The Chazz

Wilson < Woewodin

A Chinese major sponsor announcement under $1.9m a year - would this be seen as failure or another large step along the great wall?

This is a forum RP, we are allowed to make as much unsubstantiated judgement as we want. If we weren't - we'd never here from you!!! The difference, as you mention above, is between what we want, and what we can get. How much gap between the two is there? And a fairly serious question - how much can we easily get? At the moment, what "we want" hasn't seen any ink on paper. I'm champing at the bit to promote any new company that invests in the MFC. I generally become a non-paid sales and/or marketing person for such company, I've got enthusiasm, I've got excitment, I just don't have a company to promote on behalf of!

Am I reading between the lines to much when I think that you know that Nike will be our next major sponsor??? Hmm... My above thought has as much merit as those thinking that a company that has a logo with red and blue as 2 of its major colours is going to sponsor us ie Bank of Melbourne. Sure, they may come on board, but it won't be becuase their logo is red and blue!

Like it - innovative thinking! Interested to know from the faithful - if XYZ company came to us today and said "here's $3m, I want our logo on the FoJ for the next 3 years", would you take it?

Interesting you say that RR, as from memory, when JT was playing junior in SA, he was being touted as the next Roo wasn't he? I have to be honest, I've never really looked at them to compare, but now you mention it, there's some merit in the call.

Get that one where he kicked 9 in the 2nd half against Collingwood, after being dragged in the first half. We talk about lucky/unlucky breaks; Blease's break may have been a good thing - gave him time to get a bit bigger, and we saw the result of a handful of handy games last year, probably at the expense of Strauss' unlucky break, which couldn't have come at a worse time as his career was starting to look up. That day against Collingwood, when Benny Beams broke his wrist was probably one of the final nails in his coffin, but it also meant the Wiz had to come back on, and by Christ, didn't he come back on!

Thanks for the footage Dee, I was actually at that game and saw EJ do the lap. Pretty sure I was at the first game after he passed away and all clubs for that round had a minutes silence (I think we were playing West Coast, but I could be wrong). I do remember how you could hear a pin drop from the other side of the G, chilling stuff. Remember watching The Footy Show the night EJ passed away, and Doug Hawkins was on the panel - he was devistated. EJ was a character, a great footballer and would be very disappointed that the SOO is not played in today's game.

Haha, oh well DC! Look, don't get me worng, I'm far from perfect - just look at my Leadership Group prediction and my belief about $cully staying! But I have put up with a fair bit of crap on this topic, and some of it quite personal, but so far, I haven't been far off the mark!

B59 - I took your advice and started saving the day you posted this. Instead of buying you a pint, would you prefer I become the joint major sponsor? BTW, I'm getting thirsty... RPFC - 20 days to go until the start of March. We've had around 6 months to leverage off the EW increase in sponsorship, so hopefully CS is attacking this from a different angle now! Can I take a break from watching this space Chippy? It's starting to hurt my eyes...!!!

So far every box you're ticking there is Hodge-mould too. Plus, like Hodge, JT has a lot more agression than Bartel. Even if there's a scrap, often you will find JT one of the first in there helping his teammates - he loves it! I'm not saying Jimy runs away, but Hodge/JT don't mind "that" side of the game! Maybe I haven't noticed how much Bartel and Hodge are alike! They are just both stars IMO, and hopefully JT will achieve their levels.

By the sounds of that report, it's lucky you got it mixed up and went to Casey fields to watch today's training session. The group you were watching were from the Cranbourne High School Year 7 and 8 team.

Am I the only one that does not see the comparison of Trengove to Bartel? Perhaps I should rephrase that, am I the only one that sees a Trengove - Luke Hodge comparison closer than the JT/Bartell one? I think it's quite freaky the way JT's career has headed in his first couple of seasons, and where its destination will be, in line with Hodge's. Made some impact in season 1, stepped up and had to cotrol his toughness in season 2, can see him slotting in the guts or playing tha tfloating half back role that Hodge seemed to do so well. Just curious!

Scully Newton

It's always the "What if Eishold had've kicked that goal", etc. Thing is, we will never know. Maybe Hawthorn might have got a centre clearance and kicked a quick one in return. It's a grey area, and there is no definitive answer as to what could have happened. On the other hand, with Jimmy, was the fact that we were in front when the final siren sounded. As much as I love the great man, and will be forever thankful for what he has achieved in recent times, I can't not blame him for that result. He cost us a spot, and Northey knew that. I know it's harsh, and I will cop abuse I'm sure, but that's how I saw it - and I was there at VFL Park that dreaded day. It was as simple as that - if Stynes didn't run across the mark, we would've been playing in a Grand Final.

Waiting on a reply from B59 regarding this one RP! I can hear it now "just because that's what we used to get doesn't mean that it's what we should, etc etc".

