Adam The God

They overuse it off half back and end up going backwards most of the time. They remind me so much of us under Neeld. There's no plan or at least very little. It's a short kick to the back flank or a long kick to a contest up the line every time. Their ball movement is shocking. Leppa needs to go.

Person. I think Picket is the only one saying they should let him walk.

If they do try to help Brisbane and the Gold Coast over the next 2-3 years that could really help us. Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond, North and even Hawthorn will need to start rebuilding through the draft and if all the top picks are going north, that will allow us to become very appealing to potential FA's if we continue to improve. You're right though, something has to give. I think the Lep is a hopeless coach. I'd start by bringing in someone new there and then I'd consider giving them a PP if nothing turns by 2018.

Yeah, that's been my concern about McDonald across 2015 and so far in 2016. He hasn't improved his deficiencies. The only thing that saves him this year is that he's playing in a completely different defensive set up, so he's back to learning a little bit, but he certainly didn't improve on these weaknesses last year.

Very interesting conversation about the crowd at the Brisbane game. Hudson basically saying that the posted 12,000 attendance doesn't seem correct. He also hinted that the AFL used to doctor their attendance figures. I didn't think the commentators ever commented on these sorts of issues. In other news, the Eagles are going nowhere. They've been lucky enough to play the Lions twice this year and any other team (except the Druggies) would have smacked them today.

I think we want to retain McDonald and get Hurley, but we won't sell the farm for McDonald. We pay his worth and nothing more. I just wonder whether the FD doesn't rate him quite as highly as some on Demonland do.

More likely just rebounding off half back. That's how we want our defenders to play.

Brisbane are just horrible. I hate watching them play. Just about any other team would beat the Eagles today. They look ordinary as well.

I disagree. Particularly if we want to try and entice Hurley, which will cost money.

If that occurs, it will remind me of us 2004-2006. Fell off a perch and found out by mid season. I don't think North will miss the finals, but they're going nowhere and have been for a decade at least.

Worth another name change?

I know you're not a big fan of anyone not in a Melbourne jumper, mate, but he's a big bloke and as we know, they take time. He hasn't quite learnt the required work rate yet, but he's in the Frost basket for mine. His upside is decent.

Fair enough. When he comes across to Melbourne, I'll be keeping my eye on you, HH.

I reckon he's building.

Haven't you gone back and forth on Prestia being an A grader? So will you say he's an A grader next week?

I've tipped Hawthorn, so that's the only reason I'll go for them. Hate both these teams though. And score that my hotel room has FOX FOOTY, as there's no coverage on Channel 7 up in Sydney. Hopeless.

I tried. Ah well. Still convinced we need Prestia though.

Let's look at a couple of clubs that have built dynasties in the recent era. Geelong’s 2011 premiership midfield: Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel, Travis Varcoe, Steve Johnson, Paul Chapman, Cameron Ling, Joel Corey, Matthew Stokes. Sydney’s 2012 premiership midfield: Lewis Jetta, Kieran Jack, Dan Hannenbery, Ryan O’Keefe, Jarrad McVeigh, Adam Goodes, Josh Kennedy, Jude Bolton and Luke Parker. Hawthorn’s 2013 premiership midfield: Shaun Burgoyne, Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Cyril Rioli, Brad Sewell, Luke Hodge, Bradley Hill, Liam Shiels. Hawthorn’s 2014 premiership midfield: Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Will Langford, Bradley Hill, Luke Hodge, Isaac Smith, Liam Shiels, Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli.

I think Viney started off like that, but he breaks lines and gets some separation these days, so his clearances tend to be cleaner. Bernie is definitely a better field kick, but doesn't have the leg speed of Viney. Spot on. I've been banging on about building an elite midfield almost every second post lately. Viney, Tyson are close. Petracca and Oliver seem like they'll get there. That's four players. Let's discount Jones and Vince because I don't consider them elite talent and even if I did they won't both be in the middle in 3-4 years time. The premiership sides have closer to 8-10 elite mids and if you want to build for sustained success that's how many you'd need. So Viney, Tyson, Petracca, Oliver, Prestia, another A grade talent and then hope that Salem and Brayshaw come to the party. I love Gus but I'm not entirely sold on him. He should play off half back next year and Salem should play off half forward. But let's be honest. There are question marks over both players' ability to stay on the park and both have suffered potentially career threatening injuries. So do we need Prestia? Abso-[censored]-lutely!

Read the post properly next time. I said his kicks from clearances were up and unders. Go and watch the replay against Hawthorn for a perfect example of what they both do too often.

I wonder if Watson will simply hang up the boots?

It's funny how people automatically think because his brother is at Richmond he'll go there. He's more likely to go somewhere else, IMO. Richmond have a number of his type anyway. They don't need to be sentimental with him and neither do we to be frank.

Agreed. It has to be Roos. Wherever he goes he manages to do this with different FD's around him. I'm hoping we can maintain this after he's moved on.

They won't do that. They want players staying there. If they go, then they go, but the AFL aren't going to advertise the point.