Dr. Gonzo

He certainly makes my star rise...wait, what?

Hopefully only a fortnight away!

He already knows how to use his body brilliantly. A number of other players could take lessons from him.

He looked on in the first 10 minutes, unfortunately the ball didn't get down his end for the next half an hour. He will rip a game apart at some point this year and I want to be there when it happens.

You weren't around to witness the great one? I was there, I saw it with my own eyes and I assure you, he was every bit as great as the legends say. I remember a quote from an opposition coach after he had decimated their side, I think it was Schimmelbusch after Jakovich kicked 11.8; he said "he's in the middle of a purple patch right now, and it's pretty purple". We've had these freaks come along over the past 20 years but their flame has burnt out far too quick - Jakovich from 91-94, Schwarz 92-94 and Farmer 98-2000. Hogan looks to be the next level and let's hope he can rip up the G and put the fear of God into opposition defence and supporters for the next 15 years in the red and blue and help deliver that long elusive cup back to the home of footy and the club that created it all.

Trengove and Tapscott did

Agree if Saints take Petracca we go Brayshaw and McCartin, if they take McCartin we go Petracca and Brayshaw - in my opinion. I think it's 50/50 as to which way the Saints go.

See if you can pick the difference in this situation...

Don't worry too much I get the feeling we'll have another early pick next year we can use to draft and develop our own star.

I'd also like to know how accurate he is in front of goal. Haven't seen any of the u18's this year and was thinking Petracca/Brayshaw would be the way to go to bolster our midfield but getting another big forward to pair with Hogan and have Dawes next to the lm wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. We'd have to delist/trade two of Fitzpatrick and Spencer/Gawn though you'd think.

Whenever we played Richmond.

Yep but I don't just mean a size thing either. It's also do you get a Hodge/Judd or a Scully?

One of the main issues I have with the "top pick = potential elite" is are these kids that good or are they only that good compared to the other kids they're playing against?

His 1998 r22/finals series was exceptional but nothing will beat that 2000 season he had. He kicked I think 76 goals which for a small forward is unbelievable. His bags of 7 and 8 against Freo and WCE at Docklands were superb including one goal kicked off the ground from about 40 out near the boundary.

Also love the fact he has started to hit the scoreboard, was the only real query I had about him but looks like he's got that covered.

He doesn't look particularly strong but his strength through the core is amazing. Looks almost impossible to tackle, stands up in the tackles and around the stoppages and even when tackled is always able to get a handball off. Love this kid more and more every week.

I thought that after the first few games as well - it's because most of his possessions seem to occur within packs.

Daniher stuffed our list beginning straight after the 2000 GF. He tried plugging gaps at CHF/CHB with guys like Miller, Robertson, Ellis, Bizzell and Rivers. None of them are KPP, Miller you could make an argument for but he didn't have the talent. Not to mention the fact he persevered with his favourites and accepted mediocrity from players who continually fell apart in big games (Yze, White, Johnstone, Bruce etc). Was a one dimensional coach who was good for the first 3 years but gave us nothing after that. Couldn't make a game day move to save himself either.

Hawthorn's base is out at Waverley - I doubt you'll see too many heading out there to meet up before games/after games. For some that live in the area they might head there during the week/for training but it's not like it was in thr 60's or 70's with training after work on a Thursday, sausage sizzle and team selection. Most training sessions occur during business hours now. The sport has become professional. I think there's an argument our Admin & FD should be housed in the same building but I don't see the benefit of a social club in this day and age. There are the rooms at the G where premium members can meet and have a drink/feed and hopefully the southern stand facilities will be upgraded soon. I don't like the separation with MCC especially due to so much of our support there and the change rooms hidden away where most people can't access them but at the end of the day every club has to deal with that now. If we ever do get that elusive premiership, celebrations aren't held at social clubs anymore - a function room will be hired at Rod Laver or Crown or something where the players will go back to celebrate with those of us lucky enough to get a ticket.

His first half last night was very good. He'll be a gun once he matures and has a season or 2 training in the AFL. He's one of our youngest on the ground and you can see him directing players where to run when he has the ball.

You mean the one where he was running back with the flight and was unable to get back quickly enough because the ball was kicked over his head so only stuck one arm in the air trying to get fingers to it? I don't think he "squibbed" it at all, I think he was trying to get back but the kick was so poor it looked like he dropped under the ball instead of keeping on running backwards.

Neeld could take some pointers from Lyon about how to speak to journos without actually saying anything.

Support publicly, critique privately it's fairly simple. The coach should be shielding the players from the media's rubbish not adding to it.

So who is the "one" who you have heard stuff that indicates they want out - if it's the one I'm thinking of it's the one of the three we can least afford to lose.

Some of us want to hear what he's got to say and don't read every single thread on here so want him to keep posting. If you don't like it put him on ignore, simple.