hoopla

Like this WJ On the evidence of the VFL Grand Final - we'd be better off with Minson in 2017 and probably 2018 as well. After that you'd hope one of the Kings or a young 2016 draftee would better than either an ageing Minson or a mid age Spencer Just hope another club sees something in Mr Spencer ( Some Mothers do 'ave em )! We might be able to do something with the very high pick we could get for him

It tells me that we didn't see any options - and that we expected Frank to continue improving. On the evidence of the VFL Grand Final - Minson is twice the ruckman Frank is - and he can mark.I think I think I'm right in saying that he played a fair chunk of his 190 games under Mc Cartney. If he wants to play - he'll be cheap. He'd give Max a good workout at training !!

As far as rucks arevconcerned we were just about the most fortunate club in the AFL this year . We kept the All Australian ruckman on the park for just about the whole season. The odds are that we won't be so lucky next year. Both Grand Finalists needed 4 ruckmen to get through their campaigns. Roughead / Campbell/ Minson/ Boyd v. Tippett/ Sinclair/ Naismith / Nankervis. Arguably the emergence of Boyd as a genuine relief ruckman - esp in the prelim - was pivotal to the Bulldogs premiership. Injuries to ruckmen late in the season seriously affected the campaigns of several clubs - Natanui/ Lycett , Ceglar, Lobbe ( on top of Ryder) , Hampson and Jacobs( with Jenkins sore). Add Sandilands/ Griffen ..... the list goes on. Although he is the star of one of my all-time favourite comedies, I've never been a big fan of Frank Spencer. But I did think that at a pinch he could hold his own at the centre bounces. But then I saw Campbell and Minson take him to pieces in the VFL Grand Final. On that display we could find ourselves limping towards the finals with a ruck combination of Pederson and Watts if anything happens to Max. Recent history says that to win a premiership you've got to have 3 If not 4 genuine ruckmen on your list .We can't risk going into 2017 with Frank the only one big enough and experienced enough to cover Maxie

2019 - just right! Either we're primed for a flag - in which case he'll stay ....... or we're not in contention - in which case we'll need to push the reset button ..... by going forward without him. Just about got all the bases covered - unless of course we've won it already! No more dreaming Dees - just get out there - and do it!!

Really poor planning by the club - starting with the 'hands on 'president. Dont think you can hang it on Beveridge -and I'm not sure you can hang it on the players - who probably didn't know that Mad Monday was supposed to be mad enough to take in Ballarat. Reckon Gordon's got to fork out a few sheckles to take them up their to give out enough memorabilia to fill Lake Wendouree!

Sorry mate - that is a side-effect - not the core issue In the northern states - "sporty kids" are naturally siphoned through the schools to Thugby League, Soccer , Cricket etc. To grow the game -the AFL has to identify young talent and offer them a fast track program through to the elite level. Logically the interstate clubs are best placed to do that - but they need an incentive to pour time and energy into young kids. The incentive? "You pull the talent away from the other sports - and if they start to look like genuine AFL players - you get first crack at signing them up." The best young athlete's etc in Victoria , SA and WA will naturally have a crack at AFL anyway. Zoning disappeared long ago. The draft is designed to give everyone an even go. It would be nice to think that one day AFL will be so strong in the northern states that "academy zones" wouldn't be necessary !!

Been a while since I posted - but got to thank rjay for getting this tribute thread going - and Grimesy for his love for the club and for the dignity with which he lead us through such a bleak period. Just how good a bloke must he be? He was given the burden of captaincy - and of carrying #31 - before demonstrating that he was the elite athlete a person in his position should have been. Just how good a leader must he be? On Sunday I was reminded of the some of the weaknesses in his game - and I think I understand why he wasn't part of the Roos-Goodwin plan. But I remain an admirer - and really hope another club can take advantage of his considerable qualities. 100 games Jack - well played!

Find it amazing that most of the contributions on this thread seem based on the assumption that we've got him - and it's just a matter of sorting out a few formalities .... like a trade or a breach of contract court-ruling. There isn't another club out there willing and able to give Essendrug a couple of high draft picks - and match our offer to the player ? There isn't a lawyer out there who won't be able to drag a DFA strategy through the courts unti Hibberd's too old to play AFL footy. This "deal" has all the hallmarks of a Mexican stand-off long enough to stymie all our other trades and negotiations A lot of water's still to flow under the bridge before I'd be thinking about that left foot in a Demon sock! He's a damn good footballer - all the more reason to take Scoop's little statement with a grain of salt.

