Nasher

Anyone got any football reasons for passing, or is it all just personal?

Nitpicking I know, but Swan undoubtedly qualifies.

Embarrassed to say I've never heard of him. Have mostly been inside a cocoon this year, and the only Brisbane game I saw was when we played them.

They played 6 more games. It makes a big difference in an "everyone gets ranked" system. I don't reckon Burgs will be too far off, though surely McDonald was an oversight.

In 2014 he had 200 kicks to 185 handballs. Seems to a high ratio for someone whose first instinct is to hand off. In other seasons his kick to handball ratio has been even higher. Like most of the other people criticising his disposal, you're dead set just making stuff up to justify your bias. It's getting pretty tedious and was clearly not the intention for this thread.

Me too. It might be a little bit MFCSSish, but I'm setting my expectations very low to avoid disappointment (so the worst case is nothing, and best case is I'm pleasantly surprised). Even if he does sign up again, I'd think there's some doubt about whether he'll actually be physically or mentally capable of seeing a comeback through. I don't want to rain on others' parades though as others are clearly excited about the possibility of his return, so I'll only say this once and won't keep repeating myself.

Thanks guys. Sounds like it's probably a pass then.

Except for that other side that was worse.

Bummer that his pre-season start will be delayed, but I'll take it over the alternative. A relief!

Jeez, can't Roosy see that it was just a hilarious joke? Come on Roosy, don't be so PC. Every now and again a thread on Demonland makes me feel sick. This is one of those occasions. I wasn't even that angry at the actions of the players - it was one of those "oh you bloody idiots" moments, but the response on here has me completely incensed. If I'm being brutally honest, it makes me question whether I belong as a member of this community or not.

I thought Polkinghorne looked the goods a few years ago (remember, Goodvibes? ) - decent sized mid who likes a goal. Would love to know what went wrong here - 11 games in '13 and 2 in '14. Injuries? Anyway, he's the only one of those delisted Lions I'd do anything more than raise an eyebrow at.

Thank you, posted my thoughts exactly. Like you I'm happy just to dismiss it as thoughtless stupidity, but I still shake my head that, when faced with literally unlimited choice for costume, you'd choose to make light of a convicted paedophile.

Why is everything we do now suddenly an "experiment"? The Casey alignment is not an experiment, it's a bona fide business agreement that has been in place for a number of years now. Anyway, I didn't hear too many people bemoaning the "abject failure" of the alignment when Casey were regularly finishing top 4. I realise it doesn't look good now as their team is struggling on and off the field and they're struggling to attract good quality VFL players, but I wish we wouldn't carry on as if this is always how it's been.

Sorry all, I made a mistake in the thread title. I meant to call it "another opportunity to have a crack at Watts". Don't know why I bothered.

My favourite award. Six of them this year. #2 Nathan Jones continued his trajectory of steady improvement and has developed in to an absolute class player. Not to mention indestructable - he's missed one game in the last five seasons. Incredible effort. #4 Jack Watts cops heaps of criticism from fans and the media alike, but I doubt anyone would argue against the notion that he's close to our most reliable user of the ball, especially by foot. Personally, whenever he had the ball, I have complete faith that it won't go to waste. Roos' repeated public defence of Watts in conjunction with not missing a game makes me think the coach just does not share the view of the average member of the public on Watts.. #12 Dom Tyson has been a revelation. Bull of a midfielder who can go forward and kick goals. Like Vince, was crucial to the improvement of our midfield this year. It's bloody scary to think what we'd have looked like without these two. Man crush. #14 Lynden Dunn had easily the best season of his career. Looked very settled in the back line and seems to have eradicated the silly business from his game, turning in to a reliable defender. He has proven difficult to beat one-on-one, uses the ball well out of the backline, and has developed leadership skills. For me it was a surprising and very pleasing change of fortunes. #23 Bernie Vince added a touch of class which was much needed to our side. Personally I don't think he's reached the heights he did at Adelaide or for us during the preseason, but his recruitment has been vital to improving our side. Very pleased with this astute piece of trading. #38 Jeremy Howe used his marking prowess to good effect in the back line. Strugged early in the year - particularly in the forward line - but looked pretty decent in the latter half of the year I thought, having adjusted to defence and trusting his marking skills down there. He's a very good judge of play and has the best hands I've ever seen. Roos has said he expects Howe to find his way back in to the forward line - it'll be interesting to see whether that happens next year or takes longer than that. I expect all six of these players to feature heavily in this year's B&F along with Ro Bail and Tom McDonald who played 21 of the 22 games. Well done lads.

Seems surprising, but that's what it says on the AFL site. Clint Jones too.

Fingers crossed. It would be heartbreaking if he's done another ACL - more for him than anything else.

Yep, I saw that too Redleg. It seems to be fairly typical; umpires putting the whistle away during close matches when the ball is inside 50 for fear of making a mistake. It resulted in a number of clear frees being overlooked. Richmond were very, very lucky.

The first half was a tough contest, the third quarter was a blowout, and the last quarter was (in my opinion) an entertaining shootout/goal fest. Even when we were good, we were marred by poor skills. As I said in the match day thread though, I can suffer that so long as the intent seems okay. Key learnings: North are pretenders and Brad Scott is the most dislikeable bloke in footy.

Haha, yep. Feels like finishing a really, really cruddy day at work. Can't run away fast enough. I've earned my break!

I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say: thank heavens it's over.

LOL at the North fans booing Jamar thinking he was Dawes. Well done, you vegetables.

Don't understand the doom and gloom this quarter folks. Hasn't been that bad has it?

Holding the ball! Fuck this game. Don't bother going for the ball boys. Let them get it and tackle.

Oh Riley. Oh dear.