layzie

They are the the epitome of a club with either crucial key pieces or deadweight. No trade bait.

Thanks for the tip Steve!

A good take on it La Dee-vina. I guess in some ways Essendon could be the easier choice but I agree that apart from some early growing pains the sky is the limit on the upside with the North proposition. Both clubs need to get their off-field ducks in a row at board level and administration level.

I'd be looking at him if that's the case. Rate his CV

Brilliant footy IQ, natural reader of the play and very composed. If Sam Weideman had Jake Lever's brain you would have one superstar of a footballer.

You'd be on my team at footy pub trivia Demonstone.

Do you just use Zoom/Skype for the video or one of those programs like Zencaster? Would love to know how you get the audio in tip top shape and what mic you use Andy but I know magicians don't reveal their secrets easily.

Does Clarko seem like the kind of guy that could coach with a succession plan in place? I'm not convinced that he could build a team with the view to a youngster coach taking the reins down the track, he's very much a 'my team' guy. Paul Roos was a different kind of character, even at Sydney he believed coaches had a shelf life (7 years or something like that). Yes he was someone who had the burn to coach again but he's also someone happy with life in retirement. The Clarko narrative is such a romantic one and it's hard not to love. Old club, new challenge, bring his staff in and clean house, it all makes a lot of sense. Does he have the patience this time around for a big build? Is he even used to coaching a cellar dwelling club? There weren't too many bottom 4 finishes in his time at Hawthorn so it will be new territory. I think it's a move the Roos have to make but I'm with you it has its risks and Essendon would probably be the better fit.

The clearance stat isn't everything that's true, but I do want to ask is it as meaningless as it was last year when we had our back 6 in perfect harmony and our pressure was simply off the charts forcing intercept marks left, right and centre? It's not everything of course but in my mind winning clearances this time around seems to have some more importance.

I'm with you. I reckon in another season with a better set of circumstances injury wise, personnel wise, JVR being more ready wise we would have a better chance from winning outside top 4. I think this year would be a bridge too far. Do or die this Friday night.

We should get a chart of the Telstra Tracker and marvel at ANB being near the top!

It gives you a good sense that our team is 'battle hardened' in the last month. I firmly believe this can be of great benefit leading into finals whereas Geelong have played 2 top 8 teams since us who may not even feature in finals. THEN you have the pre finals bye, how long is it safe to go without being really tested? We'll find out!

Agree, King is going to put it all together this week.

Rutten's situation has to be untenable now. I'm really disappointed in the way they've handled this and things have been rocky the whole time he's been there, it's a pathetic way to treat a coach who (not that it matters) seems like a good bloke as well.

I like the idea but I wonder if it would take the gloss off finals a bit with top sides playing each other in every game in the lead up.

I remember Eddie Mac saying last week that a virus was ripping through Collingwood. Really hope that's still having an effect (without too much ill health)

No, there was no ill intentions whatsoever. Pretty surprised at this response myself and I think you're jumping to conclusions. I'm sorry I said anything.

Pretty much exactly that! Make your loyalty portable. Was ahead of his time

Just make sure it's not a proverbial cliff..

That's right, but you're smarter than a lot of people too. Let's face it though, people talk in absolutes all the time here. Eg. We ALWAYS bomb it in, we NEVER use the corridor, Brown hasn't taken a mark in years. It's everywhere unfortunately.

What if we played everyone twice?

Ouch

Yeah for sure, you don't want the bar of success and happiness that high. I will still see this an an enjoyable season if we don't win it. Sometimes absolute phrases aren't meant to be absolute. Not putting words in anyone's mouth but it does happen.

Rutts needs some god damn stability in that club. It's been turbulent ever since he came in.

What on earth happened to De Gea? He looked like he was made of biscuits.