Please don't misinterpret my comments I just think it is important to remember that Roos/Goodwin/Viney and Co only rated him a B Grader at the end of 2014 May be after a full pre-season he will prove them all wrong. But we shouldn't expect too much. If he starts knocking on the door of our best 22 - it will be a bonus for the club- and I think we should see it that way. A lot of Demonlanders are wishing/ hoping to get Prestia. Would you trade Jack for him ? Would the Gold Coast see that as a far deal?

Probably true - he is doing "ok" In his first year he looked as if he'd be "more than ok" - and you'd like to think he'll have to be "more than ok" to be a permanent member of our side in 2017. He's got character .He will improve his endurance - he's a fair kick - he can mark for his inches - his hands are sound. What position is he going to make his own? An inside mid ? A defensive forward? Not sure he's quick enough to be an effective small forward - which leaves inside mid.If not that ,not sure there's much else. Big pre-season coming up for him. He' s going to have to at least match the improvement in others. As a mature aged player this will not be easy.

This thread has rolled into its third page - and no one has focussed on a fundamental point in assessing Trenners standing in our list. The club carefully assessed his abilities 2 years ago - and decided to trade him for a 2nd round pick. He was slow - without the quick reflexes / narrow turning circle of a Sam Mitchell. I had hoped that his lack of acceleration was somehow caused by his injured foot. It's now looking like his athletic limitations are permanent. i'm sure the club will give another year to prove he is in our best 22 - but the jury is still out on that. He's been given an opportunity while Brsyshaw has been unavailable . Salem Is unavailable .Garlett, Harmes and Grimes are at Casey. I would be rapt if he finds a permanent niche at our club - but at 24 he's got a way to go.

So .... this is hyper thyroid then. Can someone explain what this means long term. Is it curable ? Is it just a matter of settling down on the right medication - and living happily ever after? Or are there symptoms that can recur at any time with little rhyme or reason? I feel much better about it now that Mahoney has said he's itching to get back. But an unchanging 3-2-4 weeks is often code for "it shouldn't be too long but we haven't really got a clue where he's at"

According to Justin Plapp's VFL review, Jack was pulled out of last week's game - because of "complexity" at AFL level. Sounds like he's very close - but if we keep on winning and our mids/running defenders stay fit - he might keep on " just missing" It is a comment on the development of our club that a former captain handed the famous #31 guernsey as one of the first picked can't get a game ahead of late draftees/ rookies.

When Chris Salem joined us after the 2014 draft- he had an extra- delayed start to the pre-season because of a debilitating thyroid-related illness/condition. We were told the club was aware of the problem -that it was manageable - and would have no effect on his long-term career. He appeared like a shoo-in for the running defender role during this pre-season - but was little more than workman-like in the first few games of the season before being dropped because of soreness/poor form. As I recall he then played 1-2 games at Casey before landing on the injury list with an illness that would keep him out for 3-2-4 weeks. We've heard nothing since - and guess how much longer he'll be out - 3-2-4 weeks - what else? Allow him a couple of extra weeks at Casey to get match fit - and we'll be getting close to Round 20 before he's in the mix for a return to the AFL - unless of course 3-2-4 weeks is shorthand for "season" or "indefinite"? I think I'm one of many who really rate him - but the thyroid problem which limited him in his first year is now about to rip his second year apart. I don't like it when the club says nothing about the progress of an ill or injured player. The club invested a Top 10 pick in Chris - and on football ability/attitude etc looked to have got it right.. I just hope this condition isn't going to railroad what we all hoped would be a long successful footy career . Does anybody know anything about Chris' health right now - and/or the prognosis for the future?

Like Arctic Park ( Waverley) - Casey Fields is in the rain - and wind -belt . Not a good place to develop your skills. What happened to Grimes? He was off for effectively all of the last quarter- and he wasn't in playing gear when shaking hands after the game?

