Dappa Dan

Right you are. And the fact he was from Canberra... that's gotta be a risky prospect. As far as the thread goes, I think the above poster was correct when he said picking a risky early pick is braver than picking up a rookie, as no-one's expecting anything from something so late. I also reckon the drafting since about 2000, maybe later, has become that much more involved, and less hit-and-miss. I think comparing a first rounder now to a first rounder in the early nineties is a bit pointless. Very different situation.

What a terrible post. Yes, Grimes may be a leader, but he hasn't even cracked 50 games yet. And he's one player. Lose the leaders we've lost over the last couple of years and you're getting up towards 500-1000 games experience all gone. There's no WAY that information, along with the more mature bodies, plays a part in a young kid's confidence. I dunno about you, but if the most legitimate leader in my side is a 21 year old, I'll be stuffed if I'd be as confident as if I had 4 or 5 28 year olds running around.

Smedts at our second pick is pretty sweet.

I'm for it. But now that there's one less Vet, doesn't that mean we can pick up another rookie?

Nope. Y_M was right a very small percentage of the time only because he had an opinion on every topic. If you form an opinion on EVERY player, half the time they're going to be right. Y_M's howlers were as common as his "on" predictions. He just would grandstand so much when he WAS right. He was a witty guy, but in 3 or so years I didn't see a single post that showed he knew more about footy than any average demonlander. Not once. His talent was his humour... that was as far as his wit went. Seriously. If he comes back there might be more fireworks, but it'll also be far less populated. Demonland's great strength is it's for everyone... even those who are a bit new to the game. Y_M thought it was made for him... And if anyone agreed with him or patted him on the back, it only made it worse. My Avatar is a self portrait.

He got banned for being a jerk. I know of a number of people who stopped visiting demonland specifically because of his garbage, and his anti-Bruce clap-trap. And they've still not come back. The only redeeming factor was his sense of humour, which for an internet forum, was actually highly entertaining. Beyond that though he was a plague on this site, and it's a far better place now that he's gone. (assuming he's actuallly not still lurking)

Yeah. Pretty typical. No fan website is ever going to vote 100% that a player leaving was a "good" thing. I think it's a bit of both. For 2011, it hurts us. People have forgotten quickly what it was like to watch a team completely full of kids. Maturity is key, and with him gone, a big chunk of what little we had is gone. They are also quick to forget how good a 2010 he had. But there are plusses. The club stuck to its guns. It sets a theme here. Players in the future will know they can't "bargain" themselves into a position where the club will have to take a risk. And that's a good thing. All in all, I voted bad, because it'll hurt us next year. A 2011/12 retirement would have been more fair for both parties. But even having voted "bad", it's a good reminder of what a cutthroat industry the AFL is. In the past we've been kind, and it's gotten us on a fast track to the middle.

Yup. IMO ahead of Brisbane.

Someone voted for Newton. Love it.

People getting bent out of shape with phantom drafts... Jesus. After Gysberts went at 11 (and looks alright) and Talia and Black went much later, I gave up...

Was a F/S... not that impressive when you consider it. Bruce wasn't bad. There'd be better obviously... if you could be bothered looking. Davey is awesome. Hundreds of games, wonderful player, changed the game (albeit only slightly) and was nearly not even picked up.

Rubbish. You rely on 22 players, and by extension 30-40 players to get to finals. Bruce would be among the most important as one of only a few genuine experienced heads. Plus, these days injury has as much of a say in a team's results as any factor in a single season, and Bruce has shown that he's very resilient. Typical Bruce hating demonland tripe... Y_M started it on a whim, and it never quite got stamped out.

I think he'll find a home, maybe as a rookie. At MFC though? He might squeeze out one of Watts, Bate or Dunn... all of which are better players.

Out go the Johnnos, in come the Jacks.

Yup. Still a moment where you thought someone would put it up on youtube with some Mario soundtrack... Sure enough...

Snap.

The demons are having a big off-season in the meaningless games... The Nab cup is in the bank.

There's an "In Soviet Russia..." line in there somewhere.

Poor old Robbo. Had way too clear an idea of his own marketability, and how he was seen by AFL fans. But it's a chicken and egg argument. If he didn't have the ego, would he have been as good? If he hadn't taken those hangers and been recruited via Almost Footy Legends, would he have gained the confidence? I reckon the comment was likely tongue in cheek, or taken out of context. But then I'm a Robbo fan.

#11 is GAAAAAWN! At this stage, Gawn is the future for the MFC. No disrespect to the Russian and Spence and all that...

No. I just like to even out the abuse he got on here while he was with us. The fact that a fair few people on here felt the same way shows I wasn't being delusional or unreasonable. I go to the footy with a half a dozen mates and every one of them liked PJ. I thought he was certainly worth keeping for another year, but given where our list is at, someone had to go, and it didn't shock anyone. Do I detect a hint of knowledge there? Did you know something about Newton's retention beforehand? And this would be different from my usual behaviour, how? I was a staunch supporter of PJ's. And proud of it. I support my players to the hilt, and no amount of sooky old grandmothers on here who like to abuse from the comfort of their screens are going to make me think otherwise.

Remember Danny Hayes? Heath Neville?

Have already commented on my mistake. Have you actually seen this thread?

Contentious... I think he'll get picked up somewhere, but as a club we should get used to the fact that players some of us would like to keep are going to be squeezed out. Only Green and Bruce will be leaving in the next 4 years for sure... and even then Green could be one of these evergreen (pardon the pun) players. There's going to be a lot of kids moved on over 2011-2014. Gonna be some tough decisions.

HA! I must admit, I'm warming to him. The last thing we need is another athletic KP forward who goes outside fifty. We already have Watts, Bate and Dunn for that role. And since Day is already going to Gold Coast, from what I've seen Darling is the next best suited...