Doggo

Unfotunate, but, only 16233.

I'll be there. Mate of mine (and also fellow Demonland poster) will be playing in the game. Should be fun to watch!

That was round 18 2004, not 05. I was telling everyone how we were finally the real deal and this was our year. Man, was i wrong.

We as a club have been urging members and supporters help eradicate our debt by donating to the club. We're running a massive debt-demolition campaign, for the 2nd year in a row, so we're pretty much cash-strapped enough as it is. Paying out players instead of just honouring their contracts is basically wasting money.

Said Essendon player was former U/18 All-Australian full back Austin Lucy. Was said to be delisted because of attitude issues, hitting the grog too hard over summer, and coming back to pre-season training in unacceptable shape (i.e. very overweight). Is mates with a friend of mine, said he was totally shattered, but apparently never really had the mental capacity to cope with the rigours of footy at the top level. So it can happen, but i suppose only in extreme circumstances.

Aaron Edwards kicked 100.50 from 18 games, and won the VFL Liston medal the year prior to being drafted to the Roos, for his 2nd crack at AFL (after 2 seasons previously with WCE). He also kicked bags of 10 goals more than once. I'm not saying he's a great player or anything, but that in itself is more than Newton has ever done at that level. Edwards and Newton are different in my books. Edwards is a sublimely talented player who suffers from the lack of dedication, work ethic and attitude required to make it at AFL level. Newton is similar, but minus the talent. If Juice goes on to kick 100 goals in a season at VFL level when his AFL career is over, i'll eat my hat. He's a good, probably better than average VFL player, but i doubt he has the skill or capacity to kick more than 60-70 goals in a season, even at that level. His accuracy % is just too flaky. He's more likely to kick 75.75 from 150 shots at goal than 100+.

To put it simply, I just don't think he is up to AFL standard. More chances or not, IMO he's just not good enough, and his form in the VFL proves this. Nothing more than just a good solid player at that level, so my expectations of what he is capable of at the highest level are very very low. Will be very happy to be proven wrong, but i'm not going to hold my breath.

No to Seaby and Reilly. Seaby too old, not good enough. Reilly, likely to cost more than he is worth, and is also too old at 26. Also McKinley is an interesting one. He's only 22 years old, around the same age as Newton, Bate and Dunn, he kicked 42 goals last season and is on his way to another 30+ goal season again this year. Has stagnated a bit in form over last season, but it's been pretty well documented his dissatisfaction over there. If we could get him for cheap, say, 3rd round pick, or even better, for free in the PSD, he is definitely one i'd be looking at. He's young enough, and has been pretty good at scoring goals in a poor side. The only thing that works against him is that he is undersized for a KPP, so despite playing tall, like Robbo has for all these years, he's never likely to be able to take the next step in potency and dangerousness on a consistent basis. He is definitely an improvement on Miller and Newton though.

Certainly is the end of an era. Now only Junior, Bruce and Green are left from the 2000 side. Scary to think how fast time goes by, unfortunately without success. The gravity of this all, however much expected it was, is taking some time to settle in for me. Many many thanks must go to these three for their contribution to our great club over the last decade. Will always remember them so fondly, especially Robbo, whose number i had on the back of my jumper for many years. A favorite of mine since i first saw him, wearing number 42 in the reserves way back in 1997. Wrecker will always be remembered for his toughness and hardness. Not a huge fella, but packed a mean punch. And Wheaters, what a huge right boot! The NFL awaits for him u'd think... Pity not all three of them are named this week, would have been a tremendous occasion and almost certainly a win for the boys.

Geez Robbo, please go out with your dignity intact! Would hate to see him in another clubs colours (not sure if anyone will want him either). I really hope he doesn't go down that path.

No word on McDonald's future?

I reckon 23, 24 and possibly even 31 will be rested next year.

Who voted for Garland?!

Debatable whether Welsh is better than Robbo. But point taken.

Jamie Bennell not nippy enough for ya? On Cheney's pace, i too thought he was one of the 'slower' types, but there was one piece of play on the wing last week against the Roos where he showed some real toe. I can't remember what quarter it was, but he started about a metre behind his man, and finished up beating him to the ball by a few yards. Maybe not as slow as the perception of him might be? Anyone else recall the play i'm talking about? Really made me sit up and go "whoa"!

