bing181

I'd want that too, but think it's very unlikely. Watts hasn't even been able to hold his place in our first 22, so just getting someone who does would already be an upgrade.

I can't find anything in the WADA rules that cover a team situation where players have long-term contracts. I know that in cycling, if you're banned, you aren't paid by your team. Maybe someone else has clear info. At the very least, he would lose match payments (as in the Crowley case), and if the contract is mainly built around match payments, then we don't leave ourselves with too much of a financial millstone. As for bans, I've always thought that they'd be banned. 2 years, but a reduction for no significant fault, probably down to 18 months, perhaps 12 months. But they've already served 6 months or so, and it also depends on what's currently happening. It's the off-season again, so have these players restarted their provisional bans, just in case? IOW, if he only received a 12 month ban, he could be available from early next season. If it's 18 months, he would miss next season, and be ready to go when Goodwin takes over. Also, on returning from a ban, you can return to (team) training 2 months before the end of the ban. As I understand it ...

But payment situation not the same. In theory if you're banned/suspended, you don't (can't?) get paid, but if you're injured you still get paid, including match payments.

Big risk, but presumably it's being taken into consideration. It's not as if it's not out in the open.

OK. Carry on.

Something you've heard, or something you're proposing?

Given what we've experienced across this season (especially the latter part), I'd be making "competitive" the first requirement. No point being fast, skilful and blessed with a footy IQ if you only use it every other week, or 3 out of 4 quarters.

It's the draft ... comes with the job, and it's the same for all clubs.

Would be an improvement on our current fifth or sixth midfielder. Once again, I trust Goodwin and McCartney (and others at the club) on players they've worked with.

This is very very different. WADA didn't take anyone to CAS for starters. I'll be very surprised if there are no penalties, but with the 6 months already served (provisional suspension), and a reduction for no significant fault, it could come down to 12 months or so to serve = 1 season (or even less, though hard to see how given the rules in place). Presumably that's being (or has been) weighed up.

Given some that were on our list this season, not sure that that would be any different.

Speculation.

Or Essendon.

Monday October 12, 10am - NAB AFL Trade Period begins

Will be interesting to see if someone gives Fitzy a second crack. 1-2 year contract on minimum payments mightn't hurt, for a tall he's still comparatively young. Either that or he finds a home in the SANFL.

Well, we all get feelings in our stomach from time to time, but they're usually related to food (or a lack thereof), rather than coaching appointments. Still, if it works for you ...

Perhaps wait for actual trades to go through?

McCartney and Goodwin both coached him at Essendon.

There is no provision in the rules for that. Guilty = banned. The only question would be how long.

That's what has been reported, but whether that's the case or not, we don't know. And never will. I'd be worried about the WADA situation more than anything else. Not going to end well I suspect, and then what?

You would think so.

Drums beating fairly loudly on this one. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-trade-period-2015-jake-melksham-to-be-either-at-essendon-or-melbourne-in-2016-20150912-gjl0ka.html

Perhaps. But we could also do a lot worse, and given where we are ...

No, of course he wasn't that bad. In fact, I'd say it was his best game for the year. But this is Demonland.

The Theory of Everything, the film based on Stephen Hawking's life/relationships is worth a look. Remarkable acting from the two main characters playing Hawking and his first wife, Jane Wilde, mutterings of Oscar nominations etc. etc.