Rogue

:D

There's nowhere to hide in AFL footy.

Frawley's development was one of the highlights of the season. ZING!

A fair assessment of how he went. I won't be surprised if he's not playing for the Dees in 2010.

It would probably add a significant direct and indirect cost for the Club, so that's one reason. I agree that the tie was a nice change as I also have a heap of scarves that I never use, but I think the tie/poncho was unpopular. Tbh, I'd rather the Club not give merchandise to adults but I'm sure many enjoy getting their special member's item - the ability to opt-out would be nice.

It's not good enough for the Club to fail to respond to contact. Sure, the issues may be of little consequence, but the relationship between members and the Club is vitally important. I have sent an email to one of the general email addresses that never got a reply but I've also been at the Club while a staff member went beyond the call of duty in dealing with what I thought was another fan's trivial reason for contacting the Club. What's the fact that the players aren't out there got to do with the price of fish? It's not 'off-season' for Club staff. I know it's a pretty busy time for many of the staff. This is pretty ironic - the complaints are about the Club's communication, including the fact the Club hasn't responded to contact! I think you've got a decent point but you're aiming it at the wrong person. jayceebee31 has used the email addresses provided for general contact and jayceebee31 has also said that (s)he won't be contacting Schwab. Fwiw, I don't really understand why some fans feel such a need for personal contact from admin, management, coaches and players. In 99% of cases I'd rather the staff were doing something other than field enquiries and comment from fans. I know the receptionist has a tough Monday morning the week after a bad loss. To me, the idea of calling the Club's admin after a disappointing on-field performance bizarre. I'm sure this isn't the norm but there's also more benign contact that I don't quite understand. For example, the latest membership tally is of interest to many fans and the Club makes an effort to keep supporters updated via the website and the odd article etc (plus media coverage). Despite this, some fans feel the need to regularly contact the Club to get the absolute latest membership tally communicated directly to them and I find this a little puzzling. Wouldn't we rather the staff working on issues of priority to the Club? I'm sure they have more than enough work to do. I'd be interested to hear from people who have a different view to me.

Unless there's a team that I particularly dislike I find questions like this hard to answer until I'm watching the game. Does anyone else find that once they start watching a game they tend to start 'barracking' for a particular side? However, for the purposes of this I'll say the Cats.

Bate's slow start is a great example of why the posters that are up and down like a yo-yo depending on performance in a given week or three need to be a little more circumspect. Hopefully Bate can continue to improve. I'd like to see him hold more marks when on a lead (particularly those around shoulder and above height), and of course it'd be great if he can improve his agility.

Indeed - something quickly forgotten by some. Apparently the game had 'passed him by' after that half-season lay-off. I agree with you re: key forwards too.

Pretty sure we're just waiting for the tally to actually be updated. Unless we only got $1-2 for the ball either the proceeds aren't being added to debt demolition as advertised, or the tally on the site hasn't been updated for some time.

If you've got a contract why would you try and stir up this kind of talk? I don't see the benefit.

I rest my case. If I was an opposition recruiter I'd happily take McLean from you based on Demonland's rating of him (which is according to you, 'at exactly where he is at').

McLean's so under-valued on here right now.

There's a massive difference between being someone who can tag occassionally and someone who is the #1 small defender.

He's kept Hudghton out of the side all year, hasn't he? Clearly the Saints match committee see something in him and they watch much more Saints footy than me, so I'll defer to their judgement. Hudghton must be shattered.

Fwiw, Dunn's contracted.

I think that's a more accurate definition of 'very little work'.

A bit of a non-event, really. I'm glad he played a few games this year but I don't think he's shown much one way or the other. My feelings are the same as pre-draft - excited about what he can do in future, not in the present.

If he's surplus to requirements it's because he hasn't yet made the grade, not because of his type. IMO we're [still] crying out for a tall forward. Within the space of a couple of years we've lost Neitz and Robbo. Holland was given the boot and Miller's no certainty to be around next year (two big names).

The Old Xaverian made a decent point re: the need for good development in order to make the most of each draftee's potential. With a better fixture we can pour more money into the footy department. You don't mind some Sunday twilight games do you, Old Xav? PS. In case my previous post seemed insignificant in the face of Dappa Dan's 'bigger than Ben Hur' contributions to this thread, I'm keen to know what your best 22 is.

Do we need that type of defender? IMO small defenders these days need pace.

His skills really let him down, which makes it tough. Certainly a potential delist. I'm surprised the Saints have shown interest, but with pretty average draft picks in a shallow pool they might be keen to pick up some 'fringe' players who they feel have untapped potential. Those who want to keep him need to figure out who of guys like Buckley, Miller and Cheney they're happy to let go of instead.

A practice exam isn't an exam - I don't see the problem. Many players study while playing footy - I think clubs encourage it these days*. Off the top of my head Martin's studying law and Jones is also taking something at uni. Indeed. There are plenty of alternative pathways and with a full-time footy career it means the 'hassle' of trying to sneak in a backdoor (by taking a couple of single units, taking another course and then transferring or even delaying entry a few years) is pretty negligible. Why is money an issue? Domestic full-fee places no longer exist. I disagree on both counts *although I remember Wallace wasn't too keen on players missing any pre-season sessions. PS. To those who are taking Year 12 or are going to in the future, be aware that what people mean by 'little homework' can vary wildly. A few people in this thread have mentioned they did very little work and did very well, but what constitutes being slack is pretty subjective. For some people, they were slack in Year 12 because they handed stuff in late, spent their prac exams doodling and only studied literally the night before end-of-year exams (if they were keen). For others, in a different peer group etc, they might identify with being slack in year 12 because they attended virtually every class, kept up-to-date with regular work, submitted everything on time, studied for major assessment/exams, etc, but didn't do any homework on weekends! It's all relative.

Age is a pretty common way PS. Fix the server time!

It must get a bit tiring to not to be able to have a coffee without fans coming up to you so nice one for letting him read the paper in peace.