whatwhat say what

Amazing report all, I can almost smell the linament! I'm pretty pessimistic about our year ahead, but threads like this are just gold.

The role he played last year prior to his ankle knack reminded me of Andrew Mackie from the Cats. Mackie is a damaging user of the ball who doesn't shirk his defensive responsibilities and yet also pushes forward at times to be an offensive threat. If Watts can be our version of that he'll be a very handy player to have in the side.

Which commentator was it that was screaming for him to be played down back a few years ago? I know Malthouse said it in 2012 but I seem to recall someone saying it back in 2010 or so.

Hawks Swans Cats Dockers Eagles Pies Bombers Crows ------------- Lions Tigers Kangaroos Blues Saints Power Demons Suns Dogs Giants

I still think Scully will end up a star. He was rated the clear standout of his draft year for a reason.

Neeld has thus far shown a preference for a back 7 with one extra pushing back when possession is lost in the forward half. It's the classic Collingwood under Malthouse structure. I'd expect Frawley, McDonald and Watts to be certainties, Dunn and Garland likely, alongside Strauss and Nicholson also there as the 'smalls'. Watts is likely to play that too - think of him matching up on Greene, Swan etc last year - but he got turned inside-out a bit too much for my liking and had goals kicked on him. I prefer Garland in that sort of role, he matches up well on the likes of Milne and other dedicated small forwards. It's definitely going to be interesting to see how it all comes together down back in 2013.

Denham is off his rocker - North offered their second round pick for Ben Jacobs from Port Adelaide in the first week and when the deal didn't materialise in the first fortnight of trade month, they were never going to use it on Watts - it was effectively 'set aside' for Jacobs. Typical from that journo really, he's notorious for just making stuff up. Watts needs to work a lot harder with and without the ball, on the field and off. He had the skills but his desire to be a great rather than very good AFL player is my biggest query with him.

That's Billings I'd wager. Looks like he'll be a star.

Very interesting take on it.

kicks: grimes handballs: jones disposals: grimes tackles: mckenzie marks: howe goals: dawes

Read it on BPL earlier today - top work.

What a shame, he looked such a promising player.

Age story: http://m.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/dees-charges-revealed-20130107-2ccw7.html Dees charges revealed Etc.

Boys will be boys? Idiots will be idiots, bogans will be bogans, discipline will be metered out!

I don't think, even if he was suspended for 10 rounds, that he'd necessarily come back in round 11. He might not even come back in round 11 - he might need some match play as opposed to training only first. Half a season is a long time not to be able to play competitive football. Only taking part in training is one thing, but playing the game is a whole other.

I still think there will be punishment for the club in some way shape or form. The timing seems extraordinarily cynical but right in keeping with the AFL's modus operandi - it'll be designed to steal headlines from the tennis.

don't suppose you asked him whether he's expecting to be more a permanent piece of the midfield puzzle in 2013?

Saw Boyd, Billings and Aish this year - I actually thought Billings was the one with the most absolute class. He looked a gem. Boyd has all the hallmarks of a #1 pick about him - that classic big unit that can dominate a forward line.

very interesting that anderson is going this next week. the investigation must be over. results in february i'd guess.

Could be a great idea, might not, won't hurt to try.

I would've loved Viney in #31, but very happy to see the skipper in it.

Shame, as he's already behind on his program and now he'll be further behind. He's going to be vital for us in 2013 so here's hoping his conditioning is not greatly affected as a result of the injury.

i'd love it to be garlett - as nomoremrniceguy says, it's the opportunity to give a super talent a chance and prove that the culture we are building is strong enough to take a wayward boy and turn him into a mature man. i expect it'll be colquhoun or some other bloke none of us have ever heard of based upon our later picks in the national draft.

that's awesome. my guess is the story isn't meant to be 'out' yet, but this is what happens. thoguht it might be viney that got it, but very happy to see someone such as grimes don the #31. break the curse, jack, break the curse.

Grundy. Incredibly gifted big lad.