Redleg

I watched the game and didn't notice him at all. However I still stand by my last line in my post and I will repeat it here "Cook may be a dud, all I am saying is there are others who can go, (who have had their chances) first and then in a year or so we can assess his progress, if any." Red, all I am saying is we can afford to give him another year to see if he can make it as there are plenty of others who can go first. I have put my pencil through Bail, Jetta, Joel MacDonald, Moloney, Petterd, Spencer, Bate, Tapscott, Davey, possibly Dunn and even though he is playing well probably Green. Not sure if I have forgotten anyone. Oh yes Morton, who frustrates the hell out of me, but will probably be retained for another year as we would get nothing for him. Some of these will go this year no doubt and some might go the following year. To look at our list you would have to agree with the picks we have had, we have failed miserably. There are still a few chances left with Taggert, Tynan, Davis, Fitzpatrick, Gysberts and Cook etc, but even if they all succeed our drafting would be viewed as poor. We were promised skill and speed in the last few years and only Watts and maybe Howe have the former and only Blease and Nicho have the latter. i am still of the belief that we are not that far away from being a competitive team if we can add some real speed and skill. 4-5 players completely change a side. Yesterday in periods we were ok. No one could deny that with Watts, Clark, Jurrah and Jamar in the side we would have been better. We had 15 players out. North had Ziebell. That makes a huge difference. Anyway I am over this season.

I am going to the Dees game but am taping Casey and will have a look later today or tonight. Look forward to your appraisal. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying he will be the next Wayne Carey, he may in fact be the next Molan, but my main point is not to get rid of him before we really know whether he can make it. I recall as an example North dumping Mooney some years back as they said he was not good enough and bingo. I also recall many Demonlanders calling for Jones' delisting a couple of years ago and I was one of several who argued for his retention. He will win our B & F this year. Cook may be a dud, all I am saying is there are others who can go, (who have had their chances) first and then in a year or so we can assess his progress, if any.

Watching the Casey v Bendigo game a few weeks ago it was evident that at every stoppage he got his hands to the ball. Yes he has fitness and application deficiencies but he can get the ball in tight. If he improves his weaknesses he will be a good player.

Not funny.

Same with me.

You obviously weren't with me the day I was drafted, during the Vietnam War.

I like that he All Australian CHF. I like that he is big and has plenty of scope for physical development. I like that he can take a grab. I like that he is a nice kick for goal. I like that he is young. I like that he has decent pace and agility. I like that to this point I don't think he has done a full pre season and has been injured which would have hindered his progress. I like that he has a chance to show us he can make it or that he is not good enough. I don't like that he is not aggressive and is not fearless, though that may improve with physical development. I hope he is kept and am certain he will be and that he improves to become a good AFL player. I don't care if he doesn't look like a first round pick if he makes it.

Interesting, I was just reading some literature from the club and there was a little piece that caught my eye, which said, that we will most likely have picks 3, 4 & 13 in the draft and can draft 3 very good players. They are probably being realistic when they say what picks we will have, but it seemed to indicate our finishing position was accepted. Just thought that was a little unusual with 6 games to go. PS. Hope they are right, though I would accept 17th. Now lets see, Grundy or Whitfield plus Toumpas and Martin in 2014 for pick 13 and say Moloney and Bate, with JV second round. Yes I could live with that.

Oh come on, I know you are a masochist at heart. Wouldn't you love to watch another thrashing?

Yes. Young 196cm all Australian CHF, who has not fully developed yet.

Can see myself as one of about 100 Demon fans at the game tomorrow.

And it was delicious.

The problem here with some posters is the very next pick in Gys's draft, Daniel Talia, who has gone on to be a very good CHB with the Crows. He was the player most thought we would take.

And now for more important matters, I just saw a banana in the fruit bowl and I think I will have it with my cereal for breakfast.

He would probably go to GWS if he left anyway.

Why do you say that? Are you saying if he got a month, served in say February, he would never play again. Don't think so.

Take it as done.

No your punishment it to attend the game. I will be, it's called self flagellation.

If Carlton are prepared to let him go for nearly nothing, to make salary cap room for their asault on Cloke or other players, I would look at him. He is their best player over the last month.

Interesting bit of evidence from a passenger in the van Basil Jurrah arrived in with 8 mates. The vans are called "troop carriers" by the locals. The witness said that in the van were nulla nullas, machetes and other weapons. Contrast that with Basil's evidence of he came with three mates unarmed to visit a cousin. Also he had been drinking for 12 hours when the incident occurred. Contrast that again with evidence of two of the other victims who said Basil was armed with a machete, was the instigator, that Liam didn't hit them and that he acted in self defence in relation to Basil. Then this last bit of important news that a co accused will plead guilty to the serious charge that Liam has been charged with. Lastly we have only heard from the Prosecution side so far as the Defence don't run their case at Committal and to date the prosecution case is a shambles. Also the Magistrate said there was some evidence to send him to trial which is not the test. The test is " is the evidence capable of leading to a conviction" which is based on "beyond reasonable doubt". The Defence QC is entitled to feel extremely confident. Liam will not be delisted.

I am not sure. As an aside, what is an AFL club B & F winner in the last two years worth as compensation?

It's an absolute certainty.

Agree on the injuries as I said it was a factor. Hope you are right on the 16th, though I would gladly cop 17th right now. Picks 2 & 3 wow. Virtual guarantee that JV would not go until second round. Pick 2 and maybe Moloney or Bate could get us both Under 17 picks from GWS. They could have Whitfield and Grundy. We could get Toumpas. Pick 13 there for trading or using. Salivating stuff.

I have just patented a new product called Redleg's Banana Rice Custard. I promise to donate 25% of profits to the MFC.

Kelvin Lawrence (calf) - test Jordie McKenzie (groin) - test Jai Sheahan (ankle) - test Luke Tapscott (groin) - test Josh Tynan (concussion) - test Jack Watts (ankle) - test Liam Jurrah (ankle) - 2 weeks Mark Jamar (calf) - 3 weeks Clint Bartram (knee) - season Jamie Bennell (knee) - season Mitch Clark (foot) - season Aaron Davey (foot) - season Max Gawn (knee) - season Rory Taggert (back) - indefinite Plus James Sellar who has been left out. That is our present injury list 15 players. Many have been out all year like Jurrah and Gawn etc. North have McIntosh and a boy named Tom Curran out. That will go part of the way to explaining why we are struggling. I know there are many other factors, but there is also a lack of team consistency and best players available.