Rod Grinter Riot Squad

As stated, going back to the OP - hypothetically (look it up) if fully fit.... Yes the odds of that happening are not great, but I am going off the OP. Based on what? His first two seasons, no-one questioned his speed in those two seasons and many a good judge had him as one of the best 3 performers from that draft. Personally, I thought he left Voldermort for dead and rated him on a par or better than Martin. He took on the ridiculous burden of Captaincy while way too young, something he should have never had thrust upon him and gave his all for the club, yet between 10 and 20 players have more runs on the board?. What a crock.

Not only turns up to training but does a hell of a lot of volunteer work for the club (often side by side with the players - one such time the Tappy conversation was held - as opposed to hanging over the fence). Anyone who thinks the players do not appreciate the work done by volunteers is kidding himself/herself.

Really? Bit of honesty too much for you? Think you will find it was said in a friendly conversation and Tappy agreed that if his body couldn't hold together he was going to be in strife.

I, like others here, have had the pleasure of watching many a training session with TDI. Have moved out of Australia so no longer get the chance sadly. TDI doesn't hesitate in expressing his opinion and is very much a half glass full type, but the sycophant comments get a bit much, just because he doesn't bash the players publicly doesn't mean he doesn't express his opinion. He actually told Tappy last year that he will be in trouble if he can't remain on the park for a sustained period, something that proved to be true. Rather than expressing doubts about people here, he says it to the players face, not exactly what I would consider being a sycophant.

The OP asked what would happen with JT if fit. For me it's a no brainer, at 100% fit, he would be one of the first players picked after Jones and Tyson. Whether we ever see him at 100% is another question, but if he can make it back he can be an out and out star IMO

This from the bloke who wrote the post of the century a few years back on ho we weren't to criticise the team as they were so young...

I knew what you meant, just having some fun

Geez, not the best sounding write up. Would be much happier reading that the poor kicks are actually getting better as opposed to supposedly getting better. Keep up the great reports though mate, bit far for me to travel nowadays

What annoys me is the discount being touted. Highlights the AFL's priorities that the 4 teams with academies are being touted as getting a 25% discount, but the father son selections are mentioned as being between 15-25%. There is no real reason these should be different (if anything skew them the other way IMO) except for the AFL's philosophy that all animals are created equal, just that some are more equal than others...

I am also sure he could have done a lot more in the AFL if his body gave him half a chance. As you said, good luck Luke

Not on last years form, but I believe he has the potential (I hate using that word but...) to be quite a bit better at the role (and yes they would have similar roles, with a fully fit squad it would be a choice between these two for such a role if they are playing well).

The big key for me is Fitzpatrick. Whoever said he wont make a number 1 ruck was right IMO, but he could make a fantastic 2nd ruckman/forward. If (and it's a big if) he can consistently perform to the best of his ability he could be a very damaging player and provide adequate back up for the number 1 ruck. Actually, more than adequate IMO. I am pinning my hopes on big Max long term and believe Spencil will be a very good back up if he gets injured. Like others I think this may be Jamar's last season, hopefully he has a big one. Back to Fitzy, my confidence in him took a hit last year, I was disappointed with his output, but I do believe he is better than he showed and hope he can prove me right

Yet another wanting to add his thanks for the great reports over the last week and a bit. Cheers

Silly line this one mate. Jetta will be a smoky for the other reasons that you have listed, not this one.

So many predictions I have made have been dead wrong, so I hesitate to make predictions. Like most seasons, I am looking at making the finals. Next year I want consecutive finals. Then a flag. Yeah I might be dreaming, but would prefer that to the defeatist attitude our supporters have had for so long. The weak clapping of "brave" defeats, cheering the boys off as they were so good to get within 2 goals. Is it any wonder our players have had a similar attitude for so long. Any decent sportsman goes into a game believing that they can win. Our players haven't had that belief for a long time. Self belief is a huge thing, if Roos can help the players find it, finals are possible

Thanks Bruisers. Such a pity we have had to put up with so much junk because a new poster used a famous author's name. Yet another thread on why Demonland is so hard to read. Reckon it's time some of you got over yourselves and take such irrelevant trash to the general board.

Wow, like C&B, you really have no idea. Need to simplify things to the LCD RPFC!

Hallelujah

Fair point and not one I had considered when making my post

Thanks Jack for your leadership in such dark times. You showed maturity beyond your years, shouldering a burden that no-one your age or experience should have been given. Hopefully with having the pressure of captaincy relieved you can grow into an even better footballer.

Can't stand the [censored], yet at the same time, wasn't our current messiah also OTC. I don't give a bit about his past but ask myself, could he help us. With a very young midfield I would consider him as a sensible insurance policy in case a couple of our senior players were injured

Port Adelaide did not want to sign up to the stadium agreement but we're forced to by Vlad. They only agreed to a 1 year deal (with a gun to their head) as they knew they were being screwed and knew the deal would have to be renegotiated.

Well looks like I differ from most here, as I reckon that Dom is a loss. He has silky skills with pretty good pace. Have been impressed when I first saw him train in his first preseason and while he hasn't developed as quickly as I predicted then I have little doubt he would have turned into a very good AFL footballer. I was happy when we signed him up to a new 2 year deal and am bummed we have lost him. Losing yet another indigenous player to a rural community is undoubtably going to damage the draft prospects from kids with similar backgrounds, sad but true.

Had many similar responses when I supported us putting Nev on the rookie list. Not AFL standard blah blah blah. If Roos is going to Rookie list Luke, it's for a reason. I hope he does

Correct me if I am wrong, but pretty confident Tappy has never got through a full pre-season. I would love to see us rookie him, if by some fluke he can get over his rough run of injuries he would be a better prospect than most if not all available when selecting rookies. I understand the knocks on him but have seen him play very well at Casey and believe that with a full year injury free he has the ability to have an influence on AFL games.