pitmaster

Precisely. I thought it was clear to everyone except the most wilfully delusional Essendon supporters that something like this was coming. Makes the trade a mistake for mine, but all we do now is hope that Jake makes it back with interest in 2017-19.

Excellent topic. Without doubt the PA has been and continues to be a source of evil. Their pursuit of free agency - and now to extend it further - alone may yet destroy the game.

The series started as a club's best fightbacks but the rationale seems to have changed for us to "best wins" I agree with the Western Oval and the Broadbridge games but how about Jeff Farmer running all over Collingwood with nine second half goals. Or the final round 2000 (I think) with us and the Tiges playing for a finals spot and us destroying them. Or preliminary final 2000 with us trailing Carlton (reigning premiers) all day and then running over the top of them in the final quarter. Or First Semi Final in the 1990s with Steven Newport nailing two 50 metre final quarter goals as we sink the Pies by 24 points? Plenty of others they could have chosen but the list seems too weighted post-2000.

Our charge into the finals...1987 style.

I like the new emblem. It is elegant and uncomplicated and has the only two colours we care about. But I also liked the old one because of the stories behind it. Come to think of it, I like the 1990s one too, that Ian Ridley introduced, with the flaming red 'M'. But I loathe the cartoonish demon on the 1970s one that some people seem to love. My two bob's worth.

Classic Demonland response to attempted conversation starter (aka: what an a#%@hole).

I have to say '94 was better because Schwarter was in full flight and had yet to do a knee.

Agree with those who say he overdid the negativity for this past season, but it's his thing and he is doing it for a non-Melbourne audience so that gives him an out, HOWEVER, the most disturbing thing for me is that he sounds like Nige From North Fitzroy. (That would at least explain the factual inaccuracies.)

Given he was a dual premiership player (1939 and 1940), yes I think you are entitled to be disappointed. Maybe doubly so since we had several others lost to the war. Football was part of his fame and is integral to his story.

You've cited four losses in games that we actually won this year...take your negativity and shove it.

Finally caught up to my Collingwood mate (yes, I know it sounds like a contradiction in terms) who had a few thoughts about Kennedy. He reckons BK has never been given a proper go at Pieland and played maybe half his 25 games or so off the bench. Says he goes very hard and looks accomplished at VFL level but this did not/was not allowed to (?) translate to the top level. Believes that if a coach backed him he could be a good pick up. Strong on left foot, has no right foot, small, tough, unlikely to displace any of our emerging midfielders but could work as a small forward if given time and support. Might surprise.

Please explain...or at least, elaborate.

Self serving valueless comments

It doesn't look like he has been watching us very closely. Wrong on Kent - injured most of this year but has shown plenty - and harsh on Stretch. But really, how closely would the Hawks have been looking at us anyway? He's spot on about Watts but doesn't offer any solutions.

Ben Niall: only a few clients but they include Heath Shaw (moved clubs but before BN's time), Chris Dawes (moved clubs), Howie obviously (moving clubs), and Nick Malceski (moved clubs). Two client endorsements on his website (Shaw and Dawes).

Reality check. If Howie was in town and watching the Teeve News tonight - pick a station, any station - he'd have noticed that he did not rate a mention in any of the trade reports which says something about where he sits in the scheme of things.

and with a grasping parasite of a manager

Wish her happiness.

It's a huge question and one with no answer. Let's not forget 'Clarkson style' evolved over time and is not one thing. Geelong style beat all other styles for some years now Clarkson Mark III (or is it IV) is dominant. It will be overtaken at some point by some shift in tactics which itself suits a particular group of players. We just have to hope we develop that group and have a thinker who knows best how to use them.

Haven't seen the interview but always wanted him retained. I don't understand the carp he copes here - I see him as a reliable third defender who gives his all and can play tall. Very happy he's staying.

Took the words right off my keyboard. You're exactly right on both the introduction of country zones and the failure, especially by Carlton who won the Bendigo League, to allow them to rotate. The zones were supposed to change their alliance every four years. Never did once Carlton, who were very influential in VFL circles had their paws on Bendigo. Can you imagine kiddies? We once had an empire like Hawthorn's and were hated even more so!

I started this thread because Frawley looked like such a bust for the Hawks but I must admit the past three weeks he has played a role. He has not been great. He has been aided by a dominant midfield and by other defenders, but he has done a job. Today, I watched him pretty closely and I thought he was shown up by Lake who was much more effective, but the stats and the experts looking at Kennedy's output will say he did his job, so I guess what that means for us is the big clubs will continue to treat clubs like ours as feeder clubs to fill up their deficiencies. If that's what free agency means then I will surprise myself and give up on this game. I hope we can improve enough with the young talent we have to get out of this mire. As for Frawley, I don't believe for one second that what he's feeling tonight would be half as good as the emotions felt by hundreds of players who stuck through thick and thin and then enjoyed success. So James, enjoy your MacMedal, but that's all it is.

Yet another masterful sweeping statement that adds nothing to the sum of human knowledge (and may, in fact detract from it.) Congratulations.

Possibly due to Gerard Healy, Nic Nat is the most overrated player since Craig Starcevic.

Sorry if someone else has raised this, but Mathew Lloyd on FC Monday night said Jeremy Howe's manager had gone to other clubs and found 'no interest at the price they are asking' and Jumping will probably stay home. I am happy if he stays but does anyone have any more info? Should the boy think about ditching his manager for someone who has a clue?