Deeoldfart

I was under the impression that Garlo has the very shy, retiring personality. While this wouldn't automatically rule him out, it could hold him back, I reckon.

imo his hands are the equal of any current day AFL player. Bold statement I know, but I can't think of anyone cleaner.

They cost us 4 points in Hobart.

I love Demonland on nights like this!

6. Gawn - Impossible to go past big Maxy imo. He just had so much influence (gave our mids an armchair ride, kicked goals, took marks around the ground and always had a smirk on his face. 5. N. Jones - True captains' game. Led from the front from start to finish. 4. Viney - A powerhouse!. Just keeps improving, and is becoming more and more damaging by hand and foot. Probably pips Jonesy if he had played out the full game. 3. Jetta - Steady as a rock, gutsy, composed under pressure, and never gives up. Just a thoroughly good footballer. 2. Harmes - Great comeback after being down last week. How good is to have some depth to bring the best out of our boys? 1. Hunt - Confidence is growing. Blistering pace, hard at it and was very creative with the ball. Based on today's game he might be the real deal! Special mentions: Oliver, Bugg, Pedersen

Well I reckon it just goes without saying.

Signing Bernie to a new deal is fantastic for the Club. He has truly become a 'heart and soul' player, and his contribution has greatly exceeded my early expectations.

I posted the following in the VFL thread, but is equally relevant here: An article in the HS this morning indicated that Jack Trengove is building towards an AFL return, following another strong and composed (27 possession) performance for Casey on the weekend, The article, which confirmed that Jack was tagged for the entire game, included the following comments from Justin Plapp: "Trengove was influential in the Scorpions win. He was winning the inside (midfield) battle quite a bit and he was clean with his disposal. The last two weeks in a row he's nearly been our best player." Jack must be getting very close.

An article in the HS this morning indicated that Jack Trengove is building towards an AFL return, following another strong and composed (27 possession) performance for Casey on the weekend, The article, which confirmed that Jack was tagged for the entire game, included the following comments from Justin Plapp: "Trengove was influential in the Scorpions win. He was winning the inside (midfield) battle quite a bit and he was clean with his disposal. The last two weeks in a row he's nearly been our best player."

Like most of us, the 40k target took a kick in the guts today.

We now have 'depth'. The Match Committee must now be true to their word and use it! I'm now really looking forward to the Casey Game to see who stakes their claim.

Very hard to disagree after today.

We now turn our attention to Casey after a lamentable performance by Melbourne. Smash the door down Trenners, ANB, Clarry et al!

Very hard to allocate votes when I feel gutted and we had so many passengers, but: 6. Hogan: a standout. We would have been obliterated without him. 5. Jones: a warrior, but Viney aside, he had very little help around the stoppages. 4. Viney: see Jones. They can't do it all on their own. 3. Watts: worked hard and did a few nice things in a team that was well beaten. He would have been one of the first to go missing 12 months ago. 2. Gawn: probably just broke even with Hickey. 1. Kennedy: a trier, and bobbed up a bit.

............... and most disappointing of all: Out worked.

Petracca was'n't great, but certainly no worse than probably half his more experienced team-mates. A bit churlish to put a first gamer in the gun after a super underwhelming team performance.

This is new territory and it's playing havoc with my nervous system.

I quite like Jeffie too! ................. an exciting part of an exciting era that is dawning over the MFC.

Thanks DeeZee ........... and it's not only your eyes that are moist after reading that story and relating it to Mrs. oldfart. Well done to Trac. Seems he's building to legendary status both on and off the field.

He certainly features in a couple of the excellent pics shown by Outside fifty.

Yep. I'm sure we are in very competent hands ....... and they don't need advice from the likes of you and me.

Maybe, but we wouldn't want to be putting too many eggs in the Hogan basket, because we have quite a few emerging players who will warrant very solid coin when their next contract comes around. Hopefully, mateship, loyalty and the strong prospect of team success will keep them in the red and blue. I'd expect Freo to to be pretty flush next season with Pav and possibly Sandi and others expected to retire.

Reported on ABC (Canberra) radio this morning that Freo have now turned their attention to securing Jesse, following Hooker's signing at Essendon. It was most likely just a 'gap filler' on their sports report, and I doubt that anything much has changed because Jesse has probably never been off their radar. Anyways, if both Melbourne and Freo keep playing like they are at present, I can't see Jesse seeking a trade to Freo, no matter what they might throw at him.

Calm down and take a deep breath everybody ............ we've all earned this!!

....... and what an outstanding presser it was: Media conference: Jack Viney Jack is so composed and well considered in everything he says. He's growing enormously as both a footballer and a leader. His maturity belies his age and experience.