Little Goffy

I get excited if I think about the 'ins and outs' for next year, assuming we continue with the policy of resting the injured (Robbo, get off the ground until you can get up off the ground!) I've taken some latitude here, but this is a thought process, not a grant application. I also haven't included players like Brown, Ward, Bizzell, Holland, Ferguson and Pickett in order to minimise 'But he's leaving anyway' comments. Yes, Miller is still in there. Please let that slide and stay on topic! Currently not playing and not likely to play this year - Rivers Yze Petterd Whelan Bartram Currently playing obviously injured or seriously out of form Neitz Robertson Mclean Davey Question marks on current form and/or match fitness from interrupted seasons Carroll Jamar Johnstone Miller Moloney Bell Bruce Young players with credibly anticipated imrpovement to come Jones Buckley Petterd Sylvia (still) Newton Dunn Frawley Bate It doesn't take long to see just how dramatically this team can change. Imagine a year with a normal injury rate. Imagine some renewal of form for a few players (I haven't even included White and Green, who I think could both do a lot better even though they aren't 'failing' at present). Throw in a high draft pick or two and a driven, energetic coach... I'm actually confident that next year will see competitive performances. I won't predict further, but yes, my fires still burn! And to those who have looked up our worst season ever stats, I think it'd be fun to see if there has ever, ever been a team which didn't have a single player play the entire season. Get that record and 2007 becomes a meaningful part of history, instead of just a miserable year - anytime it comes up, the 'talking point' would be the incredible injury run, not the terrible performance!

AAAARRRGGHHH!!! Can't a young guy play well for a year or two without being our 'NEXT CAPTAIN FOREVER WOOHOO GONNA LEAD US SINGLEHANDED TO A PREMEIRSHIP'. Sorry, I know that's exaggerating, but damn that is one bit of hype that really worries me. Miller couldn't handle it when he was made 'NEXT CAPTAIN' before he had assemble a decent few years base of confidence. Mclean is really suffering from the pressure now, I'd speculate. Now Jones? How about - "Jones for player who the leadership group makes a point of supporting so they can build confidence and not get knocked out of games by older heavier bodies..." Although Davey could do with a bit of the same support. Sometimes I think that the 'job' of flying the flag in support of Davey has been assigned to just two players - Whelan and Pickett. Sometimes I think back on the last few years and get the feeling each player has been taught to think too much about their own, precious little role, rather than the things that everyone needs to be doing all the time. You know, tackling is McDonald's 'thing', long searching leads was Miller's 'thing', courageously filling space across CHB was River's 'thing', long kicking is Moloney and Wheatley... So no-one else needs to do them...

I hate to say it, but the Bulldogs might even be in a worse position than our lot over the next few years. Grant, West, Johnson, Darcy, Akermanis all likely departures. While they've coped without Darcy or Grant for long periods, and Akermanis ain't what he used to be, losing the lot puts a huge whole in any team. Brad Johnson must be just about the most irreplacable player going around, simply because no-one else does what he does, and West is undeniably critical. The form and fitness of these players, despite all the 'young doggies' hype, is the barometer of the Bulldogs performance, and they are all one their way out soon.

Wow, if that is how the teams really line up then I'm afraid I'll have to starting thinking Riley has been part of the problem all along. Who is Holland coming in for, anyway? Tredrea? He'd spend the whole game watching from five metres behind. Maybe Motlop or Pearce. #%^ing #$%^ of a %^$ what the $#%#$@ why would $#% do $%^$ when the $^#% is $^$*ing %^%ed. I'm sure I'll get solid agreement on that last sentence.

