Ungarie boy

Particularly on the fence behind the goals. It was very wet. Couldn't even eat my packet of chips without them getting soggy Not a lot of fullbacks are expected to do a lot with the ball, Frawley and Lake are two premiership fullbacks who are prone to brain fades with ball in hand and not penetrating kicks. Rance is all Australian and has had a knock on his disposal since the 18's. Zac Dawson doesn't inspire confidence. Bulldogs renowned for their back half disposal has , Dale Morris who is best regarded as serviceable. More often than not it's the players up the field that let MacDonald down by not providing numerous good timely options. e.g. he looks to play on quickly, part of the attacking game plan and see's nothing ahead, so then has to make another decision, someone is not making an effort but it is now a more dangerous option requiring more precise skills, unfortunately as this is not the first instinctive option there is now more pressure being applied by the opposition - resulting in a harder kick to a less than perfect option. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing on TMac's disposal or decision making, but I do credit him with being be brave enough to continually take the game on. Interesting that Frawley's kicking is no longer questioned as he is continually provided with simple options by his team mates.

Was at the SCG to watch the slog in the wet (or in racing terms on a very heavy track), so don't have the benefit of TV commentary and replays; but I can say that Tom was good. He was one of the very few Melbourne players I had confidence of catching the wet ball - the let it his chest simultaneously securing it with his arms as opposed to guiding the ball with hands/arms to the chest as many other players. Yes he played off Franklin to a certain extent but I understand this is team instructions (game plan) and if his players gets an easy kick it's the fault of midfielders and forwards for not applying adequate pressure on the kicker so that a slower/higher kick is the result (allowing our backs to cover the necessary ground to spoil). From what I observed and the rain was consisted all day, no full back (playing our game plan would have held Franklin to any less), if memory serves me correct a few of his possession just resulted from plain old mongrel kicks. Interesting to note that Petrecca's class stood out in the wet

It makes me feel dirty, but I totally agree with Robbo (on 360) and may even have a little more respect for him. The normalisation of violence to women is that disturbing that it can be so easily accepted everyday in conversation and banter but Robbo was right on the money - this is also about BULLYING I know of a 9 year old boy who was sent to the principal office for fighting, but unpacking the story revealed: he was sticking up for a classmate being picked on by 12 year old boys. There was 3 of these boys who initially reacted to something the younger boy did and then mercilessly verbally him. another boys very quickly joined in leaving the 9 year old distraught, in tears as they left, the 9 year old retaliated by throwing rocks. He was attacked again. This was when his classmate intervened. Now that it had become physical teachers noticed an intervened all kids were sent to the principals office, and I understand some where suspended for a week. Bullying is not tolerated in school, as kids are expected to know and behave better. The are educated, encouraged and disciplined to this effect. Yet for Adults there seems to be another standard - What has the AFL, Triple M, Club boards or anyone done to show an example of zero tolerance for bullying (another school principle). Watching the radio clip on AFL 360 for the first time last night left both me and my wife absolute disgusted that this boy pack attitude, like a shark feeding frenzy upon sensing blood, still is accepted in the football community. We have a daughter who is very keen to play AFL, but we will definitely not be supporting her desire, while this attitude still exists.

Yes you are right the kids are doing it now with much tbe same result; even to the extent of push and shove melles breaking out as players get frustrated with the blatant cheating. Last week iI saw a kid get carried of the field when it all went wrong. The AFL will lose players at this level if they dont stamp it out quickly

Dumb footballers or dumb coaches! Hawks kicked it quickly and long all day, often of the ground if needed. Only Vince, Jones and Tyson did it consistently for us. Considering our contested play and clearance work is superior to them, this style of play would have benefited us better. Wet weather football is actually that simple - my two pre-teen boys were screaming "just kick it long" all game (funny enough, they employed this same tactic in their own games this morning against higher placed teams, and won). Again dumb footballers or dumb coaching!

