JJJ

It's pretty simple. 2006: was an extremely effective player and smashed the Saints in an Elimination Final. 2007: Broken foot in Rd 1 which ruined the rest of the year. Came back later and carried injury through next preseason 2008: Limited preparation with knee soreness and then broke his ankle mid season which he also carried through to next preseason. 2009: Worst preseason of his career. Unable to get the hard KMs into his legs and unable to do sprint work or kicking. A major problem for someone who needs a large tank to get to as many contests as possible. I had hoped he would play better this year but after I viewed him at training in March I knew he was going to struggle to live up to his own standards. For me, this year was a re-building year for Brock. A chance to prove that he can play at least a majority of the year and get in tune with the game plan and the speed of the game. Mission accomplished. Now he needs rest and get through the preseason to ensure he can run out games and improve his speed/movement.

I have no problem with what McLean said at a primary school in country Victoria. Players are often more honest and open in those forums and if I were to guess I believe that McLean knows that Newton was tapped on the shoulder at seasons end. They will try to trade him but will likely fail and then seek a buyout. Onwards and upwards.

http://twitter.com/emmasq

Dumping (yellow) snow on the rest of the competition.

I seem to recall a Demon Magazine from around 97-98 with Todd holding an infant Jack on the cover. I remember thinking at the time that with Viney, Lyon and a couple of others having boys there was a chance we could snag a freebie. Mind you father son selections aren't as 'free' as they used to be.

Was there anything useful or informative discussed on Footy Classified?

Moloney is out. So our midfield consists of Jones, McDonald, Bartram, Petterd, Bruce, Morton and Valenti..... wow! Should be a win for us against Cousins, Cotchin, Delidio and.... whoever else they roll out.

If he is feeling a 'hot spot' or light stiffness/soreness then it is conceivable he could only miss a week or so but given his history I would have thought that any back related issue is serious for young Jack. Back injuries are always lingering and always need to be treated carefully. I damaged my back playing footy 13 years ago in a manner which I think is similar to Grimes and still feel average after a heavy knock or too many hours at the desk.

Any injury concerns regarding Grimes and his back is really bad news. The coaching staff would want him to play as many games this year as possible. I am worried.

mmmmmm sarcasm perhaps? Unless of course 'Demon Den' is actually Dennis Commetti. In that case it's just pure comedy. How are we going to get a kick in the midfield, let alone kick a winning score against that backline?

Tenace is playing..... maybe the Cats are tanking.

I have searched for a "Baileys All-Stars". It is a strange way to use such a unique talent.

Forget trading pick 2 if we happen to 'earn' it. We should be over the top in our aggression to attract a young Victorian like a Patrick Dnagerfield in the PSD. I am hoping we are in his managers ears at all times. If we have to trade for him, play hardball and trade a pick at the end of the 1st round at the most. He would look good wearing number 9.

Not quite. I think he should start in the midfield and push forward. I would be happy for him to get the pill less if he were having more inside 50's and using his pace more forward of the centre. I would give Watts 1 more week. We may be able to play well enough to give the forwards the delivery they need and he could benefit and gain some confidence.

Sweeping around the back to setup play. He isnt damaging in this role at all and opposition clubs just allow him possession in our D50 to ensure that he can't use his skills in the F50. His stats are inflated but his effectiveness is pretty average.

I hate the way Davey is playing/used. Teams have worked out our "structure".....

From the sounds of things we had a hard time putting our head over the pill tonight and you want to add Strauss who has struggled with the physical aspects of VFL footy. We need to play a team that will run hard and compete for the footy in contested situations. Bring in Bartram, Dunn and Bell and tell them they are on their last chance. Also bring in someone with form from Casey. Drop whoever you please.

You have to be kidding. Skills aside, the run and hardness at a contested situation are governed by the coach. Make no doubt about it. A coach can at least make the team work hard and contest. The structures and skills may fail under pressure but the effort should be fairly consistent. Clarkson showed that at Hawthorn.

nope. explain please........

Therein lies the problem with a really crap side, we have too many needs and too few top draft choices. It may force our hand, with us taking a tall with the 2nd pick, assuming we have a PP plus the 2nd. With GC taking the 12 best 17 year olds and having a multitude of picks before anyone else next year we need to address our deficiencies this year. Unless of course the tall forward is not in the same class as the mid.

I agree with your sentiment but I think that come 2011 we will be under a new coach.

Watts' athleticism will actually increase with training. He is a kid who has never done any real hard training before this season. Add to this the toll of such a heavy block that he and Blease undertook earlier in the season and of course his movement and athleticism will be down. I am not concerned at all by his perceived lack of athleticism. Onward to 2010 for Jack.

Surely you jest.

It's a poor reflection on our previous attempts at a flag under Daniher when the players left over from his reign are our current senior players and have no idea about leadership, poise and footy nous. It would seem that we will have to rid ourselves of almost all of his players. Bartram, Miller, Dunn, Bell, RObertson, Wheatley, Bruce and Whelan should all be gone by the 2011 season when we hopefully start to rise up the ladder.

Its not unreasonable for a commentator like Matthews to say what he did. Watts hasn't shown much in his 2 weeks other than a propensity to be ignored by teammates when in space. He just doesn't stand out like some other 2008 draftees. I didn't take any offense nor was I disappointed and neither should you. Matthews is just a neutral observer stating the obvious.