hoopla

Sorry I can't see it. Like GLFT, I am struggling to understand our plan. Too often after long delays we kick to a contest. If the main aim against Freo was to keep it away from Sandilands then we probably did OK.... but I'd like to think that our primary aim would always be a positive one. It's been awhile since we even looked like clearing the zone with speed and precision.

Ditto ( absolutely)

All true .... but will they survive and prosper. They only became the Kangaroos in the first place because North Melbourne wasn't working...............

Still , good to see that his season hasn't gawn after all. Go "the Phantom"

North are stuffed. Brayshaw has got a lot to answer for. After knocking back certain long-term success through a move to the Gold Coast , he neutralised efforts to broaden their appeal by changing them back from the "Kangaroos" to unfashionable "North Melb" - and now he's too paranoid to pursue the money on offer in Hobart.

Boss ... from what I have read your obsessive criticisms of Bailey and Mahoney are based on the curious theory that you have to be a champion player to be able to coach. The extraordinary mental strength necessary to win a premiership after being dumped by two clubs - demonstrated by Josh Mahoney - is irrelevant under your theory.Over the past three years, the greatest coaching triumph was surely Clarkson's in 2008 - a very ordinary player...... and the biggest coaching stuff up may well prove to be Voss's at Brisbane in 2010 - a champion player. Stop this negativism. Let's kill this debt so that our dedicated team of coaches can move forward with the facilities they deserve

Sorry mate.... Newton and Meeson are rookies ..... so your bottom line is 2 de-listings short. The basic 3 must surely be Bell, PJ and Miller ( who, as a Queenslander with a big body and leadership qualities, ought to be of interest to the Gold Coast)

Actually Miller makes perfect sense.... Mt Gravatt boy returning home to Qld Strong body...mid age... leadership qualities....just what the doctor ordered for Gold Coast. ..and his wife could get a job as a meter maid! Perfect

I,to, think that the club knows what it is doing. DB is definitely working to a long-term plan - rather than on maximizing our wins in 2010. I'm not sure that the club will have gone as far as nominating "on weeks" and "off weeks" ... but I'm sure that selection is being influence by plans to give some players a certain number of games over the season. It's interesting that Maric is in the squad this week .... and I have no doubt that Tapscott will sneak in a game or two regardless of the form of others. At the other end of the scale - I wonder what the issue is with Morton. If - as some have said his knee is still sore - he shouldn't be playing for Casey. He is being taught some sort of a lesson ... because I have no doubt he is an important part of our future.

The reliable OH source may well be confusing this year with next. Stef's disappearance from injury lists, team lists and general club propoganda is concerning - because he certainly had potential. We know that he has plenty of other career options ..... I hope retirement isn't in the offing. Anyway he's been named FF in Casey 2nds this week. You'd like to think that he'll be busting his gut to kick a bag of goals.

Excellent initiative. I'd be surprised if Max "the Phantom" Gawn( Going Going ....) isn't a regular winner of this award down the track

Absolutely. Collingwood in 2004 were the original tankers. Let's take every opportunity to remind the footy world about the way they engineered their fall that year. Good Post

Today's twitter that 2 old tumors are back suggests that he will need more surgery. However the fact that no new tumors have emerged is much better news than I had feared. Keep fighting Jimmy .. we're all with you.

NO!! Details please?? Hang in there Jimma

Ridiculous to call him a liability.Watts was guilty of a couple of clangers - but gave us some direction with his leads in the middle stages. Kicked a goal and was directly responsible for another. A useful contribution overall.

Well said.

This is just a general note about our future prospects.... it ends ++!! I wouldn't take any of the names - or omissions - literally

... and a very different game to me.. Is this thread a script for Monty Python?

This has been an excellent discussion ( thanks R&B&T for raising the question) . Many good points both ways. I fully support the initiative in our current circumstances - but whether or not we continue depends upon the fixture. I think I have heard DB say that in future we will ask that the game precede the mid-season break.If the AFL agrees to this then the benefits must surely outweigh the costs. It is interesting that we only have our "toe in the water" - with an agreement to play 2 yrs in every 3.There is an argument to say that if you are going to do it then you should do it properly. Do we want to build a strong base there - or are we really just helping Port consolidate its presence? It would seem to make more sense to do it before the break every year.

Thankyou Titan. On that basis , Johnson, Bell and Miller ( Gold Coast?) are certainly under the pump. It is interesting that Jamar only got a one year contract at the end of last year. As things stand he is critical to our plans for the next 3-5 years. I hope the Gold Coast isn't full of Russians(?)

There is now a big Hawks sign on the Monash freeway. Are they wasting their money .... or have they undertaken research which demonstrates that brand advertising actually works?

Good pick up High Tower. I reckon you are right

Thankyou for this. Are you sure the list is accurate? I thought that Bartram only got a one year contract at the end of last season. Perhaps that is just wishful thinking on my part

I believe that he is the best person to take this group forward over the next couple of years - and am in no doubt that the quickest way to defer our next premiership would be to throw him out now as you seem to suggest. Thank goodness you are not the boss

I can't believe that after our performances against Coll, Bris. and the Dogs, there is a thread bagging Bailey.We were always going to be up and down this year.As to the forward line ....most of our future forwards weren't available for selection!! The problem on Saturday was a lack of intensity everywhere - particularly at the stoppages . No forward set-up is going to kick goals if it doesn't receive quality ball from the midfield.