Slartibartfast

He was. Source is 2009 AFL Record Season Guide 2009. Johnstone is listed as a "PS" or priority selection.

I have trouble with the word "sole". If it was "primary" I'd agree, a flag is what we strive for and every decision we make is directed towards it. Old55 hit it on the head when he said " Maybe it's a pity that most of us are unable to change our allegiance based on which club might best fulfill our aims. " The fact that we can't seems to indicate to me that whilst the primary reason we compete is for a flag there is more to our support than that. In the EPL the majority of clubs can't win a "flag". Why do they still have supporters if this is the case? And why do all of us watch football games where MFC is not involved? I'd suggest it's because we love the game and suggestions that "I'd give it away if I thought we'd never win a flag" sound a little extreme to me. Interesting thread H. You and I have discussed this issue at length and I doubt either has changed our view. FWIW I don't see one group as "better" than the other and I'd suggest that Melbourne supporters reflect the spectrum of any club. Einstein: I was typing as you posted. We make the same point.

Joeboy - should chose replacement

I haven't and I won't look at your previous comments on Belly. I looked at this one.

If you support him but though the injury may threaten his career how about "injury threatens career"? Or is that a bit hard and you thought "Goodbye Ding Dong" was a really clever play on words?? If the answer is "yes" then you missed the mark, you just sounded like one of the nuff nuff's and totally disrepectful to a kid who has done nothing but give his all over the journey. Bell went off in the last minutes of the third having had 7 possessions in that quarter. So lets not wriggle out of it on a technicality eh DD, he had 60% game time which was only 10 - 15% less than players like Jurrah, Morton, Jamar and Moloney, easily enough to evaluate his performance.

DD Bell has been playing midfield for Casey and has had 2 or 3 BOG's in a row. Suddenly he gets selected and lines up on Robbie Gray and Ebert in the seniors as Bailey clearly thought we didn't have the players in the seniors to shut them down. Neither of the two players mentioned had an impact. Bell made one kicking error. Nice three word analysis. More accurate would have been "effective defensive effort".

Nice work Hannabal. I too was one that was educated by Craig Cameron in this regard. I remember trumpeting our depth and thinking that set us up for a tilt at the flag. It was when we had Neitz, White, Yze, Johnstone, Davey, Bruce and Green as our leaders. They were fair average quality "top 6" (I know I've named 7) but fell short of elite and we probably did well to achieve what we did. CAC set me straight. The club was well aware of this and try as we might we never produced an elite player in the Daniher/Cameron era. I think we are much better placed now with an abundance of early picks that CAC never had. But as you rightly point out it will take time because our "top 6" now is really not worthy of that designation.

I was at the Brisbane game and saw the last quarter of the Brisbane reserves v Broadbeach (or someone) and Trav was playing. He looked totally disinterested, made terrible decisions, was arrogant (tried to take tackles and muscle his way through situations and couldn't) and disposed of the ball in his usual flukey way. He's had lots of problems over the journey. He's not looked after his body at all, ignored his rehab, alienated his team mates and as we all know never really applied himself over more than short periods of his career. It has been a terrible waste Peter but Trav's problem was never football but his understanding, application and ABILITY to apply himself. Some players like Barty, Brown Dog and Godders had that ability in spades but limited ability, Trav is a classic couldhavebeen. BTW, we tend to blame people like Trav for this but it is no different to just having ordinary skills. He just didn't have the ability to do it. I think it's quite possible Trav is playing his last season and may have played his last game. I doubt Brisbane will offer him a new contract and if he does play elsewhere it will be on base payments. A very sad end to what could have been a great career.

2 costly turnovers game to forget seemed completely lost was taught lesson Well of the 8 games he's played this year you had 4 negative comments. Is 50% really RARELY? The reason I make the point is I'm a big fan of his and have been from day one and I've been surprised that you've focused on his negatives and and ignored his clear class and development. But you did get it right and there is plenty of room on the bandwagon; just don't expect a spot near the front!!

And of the 9 games or so he's played it's one of the rare three word summaries you've given where you've said something positive about him. No credit to you about Grimes Joeboy, you're last on board a very crowded bandwagon.

TimD and Jarka I'd suggest you don't correspond; you clearly don't like each other and the forum doesn't benefit from your exchanges. Drop the antagonism and abuse please and observe the COC. I've edited a few of your comments but I'd ask you to both review your posts and edit as appropriate, to be honest I can't be bothered being a nanny to two squabbling kids and I've got better things to do with my time.

