Adam The God

I probably shouldn't comment on this, as I've not read up on it and therefore I'm not particularly well-informed, but don't the GC have the right to come in and attempt to sign any un-contracted players they want? So ie Jack Watts, Same Blease, these types, who are only on two year contracts. I'm just thinking of Barrassi to Carlton. Obviously different situation, but it ruined our plans then and something quite similar could happen again with Watts et al, could it not?

I vividly remember him playing up forward against the Pies (even full forward from the goal square) in '07 and he could have had 5 by half time. Just his kicking let him down that day. I think that's where I might have got it from. He also leads very well on occasion. Mind you, he doesn't finish a lot of his opportunities.

We would have picked up Cruiser that year if we'd lost to Carlton, so the Nat probably wouldn't be as relevant. Furthermore, we could've had a bloke by the name of Chris Judd also. Still, if we get Butcher and Scully, we'll be set for a premiership anyway.

I understand there wasn't a choice between he and Jamar. My point was, however that Jolly is and always has been the far superior player out of the two. To be honest, I would have kept White over Jamar...

Exactly! Ten points.

I'll go where ever it is. Not turning up just because it's not at the MCG is stereotypical fair weather supporting and it's why some of us who go week in, week out get labelled fair weather supporters. Who gives a [censored] where the game is. Get out there and support them. I'd rather play at the 'G, of course, but suck it in.

Yep, it is his problem. If he'd got his kicking right earlier in the season he might have already had 3 bags of goals. As for the Casey match, he might have almost kicked 9. If he fixes this, then he might still be a player.

Yeah, you're right about Newton. If he's good enough he'll rectify his kicking problem, if not, he'll do as you say and dig his own grave. Afterall, Newton only became a semi regular contender in 2007 and it's only 2009. This is the year he has to prove himself, but I'd say give him the rest of the season. Stick him upward, let Watts play up the ground and see what he's got.

Oh, I agree on PJ. He is one of my favourites, because has done the courageous things in the past (I'd point to the shoulder injury he received on the wing against Sydney a few years back). However, this season he's been dreadful and has struggled to find form. The Eagles game was probably his best game so far, this year. He has great potential, as a second ruck and up forward (the Collingwood game in '07 is an example of what he could do up forward--obviously needs to fix up his kicking for goal though). Persist with PJ, but I still can't believe we traded Jolly and not Jamar.

To be honest, I'd say a lot of our guys were front runners. Green wasn''t the only one. I'd stick Brucey in this category at times, as well.

It's a good point this. Greeny was a little soft in his early days, but now he's one of our most ferocious tacklers and would have no hesitation backing into a pack.

I agree. Although, not quite the same, the media were talking Daniel Rich up all year and he ended up going at 7 (was it?). A lot can change over the course of 15 or so weeks.

Surely, Jamar is the one that has to go? Meesen has already shown more than Jamar has in his entire career. Jamar's had his time and hasn't been good enough. Pity we don't still have Jolly.

Agreed. Depth is important here. With Wheels coming to the end of his career, Bartram and Dunn are our only two taggers at the moment. We need at least two or three and Dunn, although not a stand out, is versatile.

And that's the problem we're faced with. He is such a high draft pick, you may as well stick with him. Look you're probably right Hannabal and I have thought along similar lines myself, but to me, he should be able to play in any team at any given time. That's what a good player is. Still your point has merit that outweighs my argument. The thing about Sylvia is he'd easily be our most frustrating player. If I've ever improved my outlook towards him it has been more in hope than anything else. He's got a bit of talent somewhere, he just doesn't do the basics well. That said, Bails is slowly turned that mentality around (seemingly). Please, finally show us some consistency, Colin. I barely know anyone who knocks him. Anyone that does, you're right, lacks understanding. He's only a young kid, he's going to make mistakes. He's going to be a ripper.

Might just have been finals.

Pity, the ABC don't do the Sunday games, as I'm sure they once did.

