Slartibartfast

Nev, Tom, Jack, Max

It always disappoints me to see people turn on a player as many here have but I suppose for someone we placed so much hope in and then disappointed us it's an understandable if regrettable reaction. I was one who supported him when he was with us but I'm pleased we traded him. But lets put this Hawthorn business to bed. If Watts had been recruited to Hawthorn he would have been in one of the best cultures the AFL has produced coached by one of the best coaches and captained by one of the best captains. He wouldn't have turned into the player he now is. He wouldn't have had the hopes of a team resting on the shoulders of a teenager. He would have been developed properly and when he came into the team he would have been surrounded by mature players and played in a winning culture playing an appropriate role with appropriate expectations. And if you want an example of Clarkson understanding players strengths and coaching to them just look at Brad Hill. Soft as butter but Clarkson used is attributes. He would have done the same with Watts. For all Watts is being criticised now he played some really good footy for us. He was loyal when he probably shouldn't have been and I'd contend his dumping by us now means he finds footy without his mates just plain boring. Footy has been pretty cruel to Watts. When Watts played his 100th game the AFL media department put on a video of his worst moments. When have they ever done that before for any other player? He has been the subject of more media attention than just about any other player in my memory. He's done some dumb things no doubt and he's soft by AFL standards but he's probably a better human being than many other players and many here who are spitting bile at him. It's time for people to move on and just accepting Jack for the person he is. Sadly it won't happen.

Love your work PD. Like Crompton I don't hold the optimism for Hunt that you do. I think disposal skills, vision and decision making will be paramount this year and whilst Hunt has some elite attributes I think these things will hold him back. Salem or Fritsch take his spot back. Also like KK ahead of Hore who I've only seem briefly in VFL footy so he misses because I know more about KK. Smith finds a spot forward where his kicking and decision making is not such an issue but his athleticism and speed are real assets and I really like Old55's idea of him playing a stopping role on the oppositions intercept marker. Hannan gets the other spot although I'm not sure he'll be ready for round 1. Lewis probably gets it in the short term. Tinkering at the edges I know. As you point out, there is a lot of competition for the last 5 or 6 spots and traditionally a player or two come into the team nobody was expecting. Baker, Sparrow, Bedford, Hore.......

I'm just stunned you knew about it or bothered to watch it. BTW, I haven't. It takes all sorts DS, live and let live. We're all just trying to make a living and it strikes me that the girl is not really hurting anyone.

Jones, Spargo, Harmes, Salem. Viney’s just about my second favourite, and certainly is amongst that group. Odd selections if you’re trying to get a “pecking order”.

TMac, Stretcher, Huntster.

I thought that after the Mills incident but his piece in the Player's Voice and what I've heard from people who know him he's not. I think he's just a bloke who make a bad mistake and I think he's truly remorseful. Good luck Tom, hope the business goes gangbusters. Thanks for your efforts at MFC and helping us when we were rubbish.

I understand the scepticism re Spargo. He has weaknesses. He's easily knocked off the ball and one on ones are a real challenge for him given his size. His kicking lacks penetration and is wayward at times. Despite early comments, he's not shown an ability to hold marks overhead (yes, I realize it isn't his job) and he isn't lightning quick. But he has some real attributes. He's a genuine footballer who understands the game and gets involved in the play whether he has the ball or not. When he has the ball he's got terrific awareness as the highlights above show. He's really competitive and a genuine role or "team" player. We are used to smalls having real X factor but what this kid lacks in X factor he makes up for in other footy attributes. The first time I saw him was at Casey in a practice match last year. He started forward and struggled to get into the game but in the second half he was moved to the midfield and was very good. His ability to find the ball and more importantly look to do something with it was noticeable. Spargo will learn his trade forward but will ultimately move into the midfield where he will be very good. The kid was 18 all last year and is a baby in terms of his footy potential at AFL level. I'm predicting a very good future for Charlie.

Nicely articulated @binman but we all knew what was happening. STMJ was playing semantics with Saty as Saty was with STMJ. I used to get involved in this oneupmanship for which I now apologize. It really is just plain boring. On a topic related comment, Viney's situation is concerning given his history. Reported as an ankle operation postseason and in the latest from Ben Guthrie it's now turned into a foot issue. I'm hoping for the best but I'm not confident. Waiting for Misso's injury report and looking forward to seeing how many in rehab return to full training post-Christmas.

Californian mountain snake morelike. She was great as Ellie Driver.

I remember watching him in his second season and being very impressed and am therefore pleased we've got him. But the unbridled optimism being shown by Demonlanders should be tempered a little I think. If KK was really as good as is being made out why was he traded? Why were GCS happy to see him go and why wasn't there any competition for his services? I don't know the answers but the fact the questions remain makes me hesitant to go all in on him being a success. It seems to me there is more to the story than just the concussion issues but we may never know. Like the majority, I'm happy with the pickup and think it has lots of upsides but there is a fair chance it will fail otherwise the particular deal wouldn't have been done.

Both parties got what they wanted. What’s the problem.

He'll aways be an import and so the connection isn't as strong as say someone like Spargo. I'll obviously support him but it's just different somehow. Probably only me.

I never feel the same about players traded in as those drafted. Bernie aside.

Well I'm not so you can't say that about everyone. I think there are a lot just disappointed to see him go. Anyway enough.

People are disappointed to see Hogan go. Is there an issue with that? You're dancing on their disappointment like a big bully.

Clickbait Wise, clickbait.

You've got some good footy views STMJ but you really are an awful person.

It really annoys me that people have a go at the disappointed posters. Hogan is a generational player, he held our aspirational hopes for a long time and we became attached to him. I can't believe there is anyone not sad to see him go. Those knocking the disappointed are just jerks.

I just have this horrible sense of loss.

GCS will just wait and see if 5 comes to them. They are in no hurry. How silly would they look if they traded for 7 but 5 was available.

I think what a lot are overlooking is the actual role of the GM Footy Ops. He is responsible for all footy. List management, coaching, tech people, medical staff admin staff, property staff, the footy side of the Casey alignment and so on. Like Peter Jackson, he relies on the skills those he employs to produce the results. One of his major skills seems to be identifying the right people who can do the job. I think he's done a fantastic job. He's united a divided FD, he has overseen the culture we now have, our relationship with the players, their families and other clubs seems excellent. I don't know how much input he's had directly into the Oliver situation but he's responsible for employing those that did. He hasn't put a foot wrong. Well done Josh.

I'm a bit confused about all the wrist slashing. Option One: We trade Hogan to our advantage (as determined by the FD) Option Two: We keep Jesse who is an elite talent. What's the problem?

I think this is the most likely outcome but strangely, known troll GNF has said exactly what I've heard about Jesse. It is the FD preference to keep him. My source is well connected but I don't know where his information came from so I take it all with a grain of salt. What I admire about you is your ability to have certainty around a situation that is anything but certain and your ability to sprout it probably close to 50 times in this thread alone. One of the critical unknowns about this deal is the relationship between MFC and Hogan. If it is as I've heard and GNF suggests then MFC are in a very good position and can't really lose. If not Jesse's situation is anything but clear. Oh, and Graz, I agree with you. Jesse to GCS on a mega-deal, AFL ambassadorship, Jesse out of the limelight which he might enjoy and he becomes a leader of a club that now has full AFL backing and a good administration. GCS won't be much good next year but we have seen ourselves how a basket case can be turned around and GCS are better placed than we were to achieve that. Interesting days ahead.

Nah, just clickbait Wise ?