Binmans PA

I think you'll find ALL the AFL teams have a lot of players either out injured or playing, but carrying little niggles. In our position, we're simply making sure our squad is ready for 2010. There's not a whole lot to worry about. I think you'd find at least half those on the injured list at the moment, playing if we were pushing for the finals or in them.

Thanks for this article, M_9. Great read.

I know, I feel bloody sorry for him, some of the stuff that gets thrown towards him.

I wonder if we'd keep him on simply because there may not be a stand out captain to take his place? He'll be on the vetrans list and therefore pretty cheap to keep on. Maybe Grimes could get the captaincy in his third year?

Yeah, was talking to his sister last night and she was saying he's just focusing on exams at the moment. Good lad.

Yeah, as a filmmaker myself, I find those type of cliches give me the shits. Pull at the heart strings with some strings...oldest trick in the book.

I'm rather worried about the side we're putting out against The Filth, Mark II. Being a young side themselves, we could easily see the Blues dish up a horror performance. Yes, I know finals footy is on the line this year, but most Carlton supporters can't seriously expect them to make the top 4 this year. They may well, but won't threaten, despite one eyed media reports from Kouta. As poor as Miller has been this year, his omission is at least a little heartening, considering he might have provided us with another target this week. One more week of frantic nail biting and then we should have a relatively relaxed weekend in Round 22...then again, Robbo will be playing his last game and St Kilda, as a rule don't play their best football at the 'G.

I'm not his biggest fan, but he spoke beautifully on FOX Sports last night. Very professional and I hope that he feels welcome at the MFC, once his playing days are over.

Wow, didn't expect this...

Yep, but both those sides had/have (in the case of Geelong) gun midfields. Essendon don't...

The thing about Rivers is he reads the play so beautifully. I wouldn't trade him unless it was for Selwood or Hodge. But even then, we'd be compromising our rising strength in the backline...I just don't think it's a smart move. Finally, we have a backhalf that is worthy of being talked about.

Let's just hope they don't win one before Fev retires. It'll be extremely difficult without him.

Unless the Bombers draft a key position gun, they're only ever going to be there abouts with this list. With Lloyd playing they're very one dimensional, without him, they'll have to rely on goals from the midfield, week in, week out. That's going to be tough. They've covered for him a couple of times this season, but it's about doing it for 22 Rounds, plus finals. I can't see them getting anywhere with this list...still, I could be wrong. I hope I'm right though.

That's, because they've had Lloyd, Lucas and Fletcher to get them across the line a few times. All it's really done is cost them a few draft picks. They haven't been in a finals race since they beat us in the elimination final of '04.

The reason Macca isn't list clogging this year, is because the kids are too young to play in the midfield, come next year, we'll want the Grimes, Morton's etc to be playing in the middle, Haselby would only prevent them from getting valuable experience. Furthermore, Scully and Trengove are ready made players, so presuming we draft them, Haselby would only be stealing their spots. No dice, I'm afraid.

Except Cousins is a gun, Haselby isn't...

I agree. That is my one concern. Well, actually my first, secondly, he needs to be able to find the ball against top opposition. Freo aren't top opposition. That said, he's the best candidate on our list at the moment. Those that still think McLean should be captain, obviously haven't watched him this year.

No. He did two good things yesterday, but he was also very much himself, flying for that ridiculous specky, which then caused the turn over and Freo ran it out. He's all about himself and we don't need any of that. Delist.

I was really hoping they wouldn't...I probably hate them more than Collingwood. It would have been hilarious if they had thrown it on the siren again. Still, I hope they just miss out again.

Paradoxically, I also agree with this to an extent. That said, my initial post stated the possibility of change in the game, not that it neccessarily will.

You obviously didn't see the Kangaroos game in Round 1 or the West Coast game at Subi. There were two distinct passages of play, where Bennell's pace was on display. Both of the plays were on the wing and both of them involved him attacking a contest fiercely and coming away with the ball. Even those two brief moments, provide a glimmer with which we can judge him, pace wise. He'll be a beauty. I have a slight question mark over his kicking accuracy, but he hasn't played enough to warrant worrying.

I couldn't agree more, Akum.

I agree, HT. And if we get those two, it takes more pressure of Davey, who can then push up into this core group of top midfielders. It could look more like: Scully, Trengove, Sylvia, Davey, Morton, Grimes.

Spot on, Hannibal. I agree with all of the above. Thanks for the service, boys.

That's a totally different situation...