Nasher

Steve Smith has turned in to a phenomenal player. Doesn't feel like that long ago when he was a 21 year old not-quite-batsman-not-quite-bowler selected early, that had everyone going "bloody NSW bias". Just another case of mugs on the outer thinking they know more about the blokes paid to select the team, really. His early selection was an investment in the future that has definitely paid off.

Best of luck mate. Whenever I hear of things like this I try and picture myself in that situation, and the thought is too unpleasant to hold. Merry belated Christmas all.

That Spencer jumper tackle is quite possibly the best thing I have ever seen. I know the other bloke was only little, but wow.

Agreed Webber. Not sure if Nathan is aware of how much he means to us or how much this means to us, but he's taken up the opportunity to enter a league of beloved that very few players get the opportunity to join. I think it was Chook in Perth who made this point months ago. I was never in doubt that he'd sign, but I'm still relieved and bloody stoked. Grinning from ear to ear. Love you Jonesy!

Get down off the high horse and give me a bloody hug.

"Could be true" isn't the same as "always true".

This is not playing hard ball, it's called a negotiation. You're doing massive logic jump overtime in this thread. Honestly, calm the f down. Being down to a one year difference of term at this early stage is, for me, a very promising sign of early resolution of this contract, considering that this will involve (relatively) large $, and is a crucially important signing for the club. Hopefully the differences will be settled very soon.

Do you think it's possible that an interrupted/completely absent pre-season may actually hamper performance during the season? Could that be way the excuse is always whipped out - because it may actually be true?

:wetfishtoface:

Riley and Michie at times looked okay, but most of the time they looked well off the pace I thought. If Grimes played midfield, I'd be very, very surprised if he was behind them. Newton I can't comment on as I've never seen him. I'm really hoping Toumpas pulls way ahead of the lot.

This just goes to show how bare the cupboard has been, really. And without wanting to be too harsh on a guy who has just bowled us to victory, it probably also shows the overall worth of specialist off-spinners in general at Test level.

Seek help.

Wholly agree with the "made our own luck" aspect, but was it widely criticised at the time? Or are we counting Damo Barrett's "I've never seen him play but they gave up a high draft pick so it must be bad" as wide criticism?

Y'know, I had a pretty lengthy debate with myself about posting that knowing that there'd be a few comedians who did that. I came up with the wrong answer, obviously.

I'd like to know personally, so I can do him the courtesy of saying his name correctly. People often get my name wrong and I find it annoying.

Yep - this probably sums up why it's so hard to get any draft pick right. Parts 2, 3 and 5 require a crystal ball and are very hard to get right, it's probably 25% art, 75% luck (and 0% science). Part 6 is 100% pure luck of the draw. Part 1 and 4 are the only things truly within the club's control, with part 4 being the only one we can influence in the future, as you said.

Yep. I would expect it's pretty common for blokes who are used to eating like an athlete to ditch the exercise but maintain the diet.

I suggest it might be because they offered him a job.

I think we've all said our bit. Again.

Next person who says something like this gets a slap in the face with a wet fish. It is very frustrating when people are unable to grasp a point, so they resort to simplifying it down to a level where it doesn't make sense.

Not going to go on about it, my only comment is that if he is telling players on our list - particularly very young ones who are just settling in - things that I (and maybe the club?) thinks they should not be being told by a supporter on the sidelines, "don't read it" isn't much of a solution. No doubt you don't agree that he's doing anything harmful and you think I'm being precious. Fine. It's my view, and I shall put it forward, just as you have put yours forward. I love reading the reports. I love that he's got the confidence to say g'day to the players and have a chat; I wouldn't be able to do it. I hope he doesn't stop. I just don't like him saying "the supporters all reckon you're struggling", or "the supporters all think you're overweight".

There's no benefit in doing so either. Promote the player once he has put his hand up at Casey.

I get the not filling the list angle, but why did they pass for 7 rounds in a row then use their last pick? Isn't that just giving all the other clubs up to 7 chances to take the player you want?

Given that nobody other than a small few had heard of Aaron Vandenberg an hour ago, I daresay you're going a tad early. I'd like to see him play, or at least train, first. And by the sounds of it, he's recovering from shoulder surgery anyway. My money is on no rookie promotion for the first few rounds at least.

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