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Thank god. If the last year's anything to go by, Essendon wouldn't see a good thing if it hit them in the face. Unless you're the Golden boy don't ever expect appreciation down there.

I like the change Benny. Profile Pic not so much though.

Thanks tappy and all for getting down. I feel a bit like Mitch Clark, he unable to get on the park and I, unable to get to training. Dawes not only is a good acquisition for his ability but let's not forget last year it was a team so devoid of leadership, BH's ego would be more capable of leading a group of men. When he played last year, he gave the team structure it has much longed for, and his hands and leading patterns were much better than I thought. Whether he gets on the park or not, he is still an excellent leader of a very young forward group. Even Clark who we consider a great leader has barely no finals experience, and did walk out on the club albeit to the benefit of us. Give it two years and he'll be paying us back in spades. Let's not forget it's not like he's holding back our salary cap, noone wanted to come here, and hardly any others deserve the money they're on currently let alone an increase!

Haha was waiting for this. Twice charged, once jailed- cops try and pull him over and he engages high speed chase.. But you're right, once again its White Australia's fault for being racist! This has nothing to do with race, it's to do with a man who has no concern for his actions or real care for the repercussions. If this scenario was happening with Jack trengove you'd see the same comments.

There's a reason Malthouse went after Dawes along with us last off-season. There's a reason he was CHF in one premiership side and again in one that lost. Dawes is excellent overhead, whereas Fitzpatrick is incredibly clumsy and watching 60% of Casey games this year is my evidence. If I gave him the ball one 10m out and one 40m out on the boundary his chance of kicking a goal would be equal on both. Inconsistency is terrible. This is a classic case of us overrating a so-so player on a rubbish list. But to suggest Fitzy play before Dawes is laughable.

Read the topic and lock it if it's going down this path. We've all accepted our past, but reliving it doesn't help. Want to talk Neeld feel free but go to one of the 50 threads!

Matt Rendell was brave enough to confront a contentious issue honestly and it cost him his job. In the last few years, I think his view has actually come to fruition. Like WYL, I've seen his Facebook, the last post I saw him and WB young recruit Zeph Skinner were discussing both being drunk. So many have had great success, McLeod, Wanganeen, our own Aaron Davey and currently Rioli, Motlop and I'm sure in the future Jack Martin. It's a sad situation which leaves so many questions and seemingly so few answers.

If they're both 100% fit, that's ridiculous. What attributes does Fitzpatrick bring that Dawes doesn't have.

I hope they remove compo for losing an Unrestricted free-agent, but for losing a restricted I'd hope it'll still remain. The same policy applies in the NFL and works well.

I've also heard that Toumpas thing. Ironically, unless it was Nathan Jones, or Col Garland (given hanging with Hannebery I'd say it wouldn't be) , many of them can't speak much themselves can they! God how I'd enjoy if Jack Watts was the one who said that. Alas, BH if you think he was the worst looking first year player you haven't been watching enough footy. Chad Wingard is the best example that gives me hope for next year. Looked horrifically out of his depth, averaged 10 touches and nothing contested. This year averaged over 21, kicked a heap of goals and looked very capable of winning contested footy. He won Ports BNF and became an All Australian. Toumpas has great help this year finally, and I expect to see some growth like Wingards- exponential.

Mach, how involved is Strauss in training at this point? I saw a few reports last week stating how well he was kicking it, and was hoping that he would come on from there. Did he train okay? Or just not getting involved enough?

I think Trengoves problem is very clear and common and one I face myself. He recorded a 2.97 20m run which is quick. He has burst leg speed and I'd love to see his stats in the first 5 minutes of every quarter compared to the rest of the quarter. I think his problems would be clear if only I could find his repeat sprint stat. Endurance is one thing, Sprints are another but the ability to run maximally, stop, run max, jog, run max is incredibly difficult. Short distance endurance as it's known is very unnatural for some, and long sessions are required to teach it. It's why the repeat 2-300ms are popular at training. That doesn't help a player run out a whole game, it forces them how to run after a run after a run. Jack clearly has no endurance for 2nd, 3rd high intensity efforts. His sister shows in the gene pool, they have the ability to run and run and run at one tempo all day, just maybe not when the intensity lifts. Jack if you're reading this, twice a week cones at 10,20,30,40,50,60 than back down 50,40,30,20,10 with 8 seconds break between runs. Have 6 minute break and repeat 4 times. By the end of the preseason, he'd be in tip top shape.

http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/09/27/clubs-australia-campaignand-pokies-revenue/ 91.7 million dollars in gaming revenue in 2010. They may have the cash, but they've sold their soul to do so.

Given 14 of the 18 AFL clubs made it, this should pose no great surprise. Only WB, North and the two freshies didn't make it. Belong St Kilda especially makes me feel disappointed. That said, in the last 8 years Saints have played 3 grand finals, been quite successful. Given how poor we have been, I think we have scope to move up that leader board, the value of the MFC SHOULD be far greater than Port, Adelaide, Brisbane etc. Jackson's starting to turn the ship and I'd love to have a look at this result in 10 years.

