Ron Burgundy

Neither did the Bulldogs.

I am very happy we selected Salem with pick 9. He will be a gun. And that's no disrespect to Zak. After all, I like all that younger brother stuff at the Dees.

Who does Lynch manage these days? Any chance he has Shiel on the books?

You're not the only one who holds such views. They're legitimate views, although I have a different view. And as to any further discussion on this topic with you, I'm tapping out. It's boring.

I've not ever stated that his conduct is 'appalling' - let alone, 'so appalling'. In fact, to the contrary, I've said that Frawley is absolutely entitled to wait until the season end and assess all offers made to him before committing to any club. I'd suggest you read the words that are actually written and accurately reflect the position that I have quite clearly put forward, rather than simply making stuff up.

You could possibly also post this on the James Frawley thread. Serves to show that the list of priorities differs from player to player. He's a solid citizen ole Nate Fyfe. Freo are lucky to have him.

Yes - from a completely clinical and unemotional perspective, I question his leadership qualities. The underlying reasoning for this is expressed to death above.

You've asked me a couple of times to explain my position in relation to Frawley, which, reluctantly, I took the time to do. So please don't invent a position that is clearly at odds with what I have stated. In this regard, I made it absolutely clear that, first round compensation in return, I'm completely ambivalent about Frawley leaving the club and, further, I explicitly stated that he's well within his rights to approach FA exactly as he has. So, there's absolutely no handwringing or bitterness from me. Quite the opposite in fact. I am now quite unemotional about Frawley and his future commitment to the club. My affection is reserved for those players who commit to this club for more than money - and there are more than a few players on our list that I put in this category.

From what I hear, it seems likely he be playing for a Victorian club next year. No idea which one.He's definitely worth a very high first round pick too.

I have not ever made one career decision based on money. The people with whom I work, the culture of the organisation, the prospect of self improvement etc have always been bigger factors for me. That said, other people with whom I have worked, in exactly the same position, have made different decisions based on similar opportunities that have been offered to them. That's why I say, it's ultimately a question of priorities. Some players are more dedicated clubmen than others - and that's not to patronise those who approach the game as a business. But, don't be surprised that the players who approach their contract negotiations, let's say, more commercially, don't engender the same affection amongst supporters as those players who make big personal sacrifices for the club, its success and the players with whom they play (ie, trying to keep the list together). Frawley may very well stay. I'm happy either way (as long as we secure good compensation, that is, if he leaves). Much, I expect, will depend on what other clubs are ultimately prepared to pay him relative to what we are. And, for this reason, Frawley is unlikely to ever be a Cameron Ling or a Boomer Harvey or a Nathan Jones in my mind. He'll be just another player journeying through the AFL. It's also why that 'loyal, country lad' rhetoric has become so annoying to me, because his conduct to date hasn't matched the words coming out of his mouth.

It's all ultimately a question of priorities.That Frawley is entitled to wait until the end of the season to attract and assess the best offer is absolutely beyond debate. Of course he is. That it is apparently controversial to suggest that such an approach from a senior leader of the club is not necessarily beneficial to this club in its current circumstances is ridiculous in the extreme. Now, I get that you think every player is entitled: - to seek for himself the best possible contract; and - to seek for himself the ultimate finals glory with another club. I don't think anyone would seriously argue with that. But they're not especially endearing priorities to a club supporter - they're all about the player first. For me at least, I'm not going to get sweaty in the pants over a player who is either mindlessly following his manager's instructions to the letter or who is simply motivated by his own perceived best interests. If Frawley were to sign a contract a while back, like Lyndon Dunn, it'd have been massive for this club. That he's elected not to until he's assessed all other options at the end of the year doesn't particularly endear him to me. True clubmen don't do this - after all, he's not going to be hugely out of the $$$ with us - any offer we make will most likely be in the range. But he has to love the club, and the concept of being a one club player, to be in that headspace. After all, there's a reason clubs like the Swans and the Cats have stayed so dominant for so long. Look at their leaders and then assess the behaviours of those players. No bounty hunters in that lot. Cop a tip - Tom Scully wasn't the first choice marquee signing for the GWS. $$$ alone didn't work for many players - it did for Tom. And it's the very reason as to why Robbie Flower is iconic at this club. So yep, in short, Chip is absolutely entitled to wait until the end of the season to make his decision. Does that approach make him a really good and effective senior leader at the club though? I think not. And, for me at least, he's unfortunately become just another player.

In my opinion, Frawley has always been an required player - perhaps even our most important player. But the way in which he has handled his contract negotiations has, to my mind, been disrespectful to the club - especially given his standing as a senior leader. So much so, if he decides to leave and we get decent compensation for him (ie, a good first round pick), I'm cool with that. In fact, I'm pretty well cool with anything and everything now that Paul Roos is at the helm. Edit: iPad typo

He supported the Dons as a kid and was absolutely stoked when he got drafted by them. Was very surprised we overlooked him with pick 19 in 2008 and instead picked James Strauss. That was our chance. We blew it. Not the only blown selection in that period to be fair.

I had thought he was a good, loyal, country boy.

And most kids these days are obsessed with Facebook and have not heard of Copernicus or Galileo. Doesn't make it right.

Yes - Shiel is. And from I've heard he's very interested in moving to Melbourne next year. No mention of any particular club though.

Absolutely agree with the sentiments. That said, I don't know about everything being forgiven for walking away after giving us a flag though. And by that I mean, I actually don't know. I'm only 42 years old after all.

Where's the loyal country lad in all of this ... or is that just some pathetic smoke screen?! That he hasn't yet signed up to the club - as a leader of the club - is absolutely hopeless in my opinion.

The current emblem is too stylised. I find it overworked/manufactured. It lacks class. Ironically, it no way does it look and feel historical either - and I understand that was one of its intended outcomes. It just looks faux.

In fact, if there are any Dees supporters watching the game at a bar somewhere in New York, please let me know.

I'm flying to NYC tomorrow for two weeks and fear that I won't be able to watch the Queen's Birthday game live. I would really appreciate any guidance as to how I might be able to watch it on my iPad - preferably live, although, if not, without the website giving the final score next to the replay. I have Foxtel and pretty we'll every product/gimmick offered by Telstra, although, given that I reside in Sydney, I am not an international subscriber. I'd be grateful for any advice as to what I should do to set up my iPad to watch the game live. Thanks in advance. PS. Canning the holiday is not without merit, but that would be tantamount to canning my marriage.

That we're even having this discussion says it all. The turnaround, in every single respect, is truly remarkable. We have credibility and upwards trajectory now. In short, we have hope. Genuine hope. It's exciting. Paul Roos will go down in history as one of the game's master coaches. He is just so bloody good.

Chip will stay.

They won't turn up feeling relaxed though. It's not how Port play.

We will need absolutely everything to go right for us today to have a chance. Umpiring, kicking straight, Port not kicking straight, Paul Roos coaching like Erwin Rommel, every player playing their very best game for the club, Port sustaining some key injuries - in the first quarter, etc. That said, I believe in this club now. Chris Dawes omission for this game is just too big to overcome IMO.