Redleg

Amen !

I agree and to that end I would play Martin and ( don't jump down my throat ) I would rest Trengove. I thought he looked a little tired today and in my opinion we need to look after the younger boys and not over do it. I would not play him at Casey but give him a complete one week rest to freshen after a hard pre season. I would rest Scully later on in the same way. It makes sense this week to have another tall rucking/marking option. The lions have Clark, Leuenberger, and the two big forwards, what do we have?

Would not be suprized to see Newton play. When was the last time we didn't have a change on gameday ?

Well the good news is that Dangerfield was on TV tonight and said he was fine and hopes to play this week.

He had hip surgery.

"He won the rising star."

What do you mean by that comment? Are you saying he was rammed into the turf on several occasions by multiple blokes with his arms pinned? You say you noticed that was the approach we took, when did you notice it and to what incidents did it relate? I hope you are not referring to Hentchel's bruised knee, Bock's strained hamstring or Tippet's sprained ankle. If you can't back it up, it is pretty poor to suggest we went out there to deliberately hurt players.

And Collingwood said we are playing Melbourne.

Was his name Troy Wilson? Recruited at about 27-28. Like Podsiadly at Cats this year. By the way I would not be so quick to dismiss a player like Lynch if he could be gotten for nearly nothing. I have posted this before and said an experienced big body for a few years can help the new kids like Watts and Fitzpatrick settle in.

Dad/Grandad probably comes under the "multiple factors and scenarios" of my post as one who joins when he goes to his first game. There is one group identified by clubs as the "churn". These are people who are members one year but not the next and I believe a fair bit of research has been done on how to reduce the churn. As a side issue, we are apparently the most successful club in the AFL for converting supporters to members.

I would imagine that when you get down to the last couple of thousand members they are what can be called the "swinging voters". If the team looks like it will have a reasonable year and depending on multiple other factors and scenarios, these people then decide whether to join or not. Finances would play a big part in the decision of many. The fact that we are blooding so many new players should help with more members. Hopefully we can beat our record and keep the positive vibe going.

Whoops, sorry. It feels nice to be merged.

I have often wondered why a bloke like Rivers could not play in the forward line. We seem to have a mindset that when someone plays in a position then that is the only position for them. I was advocating to all who would listen that Jamie Bennell should play forward as he was quick, could apply defensive pressure, could make a goal out of nothing and any mistakes would hurt less at that end of the ground. But back to Rivers, I am not saying he would be a great forward but as he has height, experience, can read the play and take a nice mark. With those attributes and with Garland back in defence ( who by the way also could be tried forward ) and our lack of marking up forward, I would have thought he would be worth the chance for a quarter or a half. You never know, he could kick a couple and force the opposition to be accountable, thereby spreading the defenders. Petterd, Bate and others might then find it easier. Also on another topic, I wonder why no one suggested we sack the coach this week.

Current membership is at 28875 and with the win against the Crows and a big game against the Tigers this week, we stand a great chance of bursting through the magical 30000 barrier this weekend. Another good win against the Tigers would give us a good base to then attack our membership record.

Not surprizing when you have Sylvia, Jurrah, Aussie, Morton all out and Bate coming back from injury trying to regain match fitness. Also the young Watts is still trying to get match fitness with Casey after also missing a lot of the pre season.

Next week Sylvia should return with Rivers. Martin kicked three for Casey and he is a better option both up forward and supporting Jamar in the ruck, than Newton. Bit of work for the first time for the selectors.

Agree. If you look at the vision, you will see that the ball was 10 metres behind Steve when he was slung into the ground, with his arms pinned and hitting his head on the ground. Cameron Bruce will know all about this as Guerra did the same to him in round four when Bruce had 9 Brownlow votes in the first three games. Dislocated collarbone and end of season and never played as well again. How are you allowed to drive a bloke into the ground when he doesn't even have the ball. Guerra is a thug and I hope he gets his one day.

I hate these type of posts, as it usually means an injury coming up. Every time a new player plays a good game, he is the next brownlow medallist to some on here and a short time later is out for the year injured.

Don't like to admit this, but there are two players who I would not feel sorry for if they were taken out in a game, Guerra and Fletcher. I think that the Hawks are the thugs of the AFL, but that is no surprize when you look at their coach, just ask former blue, Ian Aitken.

Congrats Brad to you, your wife and family.

Thanks Ralph.

Just watched the first 3 quarters again on TV and was thrilled at the intensity he showed to the contest. He attacked the ball in a ferocious manner and it was great to see. He has a good physique and is clearly prepared to hit hard. His defensive efforts were also good. This kid has a chance to succeed if he continues to put in.

He may very well. Saw him on one of the sunday footy shows and boy was he impressive. He is an articulate, serious and impressive individual. Must admit I got a bit of a shock hearing him speak. He said that he carries around a notebook for any drawing, thought, poem or idea that he might have so he can read it later on and develop it. He looked like real leadership material to me. Very modest as well.

Agree.

I have just contacted an AFL umpire mate who told me that you can stand behind the player on the mark not next to him or in the 5 metre arc as defined in the rule. It is not a free kick to the other side. However he said "play on" should not be allowed while this is happening and the mark should be reset and from now on it will. Any heavy blocking to the man on the mark can be reportable. It now appears that the umpires will insist that the team mate be at least 5 metres behind the man on the mark before "play on" will be called. Hope this assists with understanding the rule.