P-man

When we talk about our midfield being deplorable, certain names have to make way for the new blood, and he's one of them. Full credit to him for what he achieved in his first year of AFL, but I think the fact he came 4th in the B&F is more a reflection on the year we had. Given his age, I'm not sure he has many more gears to go to. Next year he may well queeze into the side but I can't see him lasting much beyond that tbh. Not if we want become a genuinely good side.

Currently. Could be 4 or 5 net gained by the end of the trade period. I like Pickles because he seems determined to get the best out of himself. How good he can be I'm not sure. He'll firstly need to stop butchering the ball so often.

Agreed, behind closed doors being the key. It's plain batty to be speaking about a player in those terms publicly when you've just started in the job.

Me too. You really can't win. Supporters complain about words being cheap during the off season, so we get a coach who is letting his actions at the trade table do the talking, and threads like this appear. What exactly does he need to say that wasn't said at his presser, or by Mahoney? Crazy stuff. Let him get on with it. There'll be plenty of time for comforting words.

Wow. Just, wow.

Think about what you're saying. Why do you think Roos has drafted Michie? To play in the magoos? A player who has been in the system three years is hardly a lottery. We know what sort of player he is. It is his foot injury that has kept him out, that is the bigger lottery if anything, Your sole reason for not including him seems to rest on his draft number. What about forgetting where he was drafted originally and looking at the qualities he actually brings as an inside player. Why do you think Fremantle fans are so sorry to see him go? Why does pretty much everyone in the AFL world consider him to be a boost to the midfield? What you are saying makes no sense.

There is a thread on bigfooty asking to nominate a player in the league who will have a breakout season. Several posters, from a variety of clubs, have nominated Viv Michie. Take that on face value, but even just watching his game against Geelong this year, he doesn't just enter our best 22, he waltzes into it.

Size is a factor but it isn't everything. If he comes in early and retains his spot each week, Ollie Wines style, no-one will be happier than me. But that is rare, and it shouldn't be forced. Making him earn his spot and allowing his body to adjust to the rigours of senior football is in both his and our best interests. Anyhow, let's draft him first, then we can discuss it again. I have faith in those who will be developing the next generation of talent to make the right calls and getting the balance right.

Throwing kids to the wolves hasn't done us any favours. Whoever it is we pick I'd like to see developed properly, which means not being in the 22 from round 1, especially seeing as we have bolstered the midfield with some bigger bodies.

Rare exception i would've thought. Viney had been at Casey the year before. He was pretty much a Demon already. Man child. Father son selection. Heart of the team. Etc etc. Plus we knew we were going to draft him. Pick 9 could still be anyone.

I think it's a bit strange putting Freeman in the best 22. He's a first year player, that we haven't drafted yet.

hahaha.. harsh but fair. Trenners will be a lot better next year. It'd be hard for him to be worse. There signs of momentum towards the end, just needs to empty the concrete out of his boots.

I don't want the Saints cause if we lose, where to from there? Defeatist? Maybe. I want winnable, but justifiable if we lose. West Coast.

Trying not to get too excited, having learned that lesson from off seasons past, but it's getting more and more difficult. Damn you Roosy.

I agree on closing the thread. Dream is over. Still hurts a bit cause man he was exciting.

I love how your head is so far up your own backside you won't even oblige a polite enquiry about a typo, which you did in fact make.

I don't understand why this point is made every single time the jumper is mentioned. Of course there are other priorities. That goes without saying. Is the jumper never to be mentioned because of that? I think the collar looks ridiculous, and apparently many others do too.

Byrnes at the expense of Kent is definitely controversial. So much to like about Kent's game, and he's the future. Maybe I'm just still bitter about Byrnes missing all those sodas.

I can definitely understand why many have given up on him, but I still see potential. Strong tackler, good skills, ability to break the lines that you spoke about, just can't seem to get his hands on it enough. Has had an unfortunate run with injuries which hasn't helped, so I'm looking to see what a solid pre-season can do with a player who is about to turn 24 and enter his prime. Would be a shame to see him let go at this stage imo, but he's definitely in a group who need to make a big stride this year, along with Tapscott et al. Of course, the trade period isn't over yet.. Can't say I've ever thought of Strauss as a Josh Hunt. Haha. But I can see where you're coming from. Incidentally, Paul-man was nothing more than an homage to our newly appointed coach. I'm closer to a Peter than a Paul.

Great write up AF. Agree with most of it. Completely forgot about Strauss. Is pretty much the biggest enigma in the squad right now, which makes him interesting. I don't mind the idea of Toump distributing off HB, but it is that whole pesky business of defending that worries me having him back there. His tackling alone, on the evidence of last year, needs ALOT of work. I'd also have Terlich pretty comfortably ahead of Clisby, but you could well be right about the Roos factor. He'll be needing to prove his old coach wrong. Likewise I'd really like to see Jetta get a proper run at holding down a back pocket. His best games have actually been very good.

Not really fazed, but McKenzie isn't even best 22 imo. Fast forward 12 months and I'm predicting D Tyson will be up there instead.

Totally agree. Hate it.

Very similar to drake's. Jetta Frawley Garland Grimes McDonald Terlich Trengove Jones Vince Watts Dawes Howe Hogan Clark Kent Foll: Jamar/Gawn Tyson Viney Int: Toumpas Michie Cross Sub: Blease Emerg: McKenzie Fitzpatrick Barry Evans M Jones Pick 9 Doing this exercise has got me kinda pumped.

It's little wonder we just got rid of Neil. Bloody hippy.

New coach. You never know. I hope he gets another opportunity.