John Crow Batty

After the loss against the Bulldogs last season I took a couple months break from here due to the disappointment of our players effort. Somehow I think nothing will change no matter what talent comes in. My biggest peeve is the chronic pissweak big headed attitude that causes us to lose games like this. Clearly it still lurks at the club. If the coaches can't eradicate it, they should be the first to go.

Give Hogan a one way ticket back to Perth where he can bond with his fellow sooky mate McCarthy.

I think we have bee exposed as a fraudulent club. No spirit and no soul. Just making up the numbers for the AFL. When it comes to soul and fighting spirit we ain't worth the Essendon's players toe jam despite their problems. Fark the premiership window. We are on the way to matching last season [censored] efforts. And if anyone says we have improved if we win one more game than last season deserves a punch in the face.

Same as Geelong. They matured quicker than the Hawks but two years earlier were in big trouble. Dynasties develop quickly and need all the stars to align properly. Teams that build a premiership window slowly are usually only good for one.

Hogan; Ugly, bad, good. In that order.

Yes but not many would have expected the impact he had in his first real game.

Perhaps one of the most impressive debut's I can remember. Now that he appeared on the radar it will be interesting how he goes with extra attention and tagging which is bound to happen sooner or later. I would love to see him tested against Crowley this week.

No substance but came from an Essendon member I know well who appears to know a bit what is happening over there and seems convinced that Goodwin will sway him over to us. Could be panic talk but I hope it is true. Was interested if any whispers are coming from our side.

Heard a rumour we may going hard after Micheal Hurley for next season in the expected exodus of Essendon players. Apparently Goodwin as coach may be the jam. Anyone else heard it?

Too early to tell. Takes time for effective tactics to be developed and perfected to take advantage or negate the rule changes. If it does lead to higher scoring and more offensive play it may hurt sides like Freo bad going by their weak performance against the Bulldogs.

Nothing new here. Hawks have been slow starters for the past few seasons and premiers at the end.

A case of one getting the hot dog and the other a sausage sizzle?

An application of Deep Heat on his balls.

Oliver won the first two clearances decisevely out of the middle to set up back to back goals at the start of the last quarter. Thats how a team gets on a roll.

Oliver has the potential to match him.

I think it is a good idea playing OMac. I always believe key defenders develop better when the big heat is thrown at them. And if the team generally shows improvement from last season, then his confidence to make the right decisions elevates. It won't take long to see if he has what it takes. With Dunn I agree he may be tainted by the old school culture. It was like his stellar form disappeared the very next game after signing his last contract and just became only serviceable ever since. I would love though to see him attain the heights of his early 2014 form. He has demonstrated he can play at the highest level.

Soon we will be seeing footballers with shaven heads, eyebrows and every thing else and their squeezes will get to admire their full metal Brazilians.

C grade to A grade at the smell of clover. Then A grade back to C grade at a stoke of a pen. He can do better. It's up to him.

Picking the fitest side for round one is a no brainer. Why risk aggravating injuries and NQR players at this early stage? Its going to be a long and punishing season.

You left out the ruck division.

Vince would have to be the most satisfying recruit we have had for over a decade. I always thought he was a gun even when playing at the Crows. It was a surprise to me when we ended up with him. Along with Cross and Garlett it looks like we had picked up a trio of top shelf made players recently.

Freo are taking a huge risk if they try to get both McCarthy and Hogan IMO. Bringing big guns to fix structural problems does not work as well as most think and can be a destablishing influence. Reminds me of the Swan's situation. Tippet and Franklin have been negative net value so far and the Swans are not the tight close knit side they were before them. Similar also to when we recruited both Templeton and Moore. More trouble than they were worth. Some consolation I can take with this uncertainty is that we have demonstrated we can play well without Hogan and also when he's having an off day. Interesting to see how things develop in the next few months. If his contract uncertainty becomes a destabilising influence I would prefer he leaves with haste. It has been my concern that he may be too high maintenance for a fragile developing club like us.

Heppell I believe was one of Hird's staunchest supporters amongst the playing group.

If you search in Google news for "Stephen Dank Clinic" you will be able to read it at top of search page. Has a doctor there providing prescriptions for his bunnies. Is some woman doctor from Uruguay.

If that is the case we better start building a new powerhouse dynasty quick.