Dappa Dan

No. 2 small wins against B-grade sides when we had a lot of our starting 22 in... Means nothing. In fact nothing we've seen in this comp so far means anything, besides a bit of info on gameplan/style, which is something you can change with a directove from the coach. Dees have done absolutely nothing to show they're a threat at top 4. Top 8? Sure. We've gained enough respect to be at least considered, but we're not even there yet.

Simple. Make finals... everything else is small. There's gonna be some players find form you didn't know they had (I'm thinking Jones, Maric, Garland... one of those types)... Some will have huge impact in a few games, as what Gys did last season (I'm thinking Tappy, Cook, Howe those types)... And then of course a few players will do a Jamar/Frawley and come out of nowhere. I think Watts would be the only one I really want to have an individually good year. We have a lot invested in him. Maybe Scully too so we get more for him should he go... Aside from those, I'm gonna sit back, relax and watch us run teams off their feet. I've been waiting for this season for 4 years. Actually, for more like ten probably.

I was giving a friend an initiation to the Dees over here in the states, and as part of it I showed him the last 10 minutes of the Lions win in 2008. Was weird seeing Joel in opposition colours... He's always looked right at home. Exactly the kind of depth player you want. One who can play 22 games if need be and give you good honest service in the majority of those without starring. They can't all be Jack Watts.

This is what the pre-season is for. You can't fake the kind of confidence you need to kick 6 straight from all angles. SOmetimes it takes a number of weeks to get your engine up and going and get settled enough to be confident of trying those things. I'd like to see the guys taking the game on a few times in the pre-season, rather than just playing percentages now... and then when the real stuff starts, be unsure of whether or not to roll the dice on a risky but potentially devastating option. The one that looked like a bit of a mistake was the very last one with Jetta just falling over at the end of the port game. It didn't matter by then, so most probably would have missed it... but it looked a bit clumsy. But there again, he tried something, it didn't come off... he learns. Exactly the way you want it to be in this situation.

Eddie McGuire sees a team coming up and possibly getting in the way of his club's dynasty... what's the best thing to do? Unsettle them by starting rumours... Sounds pretty good to me.

Oh dear. Another thread shoplifted by the Bate nexus. Personally I love Bate. I reckon he gives you that big point of difference. He's nothing like a normal footballer. He's quick in straight lines for a big lad, but he doesn't turn. He has safe hands, but doesn't leap. His kicking technique is highly unattractive... but my goodness it's bordering on elite. The long bombs, both from set shots and especially on the run are remarkably reliable. He makes good position, has a good footy brain when the ball is on its way in, and he leads like Brad Miller... but then his awareness sometimes leaves a bit to be desired. He does a number of things so well that no-one sees him coming... but then against good sides he goes quiet. His biggest concern these days is, ironically, his teammates. Watts, Jurrah, and then a 50/50 of Green/Dunn (swapping as forwards or utilities further up the ground) will be the starting 3/4. After that I think Bate might be next cab off the rank for that spot on the bench, assuming Petterd isn't healthy. The issue is that there's a list as long as my arm for who will be giving him pressure for forward line spots.Bail, Bennell, Cook, Davey, Howe, Jamar, Jetta, Martin, Maric, Sylvia, Tapscott, Wonna... all these guys WILL play in the forward line this year. If Bate strings together a few howlers, unlike recent years, there's going to be a number of names screaming for a go... Get used to it I guess. Hopefully Batertron can find another string to his bow a la Dunny... He's definitely a very good player... probably would find himself a solid B-Grader in a premiership side... and they're VERY important.

Great game, and great win by the Pack. They deserved it on the day... though probably not through the season. Can't wait for next season. Jeez what a tough comp eh?

Jurrah!!! Have they done enough? Only 3 or so minutes left.

Can't make the game, am overseas. Good luck boys.

Getting killed here everywhere but the scoreboard. Can't seem to get it past the middle of the ground.

Yeah, I'm beginning to wonder if there's anything much to take out of a game with as big a rule change as the boundary line one. Our form so far has been good, but so good that people will start picking us for winning the thing? Making the 8 as a certainty? No. We've been keeping our heads above water, getting plenty of the ball... but we're not scaring any of the big teams here.

Down by 11... I'm starting to think the team who does the second and third games will have the advantage. We seem tired.

