Tony Tea

West Coast's 2011 was based on the form of their "rookie" veterans, especially Glass (never, ever underestimate the importance of a linchpin key defender), who had top seasons.

Ling and Ottens are huge losses for the Cats.

Strangely, I had a grouse time following the Dees in 1997, even though we finished bottom.

Did I say "grunt"? Not the only one:

Where's the fun in that?

James Magner - Mags Rory Taggert - Tags Mitch Clark - Money bags James Sellar - Buyer Josh Tynan - Tyer Jai Sheehan - Jyer Leigh Williams - Willow Tom Couch - Pillow

How about an MFC list if Kevin Sheedy took the helm at the end of 1980, or if Dennis Pagan took the helm at the end of 1992?

A bloke rang up SEN to say Jack Redpath, rookied by the Dogs at about 60, was going to "tear the competition apart" and was going to be a "superstar". Obviously not an opinion shared by the recruiting staff at the 18 clubs who passed on him at the myriad previous drafting opportunities? My point? The proof of the pudding is on the horns of a dilemma. Might be a good idea if the footy world waits a while before pronouncing superstardom status on redrafted and rookied players. That said, I like that we went to big players and clearance players. Grunt is good.

Luke Williams?!?

Perfect player to dominate a final, like all those finals he dominated while playing for the Pies. FTB.

More Daniel Kerr than Scott West.

Les Carlyon has written many fine articles; even though many are on horse racing, which I have no interest in, I still read them.

Sports Illustrated: Caddyshack 30 years on.

"Lawdy, Lawdy, He's Great"

Mike Royko from the past. Grantland from the present. ESPN has some great in-house writers. Michael Lewis (Moneyball) writes great articles - The kick is up, and it's a career killer.

E is for Eishold's miss.

Melbourne was keen on Jackson Paine, who Collingwood took with Pick 50.

Is it 2009 again? Groundhog draft.

Mind you, if this year's draft was unpolluted Melbourne, who finished 13th, would have got pick 5. If we finish 13th again next year and there are no distortions we will get a substantially better pick than our (traded) 12th pick this year. Even if we double our ladder pozzy next year we will still get a better pick than this year. On reflection, using our compo pick this year would have been madness.

There would have been merit in using a compo pick this year, from a tactical perspective. Since GWS had a barrel of picks AND needed to build a side, they would have ignored the "best available" mantra and picked on a needs basis, which would have left some talented players in the teens. That Melbourne chose to ignore the chance to pick up a good player who slipped down the order confirms Melbourne thought 2011 was light for talent at the top end.

Unco players usually end up doing athletics and swimming and other crap "sports".

A reprise of the Collingwood v Richmond trade wars circa 1984 would be a laugh.

The Herald Sun sure knows how to milk a story. Today's "revelations" are pretty much a rehash of yesterday's story, with Mark Stevens sprinkling a little garnish via his "did he lie?" add-on.

This Tom Couch?

Sanderson is set to be appointed GWS head trainer.