Redleg

There is a clear upside to yesterday and other games like it. It allows us to see who are never going to make it and who might. Some players out there are just not good enough. Luckily we have a number of others who can be given a try. It is up to the Coaches to keep trying out the list to determine who has a future with the club and who doesn't. Softly earned reputations should count for nothing. If you are not good enough you don't play, end of story. Of course I don't put a 17-18 year old recruit in that category as they need game time to show their wares and time to improve physically. I am really talking about the 3 year plus players. In the last two weeks when I add previous performances I have just about written off Newton. He doesn't seem to have it. Sylvia is a few steps behind him. I am as guilty as everyone else in talking up players who don't perform and I am truly sick of posts labelling a Demon a champion after drafting or having played one fair game. I feel our recruiting has been good the last two years and if it continues we will see a brand new team in a few years. The likes of Spencer, Grimes, Cheney, Aussie, Frawley, Martin, Garland, Bate and their fellow recent draftees will lead the way. I can see exciting times ahead but only when we become fairly pragmatic with who stays and who goes.

That sums it up.

I am trying not to get carried away with a pre season game. However, knowing where we are at as a club and how important a message a win could have sent, I fully understand and don't disagree with your views on CS. I will now try and adopt the views of Fan, if they don't show it they ain't got it. I will stop hoping. Simple as that. Newton is firmly in that category as well.

Or should that be plays like "cheetah". ( Tarzan's monkey. )

I am hoping Zomer makes it but at this stage he needs a few good performances. Newton needs a good game. Purely on form Valenti can feel really [censored] off considering his game last week. Rookies do play in the Nab cup and Carltank for example is playing several of them.

WJ I still think this is the worst decision ever made by the tribunal and am still [censored] off we didn't fight it. For those that don't remember WJ is correct, Moloney was suspended for negligent play, in that while failing to make contact with Bartel's head or any other part of his body, he was still guilty of an offence as Bartel in avoiding him hurt himself while falling over. If I could relay a worse decision of the tribunal I would but this pathetic ruling was nothing short of a disgrace. How does the eagles broken jaw fit in with that scenario in the Maxwell acquittal?

After his intra club game I am pretty sure Cheney will play and that probably means Bail will miss out. Bailey did say that some of the new draftees would play later on.

x3. Don't get put off. Most people on here love hearing the bits and pieces that other people hear. It is all part of the fun.

Bail was in white and kicked a great goal on the run. Looked ok. Cheney was a surprise, thought he played well. Newton was poor and kept running underneath the ball, he was trying it just didn't happen. Jetta looked good as did Bennell. Wona trim and taut was great and Dunn has become a big unit and should play key forward in my opinion. Petterd was very good and Grimes is clean when he gets it. Valenti is a good footballer only very small and that will limit his career. Would like to see Martin let loose one day and see what he can do instead of being totally defensive, he is a big unit with good hands. Moloney is clearly underdone and many of the seniors just went. Thought Trent Zomer showed something with three goals and if he can keep improving is a chance to play AFL. He is about 195 cms and we don't have a lot of key forwards. Thought the disposal was slicker than in the past.

What do you base that expectation on?

You were looking at the wrong boy he has bulked up and played well.

Yes Valenti, Zomer, Spencer and Healey. Valenti was probably BOG he had the ball on a string.

What?

A good idea. They do both pay a lot in promotion of the city and the state and this could be a very good way to promote by using the AFL club that bears the capital city name. Certainly worth some serious investigation.

They might be a minor sponsor or just a donor to the appeal. I hardly think a major sponsor would blow a major sponsorship announcement in that way.

Or hand over your pants now, she may as well get used to wearing them..

Disagree. If he is we are going nowhere.

I hope you are wrong. It makes immediate success on the field imperative to boost attendances, revenues etc. We obviously cannot afford another 2008 season.

Are you suggesting that the Tassie game will draw 20000? It might be time for me to resume gambling and have a wager with you. I think they would be lucky to get half that number.

There is merit in your argument as if the Stynes led Board was seeking to replace the incumbent Board on the basis they could do it better, then they need to demonstrate exactly that. To date in respect to sponsorship they have not done so. The real question might be how long are they given to achieve a sponsorship position improvement, that is more sponsorship in dollar terms. When is the date for comparison to be. I would suggest that by mid year at the latest an examination of the comparative positions could be taken and we would know the answer. While we all know it is a difficult period to chase sponsorship I would have thought that a Board seeking to replace another would have had a few potential sponsors lined up before seeking to replace the incumbent Board. This does not appear to be the case. I must admit that is both surprising and disappointing.

To repeat my thread they could act now. They have done it with one game this week they could do it with our game next week. It would be more for the appeal and done while it is needed, now.

Or does he mean that we are now closer to our Nab cup game than we were a week ago and in a weeks time we will be closer to it than we are now?

The AFL has moved the Bombers v Dogs game from Darwin to Telstra Dome to aid the bushfire appeal. I suggest they should move the Demons v Hawks game as well and give all proceeds to the appeal. More Demons and Hawks fans will attend the game and spend money and donate directly if the game is in melbourne. With more food and drink and admissions tickets sold more money would be raised for the appeal. If the same was done in tasmania it would only be a small crowd with far less chance of raising money. Imagine 20000 people giving an extra $10.00 each that would be $200000.00 for a start. If there were 30000 then much more. Come on AFL do the right thing for the people of country victoria who have suffered so much in the last few days, move the game to Telstra Dome and donate all takings including food and drink and the cheer squads can collect donations.

Rollo I am sorry but I will have to pull out tomorrow. I have a committment that I need to attend to and yes it is of the four legged variety with a business meeting thrown in. Can I pass on my apology to all and wish the boys the best of luck in beating Talking Carlton. Jack will be able to demonstrate his fine coaching ability unfettered and could have his nephew as an assistant. Good luck Dees look forward to another fine rendition of the club song on the Net.

He asked if anyone would notice if Melbourne wasn't in the AFL. He then intimated that no one would. I think for a person earning his living from football it was a disgraceful statement. I would pose my own question, " would anyone notice if Dwayne Russell disappeared from the media'?