Little Goffy

My big call for round 1 is Dunn on Franklin. It just looks so right. Also, a nice side note that accoring to finalsiren.com the hawks best players vs Melbourne over the last five games are many of the same players they are now missing, including Jacobs, Brown, Hodge and Crawford. Franklin doesn't have a record of firing against us. What we have to really watch is bloody Mark Wlliams. C'mon Belly, nail him to the turf!

I agree that we'll have a slow start to the season, sadly. But our second win will come against Carlton in round 5, and will be a corker. 2-3 then doesn't look so bad. And after that a bit of confidence comes in, we'll be getting close to the full list, and start winning games. Into the eight with about 13 wins, win a home MCG final against an overated Collingwood... and that's where my predictions end, because tipping well into the finals is just daft! Dunn to breakout, possibly as CHB!!

I scraoed the money together and signed up as a member in 2003. So quit your moaning. If we tanked a year to get one extra top draft pick, I'd be filthy. But if it takes a year of annoying stories and club-imposed sanctions, and some hard truths about retirements and delistings, to change the culture of the club for the long term, then I'll deal with it. And still, we have no real idea of how we're placed yet. I'll be there to find out.

There's a simple problem with the tactics as far as I can see- the players have been instructed to run with it and look for a good option to pass off to, fair enough, but what we're seeing with these 'held on to it for too long' and 'sideways handballing' moments is that the rest of the team hasn't properly got into the habit of actually presenting good options, running to the right spot, and being ready to push on once it comes to them. New motto, to be drilled into them all day every day - MOVE WITH PURPOSE

Ok. This one will surprise some but then we'll all go, 'oh, yeah, of course...' Matthew Whelan! Consistently 80% plus disposal efficiency, which places him in Champion Data's elite category - but the important part is that he does this while almost continuously under pressure given his usual role of close checking in defence. Priceless, underrated player. He's James McDonald rebuilt for back-pocket / small defender. Can't wait to have him back. Fingers crossed.

Oh please, cool down all of you. Brad Green performs consistently at a good standard, and works through bad form by doing the hard work anyway. Cameron Bruce is our most vesatile player, is ALWAYS near the top of our hard-ball gets(!), posessions, tackles, clearances you name it, EVERY SEASON. There have been some footskill issues recently, but seriously, he's a long way from being a liability. To be honest, I think the 'correct' underperformer was traded. Travis Johnstone does not have the versatility, intensity, footskills (in terms of actual effective use, rather than appearances) stamina or team attitude of either Bruce or Green, both of whom are regulars in the B&F top ten compared to TJ's sporadic appearances. I'd love to see Bruce and Green surge back up to the stellar form which we have glimpsed from them at times. But can we please get some perspective - these are good players and our concern isn't at a level of 'playing for their careers' - it's that they haven't been the out-and-out stars we'd hoped for. 'Last season' prospects as I see it - Warnock & CJ are in danger of 'not quite making it' at AFL level. Bode and Weetra also, though they are probably entitled to more time. Jamar is in some trouble since he just hasn't made any progress for years now, despite increased opportunities. PJ has more versatility and to me is showing at least some continual improvement, I think he's safe for 08. Neitz, White, Whelan (if injury persists) Yze and Holland are prospective retirees. I don't think McDonald is actually going to get old, ever. I think it'll be five delistings a year for the next two years - that's a big turnover following last years eight or so, plus rookies. Why on earth would anyone be talking about dropping solid performing moderately experienced players with some years left in them - certainly long enough to ride with the wave of youth. Side note - the idea that Robbo plays best when the team is performing seems ridiculous to me - think Carlton in the the last game at Princes Park for an example of Robbo turning a game that we we're losing. The poor bastard practically carried us into the 05 finals and this is how we talk about him?

I damn well hope that the AFL isn't pulling too many strings - I'd trust them to act in our best interests, or even deal honestly, about as much as I'd trust a Carlton president to sell me a cardboard box at market price and without extra off-the-books fees. Gardner has been satisfactory. I can't get excited, but he's not some kind of buffoon. I'd be unhappy to see him go but would be prepared to accept a good replacement.

Interesting, we'll actually be fielding an even less experienced team than against Geelong, even though there will be a few more players with 'some' experience. None of the inclusions have 100 games up. Two are still less than ten. Shame about Buckley, I'm gonna assume he pulled up with a corky or something. As I've said elsewhere - if this squad beats Richmond, I'l be laughing. It's incredible but I think we're somehow still the stronger team, with 50% of the best 22 still out. I actually think Morton will have an impact right from the start, which contradicts assumptions I've made in the past about being too young and skinny at this stage - I now think it's more a case of him gradually getting worn down too much if he tries to play a full season at AFL level. Still wouldn't tip for rising star this year

Heh heh. I would imagine a lot of players will still be rested this week. CJ will be the biggest inclusion. Possibly Robertson to miss... If we win against Richmond this friday I will laugh till I fall over. We'll still be running the rookie list, no doubt about it. We're making sure of full availability at 100% for the season proper. I'm not going to complain about it since underdone players have been my favourite gripe for years. Having said all that, we'd be an even chance, which speaks volumes about the Tigers.

offically, it's about 75 / 25, ie well below average. Also one the the worst players for retaining posession from a kick-in in the league. Bye bye Travis. Enjoy BrisVegas.

