iv'a worn smith

Completely agree. For too long, even where our mids have managed to win clearances to make 50 metre entries, our options have been few. Mitch Clark did not play enough for obvious reasons, which saw Dawes about our only true forward option, apart from Pedo chipping in occasionally and Frawley making cameo forward appearances last year. Let's hope Hogan stays sound and with Garlett and hopefully JKH being dangerous as crumbers, our options begin to become more potent. But to try and sum up Dawe's performance after just one 2015 game, in the new forward set up, smacks of a premature evaluation, which many of us may have suffered from. Oops ...... yes I mean "evaluation"

This was nothing more than a reality check. The display on Saturday showed we can play very good footy, but as Roos pointed out in his post game presser, if you are not a top team, ladened with talent, then you have to sustain your effort for the entire game. If you drop off in today's modern footy, you will be overrun. And of course that is precisely what happened. The game was symptomatic of our slow evolution as a footy team. Our current structure is not set in stone, to state the obvious. Last week we beat a clearly below par Suns, while the Saints were beaten narrowly by GWS. This week we weakened badly to be swamped by GWS while the Saints beat the still below par Sun's by a similar margin to our win last week. The true measurement of our improvement on 2014 or otherwise is still several weeks away. Let's hope confidence builds.

I used to be confused, now I'm not so sure.

Living in the leafy eastern suburbs of Melbourne, I know quite a number of Hawks supporters/members. Most are 2 dog family homes and I think you can even sign up your garden gnome if you choose to.

No we haven't

Cut and thrust of informed debate is OK, but after such a great day on Saturday, there is no need for sniping. That said, I can't remember the last time we had the luxury of debating who should be in and who should be dropped for round 2, from such a substantial and available list. For that alone, I am grateful. Go Dees.

This bloke was pretty good.

Funniest thing I've seen on footy for a long time. Good to break the routine for the boys. Let's just take it as it was meant to be received. Do we have to over analyse everything?

Again, while I hold no sentiment whatsoever for Esserdin, where's the evidence?

Do you know what evidence was led WJ? What is in grave jeopardy is the efficacy of the very watchdog charged with overseeing doping in sport. In my view, this was doomed from day one

I can only guess as to what Caro's next article will be like now. A diatribe of self-justification and absolution I'm guessing. Of course the issue is here, we cannot be privy to the evidence presented as the whole tribunal process was held in camera. However, despite my congenital dislike for Essendon, I smell a 'star chamber' with strong political overtones, given the way this whole thing was broken as a political stunt, during a press conference. Now, let's play footy. Go Dees

Someone with the right editing skills could make this into a great ad. Understanding there would be copyright issues if the soundtrack remained. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcJR_FBpjTk#aid=P-WvSnJFZLU

mmmmmmm

SEN just reported that scans revealed no structural injury, but likely to be rested for next NAB Challenge game. [edit] should be noted that his foot was trod on by an opponent, so it is not the 'glass jaw' syndrome.

What? No Col?

Let's just hope the seal doesn't break.

I agree, the tanking issue, so called, is dead and we should move on with heads held high, into a brighter future. But for the record, in the AFL book of 'legislated' rules, there is no 'tanking' rule. Connolly and Dean Bailey were done for bringing the game into disrepute. The CEO walked away with his teflon coat still intact, only to get his just desserts a little later. in DB's case, he was made the fall guy and it was a blight on the entire AFL industry, that he was. RIP Dean. The MFC were fined simply because the people who were suspended were on our payroll. For those who practise Law - and I do - it is patently evident that it is impossible to construct a "tanking' rule, so as to be codified into the AFL rules and therefore such a 'rule' would be prosecutable. But if for a moment it were at all possible to construct a prosecutable instrument, in relation to 'tanking', half the AFL teams would have been also done, as all were beholden to a draft system which rewarded mediocrity and to a large extent still does. Perhaps a 'stupidity' rule would be more apt, but then if such a rule existed, many AFL clubs would have 'dockets' as long as your arm. However, to paraphrase PJ at the AGM, the MFC is a significantly different club to what it was 3 years ago.

GORE ....... Vidal, Doc????

A perfect analysis. Could not have said it better myself. Let's not give the F Wit anymore oxygen on this forum at least.

Ahhhh. Stampford Bridge is just up the road, so it may be a subliminal message to Chelsea Supporters. Good pick up DC.

Sorry DC. Call me slow, but that one went over my head like a hair net.

The old London grounds were and some continue to be like that. In 2007, I attended an expo in Earls Court. Pre expo drinks were held at Craven Cottage. Quaint name, but that was English Football for generations. Home of the Fulham Footy Club, the ground is like stepping back in time. Get off the tube at Putney Bridge Station and it's a short walk from there.

I just realised WYL that thou hast been dubbed "Sir". Congratulations, but perhaps if Sir Phil hasn't sealed the PM's fate, your title surely will. Went to Highbury to see the Gunners in 1997 as a guest of the club. Amazing experience!!!!. It was a Coca Cola Cup game - now the Carling Cup - against Coventry. While many of the stars did not play that night, I will never forget it.

That's drawing a very long bow I reckon. Imagine - PJ says, "enough of this, we are aiming to win the flag in 2015" Question from the floor - "How are we going to do that?" Answer - "Ah, I don't know, we just are" Cue the headlines in the tabloids the next day, and the likes of Robinson and Denham's editorials. Not good reading I would have thought. Cast your mind back to the prognostications of Wallace at Richmond and Carlton's ludicrous motto; "They know we're coming". Stupid and left both clubs open to considerable ridicule, both from the media and the footy public in general. "Defeatist"? Hardly!!!!! Just - and finally - a realistic, rational and achievable plan, both on and off the field.

After years of suffering inept displays on the field - generated by a poor list or not - and listening to "motherhood" statements from the previous administration, that were vague, poorly defined and a bit like listening to chalk squeaking on a blackboard, it is so refreshing to see people speak on behalf of this famous football club, who can articulate a vision and a strategy that is both practical and therefore realisable. While participants on here may disagree on a range of issues, what is so different on here now is that I think almost everyone believes we have the right people in place - finally - which will make going to the footy as a Dees supporter, a far more enjoyable experience than in the last decade. Well done PJ, PR and the Board.