contract come seasons end and I would have thought we'd have stitched him up by now. Alex McDonald is Hawthorn through and through. He was instrumental in getting Gunston from the crows to the hawks. My 'gut feeling' is that Frawley will be a hawk next year and as Alex knows what's in the pipe works he is holding out on Tom Macs contract so that we'll pay overs for him when it's announced chippa's gone...

From Roos post match (Sydney game) Demons defender Tom McDonald was exceptional in his role on Swans star forward Lance Franklin, limiting him to just one goal (from a dubious free kick) and seven disposals, before he left the field with a right knee injury. "Tom has been outstanding this year, he's done a really good job," Roos said. "He was outstanding against Buddy."

More about how we are travelling as a team than ladder position although with a couple of games we should have won earlier in the season we would be just outside the 8. Last year we would have been happy with 4th last at this point in the season.

I distinctly remember the same things almost to the word (some worse) being said about one James Frawley when he was 21. Imagine if we delisted Frawley as a lot were suggesting and then he went on to be an AA full back at another team..... The ball streaming into the Kangas forward line was, at times, shades of 2012,2013..... To look at it another way - take McDonald out of the team for the whole of this season and ask how we would be travelling at this stage?

I don't think it would be Roos philosophy but he was the one who canvassed it. Which was what I originally stated.

And me a double 18yo Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whiskey.

You're welcome. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-coach-paul-roos-says-clubs-could-start-trading-their-stars-early/story-fni5f91a-1226735616834

Agree entirely, but that exact philosophy was canvassed by Mr P.Roos himself earlier this year or late last year IIRC.

Great supporter confidence booster. I particularly liked this quote - “I’m really enjoying it and I probably have more of an attachment to the club than I felt I would have, which is good.”

Agree it's poaching and agree with the last paragraph. It's what I said in the initial post. On your first paragraph you may be right it was only a theory in response to previous posters assumptions. It seems we agree with the rest. Let's stop going in circles. If we had this conversation at the pub it would have been easier to make clear :-) Cheers

With Fitzy's great finish last year and before Frawley proved himself up forward this year most would have him up forward and Frawley back. Before this season most would have laughed at Frawley forward. Once again it has increased his value regardless. P.S no need to call my initial theory loopy. What part of 'it was in response to other posters assumptions do you not understand??? Geez

We will have to agree to disagree on this one then. Once again the 'IF' was in response to other posters assumptions. Personally I think it happens more than people think in the era of free agency and coaches would rather work with it and get the best possible outcome for both parties. Did you read the rest of the post? If so do you agree with that?

If Dew is still the possible successor this would mean Roos would have to extend to at least 2017/18. Stuart Dew was 'very close' to joining Demons under Paul Roos

Firstly, my post started with an 'IF' in capitals.I understand that pre-arranged deals are not allowed but it does happen. We only know that too well.....(although we were the big winners in that one :-) With our previous 2 years who could blame chip for putting the feelers out before Roos' revelation signing? Frawley's a big softy off the field and Roos is about supporting and nurturing the players. 'IF' it has happened Roos would have got it out of him, I have no doubt. Would prefer he stays as stated previously. My initial 'IF' scenario is based on other posters assumptions that it has indeed already happened. Summary - Not so wow....

'IF' Frawley has pre arranged a deal with another club I'm certain he would have told Roos. Chip is a decent bloke and wouldn't want to leave us without giving us time to plan our future. Personally I would like him to stay but with the (potential) knowledge of him going we can and would already be planning and in the ears of some likely targets from other clubs. In the Roos mantra, a win-win. Frawley may be doing a great job up forward but he is an AA backman. With a years practice up forward he increases his worth to another club (increased contract amount for James is a win for himself and us re compensation, it also means less money in the poaching teams cap). If he stays we get to keep an AA backman with more experience to go up the ground when needed and a backline with vast experience to handle having chip further up the ground when required. As a result of what is transpiring at the moment we will either break even at worst or have the best backline in the comp. Summary - we can't really lose whatever happens. So just relax and enjoy the ride.

Port are full of confidence at the moment and dare I say it may go into this match over confident. Que the Paul Roos defensive strangle! If we can stop their game style for long enough from the start of the match frustration will creep in and anything can happen from there. Having said that, an absolutely massive team effort is required for that to transpire. Give em hell boys!!!

Col Sylvia, Travis Johnston etc. were highly skilled and best 22 but I'd have Rohan Bail with those stats from todays paper over either of them or any any other highly skilled lazy arsed pretenders every day of the week. His skills are improving on quite a rapid incline and he gives 100%, 100% of the time.

Oh dear.....

Your assessment of Jetta is too simplistic.He may not have great speed but his agility is elite. Agility cannot be underestimated when in congestion. Did you watch the Essendon v Saints game last night? Jetta would have been in his element.

I remember Steven Stretch going head to head with Alex Ishchenko of the then Brisbane Bears in the centre square one day and didn't take a backward step. In fact he had Ishchenkos measure for the most part. For those too young to have seen him, Ishchenko would have been 15+cm taller and 35-40kg heavier than Stretch and a filthy sniper of the highest order to boot. Also used to go and watch Hawthorn train in the late 80's as a teenager and was allowed in the inner sanctum to watch them weight training etc. Let's just say some earlier posts may have some currency...

Correct. Mid 20's at best.He is a diamond in the rough with potential but lacks confidence and skill to use the left side of his body. I wouldn't complain if we took him with our second pick provided they thought he was genuinely best available.

I reckon Kent showed enough flair and ability to play the small forward role considering the limited time the ball actually got down there this year. Has ability to play midfield. With a larger pool of mids next year there should be someone he can rotate with in that role.

Have to agree. Will be very surprised if he doesn't make the top 5 in the bluey. Roos even said himself that he is going to let Trengove play his natural game of hunting the ball. To let him play with instinct rather than a reactive role will be a sight to behold.

Spot on. Now we have extra skilled players pace is the most important attribute to add to our list. The two at the top of the list would be Freeman and Lennon. Freeman was my choice all along but I'm warming to Lennon because of his extra height and slightly better kicking length and accuracy. Would be happy if either fell to our pick.