My thought is that Sheedy is such a big personality and recognised as a legend of the game that he could make some hard moves, disturb some 'comfortable' players and really change the culture. A little like the Return of Barassi in the 80's set up a renewal of vigor. I'd predict a 3 year job to kick in a few walls, shift the attitude and groom a successor (I still think Viney eventually) and be remembered as a Richmond champion player, the greatest Essendon coach, and the man who restored the glory of the original football club after almost half a century of faltering. I think the timeline would suit Sheedy's retirement plans, I think the goal would be 'worthy' of Sheedy's ambition, and I think it really could revitalise the club's image - you can't ignore or not care about the club Kevin Sheedy coaches...

Presuming we only manage one more win, we should get picks - 2, 19, 20, 34 or something like that. So Definately a good idea to delist four for a starter, I'd say. Brown and Ward just turn the ball over or screw up some other way far too often - when you're trying to build up the confidence of the younger guys you can't have experienced players constantly sending us into mad scrambles to cover sudden big holes (consider poor Frawley against the Roos - that's just not fair on a young guy). Dropping these two reinforces the usefulness of keeping Yze, covering the role Brown & Ward have filled, except with maybe some footskills. Don't forget Whelan, too. And Bartram, Petterd, Bell... all better options for skill and discipline. Five players out who would all be ahead of Ward & Brown. I think Holland can go. Gorilla-keeper theory is all nice, but Rocca must be the only major FF slow enough for Holland to still be there when it counts. Dropping Holland increases the value of experimenting a little more with Miller. I think he might have been a decent FF if the spot had been there when young, but it doesn't look like it'll ever happen now. So give him some time down back and see if he can step up next year. If not, it would probably be his last. I'm over Pickett, to be honest. I'd want to hear a reason for him to be kept, rather than feeling a need to justify his departure. So that is four. Notwithstanding above comments, I'd accept a good-value trade for Miller. Might be best for him too. Jamar is now behind PJ, and honestly I've lost confidence in Jamar's prospects for improvement. A lot of clubs need a 'decent' ruckman, and I still reckon we should be aiming for a top quality ruckman with the first pick, so I think the trade would work out. But I'd hardly be upset if he was kept another year. If a trade like the one arranged for Walsh (to Port for about a three-pick advancement in the third round of the draft) could be arranged for Ferguson, it might be best for all concerned. Again, no problem for me if we persevere with him. I like the guy, despite his appaling luck. I'd like to keep the established playing group mostly together - I'd be horrified if Green or Bruce were traded on the eve of a new coach who might be able to push them the extra step to champion level. As to coaching, I like Todd Viney simply because he got results in the Hawthorn midfield. He's also got out-of-AFL coaching experience and fitness expertise. And can we please bring in Jimmy Stynes for even a couple of sessions a week as a specialist ruck coach. Hmmm... that made me think of something - Jeff White's miserable habit of winning hit-outs and tapping to disadvantage has been around a while and is getting worse... is he teachable? Maybe he thinks he owns the ruck position? Both Jamar & Jolly were starved for opportunity because White liked to ruck alone. And other people's comments about his slow slow decision making and low impact despite his pretty good stats ring true to me as well. I've lost confidence in him and honestly think he's a smokey for a shock delisting! Jamar, PJ, Neaves and a top draft pick as a ruck division would be a risk, but when you really think about it, what is White providing at the moment? So, do I get the coaching job?

O'keefe is a likeness I approve of. He does some very good work providing a lead in the forward line, I've often seen him be the extra forward that just meant the that opposition defence couldn't cope anymore, so everyone has a day out. I'm glad he's adding a bit of versatility too, because he deserves a spot and so do a couple of his young 'competitors' up forward. Looks like everyone has a theory of what he'll become. But we're all agreed he's likely to do well, at least.

I reckon Pickett will be given a couple of games to round out, and maybe proove that he's worth persevering with. Though I personally wouldn't want to see him on the list next year. If I had to guess, I'd say round 16 (Nth Melbourne) or 17 (Port Adelaide) would be chosen for his 200th, 'for old times sake'. If we give him a run, it may as well coincide with the more personally significant games for him. Unless he's really stepped up by then, though, I don;t think he should get more than two or three games to show us his worth.

