John Crow Batty

With 22 players that will cost a lot of money above the basic buffet.

Hurley and Rance had relatively slow starts to their careers. There were also questions asked about their chances of making it. Both have a season on TMac for experience and games played. They are all closer than you think. And there are few if any like for like big defenders on the market.

" or what ever the case may be"

I have been paying particular attention to Frawley now that he is at Hawthorn. Last season he was wobbly until he shook off the bad habits he had whilst he was here. This season he has made few errors and is now the cornerstone of their defence. The sum total is that we had lost our best key defender and experience we sorely lack because he just was not interested in playing for us. Losing TMac will be the same loss doubled up. Sure he makes errors but by appearances it has not stopped elite clubs from having an interest in him because they know his value. He will be very hard to replace.

"The managers do most of the talking these days" Good way to fob off difficult questions.

The small stuff and eve Yep, seems very light or absent on the small every day stories of interest. Only offers the sensationalist stuff.

If times get real tough, smoking will make a comeback.

Strange he has gone quiet after more than 20 thousand posts. Last visited on the 29th of July.

Have you ever met a player who is not happy at the club?

Injured or not a rest would be good for Hogan. His injury situation is marginal at this stage and his form has been somewhat dull lately in general. Plus It is interesting to see how we perform against quality opposition without him.

Suggesting we are overdue for a win against them has the same effect.

One rule of thumb that seems reliable is the trade rumour that starts early, grows and just refuses to die. Recently I can think of Scully, Frawley, Dangerfield, Franklin, Ablett and Cloke. Only Cloke turned out to be untrue. That's around 17%. Most other rumours just fizzle out quickly or lose momentum because there was no real substance or conviction in them. Jack Watts is a good example. He took his time signing on, causing some minor concern but there were never serious worries he would actually leave. And he did put pen to paper before it would become a hinderance to the club.

WIlson now going in to bat for her mates claiming dodgy people are trying to take over the club. This is something new. Football clubs are a natural environment for dodgy types to take over and make themselves feel at home. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richmond-board-aspirant-joe-russo-linked-to-underworld-associate-20160803-gqkar2.html

Agree, if it happens it should happen during finals or pre draft period. It will be difficult and a hinderance to the club in planning the pre-season as well as managing trades and offers with ongoing uncertainty about his future.

Nothing lasts for ever and that includes perfection but in this scenario one can argue convincingly that perfection has longevity.

I heard from a very reliable source that Roos was coming here a good four months before it happened and mentioned it here at the time. A few people were certain he was coming long before the fact for various reasons. I don't know what's happening with Hogan or TMac but remain skeptical just like I did with Scully and Frawley As a fan I don't like it when players put our fragile club through the ringer for their own ends.

Knowing beats believing every time.

If he does intend to re-sign, why up to six months? Just like saying to my gal, "I'll marry you but I'll let you know for sure in six months."

Anyhow we don't need anymore dumb footballers. Going to Richmond has proved it.

IF TMac decides to leave and worse he takes his brother too he's got us over a barrel with a broomstick in his hand.

Yep you are right with the crap we serve up every other week. Tell that to Peter Jackson.

I don't believe they are better than us. We blew too many chances we should have taken.

Some of the excuses on here about about our painfully slow improvement have a familiar ring to them.

And if we managed to have beaten Essendon also we would be in the eight.

Worth a try. Frawley is not used to playing against beanstalks and their other tall defenders are inexperienced.