hardtack

Thanks for that... Neale turned 20 in May, so if your criteria are correct, I think he will get the nod. 26 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles and 3 goals straight.

Funny, but I've never thought of him as an AFL hater at all. I have found he is usually reasonably balanced in his views and has on occasion even come to the AFL's defence. Having said that, I must admit I don't read a lot of local sports news here in Sydney.

A good article in today's Sydney Morning Herald from one of the better sports journos, Roy Masters: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/wada-would-appeal-soft-sanctions-as-afl-prepares-to-charge-essendon-20130811-2rq9h.html He says WADA would appeal any soft sanctions and he expects the AFL to hand down charges today:

See my question above re eligibility... Freo's Lachie Neale put in a very very good game and scored 3 goals, but he played 7 rounds last year, so I'm unsure whether he qualifies or not.

I don't know the rules of eligibility, so is a player who only played 7 games last year (first season) eligible for this year's Rising Star? If that is the case, then I think Freo's Lachie Neale will walk it in this week.

Not expecting compliments, but I really get p1ssed off with the nastiness that flies of the fingers of some of the keyboard heroes here. Totally unnecessary.

I'm sure posters just sit on here waiting to pot our players.

Unnecessarily nasty.

Perhaps if you hadn't served yourself up on a platter?

Not true... you gave the thread the provocative title of "We could lose Jesse Hogan" and then opened with the line "Its been reported today that Jesse wont agree to a contract extension." which was a complete fabrication. Slight difference.

And in case you hadn't noticed, most of which are taking the Michael out of the OP.

Further to this, I have it on good authority that in order to accommodate Roos (such is his influence), the AFL will have this team relocated to the southern suburbs of Sydney where they will be rolled in with the Cronulla NRL club.

He's so amazing in fact, that he has done a deal with the AFL to have the three aforementioned teams merged.

Sorry, I'm getting tired of posts that simply say "there's a rumour circulating" and providing nothing more concrete such as where this rumour is circulating. I have seen nothing on any of the popular social media outlets (Twatter & Farcebook) and nothing in the press. Please point us at the source of these "rumours".

If by some weird twist of fate they were to win the flag this year, they would be stripped of the title anyway... that coupled with the loss of points next year, would be the most satisfying outcome imaginable.

Having said all of that, you may as well put me down for 2014... every comp needs a good set of shoulders to stand on

I'm demanding a recount! How on earth can I be sitting in 9th position (hardtacklers) when I haven't logged in and visited my team in many many weeks (at which time I was sitting pretty and stone motherless last)??? X Files (or at the very least, Twilight Zone) material. Edit: Forget that, I just logged in and found I was in my rightful 18th position... the list above must be order of entry?

Many seem to only associate Roos with negative football, yet towards the end of his tenure, the Swans were playing some very exciting football; he is very adaptable and definitely NOT a one trick pony.

How about having them win the Prelim this year, only to have the player bans enforced as of the Monday of GF week? Then they could play for no points next season if they can manage to field a side..

Who?

Why would we need to if he's already leaving...apparently.

But wait! There's more! http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/former-essendon-sports-scientist-stephen-dank-damns-himself-on-code/story-fnelctok-1226576564896 plus a set of steak knives.

Yeah, looks like Ricciuto may have been on the money.

Interesting item in Bound for Glory news posted on Twitter: http://boundforglorynews.com/aflca-hird-can-be-sanctioned-for-alleged-hexarelin-use/

The AFL may well fine the club and take away their premiership points, but the AFL will have nothing to do with, and no say in, player bans. As I understand it, ASADA was given greater investigative powers (correct me if I'm wrong) and this is far from over (the report handed over the other day was just an interim report)... ASADA/WADA will have absolutely no qualms about passing on player bans and there will be nothing that the AFL, Essendon FC, Hird, etc can do about it.