Dappa Dan

Excuse me? Trolling? Again? Have never trolled. Don't plan on it. Check your facts before you accuse posters, and show a little respect. And no, they made the point in the program that they were dwelling on two separate players, and that it was vaguely comical. One with the surname Oliver and one with the surname Wines. Pretty much all their texts apparently were based around people who couldn't believe neither were on the ground in their starting AA midfield. Here's a little fundamental about the development of language for you. People don't always communicate in a way that both parties enjoy or understand. The blame doesn't always lie with the person that conceives the wording. Sometimes, often in fact, the listener/reader is just a dingbat who either can't understand plain English, or refuses to. Here's another fundamental for you. Check your facts before you go off half cocked.

Usually... in fact always... we look at a player and say "it's scary to think where he'll be in 5 years." Think Heeney, Hipwood, Petracca... This whole idea that with a few years of development it's basically a definite that each young player will improve. How often do we end up disappointed? You can't even say he'll be great one day. He already is. The numbers he's putting up, for a 6 week stretch, are top ten in the league. SEN this evening did an All Australian Midfield, and said that after their starters were decided (the usuals, Dangerfield, Sloane, Selwood blah blah) they basically had Ollie on the bench with Wines. Screw the development. Even if this is what we got for 12 more years... He's still a gun already. Potential isn't even relevant.

When he first did it he repeated in the media a couple of times that the doctor that treated him got Nicky Dal back in 7 weeks from the same injury. Now I don't want to tempt fate, and TBH I would worry if we brought him back too early, since he could reinjure... But it gave me cause to be optimistic that he shaves a week or two off the time he has out. 12 week injury Minus 1 for the bye Minus 2 as suggested above Already missed the Freo, Tigers and Dons games. That makes it 6 more games. Hawks, Crows, North, Suns, Pies and Dogs. And if it works out that way, then back for the West Coast or Sydney games. So that's McEvoy, Witts and whoever's playing in the ruck for the dogs. None of those worry me. I would argue Watts and Pedo will do very well running with Grundy, as his main asset is his round the ground work. Goldy/Preuss could do a number on us with their size, but I feel like elsewhere we have the edge over a rebuilding side. That leaves, basically, only Jacobs and his Crows... who currently would win a game against 22 superman clones the way they're playing. And if I'm wrong and he comes back later? It'll be only against WC with all their ruck stocks out. Or Sydney who will potentially be playing the kids by then. It's all coming up Maxie!

Rewatching the broadcast... Just before the bounce to start the second half I saw him doing a sort of hulahoop action loosening up the hip area. Hadn't seen it before, so I was very interested to see how he played the game out. The way he moved and the power he pushed through the area with... is it possible he played the first 5 games underdone, but structurally sound... And just hadn't gained confidence in the area post surgery? We know he'd play even with an arm and a leg lopped off. I'm hoping that was the case, and provides some explanation for his not having taken a game by the scruff of the neck. If you factor in him, and Oliver's startling rise... Then we really will be every chance of winning any game against teams not named Crows, dogs or Giants.

I reckon there's only a couple of situations in which you bring players to clubs. If you're the Saints and have heaps of early picks, then that makes sense. You could clutter your midfield up with more and more names that aren't making the 22 in an exciting and up and coming team. Or put them together and get a brownlow medallist if, and I stress if, you're threatening for a flag. Bernie's situation was good too, for a basket case club. Get a mature leader at 28 for the right price and give him 22 games a year to show the kids what it takes. Only other situation is on a dire-needs basis. After Croad, the Hawks were flag contenders for years. They got Gibson, Burgoyne, Frawley all as mature age defenders and it paid off. That's actually genuinely how I see us. The core future superstars we already have in Oliver, Petracca and Hogan get the big money deals, then after that you go find a Steven May type to support the MacDonald brothers. To get a Fyfe... He is an unbelievable player, but he pushes out other good players and we still have a need in one area. In an ideal world, get Lever... but we'd need to spend our first rounder this year and next to get it done. Personally, I'd give that for the kid. But since it's not happening, it's all about augmenting the list in smaller ways and focussing on KEEPING players. Others may want to see more, but I see the premiership leading 10-12 players in the side already. You can get more journeymen every year who don't hold the fates of your team in their hands. That's what tradings for.

1,3,4,5 I more or less agree. But 2... I don't think there's anything to say his confidence was shot in any way. Just got hurt. I'd be stunned, too, to see a kid's confidence be shot after one kick. Especially when he's shown in the VFL he's a good shot at goal from a set shot. May well ruin his career? Surely that's a bit of an exaggeration. If that circumstance is enough to ruin his career, then he wasn't worth drafting in the first place. I had the Weed vs McCartin vs the other young KPF debate the other day on here, and went looking for Tom Lynch's stats (the Adelaide one). His first few years were basically non existent. Weed doesn't need one or two seasons. He needs 3-5. Watts is exactly the same height (196cm) and took, what, 6-7 years? I am? He's been a bit off this year so far, but generally he's a good kick. Lovely action. I'd love to see the stats over his career so far, but no idea where to find the numbers. I loved his one from the boundary. Seems that kind of player. Misses gettable ones cos he overthinks. Then when the pressures off and it's one noone expects him to get he slots it.

