bing181

What part of "that's all we could get for him" isn't clear? We only had one (one) offer and had to take what we could get. If we only managed "near on nothing", then the place to look for the reason is with Watts himself.

Yes, because all injuries/pathologies follow exactly the same course, and all bodies respond to treatment in exactly the same way and because the club always knew exactly when Jack would be back but are keeping it from us.

Rot setting in or not, it was the right decision. Frost himself admitted that his form was down, and you only have to see the work Salem has put in over the off-season to see that he realised he needed to do more. As for Watts, well we know what we know, and when he was dropped he deserved to be, he was playing like shite.

Interesting the Tyson/Brayshaw omissions. If we assume both are fit (even if slightly underdone), perhaps it says something about the mindset of the coaches, especially after shipping out Jack W. Playing well isn't enough, having ability isn't enough - it's about doing everything that you're capable of doing to get the most out of yourself. Are we seeing the bar for Tyson and Brayshaw set very high because that's what the coaching staff think they should be achieving? After all, they were both drafted pick 3 as gifted juniors.

He's not right.

Brayshaw I can kind of understand. Either teeth (wisdoms can really knock you around), or there's a lingering question over his confidence after all the concussions. Tyson? Who knows. Either he's still a bit underdone fitness/load-wise, or anyone's guess. Hot spot in a toe?

It's not Wagner for Gus, they play different positions. It's Wagner vs Frost. We have to have at least one on the interchange who plays in the backline, so Wagner it is. Not sure why it's hard.

B: Hibberd, Lever, Jetta HB: Hunt, O. McDonald, Jones C: Vince, Lewis, Salem HF: Petracca, Pedersen, Harmes F: Fritsch, Hogan, Garlett Foll: Gawn, Oliver, Neal-Bullen I/C: Brayshaw, Tyson, Frost, Melksham, Hannan, Maynard, Bugg, Wagner.

He was "on track" until he started wearing boots and training with the main group. (as per club statement)

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/afl/uncertainty-for-demons-as-viney-s-season-delayed-further-20180315-p4z4fr.html

"Every time I have gone to my lift my training load, a little niggle has come up. First it was my ankle, now I have a little bit of a toe problem. It's been frustrating trying to put out these little spot fires but am definitely getting there and definitely can see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Nissan's equivalent to Lexus, the up-market range. Nothing but the best, and perfect for heading up to the snow.

You've been reading too much Tristram Shandy.

Watts had a reputation? Yes, but not the one that you're talking about.

We have the real truth, you just don't want to hear it.

No it won't, because even if he performs well at PA, you can't assume that he would have done the same at Melbourne.

A 26 year old player of Watts' type wouldn't have performed at his peak in a Melbourne jumper this year. Any more than he did last year.

Tom McD had ankle operations, this is toe. How to see how they're related or how he "tried to come back a bit too soon". Given the load their bodies are under, coupled with it being a gruelling, contact sport, injuries and breakdowns are just going to happen. There aren't always going to be "reasons", much as we'd love to attribute them.

Perhaps, after 8 years, the penny has finally dropped with Jack. If so, good for him, though even if it has, it doesn't alter that the decision to move him on was the right one. On other subjects (though not unrelated), notice that Trengove didn't play - unless there's an injury, not a promising sign for him. Sad to see if that's the case.

Trouble is, he’s consistently good at this level, but has consistently failed to have a real impact in the ones.

"Whilst he has not had any setbacks in his rehab program, Jack has not completed enough football sessions." You can do all the gym work and running etc. you want, but sooner or later, if you're a footballer, you have to train playing football.

We did. After the last Saints' goal, later in the quarter, the centre bounce had Oliver, Petracca and Salem. We won that one, got it down to the forward line quickly for a behind, and followed up with a goal. Saints' won ALL the centre bounces prior to that, except for one where we had Oliver in.

One word: Lever. The team looks so different with him in it.

We missed the 5 players who were out. Would take Harmes and ANB over the other fringe mids, needed a big marking forward in Tom Mac, and still need more leadership so having half your leadership group out isn’t ideal.

"Lewis, ANB running laps and 400m semi sprints. ANB looks to be moving ok."