binman

I'm guessing we lost almost all of those 8 games you refer to. Those 10 clubs have the best defences and all team pressure in the comp so very hard for forwards, particularly with how many poor kicks we have (exacerbated by opposition pressure on the inside 50 kick) In that context 9 goals from 8 games is ok. Particularly from a still developing, 23 year old key position player who often gets the best defender and has the intercept defender concentrating on covering him (and helped in that by poor kicks inside 50). The interesting thing about the Judd trade is not Judd, it's Kennedy. About the same age as Hogan is now. His potential was obvious but he was the cream in that deal not the substance. Look at what he has become. Close to the best forward in the game and a critical player in the makeup of a gf winning team. Imagine how good jessie will be at the same stage of his career as Kennedy is now!

Yep. And further to that you only had to listen to goody's b&f speech to understand they are thinking top 4 and a serious tilt at the flag next year. If Hoges help us win a flag they won't care less if they get a little less in terms of trade value than trading him this year with a year on his contract. In any case he might he worth more if he keeps improving and helps us win a flag. On that last point few would argue how important Kennedy was this year for wc and in the gf. Terrific player. Hogan is miles ahead of him at a comparable age.

I was a bit surprised many didn't thank him. He thanked everyone else

On leave atm. Listening to some radio. Cannot listen to another second of Sam McClure. Intolerable.

That's not quite how I heard it. Nor all negative but those that are his mum will go after. He's not wrong though is he. Some of the stuff that is written about players on this site is way over the top. Some people struggle with the difference between reasonable critique and character assassination.

Like your avatar, you speak in riddles and seemingly struggle with communicating a narrative. (And like your avatar sake are consistently negative). On one hand you talk Hogan down and basically say he is overrated. On the other you say we'll get to first rounders. Do you think clubs are in the habit of paying top price for average players?

Had a funny weekend on the punt. I find this weekend a bit frustrating as the GF interrupts one of Sydney's premier Spring days (bit disappointing in terms of quality this year i thought) and i don't like having only one good meet on the Friday night, Sat and Sunday. It was made more frustrating by the fact the newsagents in my area were closed Friday so couldn't but the Winning Post and whilst is use the net to support my form process (mainly on odds and extra information like last 10 races etc) old habits die hard so i need a paper form - the winning post to be precise. Also am renovating atm so had little time to do the form. So my selecting was scratchy to say the least. Punters Lament seemed to be running at each meeting! On Friday didn't get a winner and only the $50 money back offer from Sportsbet (x2) saved me and my mate blushes. A couple of close sends but only ever back win. Sat was poor with two placings getting us some money back via the $50 money back offer. Egg tart was a bit one paced. Should have read this thread for my form! Good get on Santa Anna Lane Macca, an underrated horse who i never seem to be able to snag. Shoals similar. I backed a couple of winners at Mornington myself at the pub watching the GF. On the footy i was not interested all week and had not looked at the odds until Sat morning. I assumed they would both be even money so was amazed you could get 2.35 on WC. Great odds, way overs - especially since i thought their experience would give them an edge. Loaded up on the win (where we would normally go the line) because of the value and backed three of their players to win the NS. Including Shuey at $22. Needless to say had a good collect. And Shuey was shoe in. Probably would have won even if WC lost. Then we had our one win in Sydney - Maximus in the last. On Sunday (crap day for such a good day's racing) had a dose of Punters Lament in the first half of the day with a mix of pulling the wrong reign (why did i take Nonito not Eclair Calling and why not Cliff's Edge?) and close seconds (legale and Tavasan). But came home like a train with Trekking in the 5th and then the last 3 in Smart Melody, Homesman and Furrion. All top, gusty wins and the last three are set for higher honours (and i wouldn't discount trekking - a winner). So broke close to even on the three race meetings and did super on the footy. Bring on next week.

Didn't horrid?

The lack of applause for the duo spoke volumes...

