beelzebub

No sitting back on our laurels today....or it will have making finals hardy worth the effort.

Just a good performance...not a win ? curious Only a win will suffice today. No mucking around now..TISM

Over this weekend we've been able to see our fellow contenders in action.An opportunity to gauge where they might be going into finals Richmond...yeah the pups went all out...did the Toiges ?? probably just a good chance to run some 'returnees' back into form. Probably a grand-finalist again Eagles...this will be fascinating...Lions on the prowl...they sniff something...Interesting game this one Collingwood. Gotta respect their ability to play and win...overcoming injuries etc.....the result of the above game wil lbe huge for the Pois. ... but they struggles against Freo.....freo !!!! they won...but struggled.I think their lofty ladder position flatters !! Hawks...you just have to marvel at Clarko...he da man. His charges are coming good at the right time of the season for them ( not anyone else..lol )...Serious contender here. Swans...playing well.....Hawks worked out what to do where we didn't ...I hope we were watching. Not contenders though. Giants....will be sore and disheartened after a MCG routing today. They are worthy of finals...but dont think they will have the men or the game to go deep. Cats gotta love how they are traelling...running on the very smell of kitty excrement....all washed down with Barwon Koolaid......chilled with blocks of ice from local bathwater. No soup for them Depending on how we go today....( as I could be made to look darn foolish...lol ) I see just three teams really in the hunt for this flag Richmond, Hawthorn........and US !! Go Dees

This ^^^^^^^ it skews the competition no end. Either they bite the bullet big time and reorganise the h/a season by whatever means ( another time for the discussion of merits of which way ) or it just stays the tilted inequity that it is.

A-game today boys..play it finals style. TODAY. Live rehearsal. No backward steps...no fluffed passing. No missing opportunities. Ramp it up and take no prisoners. The next level campaign starts now. I expect a pretty close battle until about 5-10 into last quarter...then Melbourne by 30 Go Dees....bury the dastards

Arguably the post of the year @praha Ah.. footy, it's a passion, for some a fashion, whilst others just give you a lashin'

Do it for Australia 11... I don't really care...but do it

Out qualifies the blokes then !! ?

Yep...that Kit E Kat is on the menu... Not tasty..not really... but hey

You're right....NO 8th v 5th 7th v 6th

Morning Eddie

If said star is effectively incapable of delivering on that STAR ability....what is the value ??"Stars" arent untouchable I very much doubt this is the end of this story. Cheers

hence my questioning ...if in the middle he'll naturally play inside...wings are essentially an outside role which Ive never noted Jack to do ..( thats no criticism, just observation ) it just would concern me that he'd gravitate to the guts...and maybe overload.

just as a sidebar...im not really inclined to believe anything from Ross He's probably shocked his side are shizen too ( we're not though )

they are a very different 50 and 50 though. I still much prefer whatever Spargo brings to the game..thats my preference I acknowledge a very good question LH...where does Viney play.....or at least....start

This is a question of curiosity. Why are so many prepared to put the player...before the club ?? Thats not to disrespect or dismiss the worth of anyone...but clubs win games/win premierships.. So says the great North Smith..and he knew a thing or two. Maybe we listen to his words a bit more and the curse might lift ?? Im not the only one here suggesting a balanced reappraisal of his worth/position to Melb is warranted. These are professional footballers who whilst playing for a jumper are actually incredibly well remunerated. He was brought in as the classic messiah /silver bullet type draft. Getting him will fix everything. He's but one player. At times very good, at others woeful in attitude. There may well be reasons for that but just like fitness..you cross that line you better be focused....or go sort life out. Thats not said in nastiness...just maybe what some need to do..Other players have. He struggles against better sides.. Arguably isnt helped by some coaching/selection but what is..is. If he get nullified in games where his real footy ability would be real handy..what value that ?? Im not opposed to playing him down back @binman will recall we discussed this exact notion in other thread only to be howled down by those ...you know...know it alls!! I dont think he's ideal as a mid either...smart yes...slow to react at times.. that burns play. Hes a very talented footballer...i just dont know what his position is now at Melbourne. Too many better coaches have figured him out. Ours needs to too and quickly .

The notion of depth caters to a requirement of a 'tomorrow' etc.. Its a little like a bird in the hand ,..two in bush etc.. You are always better off with Someone who can...as opposed someone who might... Jesse might make a Mid...others already ARE. Im a bit over everything is for down the track.. we are actually in the here and now. We need to play that way...imho

Where were Judd...and Buddy ?? Its horses for courses etc

Thanks 000 Interesting to see them opening up the contested space a bit. Absolutely necessary. Good stuff...good report. Cheers

It's a business. Get used to it. My concern ... and interest is winning... Winning a flag. Having a competitive team. I really couldn't care less who's in it. It's actually irrelevant ( to me ) . It's about a team.

There are established kids who bring more to the game. That's the point.

How bout we simply get a mid ,or two, that knows what to do ?

The impact to his possible market value is of course real. I personally don't think that would figure largely in the case of his likely suitor(s). The notion of him being traded, or simply going home is as old as his AFL career. I.e..not all that sudden an idea.

Funny ... in a fashion, in this thread some sanity prevails and a reasonable discussion of the good/bad/ otherwise of Hogan even allows the floating of the idea he play HB. Elsewhere it's lampooned. I never quite got that. Tmac was a fwd when younger. Indeed when drafted ( iirc) it was to play fwd. For whatever reason that didn't last long and he played down back ... until the clever idea of moving him forward. Hogan was a back. Might explain his god awful approach in kicking So why would you not think it a possibility to play him there. But ... he was brought here ( Dees ) to kick goals. His effectiveness is severely reduced against decent opposition who have worked out how to nueter him. Net result those games ... not a lot really. Games against less capable opposition he can/not-always have a day out. Could be argued that anyone could kick those goals. So is Hogan of any profound use only then ? This is where some, and I agree, think that Hogan's value to us may be best realised ... not playing for us. Many folk are now simply trying to find where to put him. For mine it's the trade table. Not because I don't think he can play. He can. I just don't think he's the 'result' we were all hoping for.

Meanwhile back at the ranch... I noted an article ( behind paywall...but quickly read at cafe ) ..Jay Clark HS ..other day writing along lines some here ( myself included ) suggest as to are we better/ worse ..with or without Jesse and what is his actual value...is ..as player...or tradable asset ? Almost like he read this thread ?? I still think it's a valid question deserving of more than dismissive rhetoric. Is he necessary to a flag ? I don't think as much as what his worth might get in some A mid(s) etc.