I'm more over this season than I realised until I actually thought about it. I've got surprisingly little interest in the finals race and premiership contenders and all that. I've even let footy tipping slide It's hard, when you can't see your team moving out of the bottom four even with a good run. I care about Sunday's result, particularly since my brother supports Carlton. I definately don't want us to 'tank' for draft picks, but it would be annoying to have five wins instead of four and the extra pick around 20. If it came down to one loss for an extra likely player / Judd-trade sweetener... I'll be upset if we lose, I always am. But the pain lies in how we lose - getting smashed all day OR losing in the last minute because of some weak free kick (I still hate Lloyd for that Elim Final Dive) would really [censored] me off. Can't go, live on wrong planet, spaceship out of order. We'll see if the break in the weather comes through by Sunday. I reckon there will be more people curious about this game than we'd expect. 38,000

Don't forget Davey 2003 Rookie. It's a shame Bartram is out. Must be something like 80% of last few years draftees playing in that scenario. Who's missing? Neville - I haven't heard anyone get excited about him yet Garland - The standard message seems to be 'good prospect, but don't expect instant results' Warnock - Seems to get about a 50/50 split of people who think he'll either just barely make it, or just barely wont. Weetra - I know nothing. Neaves - Most people seem to expect he'll be promoted from the rookie list eventually. Then there are a couple of other rookies who aren't write offs - like Bode and Hughes. Phenomenal stuff.

It's not so much a question of what we would offer Carlton, but what would they offer us to sweeten the deal if we agreed to take him off their hands.

My brother is a Carlton supporter and because of that I get an inside view of what it's like having your team's fortunes hanging on a player so grossly inconsistent, irresponsible and unreliable. Not to mention overpaid and self-glorifying. Please no. No no no no no. No No No. NO.

I'm really excited to see Wheatley back in the mix following injuries and some poor form. He's been good since return. Any time he gets the ball I'm pleased because WITH WHEATLEY YOU CAN BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT HE WON'T [censored]-FART AROUND ON THE HALF-BACK LINE. He is, in that respect, a cure for one of our Ills. I also still love him for beating the little bastard Matera after Matera had kicked four goals in the first quarter with Whelan on him. Good player, Wheatley. I had him on the list of possible 'outs' at the end of the season, but I'm very happy that he's back and performing.

No.

I honestly think is was the correct, albiet unpleasant, decision to advance the date of the review. But I'm not happy at all with Gardner's mouth. He's managed to show disrespect to both Daniher and Neitz in the space of two weeks. I'll still be rating him on how he does his 'core' job, but he really needs to bring the chat under control before he makes Melbourne a media slapstick routine.

I'm starting to think Gardner just needs to keep his mouth shut - someone else commented hat club presidents should be 'seen and not heard'. I can see the case for being ruthless with regard to the football review, but Gardner's careless talk gave it an air of disrespect that it simply didn't need to have. And now his response to Neitz offering a mild rebuke for that has prompted Gardner to make a totally unneccesary response in which he basically talked down to David Neitz, suggesting he was 'just' speaking out of emotion. Neither Gardners original comments nor his response to Neitz's comments were necessary or helpful for the club. Dare I suggest they were driven by Gardners 'emotional' need to justify himself? I'm not impressed. Gardner had better deliver on his promises on making a profit and getting the new facilities together, I've already being stung but his 'overestimates' of income in the last couple of years. Again, his excessive talking actually undermines satisfaction with the clubs off-field progress over the last couple of years. He needs to keep his mouth shut and not let his ego, emotion and dare I say it conscience create controversies for the media to play with. Oops... anyway, as to the actual point of this thread, I would think Neitz would put in another year at least. Unless he becomes the new coach. I can dream of seeing, in a few years, Neitz and Stynes being assistant coaches under Viney, can't I?

oh, and a final thought - "Newton the hard-working responsible team player" Daniher's final legacy?

