hardtack

Great! Now let's see if that's enough to tip the scales in favour of a return to coaching by one Paul Roos.

We're a funny bunch... Scully says he wants to be a one club player, avoids the question of his loyaly, lies and eventually leaves - he is crucified by all and sundry Watts says he need to think about his future, is completely transparent in making no promises or guarantees, hides nothing - he is crucified by all and sundry.

I am watching now (in Sydney), and quite honestly, I cannot see what all of the fuss is about. Sometimes this forum strikes me as being like a brush fire...just one spark and the whole place goes up in flames.

I'm going to say we will win this. Can feel it in my bones.

Correction

I would have to disagree on the Byrnes omission... yes he got 1.4 or whatever it was which could just have easily been 4.1 if he had not been having an exceptionally off day (even the best have those)... he at least got the ball and was a chance which is more than can be said about several others.

Thought I would share a short clip of PJ's player development speech.

I was a Roads Scholar... spent a year putting gutters in Captain Cook Crescent in Canberra. I believe Abbott nominated the Island of Rhodes as his topic in Mastermind... Bob Hawke was a Rhodes Scholar, so I'm not sure too many Abbott fans would be waving that particular flag.

Maybe it's the "Birdman"...

He must really be getting sick of having to wake up at the crack of dawn to catch all of these 5:30am flights.

Shane Maloney? I used to know a Shane Maloney many many years ago during my days of propping myself up at the union bar at ANU in Canberra... these days he is quite a successful (or at least, was) crime (pulp) fiction writer.

Either that or dust off those LPs that are stored in the garage and take a look back through your record collection.

Watched Samsara the other day on Blu Ray... stunning to say the least! Now to sit down with the "Qatsi" trilogy with the same director of photography and music composed by Philip Glass.

Well, if as you say, this is the club's last chance to get it right, I think that the last thing they would want to be doing is rushing into these critical appointments.

I'd probably add Clisby to that list... very rough around the edges, but he has shown there is plenty to work with that will likely see him turning into a very good defender.

If true, let's hope he can 'stand and deliver!' (for those old enough to remember) edit: great minds billy

Don't know if this has been covered already, but wasn't it stated earlier in this thread that we were talking to someone currently in the senior coaching position at another club... perhaps it was Voss? ;-)

Why on earth not?? If there are quality people at Essendon who have managed to stay clear of all of the dodgy goings on, I would have thought they would be exactly the kind of people we would want at our club; reliable, not easily mislead and clean. Take of the blinkers and look beyond the fact that they are employed by Essendon (assuming that is your problem with them) - worth noting that is where our current CEO spent a good part of his past.

I would hope that the club (appropriate person) sits down with Aaron and they discuss his future with a view to having him onboard for one more season where he will take on more of a mentoring/development role. Perhaps this discussion may have already taken place 12 months ago? I would hate to see him summarily dumped after the years of quality service he gave us, regardless of his form and desire seemingly dropping off as his body finds it harder to cope with the rigours of today's game.

While some of what you say may be correct, there is also the issue that many posters have no idea where to direct their "anger" and simply lash out indiscriminately and often do so with little or no facts. There are always players who become the favourite whipping boys, and then it's the coach, the assistant coaches, the board, the president, the CEO, the trumpeter etc etc ... while it may not be the case in this thread, the main problem is that while one person might make a valid criticism, many will then take that as a cue to jump in boots and all and it often becomes personal - mob mentality. Perhaps demonoid has just had enough of that... and I would have to say I feel much the same. This is not directed at you Soidee, but I really dislike this "pea hearted supporters" expression... if anything, that probably applies more to the keyboard warriors who continually rubbish and snipe at the players and the club in anonymity from the safety of their homes/offices.

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.