Dinosaur Rover

I want to see a stable backline in 2010 to the extent that injuries allow. There is some more depth there with Joel McDonald, and Garland and want to see Grimes playing in the midfield. Last year we had the ridiculous aspect of Cale Morton playing in the back pocket (at least against Collingwood as I recall) and other experimentation / tanking exercises. Lynden Dunne picked up Riewoldt once - stupid. A cohesive backline is one that is used to working with each other and has a sense of esprit de corps. Players know the job they have to do. - the manpower looks excellent - I wouldnt be robbing peter to pay paul with Rivers to the forward line

Terrific thanks - this will make my brothers day!

Who says that Bateman is missing? What is the source? My brother the Hawks fan is questionning this. Cheers

I agree with some of this. I want Davey back on the forward line and Jones in the midfield. I dont think the rucks can change in the pocket that effectively - the idea of "resting" on the forward line forwards need to put in multiple presentations (leads / sprints) and that can be more tiring than running at a steady pace from contest to contest. You end up with an unrested ruckman and a tired forward. I havent seen a game where martin did much but I will give thought to him developing as a tall marking option. I risk censure for this notion but I am playing Juice - I know the complaints but as a forward he needs week in week out game time to build his confidence and that of the team that passes to him - I think we want to give him every chance this year particularly while Jurrah, Tapscott, Watts, and Fitzpatrick or injured or too immature. Its Newton's his last chance this year. Also I cant endorse Miller at CHF he cant kick more than 40 m accurately so his posessions leading up beyond the 50m mark are still asking for another inside 50. Remember with our forwards they eek out a living on poor delivery in quality and quantity terms. I like Miller for his work rate and tough stuff and a reaosnable set shot from within 40.

My borther and other Hawks are saying Nateman is a starter. What source for this claim?

How did Tapscott get his injury - was he injured when we got him? This is the list at the club web site I think. I prefer http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/afl.php which provides a bit of detail like for Tapscott Luke Tapscott hip cartilage injury Pre-season Indefinite Has had hip arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum and will be ruled out until mid season

Gentlemen – I am new to this forum and to blogs generally but not to devotion to the red and blue. I understand that the average height and weight profile of all AFL players is 188cm 87kg (see http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/the-af...237738878.html). It used to be that that size player would typically play key position. Now that is a midfielder. I will use the term “tall” to denote any player over this mark. Much has been made of our new and developing onballers but we are also developing some taller talent. My thought starter is in the age of highly mobile big guys like Buddy Franklin (196 / 90), Kurt Tippett 201 / 100 have we recruited well for big men? Jack Watts 196/83, Max Gawn 206/97, Jack Fitzpatrick 201/85 are undeveloped but I like the look of Jack Fitzpatrick (speed in particular). Watts credentials are well documented. Other more developed talls since 2006 include Garland 191/85, Frawley 193/98, Cale Morton 192/83, Stefan Martin 198/100. Martin is probably the one I am unsure of. Rucks of 198 to 201cm (Jamar 198/100 and Johnson 198/103) without an alternative option (run like Krueser or go forward) seem to be doomed. Your thoughts? I calculated the average size of our list at 186 and noted some Richmond site which identified theirs was the smallest list going round. What is the average height of other clubs? All sorts of problems with averages and we are not talking the game team and all but I have some concerns that we don’t have the height the modern game demands. Cheers Big mocka