DeeMfc

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?

Yes, Jimmy Toumpas had an absolute stinker and was subbed out. But what I find most astonishing is that people are dismissing the FACT that the week before he had 20 possies and 7 tackles against the best team in the land, on their turf and in dismal conditions. Oh and by the way Wines had 8 possies against a far less superior opposition and in far better conditions. These boys are still kids!!!!!! They will be up and down until they mature. Although Wines is already a boy in a mans body. Jimmy had no preseason. At least let him get a full preseason in before making any judgment/predictions on him.

171254-jimmy-toumpas.jpg This pic exibits the exact reason why Jimmy cant be compared to Wines right now. Wines was a ready made player (pic taken pre draft) with a full preseason under his belt. Jimmy had a double hip operation, a shortened pre season and is 2 years behind in physical development. Once Jimmy gets rid of the baby fat and strengthens his core I think we will have a gun on our hands. I was in the pick Ollie Wines boat pre draft because I wanted someone to be ready made in our midfield. In hindsight I believe we made the right choice in Jimmy as his skills and execution are streets ahead of Wines. We just have to give him at least a couple more pre seasons to compare.

If Watts 'wants' to leave then we should work hard to make sure we get a suitable trade. Having said that IMO I think Watts is your typical late bloomer. In 2-3 years I see him playing the role Richo played in his last few years at Richmond. (Playing deep, high, left and right forward and running up the ground to provide the support/link up when needed but with better disposal) Edit-typo

And that's if they are playing the hometown rivals. It would be 90% of the stadium if it were against an interstate team.

Toy would be a good acquisition too. I think he is still uncontracted?

Prestia & Caddy for pick 13 and a player that doesn't want to buy in to our new direction.......