P-man

Again, the idea of appeasing supporters is based in the past. The arguments in this thread are centred around whether he is ready and deserves a call up. Who he is and his draft number are irrelevant. If he does get picked then I agree a sub is the likely outcome when looking at how Roos introduced Salem and JKH, albeit different types of players.

Last season we were ranked 14th for average games played: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/port-adelaide-and-st-kilda-clear-outliers-on-afl-age-ladder-20140826-108cis.html With the introduction of Lumumba and Garlett, it's safe to say we won't be in the bottom 2-3 teams in this regard. Age and experience as an excuse is all but gone with the way in which Roos has rebuilt the squad. It's hard to say his form is exaggerated when the club names him BOG. 26 possessions and 2 goals is a good day out in anyone's language. He's proven he can compete and win the hard ball playing against men, including against Box Hill where he was playing against numerous AFL listed players. I'm not sure how you can honestly say you'd back Bail or M Jones to have a greater impact. When the heat is on is precisely when they turn to water. We have a quality player who is putting his hand up for selection, and you are erring because of what happened years ago under different circumstances, with different players, and different decisonmaking behind it. This idea that "strong" or "serious" clubs wouldn't play him flies in the face of the examples where younger players have debuted early and gone on to be very successful. I'm pretty confident the club will make the right decision. If they want to hold him back then so be it, but we need some genuine quality injected into this team as soon as humanly possible, because that is where we were in the bottom 2-3 last season: talent. Your reasoning seems overly cautious to me.

There is an argument here to say that not playing him purely because he's a young(ish) high draft pick is being bogged down in the past. Plenty of draftees play seniors from the get go. It is not in principle a bad thing, if the player is ready to compete. Just because the club has prematurely gifted games to high draft picks in the past and paid the price shouldn't forever restrict the club from playing its younger players, if they are ready. Selectors will hopefully make the right call, but the weight of evidence, which includes our resident Casey expert deeming him ready, is leaning one way.

He has been amongst the best players on the ground in every match he has played, has he not? Why would you then not play him in Round 1? If we get pantsed by the Suns and he performs well again at Casey, would he come into the side the following week? Almost certainly. You're just shooting yourself in the foot by delaying it a week. He's a versatile, goal kicking midfielder. He should play and he should start.

I don't hate it, which is all I was hoping for. Not to hate it. It's great to be ambitious in what you represent, but at the moment that is all it is: ambition. There is a hell of a lot damage to be undone in terms of the brand, which means some of the words still feel a little bit empty. Time to start performing. Now. It's all meaningless otherwise.

So how's the team looking now? Rough stab: B: Jetta Dunn T McDonald HB: Grimes Frost Salem C: Toumpas Jones Lumumba HF: vandenBurg Hogan Watts F: Garlett Pedersen Kennedy-Harris R: Jamar Tyson Viney Int: Newton Cross Brayshaw (Kent) E: Michie Garland M Jones Gawn Bail If fit, Howe replaces Vanders, Vince replaces Toumpas.

Same ol same ol.

#GusforPM

Keep those updates coming fellas. Feed the drones. Cheers.

I've heard enough. IN: Brayshaw #letgusplay

"Blue chip" midfield? I think some of the Gold Coast Bigfooty members have been in touch with their old mate Karmichael.

I just started writing up a preview and then decided, stuff it. Let's just wait. And hope. Like always. It's winnable. That's all I will say.

Buglergate..lol

This is meant to be a judgement free zone, Sir, and I won't have you berating our number one patron.

The OWL is designed to contain the whingers in one location. if you don't wish to read it, don't enter. Now then, can I fix you a drink? Our Shirley Temple is famous.

I know mate, and it brings me a great deal of joy to see it serving its practical purpose

Richmond's only representation was Cousins, which is basically a default. How Richo didn't get a gig with 800 goals is a mystery., but then again from the Dogs he has Brad Johnson at 22 but leaves out Chris Grant altogether. There have at least been some real contenders in Stynes, Neita and Lyon. Stynes should've made the list I think. 105 Brownlow votes isn't a bad effort.

*wanders around to collect a few half empty glasses*

Let's be clear that whatever perceptions people have of Roos' coaching style, he is no mug. He sees what the fans see. He will know that last season saw us become the lowest scoring team since Adam was a lad. He has been more than clear about the defensive focus last year, and that this year should see improvement in terms of two way running and impacting the scoreboard. Whilst there still appears to be an over emphasis on possession, at various stages during the pre-season, we've seen a greater readiness to be more direct and attack through the corridor. The forward line has also been partially addressed, personnel wise. The biggest problem as I see it remains between the ears of the players. This was Neeld's greatest challenge and it remains Roos' greatest challenge. When you are always second guessing yourself, you can't succeed in any sport. Why do Lumumba and Garlett look like superstars in this team? They back themselves. Therefore, they stand out. God help us if it remains a significant issue by the time Goodwin is coach. Unfortunately it seems to be baby steps in that regard. I'm nervous but quietly confident that the team will improve this year. All it will take is a run of two or three wins, and hopefully, finally, some genuine belief will filter through.

Pointless to even contemplate given that even in a scenario where he was to blame, he's handing over the reigns to someone else at the end of next year.

I sometimes wonder what methods the coaching staff are using to break them out of this mental mailiase. Clearly the Neeld method of screaming in their faces that "MISTAKES DO NOT MATTER!!!" was ineffective. Is it worth showing them clips of Hawthorn in 2005? To show that the infallible were once fallible, and that a 5 win team that made plenty of mistakes but took the game on went on to become premiers three years later. They can use electroshock therapy for all I care, but this fear of attacking ball movement and making mistakes has got to end somehow.

Can see where you're coming from, but the answer for this group is a definite yes. A win wouldn't have masked the errors, but it's always better than a loss in terms of building belief in what you're doing.

I wouldn't mind seeing Gus named as sub but it seems unlikely given he hasn't featured in the pre-season. The only glimpse we've had of Pedo was against Freo where the only thing I recall him doing in the match was dropping a chest mark in the middle of the ground under no pressure. I have reservations without having seen some evidence that he's ready to go. Toump was horrible last night, but many were giving him praise against the Dogs. We know he needs to build confidence. Dropping him for Rd 1 wouldn't be the right move for me.

Jetta Dunn T McDonald Grimes Frost Salem Vince Tyson Lumumba Kent Hogan Watts JKH Gawn Garlett R: Jamar Jones Cross Int: Newton Viney vandenBerg Sub: Toumpas The good news is that Viney has always performed well against the Suns, so it might be a good opening fixture to shake him out of his pre-season rut. Vince will be a very welcomed inclusion if he is physically ready. He is cut from the same royal cloth as Lumumba in that he is gifted, he enjoys a final chuckle, and he is not terrified to get the ball moving FORWARD. Not sideways. Not backwards. Forwards. Towards the goals. Where you register a score.

I think that should be remembered too. Essendon didn't look like a VFL side. They made for a decent opponent tonight if we're being honest. If that is their depth then they are going to be well up there this season if they can somehow avoid bans.