bing181

Just like Hogan, Brayshaw, Viney etc. Goes both ways.

Because he hasn't played footy, any footy, for over 12 months, and because he's had zero match practise or training in match situations with the team. It's not just about fitness, or even ability

Not what Misson is saying (re fitness). Re his spot, I'd wait and see. Going on last year's form, perhaps, but it would appear that he had ongoing injury issues that couldn't have helped. He was good enough to play in a premiership, and at 29 still has a bit of mileage left, so if he can get back to something close to "in form", he would have a place. Let's remember also that the alternative is probably one of Wagner, White, Hunt or Terlich.

Actually, I don't know that he does.

Starting to see what "buy-in" looks like. It's been a while.

Not that much. The damage was done by 3/4 time, it's the last quarter that you'd expect to see a difference. In any case, there was an 8 man bench, so situation was unique in itself, and with that amount of resting going on, not sure Port were all that disadvantaged.

Sounds like we'll be fighting it out with Hawthorn for the wooden spoon.

Too early to call for the team, but the Demonland gameday thread ... business as usual.

Hard to see that having our two previous B&F winners and only senior mids out is "fielding a strong side". We've seen before what happens when Nathan Jones isn't present or having a bad day. Also, it's a long bench, and there are bound to be moments, even long ones, when we have a fairly second-string side out there.

If he goes, the only positive is that we'd receive the mother-of-all compensation. Anyone know who picks 1 and 2 are likely to be in the 2017 draft?

Not sure how this "ends speculation". I would have thought it would have the opposite effect ... as the couple of posts above confirm.

Also excited, of course, - which I'll need to be, as I'll be getting up at 4 a.m. - but not expecting too much. First hit out, a few key players missing, Port supposed to be bringing their A-team etc. etc. Most interest to me will be to see how the likes of Hunt, Harmes, Oliver, Wagner, and a few of the other newer/younger players go. But without Vince and Jones, our midfield is going to be pushing it uphill, especially when you look at what they'll be up against. Still ... bring it on!

He didn't say the same. In any case, there are still only 18 of them on the ground at any one time, so there's going to be a lot of resting and sitting out.

Worth following on Twitter, though he seems to be oblivious to the Essendon situation.

Won't really make much difference, at least on here. Some amongst us are probably already firing up their microwaves. But I'd take "best side all 3 games" with a grain of salt, especially once we start resting players - which we'll do. Gawn, Vince and Jones aren't going to play all 3 NAB games, and there may still be Round 1 possibilities who hardly play at all (Lumumba, Petracca, Dawes).

... because everyone rated O'Rourke and Plowman ahead of Stringer, Wines, McRae.

Not only ... he'd won two premierships and a Brownlow at Geelong.

Yes, understand that, but Freeo looked a long way in front of Hawthorn.

Anyone watching Freeo/Richmond? Be afraid, be very afraid, Fremantle in another class. Already.

Presumably covered by White, if not (cough cough) Terlich, or perhaps Wagner. Which frees up Grimes in any case, especially if Salem can stay on the park. Hopefully his disposal issues are helped when he has fewer disposal options to have to deal with.

I was wrong: "... has confirmed that German will be the 'procedural language' for the case." http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-17/the-essendon-34-appeal-frequently-asked-questions

Space on the list. On the other hand, given that he was drafted in 2009, the fact that he was only worth pick 94 probably tells us all we need to know. I'm all for giving players every chance possible, but there comes a point ...

Hopefully he'll get on the park at some point, but staying on it, and then fulfilling his potential ... it'll be a long road.

CAS is based in Lausanne, i.e., French-speaking, so you would imagine in French.

Agree, though without anything more than a hunch to go on, I suspect he may be a pre-season or two away from getting his body up to where he can get through a full season. He's still only young.