RalphiusMaximus

Well, congrats to Tom. He's doing good work for our profile on all fronts it seems.

So any chance of a transcript being posted? I have absolutely no chance of watching from work, so I'd love it if someone could give us a rundown.

Absolute rubbish! I really wish people would stop posting this tripe. The GC can take one uncontracted player from each club for free. If they want others, they can trade for them.

Why would Waite leave Carlton? They have official permission to pay players outside the salary cap and a sponsor who is eager to help them do so. He won't get anywhere near the pay anywhere else.

This may seem an odd question, but what is the basis for this thread? I've been looking at the papers and the AFL site, even Jones' twitter page, and there is no mention of him being traded. Has this all come from one poster's fevered imagination?

KPF who's highlight package includes no marks and no goals? He's a midfielder who grew too tall.

Why does everyone keep saying Fitzpatrick is a ruck? Is it his height? Must all 2m players automatically play in the ruck first and foremost? Ask the kid, he'll tell you he's a forward. Ask the club, they'll tell you the same thing. The guy they drafted last year to play ruck is called MAX GAWN. You may have noticed him? Really tall guy, hasn't played much because of his knee?

From the AFL.com article

Devils advocate time again. They said that they would select the team as if they were going to play a real game. With Sandilands a certainty for the number 1 ruck spot, they are more likely to go for a backup who gives more around the ground rather than another hitout specialist. In that department Jolly has been far more impressive than Jamar, despite being thrashed both times he lined up against the Dees this year. On the bright side though, if they stick to that logic Brad Green has to get in. He's played both midfield and forward roles and is a more well rounded and complete player than any of his rivals for the small forward spots.

I would have said Davey was playing in the midfield for most of the year. As for Hall, Warnock absolutely spanked him. I think Hall got 11 disposals, 1 mark and 1 point for the game.

Frawley has more disposals and almost double the marks. They'd be insane to pick Harry over him. Pity. I guess James can always get in next year...

The AFL changed the rules this year. Rookie promotions now count towards the tally, so if we promote McKenzie and Spencer we only need to use our first pick.

Just to address the notion that he isn't earning his spot on the side, have a look at his stats for yesterday. If you discount the goals column, they are identical to Jurrah. Given that Watts plays further up the ground and rarely gets passes directed to him in the forward 50, it's not unreasonable that he didn't kick a goal with any of them. So, anyone want to say that Jurrah isn't worth a spot in the side?

So he should always lead to directly in front of the ball carrier so they can see him? Sure, it might take him into the area where the defence is gathering because they too will try to cut off the easy ball directly in his line of sight, but I'm sure he can beat two or three opponents to the ball. Perhaps it was a mistake to get rid of TJ. While Grimes is a great player, Trav was always able to spot the option everyone else had missed. If he'd been passing into the 50, Watts might have kicked a bag by now. No? Well maybe then the guys who are passing to our forwards need to be able to see more than the space directly in front of their faces. If a forward is consistently running to the spaces and ditching his opponent, it is criminal to keep sending passes into the congested areas where the defence is gathered in greater numbers. Watts should keep doing exactly what he's doing and hopefully the rest of the team can catch up.

I was about to suggest the same thing. I've always liked the look of the lad and I think there are worse options than trying to grab him on the cheap before he's had a chance to show himself at senior level. He hasn't played a game yet has he?

You're not alone in noticing this. I have no idea why it would be so except perhaps that his teammates have poor vision or have not yet learned how he positions himself and so don't know where they should be looking. However, when you have a forward leading right down the middle there's really no excuse not to give him the ball.

They like the pretty pictures though.

Why is it that the forwards get to use their "natural arc" but if someone so much as looks sideways further up the ground they are immediately called to play on? Also, why is it that they allow 30 seconds for a shot on goal but less than 10 seconds for a kick further up the ground? How about when a player takes his 30 seconds and then passes rather than taking the shot? Shouldn't that be penalised in some way since they have claimed an unfair advantage by faking the shot for goal?

An underrated player. I really liked his game.

Not suitable. Have a look at the game plan and tell me how this guy fits into it. Is he a quick mobile forward who can work up the ground and then double back to mark in the open spaces? Is he an elite field kick? I really don't see him as worth the effort, not because he isn't a good enough player but because I can't see him working with a gameplan that relies on speed and movement.

The other McDonald... I think he played a few games. What was his name? James or something?

Jordie-related joking aside, congratulations to Dylan Grimes for getting his feet wet. It's A big step and hopefully the start of a great career for the lad who came close to being a Demon.

I find myself reading this with a degree of skepticism. Firstly, he refused to be part of the Fev deal because he didn't want to come south. Secondly, I doubt if we have enough room in the salary cap to pay what he'll want. Thirdly, even if we did have the money, we would have to find a trade to get him because there are other clubs with deeper pockets who could get him in the PSD before us (GC anybody?).

Bear in mind that Jurrah hurt his Hammy this week. He may miss the game through injury. If so there is no real loss in Bringing Miller in to replace him. It would be a terrible thing if he didn't get a farewell, and it will be a good one given that Junior is having his last game as well. We can bet on a big showing from the fans.

Pretty sure Watts only had one goal.