Might want to wait a couple of minutes WJ. Live stream has a 2 or 3 minute delay. Or not. You get the scoop!

GB said there is a big announcement coming about facilities. I assume it is the new headquarters and training facilities at Jolimont. Said it would be announced when things are more concrete. Missed a big opportunity for a building related gag there (eg and when talking more concrete i'm talking several thousand tonnes.... boom tish)

GB is certainly no comedian!

The OMac war is over.

Demonland might have some

Agree is slow on the run. His biggest weakness. Disagree he has a slow reaction time. He is also makes good snap decisions with his disposals, suggesting he is fast of mind. Agree he had a good year.

Omac, Lever and May would be plenty fast enough for bigs. People keep referencing the WC back line. None of Barass, McGovern or Hiurn are quick. Posters are also using the performance of the WC as evidence of our need to improve our backline. But whilst they were super important the critical issue was that won the contested ball all match and put huge pressure on the entry kick from the pies - which made it really hard to kick to their forwards advantage (unlike the previous week where GWS put very little pressure on in the first half allowing the pies to give De Goey and Cox silver service). We failed to put that sort of pressure on WC (our worst tackling performance for a decade and by far our lowest pressure game for the season, not to mention the massive contested ball differential) and did not spread to stop their uncontested marking and quick ball transition. So it was absolutely no surprise their forwards killed our back six wit the delivery. That was the casue. The forwards domination was the symptom. And the opposite was true for WC on Sat. That said i'm all for getting May but as Frosty is the weak link. Not least because his kicking is so unreliable, he can make bad decisions and one on one he is often out read. there were a few examples of both in the Hawks and WC games. Those weaknesses are not balanced out by his pace and run.

This. If we get may then frost is the defender who goes out. Happy to take avatar bets on that.

My best is egg tart. Should be too good. Syd race 4 no 10.

Exactly right LH. There was an excellent article about Taylor a few weeks back and he basically said we are deal makers. We get deals done and those deals specifically focus on a need. We are a good trade to deal with and don't look to 'bend other clubs over' as so many seem to fret about on DL every trade period. We play the long game now. And all power to the draft and trading team. As I have said every year that i have posted on DL at this time of year i have little interest in the machinations of the draft, particularly the byzantine swapping of picks of horse trading. Pre - Jackson i worried about our acumen when trading (and drafting for that matter), but i have complete faith now. Don't get me wrong i understand why people enjoy discussing the permutations and all power to them. I do however get frustrated by: the frequent nashing of teeth over fears of being ripped off criticisms of MFC not playing 'hard ball' often enough bemoaning the picks we are asking for (we want 16 first rounders!) claims we are always paying 'overs' over wrought concerns about how much coin we are paying (or length of contracts) Go back and look at some of the discussion around bringing elk to the club for examples of all of the above. On Hogan i'm spewing it looks like he is going. In all likelihood we will not come out in front of any deal as he is generational player . In my view our best forward since the Ox. I'm sure they would not trade if they had their druthers. But as i have said on a number of occasion sin this thread, of course if wants to leave then you do the best deal you can and make the best of bad situation. You certainly don't try and hold him to his contract. On his choice i am amazed he would choose to go to freo and all but give up a chance of winning a flag for the next 5-6 years, maybe longer. And travel across the country every two weeks to boot. But as a good demons supporting mate said he understands better than most that life is short, is unlikely to go in the media and may well never be able to earn the sort of coin he could for the next 7-8 years.

Excellent analysis. Losing the contested ball and our inability to tackle and stop their spread were obviously critical. But it was those terrible early turnovers that started the rot and I think maybe contributed to the other issues. But geez at the ground I have to say by the 20 min mark of the first q they looked cooked. - physically and mentally. Maxy was really struggling physically.

Good job joeboy

But if I don't call we might lose round 1 of the aflx!

Proof please. A single quote will do the trick.

I don't recall one poster who has 'unequivocally stated he wasn't going anywhere'.

My pet peeve is people who can't spelt.