whatwhat say what

a fantastic year right up til the last saturday in september.

we're definitely a better side now - on field, on paper, all over - but that doesn't excuse falling into a massive hole for no apparent reason. we should never have lost from the position that we were in at quarter time.

confidence is a wonderful thing, and richmond have it. i'm still not sure we do. west coast and collingwood were very tough opponents, but fremantle were awful and essendon are clearly dropping off. north melbourne were nowhere when we took them on, and they dismantled us; worst of all, we gave up. our form is so variable that i have no confidence in beating richmond. which is damning, but that's another thing. jamar is so important in this match, primarily as he brings a real physicality to our forward half. looking forward to the game. hope there's 60k+ there.

i think one area we clearly lack in is a genuine small forward. if we were to trade a player to gws - say, for instance, morton, or preferably, bate - we could have a crack at 17 year old ben kennedy, from glenelg. absolute midget but electric around goal. but this scenario would involve losing both scully and morton so who the hell knows who's going to provide the run and creation of space around the ground.

ROBBED. twice in the year against the filth. impressive effort by the maggots.

watts lack of awareness is a huge, huge concern.

dick kills us every time.

morton doing really, really well on the wing / half forward.

miller gives us the lead, with 12:50 to go.

that umpire is a disgrace.

bruce used to nail those ones back in the day.

what've we got to do to get a holding the ball decision go our way?

we're fortunate they're so inaccurate. kids are making a few mistakes, but the pressure they're coming under can only be good for em.

pity - really wanted the lead going into the second half.

garland!!!

awesome to see rivers, garland, bartram all playing well down back alongside dunn up front.

if we, then we. aren't you one of us, ym?

niknat reveals he's only spoken to the eagles and the power...so far. prendergast spoke to him today apparently. about the weather, no doubt. http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/naitanui-t...sm.html?page=-1

whoever we do get is likely to take at least 3 to 4 seasons to adjust to the game. going from u/18s to senior football is a big, big step, and one that most players - the likes of judd excepted - need to take that time. we won't see whoever we pick at their best until at least 2011 i'd imagine.

i've been saying it for years. he's just not very good - an okay kick, but shocking decision maker with no lateral movement and zero awareness. clearly not a defender - give me ward, walsh and brown any day over bell. i'd still like to see him trialled as a tagger in the middle, but clearly the likes of junior, dunn and bartram are preferred in that role.

sounds great sydneydemon... but whereabouts?? what time? etc.?

what, both always injured but nevertheless vastly over-rated?

and that's the thing. it's clear that, in reality, the dogs appear the only side interested in giving robbo a three-year deal. but as a 29 year old with a history of knee troubles what is he worth in a trade? given that they used, what was it, a third-rounder for aka then perhaps a 2nd rounder for robbo? not enough for mine. and not farren ray. he's just like tj - no muscle development and skills that look fantastic but misses targets surprisingly frequently for one so skilled, and exerts no defensive pressure (which may have to do with the muscle issue). i think you can safely rule green out of being traded based on comments made from officials at the club. he's considered a leader. but, as most of us have been saying for about 3 years now, one of tj, green, or bruce must go for the betterment of the overall side. it's just a matter of what we can get from them to best maximise not only our benefit but the trading club's as well. i think a player like bruce could really benefit a developing brisbane midfield. of course, we may not involve ourselves in trade week at all, with bailey chalking up our shocking performance in 2007 to poor preparation, poor gameplan, then a poor injury run. we shall see.

they're called 'trade possibilities' for a reason, hangon. as i see it, the ones i mentioned would be the only ones on our list that perhaps could be valuable to other sides, and get us someting valuable in return. so the very reason that i suggested the players that i did is that i see them as being potentially valuable to another side, much as they have the possibility to be potentially valuable to us (if they get their 'heads' right, if they learn how to hit a target and not just blaze away, if they can kick more than 35m per foot, if they can learn to use their right side of their body, etc, etc). i'm certainly not advocating them all, by any means. but perhaps one, two, or three of them could be potentially beneficial for both our club and others too. you have to give something in order to get something.

your brilliant analytical skills and freely-given opinions are valuable and encouraged.