Vipercrunch

Bottom 4 for me also unfortunately. The main reason for me is the new coach factor. Despite how good many people think/hope DB is, he will need to learn a lot, and the team will need to learn how to play under him. The example BBP gave about the Saints is a very good one.

This "future security" you speak of shouldn't even be part of the deal should it? Surely promises of off field employment for the player and family etc fall outside the rules and spirit of the salary cap? I know this sort of thing probably does happen, but is it against the rules? Can the AFL do anything about it? And if not, are we basically never going to be able to hold on to stars or lure them from other clubs if we can't compete in this area (assuming they are looking for "future security")? Money (that which falls inside the salary cap) should have been little factor given we pay very close to the cap (at least thats the last I heard). The facilites... - well thats what annoyed me - everyone knows our facilites are below par (currently) - don't use that as a deciding factor in the decision. PS - Nice to see the cranes in place and construction commencing on our new home.

The last two posts are fine, EXCEPT for the fact he played the MFC and its supporters for fools. He never had any intention of playing for us. We were used as either a PR stunt ("Oh, isn't he sweet! He's looking at going to the team he barracked for as a kid!"), to push up his price or to appease his family (rumours of promising a dying relative that he would join the Demons). Maybe all three. I hope his groin problems continues and that he never returns to the lofty heights he displayed at the Eagles. Moreover, I hope Carlton continue to suffer at the bottom of the ladder. Since the AFL are too spineless to act, it is left up to fate/karma/Footy God's to sort them out.

I just don't like how we were played. Judd NEVER had any intention of playing for us. NEVER. He used our training facilities as an excuse, something which everyone knows about. He didn't need to interview us to find that out that we trained at several locations and don't have the facilites of all other clubs. EVERYONE already knows that. He only spoke to us to satisfy his family. Period. I hope our players see him for what he is and give it to him when we meet him next year.

Some difficult descisions to make in the next couple of weeks:- PJ is listed as 'Test' in the injury lists. As it's a given he would have to play a few games with Sandy before even being considered, it is probably about 3 weeks away from being a issue. PJ for me though. Jamar has shown improvement, but I think the form PJ was showing in the games just before his injury were better than anything Jamar has shown. Very tight call though. Miller has now served his suspension and looks likely to have to earn his spot through Sandy. Assuming the backline holds up (with added pressure from Fergs and possibly Bizzell in the coming weeks) he will be fighting for a spot at CHF with Dunn, who has been somewhat of a revelation. I still think Miller is the better option though, but he must regain his form from 12 months ago (maybe longer). Dunn would be very stiff to miss, but hasn't really done all that much early on in games. When the fizz has gone out of the game after half time, he has been much more active. Come finals, the bigger bodied Miller would be much more useful. But, I actually think there is room for both. We have had sides with Neitz, Miller, Robbo and Holland before, so why not with Dunn instead of Holland? Miller further out and Dunn on the flanks. Finally, the small backmen. Who are our best three smalls down back? I maybe wrong, but I think Whelan is a given. With Brown and Wheatley set to return from injury it seems 6 players will be after 3 spots. This is a very hard choice, but I will have to settle with Wheels, Wheatley and CJ. The two W's are givens for mine (assuming Wheatley can hit his straps) and CJ becuase of pace, flexibilty to go forward and because his in my dreamteam.