Okay this may be a bit radical but I'm not a believer in shuffling deck chairs. Spencer should come into the side, he would provide more than just 5 minutes relief in the ruck (particularly if our defensive zone is built around midfield clearances then a second ruck becomes imperative). Max resting up forwards is a serious target (he is a goal kicker) that would prevent oppositions double teaming Hogan and if they do, then Watts (who is a better shot at goal) becomes a very very dangerous target. Spencer up forward would bring the ball to ground, bringing our smalls into the game. Our forwards are not defensive enough so AVB would also help improve our zone structure and though we would loose speed with Kent out, he actually doesn't get that many possessions due to his speed (the possessions he gets from positioning or our offensive zone working can be achieved by AVB - who is also a far better marking option). If Viney is injured then ANB is a must to stay in, for though Oliver is a necessity he is not the high numbers player (yet) that ANB can be. Newton should come out. The sooner we get Frost settled into the backline the better, his speed could help limit the damage of teams getting over the back. Oscar could play Garland's role, if we are to persist with him. *Omac Tmac Bugg Hunt Frost Jetta Stretch Jones Vince AVB Watts Harmes Kennedy Hogan Garlett Gawn Tyson ANB Oliver Spencer Wagner Grimes/Trengove * I could easily swap grimes for Omac # I could easily swap Kennedy for Trengove, its just a pit we don't have JKH to come in and add crumbing and pressure acts (he wasn't super quick but did find space when in form)

Tall back - who can bring the ball to the ground, super competitive, and good field kick who will take the right options.

Gawn Viney Tyson Vince Wagner Watts

Viney Gawn McDonald T Jones N Kennedy Oliver Thought Garland, Jones M and Pedersen were underrated

Just tried to say loved watching this game with the wife yelling "Superman" everytime Kent got the ball!

Yes great game and though i still may have reservations

Unfortunately the draw plays a huge part in this: The good teams such as Hawks and Swans should be able to negotiate this without to much trouble. Teams that benefited from favourable draws last year will find it so much more difficult to maintain the same results this year, think West Coast, Western Bulldogs and Adelaide. Teams that have had a couple of years in the tough draw without improvement will, naturally start dipping (they ain't climbing) which covers off North, Freo and to a lesser extent Tigers Teams outside the 8 have more scope for significant improvement and will benefit from an easy draw, which is now allowing for someone to unexpectedly jump into the finals, which could be anyone but likely GWS or the Dee's and then there are going to be teams that under-performed this year and will benefit from not being a top 8-10 side with a tougher draw; which focuses primarily on Port Adelaide and to a lesser extent Magpies / Cats. Considering this it could be anticipated that the top four to comprise of: Hawks, Sydney, Port and one of Cats/West Coast The final 8 to be rounded out by: one of Cats/West Coast, GWS, Magpies and Freo Next 4 teams would likely include: Melbourne, North Melbourne, Bulldogs and Tigers - with a potential bolter from the bottom being the Lions. Which of course leaves the rest. Now factoring in the draw, recruitment, natural improvement/decline, and home ground advantage; my prediction is: Port Adelaide Cats (easy draw, huge home ground advantage, natural improvement in youth, while we all know the recruiting - don't underestimate the others i.e Smith, Selwood, etc) Hawthorn Sydney GWS West Coast Freo Melbourne Magpies Tigers North Melbourne Bulldogs Lions St Kilda Adelaide Gold Coast Carlton Essendon

Would it be worth taking the risk on A Morabito - Fremantle have committed to redrafting him, so they must have confidence in his ability to get on the park. If fit he would easily fill our need for outside run on the wing; and would be in the right age bracket.