Alirght, my turn, here's my estimates. I've bold-faced the players I think are unlikely for round 1, as you can see at a glance, it's not so bad as it seems at first. Bartram - is running but not doing any complex or heavy training. Some time off, but not a dead loss for the season. Bruce - will be good for round 1, but won't be risked for the Nab Challenge Carrol – Suspended by leadership group, would have been an important player on Saturday. Davey - Just sore, rested. Dunn - nothing serious, round 1, maybe even next week for a run. Frawley - Omitted? Rested. No noted issues. Grimes - Managing the back issues. Some time off C. Johnson - Minor hamstring strain. playing maybe even next week, but might be rested for one more. B. McLean - 'A knock to the knee', available round 1, may play earlier. Miller - Moloney - just rested, managing the groin for 100%, could play anytime the club feels like it. Morton - skinny 17 year old? No noted issue, could get a run any time. Neitz - just letting the old knees take it easy. Available to play. Petterd - I'd expect him to be up for round 1 - it's all a bit softly softly when your lung explodes, y'know? Rivers - Possible round one, wouldn't bank on it, but he's doing from what I see/hear. Again, softly softly. Wheatly - good old fashioned strain, definate for round 1, probably will play earlier. Whelan - See Bartram.

It's brilliant, and gets better. Next week (had we won) it would have been St. Kilda, possibly the only team we would have clashed with more. But back to the bright side - Valenti did look alright. Buckley looked alright. Meesen had his moments. A lot of the really young kids looked like they will become alright. Come on, we played a premiership team which seemed to be working as efectively as ever, and while there was a blowout they were close to full strength while we were resting 11 of our best 22. This was the kind of [censored] cup performance you'd expect from a team aiming for a big home and away season and finals...

Exacty. Most of the players current 'missing' are more of a 'rested' issue than actually injured. Moloney romped along at the intra-club, and his disposal showed great vision too. I honestly thought BOG. For the rest, the example would be Neitz and Robertson who were in the stands with ice for the last part of training on the wednesday, but mostly just milked it so that people would pass them stuff instead of having to get it themsleves. There ain't no crisis.

Each year, a typical AFL club has around six players who play all games, and even many of those play through some kind of soreness. Another six players per club play more than 19 games, missing three or less because of tweaks, strains, bumps, concussions etc.. We're talking half a best 22, every year, every club, copping substantial injuries. There's no denying that 2007 sucked like a tornado for Melbourne on the injury front, but there's also no reason to think that 2008 will be anything other than a normal season. Bartram and Whelan have issues, but should be introduced back into regular play within the first half of the season. Barring new problems, by round 1 all of Bruce, Mclean, Moloney, Sylvia, Rivers, Neitz, Robertson, Wheatley and CJ will be 100% available, and I'd expect almost of them to get in at least one [censored]/practice match before then as well. Several will play on saturday against Geelong. They'll definately be around in time to smash the stuffing out the dirty stinking Hawks, who quite rightly have half their core midfield players suspended for round 1. Ins - Mclean, Sylvia, Moloney. Outs - Crawford, Hodge, Lewis. Does anyone here still feel sorry for themselves?

After seeing the first half of the Dubai game, I rate Melbourne a little higher... Meanwhile, anyone else catch the 1976 grand final on ABC 2? I know it's totally unfair given the changes, salaries, support staff, interchange, you name it... but holy hell, if people played that loose and static these days they'd be lynched by angry fans! And when a guy got flattened the first thing the trainers did when they got to him has PICK HIM UP. It's a miracle the trainers back then didn't send a dozen extra players a year to hospital.

Anyone know who it is that has been nicknamed 'Pencil'? One of the new (tall and skinny) guys. A kid at training called McLean 'Broccoli'. He copped some after that.

At this stage I wouldn't stress to much about the DNP list. I think we are seeing the beginnings of this whole 'no-one plays unless fully fit' rule Bailey has talked about. Rivers probably could have had a run, but would have set back the path to 100%. Neitz too. Mclean is just resting a minor injury, to be sure. CJ just has a hamstring 'tweak' which will clear up in a couple of weeks. Grimes is looking after the back fractures, I would think he'll be eased along for some time to make sure he's good for a decade but he is training. Dunn, Wheatley, Whelan and Bartram are the question marks at the moment. I think there's huge variation in their injuries, from reeted niggle to 'only recently doing laps'. All are at least running. A lot of the other absences were not injury related (eg. Maric and McDonald). There is a bit of a list, but many of those would probably play if it was round 19, we were on the edge of the top 4, and if they were considered essential.

Yes. Rotatingto hF a bit still. But doing well, both of them.