Out of the 6 groups of 3, the top sides will go through, plus the next best performed 2 sides from the remainder as wild cards. I presume the sides who win by the most will host the wildcards... but then I reckon it will depend on scheduling too. ie, if the Pies are the last wild card, I bet they'd still play at the G.

Good half of a game I guess. 10 point lead. Forward line seemed to have some good moments and bad... Defence solid.

4.3 to 1.3 That's a huge difference given the length of the game. You'd think the Crows would come out all guns blazing now. You wouldn't want to be done already with that big break and another 2 halves to play. Pleasing signs from those with vision?

Jeez. Already some big names coming out of the side and the season hasn't even started yet. At least he's done the bulk of the preseason and can still run. And he won't miss more than 1 or 2 real games. Midfield/wing rotations will be interesting now.

Yes. That's all well and good. And we have a compelling case... however, two of those points have ALWAYS been true, and it never stopped players taking the money before. Jimmy would be a hard man to say no to... certainly harder than any of our other presidents... but I keep coming back to the main problem here. Money talks. It always has and always will. If someone offered me hundreds of thousands more a year, that could go to my family... or to my ouse extensions... I'd take it. Pure and simple. We can hope Scully will be loyal, and dignified, and in some ways he will be, regardless of what road he takes... but I can't hate the kid for taking a huge paycheck. The truth is sooner or later we will start to lose players... I think the ones who have to adjust here are us. The onus is on the footy department and club itself to convince them and make it work financially. I have faith they will, but this is part and parcel of being successful. Players will leave eventually. you can't hoard as much talent as we have without losing a few.

Possibly not a coincidence that the exodus has happened at the same time as increased angst on 'land? Perhaps? Good work 'land mods... Although I will say that you're not a 'land poster until you've been passive-aggressively patronised by Rhino, PMed by jayceebee, or flat out made to feel like you're mentally deficient by Hannabal. The arguments happen here... and I hope they always do... but likewise I hope the mods don't get too heavy handed.

Rubbish. He was recruited to be a good player. Not all #1 draft picks are stars. In fact by my count less than half ever get to be that good. The club's recruited 40+ players and they hope that 6-10 of them will be stars. Besides... What you're asking for isn't a star... you're asking for a star KP forward. You're asking for Hall, Tredrea, Brown, Fev... Watts as a player I reckon comes closer in type to someone like Goddard. By far the best things I've seen him do are when he's playing outside fifty, using his pace a bit, and delivering lace-out into the forward line. He sees options and hits them up like a ten-year veteran. Like everyone I want him to be a good player, but I'm not going to INSIST he become a monster forward if his natural development steers him towards a role outside fifty. I would hope the club wouldn't place the kind of unrealistic expectations you do on ANY player at his age.

Jeez. Jim looks the best I've seen him in a year in that photo? How is he still going? Wow...

Not me. You know what would really scare me us if he WASN'T getting these offers. This is big time afl. This is the position EVERY club wants to be in. Besides... 1 mil a year will look like small fry in years to come.

Finally. Someone with credibility says it. The "grimes for captain in 2011" movement is completely fan and forum driven. He's certainly a leader and a credit to the team and recruiting staff, but fair go... If they selected him now, it would have been a colossal error. And saying any captaincy is certain is absurd. I reckon irbid mostly because some overly zealous posters need to be reminded of their place. beyond land and ology, you may have a point. Because it's fun? Speculating and predicting is what footy forums feed off. Also, brad's no spring chicken. I'm not saying he's a caretaker but we could easily be having te conversation for real in 3 years. Which is nothing in footy.

Contests brad... Now let's review the trolls from five years ago where people said he was soft... Pretty funny how wrong our resident keyboard heroes can be... This was the right choice... But at the same time you feel for Beamer and Aaron...

Good post. I'd put him in the top 3 for 2011 too... But top six is more of a general rating... One you'd gave to be stupid, not opinionated to disagree with. And yes, 2011 won't be our year... But significant steps MUST be made... Finals is one if them, and tomake finals we'll need the defence to be as strong as last year. He's the biggest part of that.

Of they found a female commetti, I'd be all for her taking over from mcavaney... Seriously I'm trying to sell the dees to my yank mates over here, and without a doubt the most amateur part of the operation is the commentators.