It's actually pretty simple: In the draft you take the best available player regardless of their position! During the trade period you address the positions that need upgrading! Hawthorn and Sydney have been doing it for years (inevitably resulting in the need to trade tall's; think Hale, Gunston, Lake, Frawley, McVoy, Franklin, Tippet, Richards, Mumford, etc) If you end up with to many quality players in the similar positions (midfielders) then they will have the currency to be converted (traded) into other positional requirements. Not having followed this draft heavily, and following this very simple principle, I would expect: Parish at 3 and Oliver/Francis at 7

"Dawes back pocket?" Why not, he's more than capable of bringing the ball to ground from an aerial contest!!! Also super competitive at ground level. and is a very good field kick and normally moves it on quickly. Don't underestimate the value of on-field leadership qualities - Cross is a very good example

Thinking outside the box a little FB: Bugg Frost Dawes - Frost as a stopper, Bugg and Dawes are competitive and both good users of the footy HB: Vince Dunn Melksham - All have shown they can play a defensive role, whilst Dunn and Vince have long penetrating kicks that would make any backline nervous C: Jetta Jones Salem - provides run and carry on the wing, both good users of the footy HF: Petracca McDonald Vanders - McDonald has shown he can make space and take a grab, Petrecca/Vanders add size and competitiveness FF: Garlett Hogan JKH - Need crumbers at Hogan's feet and speed to make space Foll: Gawn Viney Tyson - The on ball brigade capable of getting first hands on the ball, and extracting to outside run Int: Pederson Brayshaw Harmes Kennedy - Pederson (backup ruck/forward/back),with a fleet of rotating midfielders (not sure about Kennedy, but Roo's normally tells trade recruits "it's your position to lose") * nearly every player can rotate back and forward or through the midfield No Garland, Lumumba, Watts, Kent, Trengove, ANB or Stretch - shows the improvement It also allows the kids to develop in the VFL.

Met Buckenera at a draft camp presentation a couple of years back, and can tell you all that he really knows his stuff. He's a big contributor to the creation of an extraordinary dynasty. We also had a laugh about "That Kick". Everyone get's things wrong, and Hawthorn has even as recently as last year. What's important is the strategy that minimises the effect of this; while strengthening the team. Note strengthening the team is not just about getting the best players, which though important, its also about the role players which include onfield leadership, speed, disposal, metres gained, shut down, third man up, etc. Hawthorn has been excellent at identifying potential weakness (in advance) and trading/drafting and very importantly developing for it. Until recently we may have attempted to do this, but we most definitely have not been very good at it. This is the basis of his comments, and he is pretty much right. There is a strong future ahead in the likes of our emerging midfield (Brayshaw, Viney, Tyson and co) There is a strong future in the primary Key Positions (Hogan, T McDonald) There is plenty of potential talent to develop (ANB, Gawn, Petrecca, Stretch, etc) There are some "IF's": Kent does need to improve, presently he is a highlights reel that demonstrates he shows can be good. Dawes needs to improve or become a role player (that is not the 2nd key forward - could it be a KPB where he doesn't need to mark and his competiveness could make opposition forwards very nervous) Watts needs to become more competitive for longer (He needs to develop "closing speed" which gets you to a contested possession quicker, or allows you to lay an effective crunching tackle - note closing speed really comes from competitiveness) Pederson needs to improve beyond his current output of being a depth player (which does fill a role in every squad - think Cheney for the Hawks whilst there; but doesn't improve the team) Improvement is required from the Casey players, because he is right in that mass changes will not deliver team balance, as it creates more gaps in the roles that need to be filled by selective (targeted) recruitment. Replacing them with just any player of slightly better ability will only provide an abundance of the same type of players; resulting in the need to re-address this in the next years draft/trade period - leading to more mass changes which then creates a continuing cycle of mass changes. Interesting that he rated JKH, who doesn't seem to get anywhere near the credit he deserves as one of our few better kicks. Reading into what he said, we are need another tall forward to support Hogan (I believe could be filled by T McDonald) and some pace on the Forward line (I believe Petrecca could help achieve this). Assisting Garlett and JKH/Kent will be our rotating midfielders. The Midfield will have the grunt with Viney, Brayshaw, Tyson, Jones, VB, etc; All of whom are reasonable kicks over 30-45 metres, which is no different to Sam Mitchell, unfortunately none of them would be considered run and carry midfielders or explosive (from a pack) midfielders. There is plenty of potential to add to this midfield fleet with at least a couple of Harmes, ANB, Stretch, Petrecca, Trengove, all capable of stepping up. Unfortunately he is right about breaking the line speed. Lumbumba has it but his actually means it's not damaging and therefor effective (breaking the lines and carrying in an additional 15-20m but then floating the pass, just puts all the forwards out of position, and still allows the defenders to chop of the pass). I believe Vince's disposal could be utilised on the outside if we have a plethora of inside midfielders, would also consider Jetta playing this role - particularly if Grimes and Melksham can fulfil the small/medium back roles. Tall backs seems okay with T Mac, Dunn and Garland but it in reality two are serviceable and the other could fill roles all over the ground. The reality is Frost hasn't done enough to be considered anything more than potential. Still the defence is more than capable of holding it's own, what it's really lacking is offensive drive. This would have to be recruited for unless Hunt steps up. Gawn obviously needs support in the ruck, but the 2nd ruck mans role is not that of the ruck which may equate to 5-7 mins a quarter; to benefit the team their remaining time needs to benefit the team as the 3rd forward or a tall mobile rotating midfielder. A tall, An outside player with speed, and an offensive back should help fill the most obvious gaps.