My concern about Oscar is that he doesn't have any obvious strengths to offset his obvious weaknesses If he had good hands you'd wait for him to fill out. If his decision-making was exceptional you'd wait for him to get stronger hands. If he was an elite endurance runner ( like his brother) you'd wait for him to improve his acceleration. If he was a good judge of the ball in flight you'd wait for his body shape to change from that of a rag-doll to that of someone who's seen the inside of a gym. If he turns out to be a respected 150 game AFL Defender - someone at the club really is a genius The FD knows more than we do - we just have to have faith!

He's said or done something very wrong. From Vice Captain and one of the first picked to selection on the wing at Casey. He's not exactly old : on last year's form he's got 3-4 years in him. They might give him a couple of games late to up his trade value. But to tolerate OMac's error rate and leave Dunny out when Garland is injured- says "goodbye Lynden". I think he'll be a loss - and have zero faith in OMac. But the signs are unmistakeable. Someone else will wear No 14 in 2017

We shouldn't necessarily put the 2 MKs in the same basket - they seem very different. Max is a forward first and a ruckman second. Whether he ever adds the weight he needs for both those roles is problematic. He has of work to do before he will be a competitive back-up ruckman - even if he develops sufficiently to be an effective tall forward. From his highlight reel and everything we have read , Mitch is very much a ruckman- who might struggle to rest effectively on the forward line. If they both reach the potential the club sees in them - a very big IF - they would complement each other very well. While Spencer has shown that he can compete at the centre- bounce in the AFL - I can't see him leading our rucks into the Top 8 if Big Maxie gets a long term injury. I afraid he is very much a "Frank Spencer" to me.Mitch figures in the Top 10 in a couple of Draft Combine categories- so he has some athleticism to go with ruck-work. I think the club's strategy in drafting was very logical. I don't accept the Currie/ ZSmith option. I'm not sure Currie is good enough - and Zac Smith left the Suns because he didn't want to be backup ( for Nicholls). There will almost certainly be mature age options available next year if our ruck stocks prove a bit thin. I wouldn't be unhappy if we rookie listed another young ruckman this year - although a really fast small forward ( Ballantyne, Puopolo,Betts) or outside runner would be nice. Leave it to Mr Taylor...

The odds of getting of getting 50 AFL games out of a # 50 draft pick must just about be be less than 30:70. All we can say is that after delisting Jamar and off-loading Fitzpatrick -,they are the right "type of player" for the balance of our list. These are the speculative tips which distinguish between a good recruiter and a brilliant one. M.King2 and Who-let are Taylor-made. Has he got the midas touch?

I know he has not had any media training - and many posters will say that his ability to answer questions has nothing to do with his football ability- but I was a bit concerned that he seemed to have turned up on the night with no expectations at all. An early pick - and a long-term senior player must have a calm self belief - and the ability to think clearly under pressure. On the basis of his interview he doesn't seem to have got his mind around being an AFL footballer yet. I recall JImmy Toumpas " not really believing" that he would soon be playing on the G. As it turned he seemed a bit "overwhelmed " whenever he got the ball in a tight situation . I just hope that underneath that boyish reaction,Clayton has an unshakable belief in himself - and the confidence "to take the game on" which showed up in his highlight reel Nobody expected him to be a standout player this year. From here on - he will have to deal with the high expectations that come with an early pick. Just hope he quickly settles into his "new skin" as a high profile player.

You'd like to do think that there's a clause in his contract makng it clear that his pay will be cut to the dole for any period of suspicion. I'd be very disappointed if the club hasn't protected itself from that eventuality. Of course whether or not the TPP is reduced is another matter altogether. I'm surprised some journo hasn't jumped all over this issue for all of the 34 who have changed clubs.

He's asking for more than we are prepared to pay - and from what we ( don't) read - more than other clubs are happy to offer to get him. Sounds like a mercenary who overrates himself. Doesn't sound like the sort of team-orientated person we want. Very disappointed that he hasn't signed on for the sort of money his performances warrant. Didn't want to lose him - but pleased we haven't lifted our offer. If he goes .. so be it!

Perfect man for Essendon . Learnt the craft in the drug- filled culture of West Coast under Cousins captaincy ... Just want Macca to stay with us

Despite all his occasional clangers, he's never been dropped - and rarely if ever starts on the bench. He is one of that rare breed who can play tall or small depending on the forward mix of the opposition. He is therefore a valuable member of our list. Must say I'm surprised we haven't re- signed him. May be he and his manager been hiking in the Himalayas since Mad Monday .