How can you "generalize" all?? It's a generalization Jaded, meaning a majority or a characteristic. Of course there will be exceptions and of course some will have other characteristics.

Like Redleg I'm amazed that so many don't understand, but I think you've hit the nail on the head. Gen Y er's don't like waiting. It's instant gratification. My gen Y son just told me he wasn't excited by Jurrah, looked lost, didn't work hard enough. I'm staggered. Not at his observations, but at his attitude and lack of understanding of "process". This "process" is going to be a hard one for the Gen Y supporters. I wonder if they'll last the distance or if they'll drop off only to return when we have matured as a list. Very insightful comment H albeit with another thought in mind.

Good post. To put it in perspective the total games played by our list at the beginning of 2009 was 2078, the least in the league. The next lowest was Freo on 2220. The possible loss this year of another 900 games takes about 40% of our lists experience and will leave us with something in the order of 1700 games experience (a list plays 484 games during a H&A season) . At the top end is Sydney with 3510, Saints with 2915 and Geelong 3138. Games are one indicator of a lists strength. The others are the fitness of the list (all clubs that have won a flag since 1999 have had 18 or more players play 19 games or more in the H&A season) and of course talent. But not all is lost. Hawthorn only had 2240 games experience on their list at the beginning of this year. They had a great run with injury last year and some superstars.

Yep, fair enough, I'm happy to be on my own on this. I believe Junior is comfortably good enough to have a spot in the team. He was poor yesterday and clearly played injured. I won't judge him solely on that performance but look at his season to date and make my judgement on that. I agree he should not play injured and whether it was the match committee or his call it was not a good one. BTW Jarka, I never said he was "a good bloke". I said he had everyone's respect, a very different thing. Junior is an exceptional leader and that is worth a great deal. His contribution will benefit our club well after he leaves.

McDonald is a brilliant captain, he has the respect of all the players, coaching staff and everyone associated with the club. He is a true leader. He's won two best and fairest awards, he's the only AA on our list and he has represented our club with distinction. I believe Junior comfortably earns his spot in the team but what many overlook is that the role of Captain is more about what happens off field than on it. RalphiusMaximus is spot on with his comment.

Couldn't agree more JJC, nothing better than watching 50,000 disappointed Pies leave the ground having put $300,000 into our bank account!

H I think you'll find that the comments on Watts are based on KC's comments which were made at 2.19PM but the response, although misplaced, demonstrates the completely unrealistic expectation being placed on him. I thought Watts was good today without playing a dominant role. He has all the attributes which you've outlined. Interestingly he continues to be played on the wing which is disappointing given our team is screaming out for a forward.

Many thanks Jack, hope all goes well tonight.

The club has not contacted me or anyone associated with Demonland as far as I know and as far as I can ascertain Deegirl doesn't post at all on Demonland. Deegirl has released a significant amount of information on Demonology, including James McDonald's appointment as Captain, often well before it becomes public knowledge and in every case that I've seen it the information has been correct. My guess is that Deegirl is either an employee of the club or closely associated with one of the players. She/he shouldn't do it, it's that simple, it's a breach of trust and it has the potential to hurt the club. If you don't understand that I can't help you.

On the contrary. Whilst Deegirl provides correct information there is a clear breach of confidentiality at the club which can do nothing but hurt us in the long term. I'd encourage Deegirl to think twice before releasing any further information.

This topic has run its race and everyone has had an opportunity to have their say. Topic closed, back to the footy Thanks.

Joeboy I've just watched the replay of the first quarter. Grimes played on Hahn, Murphy and Johnson at different times. The backline rotate depending on matchups. Morton started on Murphy and was on him a number of times when he got the ball. Grimes lacks physical strength and was worked off the ball by stronger opponents today on more than one occasion. I thought your three word analysis of him last week was harsh but fair. Your assessment of him today is, as you say, one to forget.

Junior was not on SEN this morning and has said nothing publicly about his future. Gothedemons is on holiday for sometime. Flaming rumours will not be tolerated on this site. If someone puts a post up of this nature expect to have access to the site removed.

How do you reconcile your view of Bate with the fact he is the second highest in AFL for goal assists?? I agree he has weaknesses but when he gets it he helps us score which at the moment we don't do much of. I find evaluating him as a player very difficult.