wmth

Gameplan is flawed. Will get beaten by every side using it. Almost negligent to instruct this or allow it to happen

Wrote an article on the great man today - http://www.backpagelead.com.au/afl/6028-the-club-that-jim-rebuilt What a legend. RIP

RIP Jimmy. Can't thank you enough for what you have done. Makes it even more of a priveledge to support this club and when the day comes, it will be because of what you have done. The next Demon premiership is yours.

Well, if he meant that, he hid it well. There was just no undercurrent of anger or disappointment. Just all part of preparing. No big deal. Agreed, disposal has been poor and has been for about 4 years or more. The top sides are razor sharp in this area. Ridiculous we aren't better.

I had lost as much optimism as the next demonlander until I watched leigh browns post match interview. It looked like he couldn't care less about the result, rather just a good hit out before the REAL thing. In short, the weekend was / is not a reflection of "where we're really at".

Dunno, but Darling is very good.

To be honest, I thought it was interesting listening to Malthouse. I think he's right, his comments could benefit JW. And I agree, he needs to attack it WAY harder. He's played some nice games, but the potential is huge. I think he should listen and make it benefit him.

Photos: http://www.aflphotos.com.au/galleries/results/?q=collection:AFL

Clark won't play, Bartram won't play (rested)...and now Grimes....while Pendlebury and Maxwell return for the Pies. http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/129734/default.aspx

I don't think they're that worried. They are a mess, but with no supporters and no expectations they can be a "mess" for now. The point is, it's not about now or even three years from now. Never has been. Just like the GC, they ll start losing games by 20 points instead of 80 and then they'll start winning. It will take 20+ years to build this club properly, this is a long term project.

Friend of a friend is dev coach at gws. Told me scully was told 'you're going to be a good player, but we can make you better quicker'. I assume from being tagged, exposure etc...bad advice I reckon. Will be run ragged by 25...also, they don't want to win a game this year, maybe one. They couldnt care less. Its not about the next few years. They will stockpile talent and top draft picks until they're ready...as a fan of the game, how awful does that sound

Not sure they needed to carry out a study to find a definitive answer - they do know footy. I rate JW highly, but his agression / hunger could improve. My feeling is the comment was made in regard to coming out of the private school system almost exclusively. Huge talent, needs to and by other reports I've had they're teaching him how to work much much harder. Take it or leave it. I'm not being lied to. Hardly callours - harden up Jack! It was just a conversation between sports people over beers. I suspect their opinion may have changed by now

Certainly room for improvement and I can tell you the coaches believe so too. I've reported this before on here, but a friend of mine and his GF (a dees supporter) work in sport and was having beers with Rawlings and Brown just before pre-season and they asked about Watts - "no heart" was the quote. As in, 'they're going to get him one'.

It's been our achilles heel for years. Gameplans, coaches, facilities are nice, but the top sides have sublime foot skills (under pressre) and move it with ease...who could forget watching games in 2008, when you could see the turnover before it happened. We've come a long way since then, but infuriating nonetheless

Without a doubt

As I've said before on this site, a good mate of mine ended up being joined by two of our line coaches for beers during the early parts of pre season. Long story, but both he and his gf - a dees supporter - work in sport and they asked about Watts. The quote I received was: "he's got no heart". Said in a way, as in "they're going to get him one". Huge talent obviously, but doesn't work hard enough.

Anything but the Bailey 'reverse press' of last year. The forwards continually got sucked up the ground and we ended up pressing ourselves in the back half, forced to inecessently handball our way out of trouble in an attempt to run in numbers while the opposition set up a wall to rebound back in. I can remember Maloney throwing his hands up in disdain that there was no one forward of centre to kick to. I think the players will benefit greatly from some structure.

This is the Scullduggery thread, right? I posted a huge picture of the Sculldugger himself! Honestly, I am sure most of us are over it and just despise him. Couldn't help myself when I found an oversized picture of Benedict Arnold.

Completely agree. Sport's Illustrated writes some fantastic stuff. Australia has nothing quite like it. As a former journo (brief stint) and a once aspiring sports writer (a few published pieces), I must say it's a hard caper to break into despite the relative lack of talent reporting for the major dailies. Certainly room for a good group.

Not always. Especially scholarship boys. Most schools require them to play the majority for them (Cyril, Goddard etc) given they are footing the bill. Not totally sure with Jack, but I know he played a fair few and seem to remember an article at the national champs where he was a bit lost during training. The guy has dominated every competition he has played in and probably with little effort. He did play both footy and basketball for the majority. focusing full time on footy, and especially at this level, is probably something quite different. Hardly. Didn't expect a stir at all. My mate's gf is a mad dees supporter so she practically had her note pad out while asking questions. Just watching him play, he can go a fraction harder. Talent is obvious. I wouldn't say the comments are anythign to be concerned about. I am sure half a dozen players on the list are in the same boat (and probably from every club). Seem to be doing something about it however.

Ok. Maybe not always the case. But I've seen it plenty of times before. They come from a different system (not necessarily through TAC cup etc) and find the workload much different. I believe Jack has even said this himself (not knowing all the drills etc). No doubt he'll get up to speed. I suspect (and know) some of the list above were on scholarships and don't necessarily 'fit the mould'.

Just passing it on. I'd prefer if he didn't know what he said ended up in a forum. Not fit enough, needs to work harder is hardly groundbreaking

Well, they did. Someone asked and they responded. No big deal I would've thought.

One a separate note, got a mate who at this very moment is at the pub in Richmond and has been joined by Jade Rawlings and Leigh Brown (friends of friends). Of course, I asked for news (especially on Watts). Both have said Watts is not nearly fit enough and needs to work much harder than he does. Doesn't go nearly hard enough on the track. Always the case for talented private school boys. No doubt he, as well as others, are learning what it takes to train professionally. Other than that, I am told they are both very impressive people (even at the pub!)