Yeah. It's not a ridiculous point you're making by any stretch, and I'm not saying you're wrong or missing the point. But from what I've seen (just watched the game back again) there are players EVERYWHERE who collect the ball inside fifty, and look to dish off and actually actively avoid looking at goal. ANB has done it superbly a couple of times. JKH I reckon I only saw him a few times get a touch in the forward line, and had he been the same as Jeffy he'd have had a couple of shots at goal like Jeff's first one. Instinctual, high degree of difficulty, you'd-better-be-Jeff type shots. You're right, you want to see him attempt 3 or so shots a game, and he's not doing that. But while we're averaging nearly 100 points a game, I'm COMPLETELY comfortable with him not having a single shot on goal. Just would like to see more up the ground I guess. I think he could easily play a third week, cos I don't think he's been woeful. Drastically needs to drink a bit of his team-mates' coolaid though. Probably as low on confidence as anyone in the side right now. When he's up and running and the ball is sitting nicely, he can be a good winger/forward. If he gets selected again this week, let's look at it again then.

I dunno about that actually. Round 1 Goody brought in Hannan and ANB specifically to be defensive forwards. To stop the rebounding, which is usually the culprit when we lose. Obviously both have either hit the scoreboard, or led directly to goals as well. But I reckon it's the difference between what guys like Kent and Garlett bring to the game vs what ANB and JKH bring that defines their selection. Kent is good as a goalkicker as you point out. Jeffy plays every week cos, frankly, he's been great at both offense and defense. Even a bit of midfield. He's just about in career best form. Goody's been picking specific types this year over form. eg Weed played in a lot of games and didn't do much, simply because of the kind of chess piece he is. That's why I don't mind him playing JKH for two games. And ANB in general. We have a functioning forward line, and players in reserve to function there. As well as players that roll through there for only part of the game, like Watts Pedo etc. JKH and ANB do heaps more up the ground. I think if ANB gets dropped it'll be because he didn't get involved too much for the first time this year, and has Kent nipping at his heels. JKH probably will be dropped because he just looks out of touch. Really low on confidence disposing the ball both by hand and foot. I have a feeling the slow Hawks will really hurt against our pace. I really hope Kent comes in.

Hogan at training. Looks a lock.

Less a reflection on the current side, more a reflection of the fact we have guys banging the door down, and guys who need to be selected. Like Hogan, Kent, Wagner... Don't get me wrong, I'm a big ANB fan. But sometimes when there's selection dilemmas, good games can be overlooked for a recent bad one. Has been good though. I'm interested to see where Goody uses him matchup wise for the whole year. I think that'll define where he's picked, more than form. For example round 1 he was a defensive forward to deal with Saints rebound. Biggest concern for him also is he's undersized. Walked past him at the spreadie in Richmond with his folks, and he is tiny (actually whole family is). It'll be interesting going forward what he ends up becoming.

Agree wise. Plays tall doesn't he? There isn't a lot he doesn't do. As opposition coach... I don't even know what you can do to stop him. Tag him? Unlikely to be that effective given his inside work. Would just get 6 frees a game and free up Viney.

After round 2 I had us honestly at 9-1 before the bye. Now, I'd accept parity. Dons (already won), Hawks, Suns shouldn't provide too much opposition. Might lose one. Crows will slaughter us over there. North aren't that bad, and Pies just showed they can play well when they kick straight, and have the midfield to get on top of us without Gawn. Second half of the season though. That's where we sort the men from the boys. Very tough.

Frawley and Gibson... while one isn't skilled and the other is in a career nosedive... Shouldn't be underestimated. Bring in Weed or Hulett type (much as I want to see him) and the Hawks will be very pleased. Hogan could take on both and smash them, if he comes back and dives straight into work as part of the grieving process.

Oh yeah he knows where they are forward. Has earned a rest.

God damn. How good is he.

He won't be making the list. Donnie Jones is the punter and is a borderline Pro Bowler last two seasons. You can't carry two punters into a season. Even if one gets hurt,you just sign a random. Could catch on elsewhere though, potentially. I have no recollection of him at all either, and I remember some obscure players. Shame on me.

I love a settled team. Especially if it's winning games and structuring well, which we did in the second half. But... Out: JKH, ANB, Melksham In: Kent, Stretch, Benken (Possibly Wagner) I'm still the only person who likes JKH. But he's had two goes, in the Roosy fashion. And he's been costly. Is out of touch. Kent offers more in terms of pace and leading, especially if Hogan is out still. ANB has been busy, but lost his way today badly. Stretch brings more up the ground too, and I'm starting to really trust his disposal. Melksham is Goody's favourite. But man he butchered the ball and made errors. He drives me nuts. Rather have Wags in for that role, or Benken to add some zip in the middle to rest Oliver... which they're already doing.

HA! Ex demon signs with my Eagles!!!!

Gonna be a raft of changes even with a massive win.

Love it. Ox saying Etihad our fortress now. lol

lol

100 points up again. Without Weed, Hogan and Gawn. Big, big thing that.

See this drives me nuts. I'm grateful... at half time I'd have taken a 5 goal lead with 10 left. But other teams against the dons who've hit the wall will win by 80 points... and one or two of them might be on the same amount of wins as us... Percentage will then be as good as 1 win. That's what big victories have to be seen as.

Less than 10 minutes.

Hibberd you are a star