Nasher

Clear indication of no Spencer.

The record books show it the case because until recently the sport has been full of nepotism and a long continuous boys club. Very few people from outside the system get a shot - you only have to look at the number of players who go immediately from playing in to AFL level coaching - there's a pretty huge queue of coaches they get the privilege of skipping. The reason you can't pinpoint the reason why AFL coaches must come from the pool of players is because just like with other elite sporting codes: there isn't a reason.

It's only time for Colin if he says so. It was the club that signed him for the period it did. Not honouring the contract or forcing an early termination - even if it is a settled outcome - is not a position I'd even contemplate if I were in charge. You look after your players and you honour your commitment, end of story. As for Col, I'm gutted for him. I've made no secret of having a soft spot for the guy, and this just seems like such a kick in the teeth when he was already coming from so far behind. That's footy though I guess.

What's he worth to the team - not much when he's not in it. Was available for 3/3 JLT games and played 0/3 when we were apparently having dress rehearsals. Anyone who has picked him for round 1 fancies themselves as a better coach than Goodwin.

Have a read of the article. His take on it is that when he was senior coach, he lost sight of the things that made him a good coach - the empathetic, personal side of coaching. Being the senior coach at AFL level is the pinnacle - not everyone is going to be cut out for it and in my view there's no shame in failing, and it doesn't diminish your value at the lower levels of coaching. It sounds to me as if Macca has been able to rediscover the traits that made him a sought-after assistant coach in the first place, which is fantastic for us and him.

How come?

Sure will, if there's not a current one running. I don't think 2000 page threads that run for 10 years are generally practical. Different story if there's already one active.

I thought the comment "I thought I'd come back in good nick, but that didn't really work out" was interesting. I wonder what the blocker was? It's probably unrealistic to expect a 19 year old to have the full discipline and thorough understanding of their own body to know how to return in peak shape. It's easy to get caught up in setting the bar unreasonably high when it comes to young talent like him, when we're all itching to see him at full flight.

I missed the last quarter but Oliver looked exceptional. When the main question over him has been ability to run out games and stay involved for the duration, this was an enormous step forward. The kick down Hogan's throat at the last second when he looked set to have a running shot on goal was fantastic. He can handball in traffic like nobody I've seen, but any question over his ball use by foot has surely been answered now - definitely better than average. On track to be our best player, and soon. No pressure though

I gather it's slippery - there has been a lot of handballs to feet by both teams.

Anyone else really having a battle to find this interesting?

I don't think the insinuation was "average" kick; the word used was "butcher". I'd just scroll past any post that said as much. Anyone who used such black and white terms doesn't understand nuances and isn't going to engage in any sort of interesting discussion.

A real Angus Brayshaw type.

Nervous anticipation upon seeing the thread title. Relief upon reading the news. Guilt upon feeling relief. Finally arrive at sympathy for the player involved.

I think in the era of GPS, heart rate monitors and so forth I hope there is more to the claim of lacking intensity than "looking nonchalant".

Do you hold every other player to the same standard? How many tackles and pressure acts have you counted from Hogan so far? If Watts is part of our best side in round 1 then he plays - and surely nobody is arguing that he isn't.

"Christian Slay 'em" has a certain ring to it.

Glad I wasn't the only one who picked that up. I heard him refer to him as just Neal, and just Bullen at various stages. Clearly doesn't realise.

I've now seen Lewis twice park himself in the vicinity of full back and stop goals at points in the game where we might have started to lose some momentum. This kind of experience is invaluable. Still can't believe our luck.

No doubting it's a first world problem, however I don't think it's unreasonable to expect EFTPOS facilities at anywhere charging over $5 in 2017. Get with the times.

I reckon I've deleted more posts than I've made over the years. If you expect me to remember every person who has earned points over 12 years of moderating then sorry pal, but you have absolutely no idea. Don't reckon I'll forget you from now on though.

Watching the reply - I'm pretty sure Spud Frawley thinks ANB's name is Neil Bullen.

Like you're implying, I certainly don't like word "attitude" being used here. It may have been unintentional, but those using it to describe this situation give off an impression of conscious belligerence or rebelliousness towards training. In this case I seems it's more likely a subconscious relaxation of standards, and the response is nothing more than a reminder to him as to where he needs to be.

Oi! It's lazy, computer-bound people bringing you this little website you're posting your rant in. And my knees are fine, if not getting a little creaky these days, thanks for asking

Quite comfortable with this now. He obviously needed a refresher course in maintaining training standards and received it. It's a shame he needed it, but I reckon Macca is on the money with his "block-head" concept (even if the term itself is questionable) - it's clear Watts doesn't have the singular drive that the likes of Viney have. I don't begrudge that - I see drive as a trait just as inherent as talent - you have it or you don't. The important thing is that Goodwin and co continue to work with Watts to ensure the standards remain high rather than "disciplining" him, which is hopefully what is happening here.