binman

Immediate playing future. That's not a phrase you're ever happy to hear when used in relation to a player in the team you support - particularly one of the team's best players.

But given only three drafteees have left because of the 'go home factor' in the last 10 years the evidence suggests it simply isn't an issue. And you could argue we actually did very well out of Hogan, Jackson, and to a lesser extent nibbla, leaving to go home. Trading Hogan got us May (do we win a flag without him?), Jackson mutiple first round draft picks and Nibbla sharp. It koz goes to freo we will do very well in any deal because he is in contract - at least a couple of first rounders and/or players who meets our needs. And if we were to prioritise vic boys in the draft, perhaps we dont have JVR, McVeee, Koz and Rivers at the club. That's nearly 20% of our starting 22. So if the go home factor is not an issue we need to be concerned with, prioritising Victorian players in the draft isn't being pragmatic - it is the very definition of a solution looking for a problem. The opposite of being pragmatic.

Agree. And the reality is we haven't lost that many players in the last few years because they wanted to return to their home state. Working backwards, nibbla, Jackson and maybe Hogan? Am I missing someone? If not, that's 3 in aprox 10 years. I reckon in that same period we've traded in more vic players from interstate sides than vice versa - langdon, Lever, sharp all immediately come to mind.

Harley Reid comes back from his break in poor shape. Their other recent high draft pick gets maggoted at a music festival and is charged with urinating in public and not cooperating with police. Liam Ryan gets in a full blown street fight at a music festival. Things looking just peachy on the culture front at the eagles.

Agree He'll be a best 22 lock by mid season, if not before. Take it to the bank.

My understanding is Nibbla was only ever going to the crows and the deal was basically done mid season, with only the deets to work out at season's end.

Good to know you don't read replies and reactions. Can I ask you a few questions? Why do you post a football fan forum? Do you take the same approach to texts and emails? Are you wanting other posters to make a note of some sort that you don't read replies and reactions? Are you a bot?

Yeah, i reckon he'll almost certainly get taller. He's 191 cms atm, which is pretty bloody tall. Talls always grow a bit after being drafted. As an example, Bont, a player Langford has many similarities with, is now 194 cms. Admittedly he was younger than Langford when drafted, but like Langford Bont was 191 cms when drafted. By the by i got that info from this draft profile - makes for interesting reading, particularly in terms of the similarities to Langford's draft profile. 2013 Draft Profile: Marcus Bontempelli - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

Agree George. And the other thing he seems to have is an elite focus and mindset - attributes that will help ensure he does everything in his power to achieve his potential. No coincidence XL seems to have the same ulra professional mindset as Taylor puts a premium on it. I'd be very surprised if Langford, barring injury, isn't in our round one team - he's the very definition of a plug and play, AFL ready draftee. The exciting thing is unlike some such players (eg wines, Horne- Francis and even Harley Reid) he's still got plenty of scope for improvement, in large part because he'll continue to fill out and get taller over the next 2-3 years.

Nup. Never do. As I have noted many times i decided to stop getting caught up and wound up by players leaving or rumoured to be leaving after being devastated and furious when Gerard Healy defected to the swans. That decision has saved me much angst over the years - not least in the last six months with all the tracc, clarry and koz want out, where there's smoke there's fire nonsense. If he goes, he goes. Just as I said about tracc we hold the whip hand in any negotiations so we'll do fine.

Oh goody, a full season of koz watch. I'll tap out now I think.

We open with a bye.

Quite appropriate actually. I played a fait bit of cricket. I was a decent bowler but according to many oppo bowlers i was their bunny.

And the annual sack Hinkley noise from Port fans will start up.

Agree. Will cover the loss of nibbla too a bit because he was critical to our defence - how often last year was nibbla that last one standing inside the oppo 50?

I actually think the defensive unit will continue to sit high. The transition game doesn't work properly if the defensive line is too close to the opponents goal. The key to effective transition is compressing the ground and winning it back as close to your goals as possible. It's why for example, even in 2023 when they were playing their best footy, the pies were always a chance to be scored against on the rebound. That was one of the key reasons we struggled defensively last year. In most games our defensive line was set way higher than previous years and that totally stress tested our structure, leg speed and fitness (because once the ball is turned over up the field the defensive unit has to bolt back to defend the turnover). Steve May, who was absolutely gassed, spoke to that very issue in his post game, on ground interview after our win over the tigers. Because of his leg speed, having Windsor behind the ball will really help with our transition. But i reckon just as importantly his leg speed will help us defend turnovers because he will be able to get back quickly - something tmac, may and Lever all struggled to do last year.

Though by replying at all you might have got the faintest edge...... We'll have to go to DRS

Fair enough. I wonder it too.

Ironically its 100% absolutely IS CRICKET. The only unusual thing about Konstans chirping to Bumrah in the 'get back to your mark' gate is that it was only his second test. That sort of chirping has been occurring since WG Grace made the game a mental battle as much as technical battle.

Yes, as I previously noted I think it very likely that is precisely what they did. As does Simon Katich - who as well as having played test match cricket is a super smart dude. It's a cliche because it's true - sport, and particularly test match cricket, is 90% played above the shoulder. Crickey teams are always looking to get in their opponents heads - that is what sledging is all about. Given sledging is more difficult now it seems completely logical they would look for other ways to psyche India out. And if, for the sake of argument, you accept it occurred it was wildly successful. The Indians never really regained their equilibrium after konstas' first knock and we won the last two tests. And after a decade reclaimed the border - gavaskar trophy

Well, at least one highly respected ex Australian test player begs to differ: https://au.news.yahoo.com/simon-katich-goes-public-with-eye-opening-theory-about-sam-konstas-after-india-controversy-013806909.html "I just wonder whether he was given the brief to disrupt Bumrah and the Indians and just go out there with intent and (the mindset that) whatever happens, happens. Because there's a lot more freedom when you're 19 knowing that if you don't get it right the first time around (then) you can go back, work on your game and then fight your way back in, you've got time on your side."

I hate to see any player cop that sort injury, particularly in the preseason.

Agree that is very likely he was encouraged to wind up the Indians. And his behaviour should be seen in that light I reckon (not to mention the complete inappropriateness of kohlis behaviour towards him - ie the shoulder charge, constant chirping and the childish, pathetic running at him when bumrah got Khawaja out last ball of the day). Not sure if it worked in terms of knocking bumrah of his game. He bowled Khawaja a few ball later and was never anything less than brilliant. But I reckon it definitely worked in terms of distracting the Indian team more broadly, particularly kholi who failed to score the runs the India's desperately needed in Melbourne ans Sydney - not to mention completely failing to provide the sort of leadership his team needed. I loved the energy the kid brought.

A road i have travelled many times with my mates over the years. Fair to say it's mostly been a very rocky road. I plan to keep my car in the garage for a few months this season. Well, I plan to try.