pitmaster

Delighted to keep the big fella, but let's sign him to an extension for three more years asap. Freo, on this display have no trade credibility at all and Hoges should burn his bridges there. They have treated him appallingly and hopefully he will dismiss them in future,

Plucked from the obscurity of ACT football at age 22 and seven months and given the opportunity to realise his dream of playing at the highest level, manages well for a season and then is supported financially and medically for almost two full seasons of rehabilitation, during which time he is paid...at a guess, something in excess of $300,000... Yes, I say he does owe the club at this point in time. People, members, supporters, team mates, coaches have invested in vdB, supported him morally and physically and seven comeback games is not enough return. He clearly feels the same way now there is nothing between the Sydney and MFC offers and has chosen to stay. All football clubs are a community of shared aspirations and experiences where the journey together counts for plenty. Belonging to those who take that ride with you is what gives the experience meaning. It is a sterile place you inhabit, Cards, where the only loyalty is to oneself and one's close relatives. I won't be joining you there, or even applying for a tourist visa.

Wonderful news. He owes the club for the support he has had, but it's great that he wants to stay. Good news for the hardness of our list. Hope he makes it to 100 games.

Interesting to note that 2015 onwards no grand finalist has reappeared the following year: 2015: Hawthorn - West Coast 2016: Bulldogs-Sydney, 2017: Richmond-Adelaide, 2018: West Coast-Woods. Agree we would not have stood up under the Pies' early onslaught yesterday but we grew through this year and there's no reason to think we can't advance next year to the big one. Genuine pace through the middle with quality disposal is the missing element. Imitation of the premiers happens but it's smarter to devise a strategy that works for your list. That's what the Dogs and Tigers did. And the Eagles.

I agree. And what's great about it is that in 30 years' time Pie fans will still be complaining about it the way they do about 1979 (Wayne Harmes) and 1964 (Ball up rather then Pie free in front of goal with seconds left).

Relieved that the Pies blew it. They were outplayed for three quarters and it just needed the Weagles to put it on the board. Happiest mostly because J Howe does not get a medal. He and his manager made it impossible for us to keep him, and we were screwed as a result so screw you Jeremy.

Clearly not enough people read the papers regularly. This story about him running the family business from Melbourne was explained before our first final. Totally understandable conflict here. Hope he stays.

While it's unfair to lay into any one individual when the team effort was so poor yesterday showed us that Lewis is almost finished. His lack of discipline - thumping an opponent off the ball while the ball is in our possession near the opponent's goal is so monumentally dumb it is beyond words - and then his feeble misdirected handpass that sets up an early goal for them, and his lack of run says he should serve out his final year as part of the coaching panel. If he is on the field for more than half a dozen games I'll be surprised. Tyson, plenty of others have marked his papers and I am not one to disagree. Trade if anyone bites, otherwise depth only. For the off-season - Spargo into the gym to put some strength into his legs so he can kick beyond 30 metres, Max to kicking class - it's appalling that he replicated his Geelong miss yesterday, and how about a new team rule that allows players to take a shot themselves when they are running directly towards goal, rather than attempting a dinky 20 metre pass to a team mate with two opponents? I mean really, that has to be a rule? FMD. Recruit, either draft or trade, for some outside run. Our inside game is great when our heads are in the contest but we need to bring some dash. Maybe Hunt can be developed to bring that but it is our greatest need. The shame of yesterday is that we embarrassed ourselves and this is what will be remembered. Brayshaw was terrible and Petracca well below his best but they will improve. There is plenty to be positive about. The Weid next year will be less weed-like after another preseason. He was simply forced out of contests yesterday and monstered by men with very mature bodies. J Smith will get better. I was impressed that he stuck at his game after being moved forward. Clarry, Angus, Trac, Salem, TMac, Hoges, Lever, Max and Jack make up a powerful and youthful core that should be with us for a minimum five years barring mishaps. There is plenty to take out of this year and like WB, I don't have time for whining about 'we've had 54 years of this' the way some do on this site. Because for 20 years (1987-2006) we consistently made finals. Right now we have a group that's potentially better than anything we have seen in that period. It's not the time to focus on yesterday, but to learn from it.

Priority One - that was easy. Good luck to the rest of you. Here's hoping we get there.

Instinct - and Goodwin's record - says no change to a winning formula.

And it featured that sniping [censored] Michael Osborne...no wonder even Hawk fans couldn't muster any enthusiasm. Osborne was always code for cheating, backhanding hack.

Stevic's not bad. One out three at least.

Oh this is going swimmingly now. Thanks Mike. And Brent.

It's your apostrophes I can't tolerate. (it's knee's = it is knee's...err...cap?) Anyway you're right about PJ. Jimmy inspired Debt Demolition but the rest of the article is nonsense. How a reporter even knew McLardy was in the country is a mystery. What he has to say is worthless. Let's move on.

I can't remember the last time I saw us physically dominate a quality side as the boys did today. The Giants were dangerous while they could get their chip, chip, run and long kick game going. They have some great athletes. But it was our pressure and legitimate physical attack on the body and the ball that put us on top. Absolutely brilliant and terrific to see the Weid begin to deliver. He is an alternate ruck the like of which we have not had for years, takes a nice grab and as we knew - and saw - is a superb kick. Spargo too is under rated here...his goal assists today were crucial. But he does have to do some work on his deliberate shots. A really enjoyable game. Just wonderful to see Harmes and Vanders go to work. It really does seem anything might be possible, at least in the next few years if not this one.

Keeper.

Time that 2006 Premiership was taken off them. Punky was high as a kite. And doubtless not the only one.

Bad karma.

You need to watch again - OMac had no prior opportunity, just put his head down apparently for self protection so was never going to get a free for a high tackle but the tackle was on him instantly. The free against Oliver on the outer flank earlier in the last quarter which resulted indirectly in an Eagles goal was very suspect and despite what the pro-Eagle commentator/s said I thought the Spargo free was dodgy

I find opposition players easy to hate but I alway admired David King. Hard and skilled and strong: a great combination. He'd have looked brilliant in red and blue.

Clarkson looked savage on that result. Nothing will be forgotten by Monday. Incidentally, if the Saints were paid the 50 metre penalty they deserved with about one minute 30 left on the clock Clarkson would have been in an even darker mood. Amazing that umpires are red hot on players in the 'protected zone' even when they are clearly trying to avoid interfering with play, yet they don't pay the age old 50 metre penalties that are so often there for stepping a metre or two over the mark. Saints needed a lucky break...like an umpire doing the job properly...and didn't get it.

Correct me if I am wrong but Wallace said nothing new and said nothing other than to relate what we all knew. How can I get one of these jobs? Anyway, five changes: Wow! Goody gets fair dinkum!

The free kick count in the third term last week V the Swans was 8:2 against us. Almost as bad.

Stevic is OK. Handled the Adelaide ferals well. Schmitt is rubbish.

And has two more goal assists by hand...