It's actually very simple, and someone a while back on Demonland described much of it; but it goes along the lines of: Free Agents are assessed a value; against a rating similar to Academy player selections and Father/Sons Clubs acquiring free agents are required to pay the losing club these picks (based on points similar to what is happening with Academy Selections) This doesn't restrict a player getting to a club, but it does place a value on it!!! If some clubs do not want to pay the price then they didn't really want the player as much as the player thought they did. A consequence of this is that clubs down the bottom of the table have more bargaining power (as their draft positions equate to greater points); while successful clubs will need to trade players out to get the necessary points (adding more players to the trade pool). Again this is not a restriction on free agency as players can still get to the club of their choice and clubs can still get the player of their choice - if they are both prepared to wear the cost (The required draft points from a club perspective or reduced salary to drop the required draft points from a players perspective) This model could actually be rolled out to all out of contract players, but I like the idea that any players under 5 - 7 years are treated as RFA's.

Someone like Tom MacDonald perhaps!!!

We saw a fair bit of the future today, and it's not doom n gloom. Note also more than two thirds of the teams will finish the year with a loss, but not the dee's. Also JKH did his role and was very effective at creating and closing space as required, he invariably delivered the ball to the advantage of team mates. He's not meant to get midfielder stats.

Also Mitchie was good, while Dunn did his job and even Howe looked interested (actually he was good to)

Stretch is also not getting the recognition he deserved, his delivery and pace was important.

I couldn't fit him in there either, In fact I had Brayshaw and vince next Viney Jones Salem Harmes Gawn T MacDonald

Yes a good summary, it's more a reflection on the club that he is still so important to us; but if you look at the last 4 games, despite the glut of possessions, he was exposed for pace and his skills are starting to deteriorate (like cricketers when it happens it happens quickly). Still I would not be surprised if he ended up involved it a coaching role (not necessarily at Melbourne)

Signing a contract means nothing, He's currently not in there first 22 and may be looking for opportunity elsewhere. Also Geelong is going to have to move on players if they are seriously in the market for rumoured players such as Dangerfield and Henderson. A midfield of Dangerfield, Selwood, Duncan, Motlop, and Co doesn't scream opportunity for Horlin-Smith. Wasn't sure of his value but most clubs will struggle to trade a player who is not starting 22 for anything higher than pick 30's. Forgot Jamar was an UFA, but then again he wasn't included in the potential scenario of how we could achieve the potential trades. Clubs are always looking for an experienced ruck as assurance for final campaigns, so perhaps his value (not him personally) becomes the slight upgrade needed to get another trade over the line. I personally believe Z Jones is gettable - despite resigning (Sydney will be wanting to bring in academy and father/son players and will need picks to achieve this. Sydney is the team we should be looking very hard at, as they also have salary cap constraints in addition for the need trade in picks - maybe Kennedy. Ironically they will also be looking for a ruck!!!