I was just coming back to change that to 2 years.:D That includes this year, seeing as we're only 7 rounds in. I'd say he's still got one more year left in him, even if he doesn't play a lot next year, he's vital to have around the youngsters. I'd certainly want him there in a mentoring type role once he's finished though.

Actually, that might even be the thinking behind Watts' debut in this round. Great point! The thinking behind the Queen's Bday game has always been that it's the biggest money winning for us. Bringing Watts in could just be that extra touch of spice the game needs.

I'd keep Buckley. He showed last year that he could well be useful in the future, playing the role that currently Flash is playing. As for Wheels, keep him. Let him serve out his career, but I wouldn't be against the delisting of Belly. He's a trier, but ultimately not good enough. We have to be ruthless. I'd also agree on the Newton issue. Although, Newton signed a new two year contract during last season, so we'd have to pay him out. In our financial situation, we'd be better off holding onto him for an extra season, letting him serve out his contract, giving him an occasional game and if he doesn't sure anything delist him. If however, on the other hand he shows something, then we could reassess then. I think you'd keep Wheatley, as he'd be in the top two or three kicks in our side. He's also a berometre for us as well, in some ways. Particularly over the past two seasons, whenever he's played, we played reasonably well. Without him, we were always horrible. Due mostly to the fact he kicks over zones and so fourth...does our long term plan involve that though? Bailey's plan seems to involve ball carrying and handpassing, in order to break zonal lines, instead of kicking over the top of them. That said, Paul is quick, tall (probably not strong enough though) and a beautiful long kick. I'd certainly keep him, at least for another 1 or 2 seasons. No, I don't think anyone would be giving away their higher picks in such a crucial draft (unless I misunderstood you, Tata?). Oh, Valenti! That's another one. He's shown that he's too slow and although a fantastic VFL player, not quite good enough at the top level. I think I saw enough of him last year to know that his lack of awareness and lack of leg speed (much like Brock unfortunately, but with less going for him) would retard our midfield. Surely you'd give Meesen another chance? He showed something in the early part of this year, before his injury. The bloke that has continually let himself and the team down is Mark Jamar. That man is massive, if only he had a football brain. We're already a little thin on ruck stocks, so I'd keep PJ, Meesen and Spencer and develop them over the next couple of seasons. Jamar is surely the obvious one to let go....

The only thing about this is that neither Sylvia or Bate have shown enough to suggest they'll be good enough. Sylvia was drafted in 2003, that means this is his sixth year of senior footy. By now he should have at least strung a full game together. He hasn't and I don't mean to take a big dig at him, but for a #3 draft pick, he worries me. Probably his best game has been against Brisbane last year (where he still didn't play four quarters of footy and drifted in and out of the play) or even Richmond this year (in which he kicked two goals in 5 mins, laid a few tackles and that was about it). Whilst, I'll admit his attack at times this year, has been the best I've seen from him, that's not saying much. Bails has been good for him, but he's still a struggler, IMO. I hope he proves me wrong though. As for Bate, his best game was probably against Hawthorn in the NAB cup early this year, playing from basically the goal square. Like Sylvia, he still hasn't put consistent football together. As for his efforts on Sunday, they were not full of this passion that some members on here are talking about, but in fact seeming boredom. I'm not sure if he was underdone going into the Eagles match, but he certainly didn't look interested. On more than one occasion, he let his hard working team mates down, by not chasing out of defense and not going hard enough at the contest. I'm sorry to bring a negativity to this thread, as generally, I'd agree with a lot of the positivity being put forward, but I'd still question whether the Sylvia/Bate combination will help win us a flag. And that's digression for you. So to stay on topic...Cale Morton is a gun.

Yeah, I hope he gets a senior game soon. I can't wait to see how he goes.

I think Wheels has still got at least 3 good years left in him. He might be slowly down a little bit with injury, but he's still one of our best players. He's always solid and leads from the front with his tackling and hard at it style of play. His presence in and around the team is important for not only our emerging backs, but all our youngsters.

Jared Rivers did rather well in the competition in '04 though.

The "captain's goal" being a leadership goal, in a big moment of a big match.