This is the interesting question binman, and one I have raised on a different thread and didn't receive an answer (not that I recall!). A majority on here are crying out for us to have a small, crumbing forward, but what is the definition of small? Is Jurrah that "small" forward, playing a similar role to The Wiz? As I said in my post earlier this thread, if Jurrah can learn how Clark rolls, and know it back to front, he may be that crumbing forward.

The main difference for mine is that Watts will be able to bring players up to another level by involving them in the game, where LJ does have that bit of independence (may not be the right word to describe it, but selfishness isn't it either!). The hardest part about LJ is that the gap between is best and worst is quite wide at the moment, which doesn't make sense considering on a bad day he kicks 3! But it's not just about how many he kicks. I often compare him to Robbo, with the main different being that on LJ's bad days he still hits the scoreboard. The Jurrah/Clark relationship will be one I will watch with great excitement this year. I want Jurrah knowing when Clark is about to fart, even before Clark knows himself. Clark will obviosuly be the main target, but if LJ can learn Clark's style, it should be another 50+ goals from LJ this year.

I think you will find the Jack Grimes will be the last voice the players hear before going to battle. From all reports, he is the ultimate professional, and I have no doubt he will be the "senior" skipper for the first couple of seasons. Both Jack's will know what is expected from the entire playing group, but I think initially, Grimes will be the better communicator. I know when I hear him speak, I stop and listen, he is a very intelligent person, and someone that you would do what they said. That's no disrespect to Trengove, as I do believe he has those qualities too. Beamer, I have no doubt, will still be a very vocal on-field non-leader. He should be hungry for success, as should any player, titled or non-titled. All players will be aware of the roles each other is required to play, and if someone is not executing it, there will be someone there to tell them (providing they are playing their role in return). That's what I hope will happen, and seems to be a common trend in the successful teams. It's something we haven't executed well over the past season or two.

Watts - has all the tricks to be a match winner, there aint many players in the league that have that skill. Can he deliver it though? I think he will. The smoky is Tapscott. He will be a favourite of the coach providing he can get his body right, and I have no doubt MN is in the ear of Misson about making sure he's 100% before he plays him. This is the type of player that every club would want, and especially our coach. Tappy could play a very important role in Neeld's quest for a premiership.

Good post RP, especially the discussion points; Moloney - will we ever learn the truth? Has every right to be gutted, but was it his choice? Garland - very interesting promotion. Good on him - am very neutral about the decision, but he obviously has shown a level of commitment to the FD. Bartram - from all reports, he's one of those players that every club needs. Cops sh!t on here, but is probably the first to roll up the sleeves and get his hands dirty. Jamar - had to be in there I think. Has a crop of young rucks that one day will take his place, but he is happy teaching them, while improving his game too. Clark - from all reports he's our top paid player. He has a role to play in this team, and if he does it well, how good could Watts get?

MONEY NOT THE ONLY LURE FOR SCULLY When the Greater Western Sydney Giants play their home games, it has been decided that each quarter will take place in between each Quaddie leg of the Dapto grehounds, who are their co-tenants of the sporting grounds (the Giants actually play on the inside of the greyhound track). In what is seen as a perfect cross marketing opportunity, GWS star recruit Tom Scully will be the "bunny" for each quaddie leg, due to his elite running capacity. Scully, wearing number 9, is seen pictured above with fill-in bunny Callum Ward (number 8), who will be on stand-by should Scully suffer from his chronic knee complaints that dogged him throughout his first 2 AFL seasons. GWS coach Kevin Sheedy believes this is a fantastic opportunity for both sporting codes, and as the Dapto greyhounds has a regular attendence of over 55 of the western suburbs elite, it will ensure Sheedy's young pups will get to experience what it's like playing in front of a bit crowd.

Interesting selections all round, and time will tell if it's a grat choice. I wish all leaders at the Club the best of luck. Let's hope our holding of a pair of Jacks turns out to be a great pair of Aces.

I have worked extensively with disadvantaged teenagers in Rockhampton, with Rugby League (or footy as they call it) being the biggest highlight in their life. Or if you ask if they are going to the footy on the weekend, they genreally go and watch the Comets (or Capras or whatever they are called now). A majority of the Gold Coast are from everywhere but, mostly southern states. I've had a number of drinks/heated discussion with people of the Gold Coast about what is the true footy, I'm always outnumbered. A true rugby league follower call it footy. Anyone else is in the minority.

Sooo...we have named our co-captains today, yet still no sign of a sponsorship announcement. Great opportunity to announce our major sponsor too. Oh wait...we don't have one. Bugger, there goes that golden opportunity to get maximum exposure for a new investor - maybe we should've held off announcing the captain until we had someone on board.