Dappa Dan

I would have said Eagles and any of the NFC East. But we both know those games aren't contests.

Hmm. Yeah. From what I'm seeing they use the ball better than us at the moment. We're doing our bombing thing which has to stop if we're a chance. I feel like also, Hawks are playing out their skins... this is like an NFL division game where form lines are no indicator. Like Rams vs Seahawks.

I'd like to see how. They just don't shut up do they. The mount of energy they expend whining to the umpires... A very Scott brothers trait.

Pretty good comeback.

We have to play these scumbags in 2 weeks. They're smashing a team we couldn't get over too...

Jeez. Hawthorn aren't back to premiership contention again, are they?

Gotta have 4 goal games along with all the hard ball gets etc to say that. Judd is in a class of his own. Still. Best mid we've had in my lifetime.

Should be going into next week confident after a Max goal on the siren and a 60 point win. We won't though... What will happen next week? We probably win. Then drop two to two sides better than us in Hawks and Tigers and we're right back to being the .500 side we were all last year. Have we improved? Not on what we've seen. Gawn and Hogan are back, and in a big way. But the defense has lost its spark. lever hasn't gotten off the plane yet. I feel like things have shifted in the 22, but ultimately, we've ended up at the same level we were last year. A 6/10 side. Get used to a long stressful year. A lot can be fixed. Many are better than they're showing. We COULD for example kick to targets instead of bombing it long. It's been really, really bad for 2 weeks now. And the coaches will eventually wise up and educate the players to not kick it to the opposition. Look at the games of the other teams. No-one is bombing it long like we are. And against ball-using sides like Cats, Dons and others, we'll get carved up. Fix that and we'll come good to a certain degree. But right now, making finals is a long way away. Let's just try to figure out how to beat Roos first.

This post came a few days early. Lose to the Lions it'll be closer to the mark. We should have won against a top 4 side. We're not in desperately bad shape. But I think people can cool their jets when it comes to winning a flag. Won't be this year.

I've got OBJ in fantasy. I'd be pleased if he went ANYWHERE else really. San Fran... Rams... anywhere.

Hogan was guilty of running under balls on at least a half a dozen occasions. You can put some of that down to close checking and good aggressive KP defence by the Cats, who were really good in this area all day. But I anticipate Hogan will find form over the next couple of weeks, and get some confidence. His three goals will contribute to that... He normally reads the ball beautifully coming into the forward line. Aside from that, the cats have a focus on uncontested footy. That's why they had so many possessions and marks. We could improve in this area, but Goody has clearly decided bomb it long is the way to go.

Good god in heaven. Suh signs with Rams for 14 mil... God help the NFC.

That is exactly why things are different now from any time in my life. We've had some superstars, but almost never in the midfield (as I've mentioned in other threads). I'll take Schwartz pre-knees, and Nietz anytime over MANY so-called great players. But we've never really had midfielders that are just 100% class from the day they arrive fresh out of the TAC cup. And even though we lost on the weekend, you can see what we have as clear as day. Strap in.

I tell you what... there's hope for demonland yet. I thought this place would go into meltdown, but it seems people are largely trusting in the process.

- The issues we had aren't to do with talent, effort or age. And almost all issues can be fixed in one week. - All the improvement seen last year is still there to be seen, particularly with the midfield. - The opposition defended beautifully all day despite Taylor getting hurt, and we still kicked almost 100 points. And with Hogan having a dirty day running under a lot of balls.

The sandpapergate saga is depressing. Round 1 loss because of mostly coachable errors is nothing compared. All things are relative.

I was going for moreso the KP problem. Also, you can't say we could have used Viney when Dangerfield was also an out.

Nothing like on Watts level. I'd argue also that JKH doesn't cop it as hard as those names. Perhaps only cos he rarely plays seniors.

As would Tmac. And a fit Weid.

Silver lining... everything we stuffed up is fixable (except skill)

Heh. Yeah he sure is. TBH I don't think anyone gets whipping boy status anything like Watts. We may never see it again.

Each to their own opinion. I think he's better than at least 5 guys on the list. More importantly he has ingredients I think we lack. But as I say, whipping boys are called that because that's what the fans do. It doesn't speak to whether or not the player deserves it. I doubt, given the current list build, that there'll be room for many players to work their way in. Too much depth.

You know what I'm saying. He might have been heir to the throne for a while. Watts was king for 5 years... Probably 10. The king is dead. Long live the king.

It's all a bit of a laugh... but it begs the question. Pies first rounder next year. Will be a high pick. If they offered it.... Not that they will. But every player in the league has a price. What would be enough for us to trade Weed. Keeping in mind Tom Lynch (crows) was traded after a few years for steak knives and has turned into a gun.

Ladies and gentlemen, our new whipping boy... (Now Watts is gone)