Ok, here's an abridged version of a match report, since it's been mostly covered. First up, iit was damn cold, a classic early season blast from Canberra (also famous for late-season blasts of cold) -Robbo enjoyed the game and seemed unrestricted in his movement. A couple of good marks. -Morton was finding space and anticipating the play very well, but had a bit of trouble once he got it in his hands. Sly, worked his way loose very well. Lots of possessions early. -Valenti got the ball and then used it better than I expected. Good game. -Bate kicked a couple of long goals. Looked really annoyed when he was rested for a while. Played midfield/HF -Woneamirri worked hard - not quite as 'bang bang you're gone' as Davey was, but pretty tough and got right back into it with second efforts. It's not a fair comparison - Woneamirri isn't really the same kind of player, he's a tougher brand closer to Pickett if you ask me. -Paul Johnson stood out for me, moved well to space, found targets, took marks, a couple of goals I think. Rucking and almost CHF. Note that he was in a very dominant team on the day, but he's a certainty for the [censored] game against Geschmong. -Another nice showing - Simon Buckley was in it a lot, got it well and used it well. -Moloney was excellent all game, probably most possessions and many of them were contested - showed good vision, while still using the old long-kicking. Just really good. Excitingly good. -Carroll worked hard and followed up. Reminded me of his good form from 2006. -Ben Holland looked fast , timed his runs well and pushed off his opponent. -Some goalkicking issues from guess who Holland and Miller. (don't start) But both were heavily involved. -Cheney was an angry bee in a bottle all day. Overall, there were some very, very promising pieces of play. The 'Red & Blue' team was right in control, with a lot of heavy pressure and tackling which was great to see in a scratch match. The 'Silver' team were under the pump all day but there were a lot of well picked out passes in amongst it, given the pressure. Definatels, which we might not have anticipated, for Geelong game - PJ, Buckley, Moloney, Wonneaspelli, Valenti. I like our chances of winning our way back up here for round 2 of the [censored] cup.

Well, yes Morton is very young and not exactly big-boned, my own judgement is he'll take some time. BUT that's just me, let's face it the kid could be a star by next weekend given his skills and fitness. You're definately not throwing money away if you pick him, but I just like the rythm of kids playing a good set of games, 6 to 9 in their first year, and preferably most of those in consecutive strings, and then getting right into it in their second. I think of something like the Riewoldt path for Morton - Six games in his first season. 22 games, 178 marks, the rising star award, and 11 brownlow votes in his second. Poor Barry Predengast... he's come in to be our recruiting manager just after we got our last top-four draft pick for a decade. Meanwhile, a side note on the Rising Star Award - how freaky was the 1993 group. Everitt, Crawford, West, Neitz, Buckley, Hird, Fletcher, Richardson, Archer, S. Rocca, Ricciuto. And then some.

Awesome, thank you, and I will see you there. This time I may even bring an extra person or two!

No mention of Newton? The line is then games or less, NOT less than ten games. That's my understanding, I'll double check... The winner must be under the age of 21 at January 1 of that year, must not have played more than 10 games to the start of that season and must not have been suspended by the AFL or State League tribunals during the season Newton is eligible by two months, and one game! Between Petterd and Newton we've got two of the best prospects for the 2008 award, never mind the host of other possibles. I would guess that with Maric and Morton both being very very young, and Grimes shaking off back issues, they are all unlikely to play more than ten games this year. So, good prospects for 09 as well. Remember that we've had a 'podium finish' in the rising star award for four years running - 07 Jones 06 Bartram 05 Mclean 04 Davey and Rivers It's time to take it to the next level and absolutely OWN the Rising Star Award.

You'd think Garland would get a run ahead of Stefan Martin, who I reckon will take some time to be AFL quality. Still not completely clear where Garland is gonna finish up, forward or back. Bate and Newton both mixed between forward and midfield at training, so that might help the depth there. Remember that Colin Sylvia has actually done the full preseason, so might just have the condition to spend a lot more time in the midfield. Also don't forget Buckley, unless there's an injury I don't know about. I think we're looking at a very good [censored] cup squad, despite the missing players, discounting the absolute newbies, and even if we rest a few veterans.

A scratch match? Where when, what, huh? Is that at Ainslie Oval again? What time friday? KEEEEEEN to go and I have friday free!

Damn right about players not playing with 'injury clouds'. We all want to see the very best players when they are at their best. We all want to see and test out the kids, who might just turn on Bruce/Green style debut seasons. I don't want to see Robbo at a steadily degrading 80%, 75%, 70%... as he wears out an existing injury game after game. Robertson, Neitz, these guys are gamebreakers at full fitness but 'just another forward' if they're broken down. There are twenty two games in the home and away season, no single game requires a player to make an injury sacrifice, players have to be managed so there is the maximum contibution over all twenty two weeks. And then still be able to play in the finals. Pardon me, raw nerve = rant. Back to the topic - I think the selection of the leadership group is a straight-up statement that having youth and potential is great, but we have strong veteran players and they're in it to win it, NOW.