PJ_12345

Haileybury is the epitome when it comes to questionable scholarships. Around 2006/7 their tactics were pretty appalling - they quite literally poached a whole netball team from a rural school. They were the raining champions so Haileybury offered each player a scholarship and the whole team came. They did this in quite a few other codes but never had any success when it actually came to playing... Re the article its pretty misleading and all they are alluding to guilt by association. Scots is a very good school, cant see a performance enhancing type of program there. Just other schools kicking up a fuss re scholarships but they all do the same thing anyway.

Drafted as a winger, our midfield height pretty small bar Dunn, and a lack of efficient ball skills I can why he would be suited to be in the midfield. Would also be a rotation for Howe forward and create a mid who can kick goals. Got alot to prove though

Met a guy today who told me he signed up for the first time in 10 years purely because of Roos... also gave me 10% off because I said I'm a member too Paul Roos; getting members and saving me money

I remember reading an article a while ago which suggested he had asked to be traded to North to be with his brother. The Suns didn't like the offer and he re-signed. Even though Melbourne wasn't his original choice it still means he gets to come home, and you'd think if he still wanted to be traded the Suns would settle for pick 2. But as BH said there has been nothing more since the Inside Football article.

I'd like to see how Byrnes goes next year in the Hogan, Clark, Dawes, Watts/Howe set up. This year wasn't his best, particularly his inability to convert some golden opportunities hurt (think he had up to 5 behinds in one game)

Also looking at Hawthorn (3 PPs in '01/'04/'05), St Kilda (3 PPs in '02/'01), WCE (4 PPs in '01/'08/'10), Carlton (3 PPs '03/'05/'07), Better be a long time till they ask for a PP... *shakes fist* particularly you Carlton

What about when you only win 6 games in 2 years? What about when average loosing margins getting as high as 80 points? What about when other clubs say the AFL should help us as its a drain on the league?

How about some banter like: Kiwi [to Essendrug]: Ey bru, what do you call those guys at either ends? Essendrug: Forwards and defenders Kiwi: Ey bru. what do you call those guys in the middle? Essendrug: Midfielders Kiwi: Ey bru, what do you call Essendon? You [innocently walking past]: A hird of drug cheats [walk away like a boss] Kiwi [to Essendrug]: Where did you guys finish this year? Essendrug: 9th Kiwi: Guess the drugs didn't work ey Bru (the inaccuracy about wrong years, sanctions ect will [censored] Essendrug off) You [to Kiwi]: Who's your favourite team? Kiwi: Oh defs Carlton Bru!

I reckon Brisbane have to take a long hard look at their ability to retain their current players than trying to get Martin but it wouldn't surprise me. Wonder what they would offer both contract wise and trade wise...

Going to be a very entertaining GF. The best defensive team in the league (Freo) against the best offensive team (Hawthorn) Go Freo!

In the last words of Ned Kelly, forever ruined by Ben Cousins; "Such is life" No point looking back on this and getting angry. Reality is that we are the worst club and the easiest target. The only way this will change is through an improvement on the field... until then wear it but remember it

*cough* Tippett *cough* Draft tampering *cough*

Hawks are $3.70 and Freo are $3.10 for 40+. I don't gamble but those are pretty interesting odds. Also here are the odds to win the flag: Hawks $1.95 Freo $3.25 Geelong $5.25 Sydney $9 Me too but with Tippett out Sydney don't really stand a chance. He has let the league for kicks to inside 50 since he got off his suspension this year and combine that with Goodes out + young guns like Mitchell it doesnt look good. Also Geelong will have Enright out who they have always heavily relied on... he has only missed 7 games since 2007 and played in every win against the Hawks since the Kennet Curse. From an entertainment perspective - I'd like to see a Freo Hawks final. Shame about Ibbostson being out though

Odds and noteables for this weekend: Hawthorn $1.41 - Geelong $3 Rioli and Franklin both in Chapman out (suspended) Fremantle $1.30 - Sydney $3.70 Tippet and Mitchell out Ibbostson out

There is a reason why Ralph Carr is such a bad manager and only managers four players. Richmond's offer was on the table for 18 months yet they still stuffed it up.

Me too - I reckon he has been practising his golden parachuting

Spot on. Effective disposals was also a surprise for me.

Here is a comparison of Sloane and Martin on Footywire: http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?tid1=2&pid1=3150&tid2=15&pid2=3316&type=A&fid1=S&fid2=S Pretty intreresting

Swallow Sloane Martin

Ive popped Sloane in there for you guys - sorry I forgot about him!

Been alot of threads about 'who would you prefer' so I thought I should make one which addresses all of the options and with a poll.

It wasn't preseason and her articles about Martin have been littered with comments such as "someone should advise Martin and his management that they should back his talent and sign now for two years." She is far from fair. Not that long ago she said things such as: "Captain Trent Cotchin reportedly played host to Martin... [Marting was] something of a younger brother." - now she is saying that it will be a relief for Cotchin "the brilliant young player probably sits in the top five in the club's best and fairest, and near the top of the competition in score assists" - actually he doesnt even rank in the top 100. Rodan FFS ranked higher "he appears to have found a home at Tigerland where he feels secure, happy and well liked." She paints him as a great player who is back on track but the moment he goes to field other offers she has a go on FC and writes articles with no mention of his football abilities - just that he is deeply troubled and a burden on Richmond - essentially character bashing. It's weird - I thought you'd be able to relate to personal attacks.

I'm writing this regardless of if we get Martin or not, but Wilson's comments last night on FC were pretty rough. She mentioned: How reporters have been told by the AFL to go easy on him because he fragile Richmond is tired of baby sitting him (listed players he has stayed with and how they will be relieved) Told how he has a minder ect. Didn't mention his football, development or as Hutchy pointed out his bad manager - just personal attacks. Not that long ago she wrote an article basically addressed to him listing the reasons why he should stay. I found myself recently liking her articles and wanting someone like her on panels - but that was just disgusting journalism focused on character bashing with no comment about football

Not that long ago she wrote a very specific article aimed at him listing the reasons why he should stay with Richmond... Oh how things change!