I gather for most it's the holier than God attitude that's a killer. His letter that he wrote to Barack Obama was the most self-righteous carp I've ever read; and his continual criticism of Australia as a whole and it's casual racism was rubbish. If Australia tolerated racism like he suggested the Eddie McGuire, Adam Goodes scenario would've been ignored, or scarcely reported. On the contrary, it was flogged for two weeks. We have aboriginal appreciation round just in the AFL, and pour millions of dollars just in this code alone, into giving aboriginals, as an example the best opportunity they can to be drafted. I'm not sure if you managed to catch the Cricket Australia tweet that the papers blew up over of 4 indian gentlemen featuring accompanying with the comment 'will the real Monty Panesar stand up'? If the photo was of 4 young kids who were identical to Joe Root, would the same be considered a racist tweet? I can sure as blood beats red and blue say no. Sadly, there is racism in every country. In Brazil, it would be just as bad if not worse than here. But Harry doesn't just pass judgement on what our country does poorly, but he loves telling us how many things he does brilliantly. I look forward to hearing whether he'll be willing to be called 'Harry' anymore in telecast or will they need to refer to him as Heretier every time. My guess is being the pain in the ass he is, it'll be the second.

Did have a chuckle.

Seriously?? BBO copped 2 weeks for boring everyone with his average jokes. Don't do the same.

They've changed the photo now, that's why you were confused! Definitely was Magner earlier!

I know Stuie has a habit of it, but in his defence all he was doing was telling BBO to leave Moon alone. I don't know if they're all mates, and just play with each other, but it is bloody frustrating reading their in-jokes and belittling each other. Regardless, thanks Nash. Hopefully clears up some of these threads.

God so much talk about who was at fault, but the plain fact is Magner wasn't good enough. The BNF told that story, he was beaten by a 17 year old who played 15 games; only in the forward line. Going and watching James told much more than the stat line, he had no defensive run, little offensive output, rarely hit the scoreboard and too regularly fell to his hands and knees. Great battler, but I don't think he can feel too hard done by. It's not embarrassing to just be not good enough.

I think we'll have an answer before Rd 1, 2014. That broken leg which broke Nathan Brown, plus I think 2 shoulder reconstructions is enough to break someone. I read he's back at preseason drills in the rehab, but tearing up the running groups. Maybe, beating this injury again will be the confidence boost he needs to stop holding him back. I agree, if he gets his head right, God he could be valuable this year.

Hehe, nothing better than picking an argument with someone to find out there life has been dedicated to studying it. Some people only want to see or hear, what they want to see or hear. Sometimes history hurts, and with enough study in any real area you discover information that makes you question everything. Would be very interesting to pick your brain on a topic I'm far too young to even understand.

Might be a petty thing, and I know no-one else really deserves them, but I don't really like giving such low 'good' numbers to first year players. If you have a look at other teams, and the only one I can see who has announced jumpers is Richmond, but Ben Lennon takes 35. It might be a mental thing, but even Collingwood's concept of first draft pick getting 35 I like. Toumpas last year 5, Scully 31, Trengove 9, Watts 4, Salem 3, Morton 10, Frawley went straight to 8, and Sylvia, McLean were 5 and 12 from the get go if I'm not mistaken. I'd love to see them earn the jumper number. Chuck Salem, JKH and Hunt in 34, 36 and 49 and tell them if by 2015 they're deserving best 22 players they can have their pick of numbers. Maybe I'm too depressed with how rubbish we've been, but this bloke's had a Garry Lyon article written after 2 weeks.

Don't hold much hope for the rookie draft generally, and years gone by where these superstars fell through, just won't be as likely with the amount of money in development. However, Max looks like he could become a player. Not saying he will, and not saying I expect him too, but gee he looks good marking the ball for a big fella. He chases loose balls in a Brodie Grundy esque style, which I think we'll need to look out for in the next few years. Ruck Rover could be a literal term. Anyway, not expecting much early on, but can't wait to watch his development and see if he turns out like what I can envisage. A very good honest ruckman, who is comfortable inside forward 50.

Interesting Mach, with this topic I was thinking who I thought would thrive and Strauss did spring to mind. Both his bad injuries, his broken leg was caused by smothering at the time a raging Jeff Garlett, and than the shoulder this year against Freo was an incredibly athletic spoil against Fyfe. Both of them prove he has the defensive ability to beat good footballers. Just by watching him, I feel he's been the opposite to Terlich, plays too defensively and it could be a product of how bad we are. I went to a few Casey games in the middle of the year and his run and carry was very good, just didn't transition to AFL. With a good defensive structure and some faith from the coaching staff I agree he could come on. I feel like there's 2 spots for Clisby, Dunn, Strauss Terlich and maybe even Jetta.