Dr. Gonzo

Yeah he was greatly underrated in his last couple of years at MFC and the wider footy community didn't realise what a bargain the Hawks were getting and what we were losing. Unfortunately his attitude at the Demons in his last 2 years showed he didn't want to hang around and could you really blame him considering what he'd been through with us? Roughead was on the Junktime podcast earlier this year and said while he's been at the Hawks for over a decade he's had one coach. Frawley after moving to the Hawks has had 9 since 2007 (Daniher, Riley, Bailey, Viney, Neeld, Craig, Roos, Clarkson, Bolton)

Nah was very confident both Frawley and Howe were goner. Think Howe was pushed as much as jumped to be honest.

Nothing but gut feeling but I don't think he's leaving, not anytime soon at least. I had a bad feeling about Scully from the moment he gave that preseason press conference but this one I'm pretty confident about .

On one hand it's disgusting and a disgrace and extremely cynical placing these machines in poorer communities. On the other hand they are legal and if anyone's going to profit off them it might as well be footy clubs. Avoiding reinvesting the money into the community by claiming it on upgrades to facilities is ridiculous but no more so than the various other tax rorts.

Put the onus on them to perform or they're out. Fear can be a great motivator.

I agree with yoiur first paragraph but not the second. Wouldn't mind seeing BK & ANB in for Harmes and Kent - tell them they will be measured on their pressure acts/tackles. Put the pressure on for spots with the half forward flankers, as a group they've let us down a few times this year.

Like McDonald?

Funny to think we played them only 7 weeks ago but the team next week will have 8 different players (assuming only 1 of BK or Harmes/Kent play).

In his case it's hereditary.

Most of them probably head off to the snow (or Gold Coast) for the long weekend.

Stretch played against North then out the next week?

The umpires need to study the tapes during the week and be mindful of which players are doing this. Pay holding the ball against them and it will stop quick smart otherwise they'll cop a hiding from their coaches.

Never heard of him

The rules don't actually refer to ducking or dropping the knees - they talk about a player driving their head into a stationary or near stationary target which would cover off all these instances. Pay holding the ball against them and have the mrp warn/fine/suspend those who do it and it will stop in a week.

He was definitely better yesterday. The week before was pretty poor but he did ok yesterday I thought.

Geezus what a shithouse post

Was gonna say the same thing - we had a crack

Yep, brawl at the start of the match and Shane Kerrison dropping his knees into Jimmy Stynes during the first quarter. The 88 Semi vs the Pies was awesome, huge crowd, sunny day and the result was never in doubt (to me). I loved it as a 6yo but my main memory of the day is yelling out to Chopper Lovell as he ran past on the bench warming up along the boundary and calling him Steve Febey and him giving me a funny look. The Prelim we were sat on the top tier of Waverley on the wing on a miserable day as most days at Waverley were. I don't remember this ever being in doubt either and remember Garry Lyon's torp from the centre square going through for a goal and another snap he did from the pocket. Great day at the footy as a kid knowing we were going to the Granny.

Exactly - in the modern game you need roughly 2 key forwards, 2 key defenders a ruck and 17 midfielders in any starting 22 - maybe one other "utility" kind of players who can swing forward/back or pinch hit in the ruck.

Don't worry, if we somehow manage to roll the Hawks this week we'll be on the verge of a premiership dynasty again.

I would say that's due to a traditional zone defense rather than three diamond tactic. I think Diamond Jim has it right.

Is anyone able to confirm when the diamond is in use? From my understanding it is only employed at centre bounces but the way some like bb above talk about it it is our defensive zone structure at all times, including when the opposition have the ball. I don't think this is the case.

Well, no, because teams are starting from different bases.

We've turned over the majority of our list since Roos came on board. Beveridge lost Griffen which was a blow but still had a senior core to build around and provide leadership and stability. Carlton still have that with Murphy, Gibbs, Walker, Kreuzer, Simpson, Curnow. We had Jones. That's it.

Equalisation is equalisation of opportunity, not outcome. The Saints and Dogs (as an example) had opportunities to win a flag from 2008-2010. Just because they didn't win doesn't mean they should continue stashing top 3 picks. I know you were being slightly facetious but I think this point gets missed in the equalisation debate.