John Crow Batty

You must remember there is a long standing football tradition in Fremantle and WA in general. There is a large pool of South and East Fremantle fans who are proud their city is now in the big league. There is no supporter fan base in GWS and only minimal at GC.

Yeah, let him become a 10 year player somewhere else.

The game was only the most marginal improvement on Geelong. We played for 20 minutes instead of one. Carlton clearly shut up shop after half time. If they had Geelong's killer instinct it would have been a 100 plus point loss. I don't accept Brad's explanation.

I'm not too worried about these "just add water" instant footy clubs. They lack a soul and 150+years continuity of history and support as with us. Their survival is exclusively dependant on lots of freebies from the AFL. A severe economic crisis or downturn in AFL stocks will see support for them evaporate quickly. If the cash dried up then they will just go "poof" into the air. I'm sure if we were in a crisis our die hard supporters would rally as they did with Debt Demolition and we will survive even if we have to bottom feed longer than we expected. All we need now is some bloody good coaches and admin to lift this club out of the doldrums. Lack of long term success has seen our stocks dwindle significantly but there is a hell of a lot of latent support out there that will materialise when we start to get some genuine on field success whenever it happens.

Is there a Bonobo translator in the house?

If one cares to take note, in the big European leagues with a relegation system it is still the wealthiest half dozen clubs that are nearly always at the top. Middle of the road clubs are always battling relegation or false hopes and well perfoming battlers get promoted and relegated on a cyclic basis. The only way a small club usually progresses is when there is a wealthy benefactor willing to do his dough. But when the money stops these clubs decline very fast. Then there is the issue of commercial sponsorshiop. The perenial top tier teams are always going to attract the lions share of sponsorship. Poor clubs are forced to trade their best players to generate enough cash. This class system entrenches established wealth and success and IMO would be disaster for clubs like ours.

A two tier system will only create perenial poverty row teams. A second division will only generate limited appeal for die hard fans mostly. Better the two conference style system as suggested by others. 9 teams in each conference. Each team plays its own conference teams twice per season. And then play 5-6 other conference teams once on a rotational basis each season. Each conference has a final four system to determine the Grand finalists. Not sure how the AFL will like this as its stuffs up their current unfair premium draw system. But if they want to keep the competition healthy and ensure its long time survival they will have to bite the bullet instead of going for the short term profit maximisation option.

The only kick I saw from him went straight to a free Carlton player.

If this guy was playing for a top side he'd be a confirmed star and pushing serious Brownlow votes.

This is so sick. Really felt for him. He is going to have a huge challenge to get back up again. Hope he makes it. There was nothing in it, just landed funny after making a great spoil.

Our backine was touted as very promising early last year. Since then there has been a steady decline. Losing Sean Welman in hindsight has not helped. Warnock and Davey have been a real letdown. The most consistent backman has been Garland with Frawley slowly regaining some of his old form. Disposal is our biggest weakness down back. All the backmen are substandard or at best only average in that regard except Tapscott. Structure at stoppages all too often invites cheap goals for the opposition. Aaron Davey despite his subline kicking skills has been too much of a showboater. Has become a parody of Travis Johnstone. Always kicking precise direct passes that look great when they come off but with no margin for error and usually severely punished when they all too often don't come off. Why not just kick to the ball to advantage instead?

Agree, there are too many people around in not clearly defined roles. But it would be up to the new coach to decide if he'd like some one like Kirk around as an assistant coach. Assuming he is avaliable.

Certainly the type of guy we need around the club. But what is he doing now? If he is still involved with the Swans he may not be interested. We would have to offer him a substantial viable position like full time assisstant coach. I doubt we could get him down here in a part time position.

This is the 5 stage coach selection primer to identify likely candidates to coach us next season. Select a likely candidate and put his name in all the five numbered stages. 1) Who's....................................... 2) Get us..................................... 3) Get us a..................................type. 4) Get us a younger..................... 5) Who's........................................ After you have entered the name in all stages decide the most appropriate stage where the candidate fits in.

One thing I've noticed on this forum. When there is a positive article about us in the media , the overwhelming majority of posters laud it as well balanced and written, intelligent, on the money, etc, etc. When there are negative articles then there is near universal condemnation such as, load of rubbish, hidden agendas, based on rumours, writer has a grudge etc, etc,etc. Given all the crap that is going on at this club at the moment it appears most posters don't have a clue at how to objectively interpret media musings.

I was thinking the same myself. And Jim is still gravely ill. Even Chip has had a bad year with his bicep injury and only recently has he gained some form.

Personally I hope he stays with the hawks. They deserve him.

With all the current problems we have, the last we need is another senior malcontent who has a chequered past hanging around asking for more money. He's now lost me for good.

Perhaps we could go to China, more specifically Tibet or Yunan. Would be a lot cheaper and the players could eat Yak.

Looked like he had lead boots on last week. Agree he couldn't jump.

You have a point there. When Northey took over the club was a shambles not much different to now. It's always going to be a roll of the dice with coaches. Now that the game is as much a media spectacle as a sport, coaches are also a fashion statement. Untried coaches must look good, be media savvy and talk the talk before they get a chance to show what they really got. Successful coaches already have a profile, reputation and are in demand. But there is a good chance the best coach in 10 years time is likely still a player now. No matter who we get, there are no guarantees in this business. Though I still like to get one who is experienced and successful I just hope we are lucky to get a good one this time no matter who and I would not be disappointed unless they prove themselves not up to the job down the track.

Perhaps he's upset that we may be after Clarkson? Typical get in first attack dog tactic of his.

Anyone who tried to discuss this on the forum back then was shouted down and copped a lot of abuse.

I think its going to be a big win for us or another diablical loss. Cannot read anything into how the players are going to show up. One thing I'd like to see is Maric play. If we come at the game at a 100% desire and effort he will be devastating up forward. If we have last weeks attitude then it won't matter.

Then feel free to eat more beans.