Well said Jaded. I was really pleased with the team efforts like that chase and some responsible play instead of trying to be the show-pony. It's a shame that first shot didn't go through, would've been worth about $300 from the pledgers! I don't think Dunn is in trouble, as some suggested. Dunn has added a little extra versatility lately which should see it possible for both to find spots in the team. And you'd think Netiz will be out for a while again after last night - he was seriously banged up out there, what a freak for managing to not only play on but even keep performing. Robbo might even miss a few as well, if we get serious about using the remainder of the year to put players through necessary surgery and rest. It's pretty clear that his knee still isn't quite 100%.

Yep, I can confirm that. If we only win four games for the year then we'll be getting top pick plus pick 17 AND 18. (This assumes that Richmond win three more and pass us, otherwise it'd be pick 2 + pick 19 and 20)

Oh come on, when was it serious to actually say that one error costs a game. Brown screwed up because he had a brain freeze under pressure with 30 seconds to go. It's a problem, I'd suggest it's his last season and he wont get many more games, but don't overdo it, huh?

Didn't help that bloody Bruce 'The Goose' Macaveny still called it as 'White' when PJ was rucking. How does he still get allowed in. He deliveres commercial hype and stupid outlandish comments ' oh, the best game in 100 years' and idiotic garbage like that, which just undermines the genuine recognition which the other commentators give players during a game. Bah.

I'll say exactly what I replied to Jarka on 'Game Thread'. Aren't you a sour one? Cool it for an hour and a half, could ya. Then he wont be your problem any more and you won't be his.

Aren't you a sour one? Cool it for an hour and a half, could ya. Then he won't be your problem any more and you won't be his.

Right, I see. A little excess exuberance. I suppose with the amount of anger directed at the coach around here it's easy to think he wasn't liked. Mumy and Daddy still love eachother, and we both love you, we just need to be apart. I wonder if any players will be running away from home?

Dunno about a coach to get Judd. Get the best coach we can is the best way to advertise. As for the potential cleanout, if I had to prepare the full list of the possibles it would go something like - Retirements/Delisting Brown Ward Pickett Holland Bizzell Yze Ferguson Neville Trade options Johnstone Miller Jamar And in fairness to other's opinions Godfrey C. Johnson So, that is a lucky 13 of potential departures. The sheer bulk of possible delistings is part of why I don't think Godfrey or CJ should be on the chopping block. Ferguson might be tradeable by some fluke. Then again, the poor guy deserves a change of luck. Lets see, Johnstone and a second round pick for Ball to come back to Sandringham! Jamar and Miller to boost the early picks, either adding new ones or upgrading existing ones. Delist Ward, Brown, Pickett, Neville, Ferguson (who would be traded if possible, ala Peter Walsh). Leaving six or seven slots open. Target a couple of these rumoured superhero ruckmen/forwards in the early draft (2 picks), go for speed and a speculative KP backman with some of the remaining (3 picks). Be sure to leave at least our first pick in the pre-season draft to collect any departing players from other clubs (eg. Judd or Riewolt) Interestingly, Ball is a friend/teammate of Riewolt now, and played for the Sandringham Dragons alongside Judd, back in the day. The final result is, out of our best 22. - Johnstone (the rest simply aren't best 22) + Ball + whoever we can snaffle in the pre-season draft + at least one top rated ruckman/forward + a host of kids The shift from Johnstone to Ball would be a major step up in leadership and hardness, without any major loss on skills. After Judd and Sandilands he would have to be one of the best options. I personally wouldn't be prepared to trade away the kind of draft positions that would be demanded for Riewolt or Judd, though I wouldn't flinch at grabbing them in the preseason draft. With so many senior players retiring or soon to retire, and players like Robertson and Bruce soon to be eligible for veteran status, we should actually have a little bit of room in the salary cap to accomodate a star recruit or two.