One particular game in 2002 stands out in my mind when talking abouts Wheaters. I think it was the week after Ox retired, when we went up to the Gabba to take on the reigning premiers, basically needing a win to keep our finals hopes alive... and against all odds we beat them in a ripping come from behind victory! (I think it may have also been the first year of our "home" games against the then-dominant Lions. A doozy that one was...) Wheaters lined up at CHF, kicked a couple of goals and setup a few more, and almost single-handedly got us up*. I too thought after that match that we had found our future CHF, but i guess he was always too undersized and light to play that position. Fantastic game though, i think i have it on VHS lying around somewhere. Agree with others here regarding the rubbishing and 'grading' of Wheaters. Very few doubt his time is up. But now, in the twilight of his career, is the time to look back and remember the good games and service he gave to the club. A bit of respect please. (Same goes for all those bagging out Robbo) EDIT: Just remembered, that day was also the 'arrival' of probably the most maligned player of the last ten years in Chris Lamb. I remember he towelled up Alistair Lynch, and looked so good. *Sigh* Found the details of that match here: http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/2...1920020707.html *Maybe not. Neitz kicked 7, and Daniel Ward 4 goals and 3 Brownlow votes!

Cheers Toot! I try my best.. Good call. Of all our young defenders, Garland's definitely the one who i believe has the biggest scope to become a truly elite player, ala Matty Scarlett. His balance, poise, reading of the play, defensive pressure, and offensive creativity are all superb. He's also surprisingly strong, even though he's not built like a tank. And he's seriously QUICK! That said, Frawley has got all the tools as well, just probably not as polished with his footskills and attacking side as Colin is. Both are crucial components of what has the makings of being an exceptional defensive unit, and i would be disappointed in the club if we were to lose either. Anyway, I certainly didn't forget him! Just reading back over everyone's top 10 lists, i think only one person left him out.

I'm surprised to see PJ in the starting 18, and i'm probably his biggest (only) fan. Agree. If fit, Jamar would deservedly slot straight back into the 18. (I can't believe i said that )

Agree, although the only reason i can imagine that an announcement wouldn't be made, is that Robbo truly believes he will play on next year, whether it's at the MFC or not. Hence, he probably won't have a press conference announcing his retirement, because he doesn't want to retire! He really should though. Would be a shame if he didn't officailly announce it, and in the end, ends up flat on his bum like White and Yze did after being delisted, nominating for the draft and eventually missing out. He's been a massive part of our club for a decade, he deserves to go out with his dignity intact.

No disrespect to the man, but i really hope he does. I'm grateful for his service to the club, but he is not the future, and keeping him on the list and playing him in 2010 will only serve to take opportunities away from guys like McNamara, Cheney and Bennell.

While i rate Warnock very highly, i certainly don't consider him "untouchable". If the right offer came along for Matty, i'd take it. Reason being that there are 4 other players on the list, each younger in age, and all of whom are capable of playing the same or a similar role to Warnock = Garland, Frawley, Martin and Rivers (as well as McNamara). They each have more of an attacking side to their games, Martin and Garland have versatility, and Frawley will ultimately be better than Warnock. And all bar Rivers, have a greater scope for future improvement. I like Warnock, but of that group of young KPP, he's the most expendable, just behind Rivers IMO.

Pity Aussie won't be available for selection.

PJ is contracted. Yes, i thought this strange also... No way he's going anywhere!

I think we can, despite injuries and their recent turnaround in form. It's at the 'G, so i'm pretty sure we can get up. They don't play the G well, even at the best of times. If it were over there, then we'd be absolutely no chance. But it's not, and as this is our last winnable match for the season, i really hope we go out there and give it our best shot, and GET UP! That all said, it's not the forgone conclusion it might have been 3 weeks ago.

Spot on. There's room for one more on the rookie list IMO. I think you are correct. I remember reading somewhere a long time ago that a player can be kept on the rookie list for a third season if they are from interstate? Being from QLD, that would mean Jake is eligible for one more year on the RL, if that indeed were correct. That said, i believe/hope we'll be upgrading Jake and drafting another ruckman to the RL at season end. Chances are he'll be required for the #2 ruck role early next year, and is probably ahead of both PJ and Meesen for that spot, even at this early, raw, stage of his development.