Dr. Gonzo

There is a middle ground - I support expansion but also think the concessions went a bit far AND it is clearly AFL policy that the northern expansion clubs (particularly those in NSW) can't afford to bottom out. How is that fair in a COMPETITION where certain teams are regarded as expendable and others are regarded as required to be permanently challenging. The AFL will do whatever they need to to ensure these clubs are "successful" and if that means manipulating things so they get even more leg ups down the track it will happen. Effectively what I'm saying is the AFL is going to guarantee premierships for certain clubs to cement their expansion and GWS will absolutely win a flag (or 3) in the next 10 years.

So who should we target? If you can't answer the question then why bother moping and whinging about it. Who is out of contract that is a realistic option?

Membership numbers are huge for sponsors- it gives them access to a database to direct market to via email/post.

Looking very far ahead here, but the Grand Final is on our home ground so if it comes to that we should have that going for us at least.

Next year we definitely need to make finals. Another thing that needs to be taken into account when looking at our improvement is our %. 2013 - 2 wins 50% 2014 - 4 wins 70% 2015 - 7 wins 77% 2016 (to date) - 6 wins 103% Even if we only win another 2-3 games if we can maintain our % above say 90-95% (based on increased offense not a dour defensive game style) I think it will be another step forward, albeit a baby step. We have a tough run home but to date we've eradicated the 90-100 point losses which has been a hallmark of our failure over the last decade. Overall we are improving arent we are aiming for sustainable improvement but it's not coming as quick as some (including myself) would like - but I am confident we're on the right track. There are comparisons to the Bailey-era & supporters suffering PTSD (or MFCSS/MSDS) won't believe it til they see it but there are differences to that team, not least of which is the type of players we have now compared to then.

Couldn't coach though

You can't pot the club for not bringing in experience or bringing in the "wrong kind" of experience if you can't even identify players we should be targeting. The club can only go after players that are available. Hodge and Selwood don't grow on trees. We tried Dangerfield and (allegedly) Parker and Kennedy, you can only get those who want to come. Also I'd argue most of these "experienced leaders" are home grown talents. Not many move clubs without extenuating circumstances (like Dangerfield). We've drafted a number who should get there (Hogan, Brayshaw, Petracca, Oliver) but they need time to mature. They'll come from within. And yes, I agree with the premise that it would be good to import experienced top tier leadership. But unless they are available it's irrelevant. That ain't Gonzo logic, that's just the way it is Bub. Mahalo.

Name names otherwise it's irrelevant. I don't disagree with you but who do you reckon we should be targeting who is a realistic option to come to us? We tried Dangerfield, he didn't want to come. Also you need to be mindful of not upsetting the list management with lopsided contracts.

Don't tell me he's in Perth!!!!

Such as?

Like Lumumba, Melksham, Bugg, Kennedy, Cross, Vince etc We've been doing this but there's a limit to how much you can bring in. The improvement will come as our young players mature - they need leadership to ease them/guide them but overall we won't improve massively unless/until it's on the back of the 1-3 year players.

Last year we should've beat them - then they killed us at the G. One week at a time and each game on its merits! In 1989 we kicked 2.8.20 vs the Cats at the G in round 12. In round 16 we beat them at Waverley 112-109. A lot changes from week to week.

Anyone else get an email from the club addressed to their kids where they can "sign up a Demon buddy" for the remainder of the 2016 season for free? There's a form to complete online (link in email), if you know any kids under 15 you can sign them up if you have a kids membership (need to put in referring member number) as long as they haven't been a member before. Assuming these all add up to the final tally even if given out for free.

I agree with your sentiment but it is an example of short term pain for long term gain. We are light on down back (experience wise) which is part of the reason we haven't been as sound down there this year as some would have hoped (though performing above expectation considering the personnel, I would've thought).

Roos' focus has always been to prepare the side for the next coach. Winning 12 games this year to only win 10 next year isn't the goal. I think they're willing to forego some wins this year (winning 10 say) to win 12-14 next year. Keep in mind we are still developing, fielding the youngest team most weeks, while still being able to notch up wins (currently 6 & 7).

You also have to remember that the players come up every week against someone trying to stifle their work. I know this can happen in the public service ( ) but overall most people don't have others trying to disrupt them when learning a "new craft".

You have to remember the players only get to put their craft into practice 110 hours per year. You can train but nothing compares to game day. And that is only if a player plays all 22 games (and as has been said many players have only begun last year or this - it's not the same team thank God as 2014). 110 hours per year is equivalent to about 3 weeks of a FT job - it's incomparable.

Great post - how anyone can question his workrate with the amount of ground he covers is beyond me. Sometimes I wonder whether I'm watching the same games as others.

It's unfathomable, this guy is the greatest talent I've seen at the club with the exception of pre-knees Schwarz. Are people just trying to pre-emptively talk themselves down from a ledge in case he does the unthinkable and decides to leave?

Great article but this quote made me a bit queasy. “We’ve actually had five knees in five years in the family,” he says. “Not all ACLs and they were all self-inflicted, but my brother did his PCL before me, and my (other) brother did his ACL (five) weeks ago.”

If we can match them in contested footy we'll be in with a chance. Oh and play smart wet weather footy, don't look for 15-20m chip kicks across defence to transition the footy get it down the line to the next contest and back our boysin to win it.

"I just hope they don't see me in a different light because I haven't got a contract sorted yet. I'm not too worried about what others are saying about me on the outside," McDonald said. "I hope the club rates me and thinks of me as a long-term player at the club, but that's to be done behind closed doors." That's code for "give me more money or I'll go somewhere that rates me higher (ie offers more $$$$)

Exactly - Prestia would be a different player if Swallow and O'Meara were playing.

Does that include our game in Alice Springs?

Tyson was in great form in 2014, poor in 2015 and back to great form this year so far. Prestia will be the same, he's coming off a bad run of injuries.