Nasher

A lot of people don't like having these discussions mid season, but personally, list management is my favourite topic. I agree that this year's delistings are going to be tough. Apparently Dunn and Bell are contracted as well -- these two would've been first cabs off the rank IMO. Pretty sure Newton also got two years at the end of last season, much to the bemusement of many. I don't think we'd want to have any less than 6 draft picks in this year's draft, but how do we come up with 6 spaces? - Junior (retire) - Whelan (delist) - Wheatley? (delist) - McNamara (delist) Additionally, we need to find a spot on the list for Spencer IMO, so that takes the number we need to clear off up to 7. Would there be any takers for 'freebie' trade in the 100s for Bell or Dunn? I don't know that too many clubs would be all that interested, but I think we'd need to give it a shot. At the moment I would think Buckley would be in the gun. At his stage of development I'd prefer to keep him, but I think we may not have any choice other than delisting him. It's a pity to delist one of our only line breakers, but space are at a premium now and we need to get rid of someone. Can we delist and then rookie him? Also, what happens if McNamara comes in over the next few weeks and plays well? What if Junior decides to go on? Wheatley would also be stiff to be delisted, but again I think we're out of options. I reckon list management is going to be tough at the end of this season.

Why?

Fair enough, I read your reply in the wrong context. Still, I think my post is just as valid as a general opinion.

Apparently his old man was a gun too, and just as tough. I heard an interview with Danny Frawley once about spending most of his career trying to get his brother to have a kick with the Saints, but he wasn't interested.

It's not just about the cash for the club though. If people have paid hefty prices for reserved seats all season and then get shafted by having to sit somewhere crap at Etihad, they have a right to be pissed IMO. It isn't just the club that is disadvantaged, it's everyone who has paid for reserved seating. (See condemned and pantaloons' posts). The AFL compensation makes up for the expense for the club, but it doesn't make up for all the paid up members who have been ripped off. I don't think that's really the point. Personally it doesn't affect me one way or the other, however I still hope Schwab fights this. It doesn't strike me as a fair or reasonable thing to do, it's about money grubbing and nothing else.

Late last year I'd have said Miller or Green, however so long as he can keep on the park, my vote's gone towards Brent Moloney. His game has gone to another level this year, and off the field he ticks all the boxes for mine.

Clint Bartram? IIRC he played all 22 in his first season.

Fair point. I probably contradicted myself there after naming Spencer, then saying Jetta could do with a run for Casey after not playing for two weeks. Upon reflection, I've changed my mind and I agree with you. Martin can play the role he played against West Coast -- basically follow Lynch in and out of the forward line / ruck. Do the same with Minson. PJ to ruck against Hudson. We'll no doubt get smashed in the ruck, but I don't think a non-match fit Spencer would really help that much anyway, and I doubt we're any hope of actually winning this match. I'm not convinced on the benefits of bringing in Whelan yet either. It comes down to the match fitness point, I'm pretty sure he's only played one full game thus far this year. In: Cheney, McNamara Out: Frawley, Rivers

That seems pretty weird to me. When I played footy as a kid, scores were kept from under 8s, i.e. the starting age for playing at a club, as well as there being a running ladder and finals etc. I know at a young age it's all about participation etc, but I don't see what's wrong with fostering a bit of competitive spirit in these kids. It adds to the experience when you get to feel the joy of a "win" (not that I played in many as a kid )

In: Cheney, McNamara, Spencer Out: Rivers, Frawley, Dunn. Unlike last week there's no "reason" for me wanting to drop Dunn other than the fact that I want all three of the others to get a run, and I'm not sure who else to drop. If Spencer doesn't come up, I'd leave it down to the two forced changes. With the two key defenders injured, it's surely now time to see what Tom Mac has. By all accounts he should be able to play a role similar to that of Frawley. Like for like change, and I doubt there'll be a better opportunity than this one. He's out of contract at the end of the year and his form for Casey has been good -- now or never IMO. Jetta hasn't played a game of footy for two weeks in a row now. I think the run at Casey won't hurt.

Great article, I choked up too. Anyone who has lost a parent from a youngish age would know just how bloody tough Clint must be to have pulled himself together enough to play on the day. I went through something similar to Clint and could barely function at all for about two weeks. Playing footy or doing anything that required even the least bit of concentration would have been utterly out of the question. It's an incredibly brave effort that I hope is not lost on supporters of our club, or on anyone else who follows this sport.

Strauss has had a long run of bad luck so far -- injured twice and now rubbed out after playing with the Casey 2s. As has been alluded to already, his kicking skills are apparently elite. I can't wait to see these in action.

It's a silly gimmick no doubt, but if I had to choose between the yellow number and the "designated captain's number" I'd choose the yellow number, purely because I hate what Richmond have done with #17. I've said this before, but if I were a footy player I'd want to make my number my own, whatever it was. I'd keep the number I was given from the start, be it 1 or 47.

Oh dear, how could I forget that! I fold.

I thought about that once or twice too. Don't even bother contesting the ruck situation. However, I imagine you'd still have to 'nominate' a ruckman to line up in the circle, and he'd still not be allowed to just 'grab' the ball out of the ruck (or risk instant holding the ball if he did), making it a very risky proposition for using him. There'd also be nothing to stop the opposition ruckman from just punching the cover off the ball and knocking it forward 50 metres. Entertaining notion at first, but totally impractical.

Bit disappointed with that to be honest. I hope the only change then is Grimes for Meesen. If there had to be a second change I'd choose Cheney for Bennell, but I think Bennell deserves the continued run. I don't rate rucks all that much in general, but I am cacking myself at the thought of PJ rucking all day against Cox. I doubt there has ever been a bigger mismatch in rucking ability in the last 20 years.

That bloke at the top of the list might be a potential ruckman.

...probably best not to tell him that. I don't think wellwishes laced with a big backhander are going to make the bloke feel any better.

I feel a bit sorry for Meesen as things were only just starting to go right in a completely underwhelming career to date. While he wasn't at AFL grade yet IMO, he had taken some huge strides in putting egg on a LOT of people's faces. Including mine. Tough break, but that's footy I guess. I'm looking forward to Spencer getting another run now. Disappointing for Aussie, but I don't think his injury that big a deal really. Puts us one step closer to Scully and Butcher as far as I'm concerned, and his career is hardly in the balance.

That's arguably true if he was available too. That said, I'll be disappointed if true. Just when it looks like there's a very slim hope he could actually be able to play the game.

3AW must've been struggling for news this morning.

Outside Victoria (at least, in Tassie) all the free-to-air games are direct telecast.

At risk of sounding precious, it's a tad unprofessional to swear on air when there's a plethora of other words he could've used. I know it's a very minor quibble, but seriously, even Malcolm Blight's "rat's tossbag" would've been better. It's not that hard. Anyway, thanks for the rundown.

Are you saying that they won't?

I have -- had a mate whose last name was Saric. It probably was pronounced 'Saritch' (like Maritch) deep in the name's history, but names get bastardised all the time, especially when cultural lines are crossed. I know plenty of people who have had their surnames 'tweaked' a bit over the years since coming to Australia.