Go the Biff

Just from memory Richmond picked up the likes of Geoff Raines, Dale Weightman, Jimmy Jess & Merv Keane from the Mildura / Swan Hill zone. There were probably plenty more

I don't think there's been a rule change that's enhanced the game since they revived Out on the Full. Maybe the Centre Square but SFA after that

Quoting myself but what the hell. For those interested in a comparison later than the '80's / 90's a comparison to Hawkins is instructive. Hawkins, who came into AFL with a much more developed body, didn't become a dominant forward until his sixth season in the comp. In his first five years the only times he really looked like a quality player was when he played on Nathan Carroll. I wouldn't be giving up on the Weed just yet.

That's been my suspicion as well. He moves & bends for the ball as though he's wearing a back brace, designed & manufactured some time in the 1960's. There's been the odd week where he's seemed a bit freer but he regresses the following week. To my unprofessional eye it looks like a back issue he can't shake off. Agree with your last line too. We've put a lot of eggs in the Tom McDonald basket

No doubt he'll be back at Casey as soon as a better, fit & hopefully in form option is available. For his development though, I'd be playing him forward for the rest of the season with the simple instruction of trying to mark everything he can. Hate to use this bloke but James Sicily is an example of a player who's been developed really well by playing him at both ends. I think Petty has the basis of a very good skill set

Your old man is dead set kidding himself. We'd have struggled to field a competitive side in the gf. Flower, Wilson & Dean are just a few of those who'd have struggled to come up. That PF against the Hawks was brutal

Has he ever finished a game on the park ? The poor bugger just keeps finding different ways to get hurt !

He'd be getting on a bit but we might be able to snaffle him in the mid season draft

Liam Wale-Buxton. Recruited from Vermont in the EFL. Goes alright

Because he can't get a kick mate. There is a chasm between VFL and AFL. If he can't get near it at the lower level, do you blame some for being less than enthusiastic about his prospects ?

This is true but overlooked for the most part. A comparison to Hawkins is instructive. Hawkins, who came into AFL with a much more developed body, didn't become a dominant forward until his sixth season in the comp. In his first five years the only times he really looked like a quality player was when he played on Nathan Carroll.

This article was referred to in the Injury List thread & while mods may consider merging this thread, I think it's worthy of its own discussion. The stats are diabolical year on year and in reading the pre season training reports I didn't get the vibe that things were quite that dire. The comparison with the Crows fall from grace in 2018 is interesting. Would love to see their pre season player availability stats for a deeper analysis

He's obviously not what he once was. Before 7 lost the footy rights to 9 & 10 he was bloody good. When he returned I suspect he had to dial up the "Bruceness" because Anthony Hudson had pretty much spent five years impersonating him and continues that to this day. And it seems the Bruceness has been dialled up further each season. But he loves the game, loves it played well & loves those who play it best. That's not a bad thing even if he goes over the top a bit. His "barracking" was as bad as I've noticed it on Thursday but I don't usually notice any bias. He's cheer-led us in the past too - "The Dees are gonna be something" (we so weren't Bruce, unless you meant something shitehouse). As someone posted earlier, who do you replace him with as a chief commentator ? There's not a lot of obvious replacements. Clinton Grybas left a massive hole in the commentary ranks with his untimely passing. The VFL boys do a good job although their voices are a bit bland. Adam Papalia is my personal favourite - no bulldust, calls the game and calls it well. Aside from that it's slim pickings. At the bottom of the barrel, Dwayne Russell has given me the [censored] from the moment he hit the airwaves. But even he is preferable to the hell that is Basil. He was the reason my daughters first(& only time) heard me drop the C-bomb. He annoys me like no other and has near cost me a TV screen on a few occasions. I nearly hurled the remote at the screen during the tennis ! The bloody tennis ! How can a commentator get you that pizzed off in tennis ? He has a special gift

Seriously, WTF is going on ?

Was spewing we let Bishop go. 6,5" blokes who can run like the clappers were hard to find back then. Had a solid career for Port & played in their flag I believe

Sure was. Had one real good year. Might have even finished on the podium in the B&F

Think it was 149 and got suspended for the last couple of rounds the silly bugger. Doesn't qualify for this team though as he left Melbourne to return to Port in the SANFL

As I recall the dual membership used to give access to an evening in the MCC at a function with the coach. I think it was when The Reverend was at the helm. At some point after that they re-jigged the MCC/MFC thing & formed 2 categories They also gave a free junior MFC membership which was useful. There are a couple of Demon relatives of mine in their late teens, early 20's who were introduced to the MFC with one of these free memberships I'd imagine there are plenty more so that was a worthwhile promotion When things were really crook and our attendances sucked I used to enter via the MCC, get a passout, then enter with my MFC membership to increase the crowd stats by one. At the end of the day it's not about what you get - it is a donation. Rather than pins and scarves etc I'd rather the club just keep and use the money. How many scarves can you wear ?

OK - I'll go first Pats 38 - 31

Rams 28 @ Saints 31 Pats 34 @ Chiefs 31 KC should win at home. But BB...................... I just reckon he'll find a way. Again

Colts 28 @ Chiefs 38 Cowboys 17 @ Rams 24 Chargers 10 @ Patriots 24 Eagles 24 @ Saints 35

Indianapolis 28 @ Houston 24 Seattle 24 @ Dallas 17 Chargers 27 @ Baltimore 21 aaaaaaaaaaaannnnd...... Philadelphia 17 @ Chicago 24 would be equally unsurprised if I got 4 or zip

One of my favourite basslines to play when I were a young fella. Ripping song

Have you graced the "new" Caravan Club with your presence yet Nut ? Saw Mick Thomas there a week or two ago (he was fantastic as usual). Very different experience from the previous venue

Thanks Macca, Would be interested in how the winning tally stacked up against previous seasons. Seems this year more than any a lot of short priced favourites got rolled, knocking us all for six. Was pretty slow going for all until the back end of the season. Can't believe how quickly this one has gone !