binman

I ummed an ahhed about my best. I suspect the combination of J Cummings and McEvoy (the best Australasian jockey?) might have a huge day, and Spring for that matter. I really like Cascadian and Rohryn (and Tenly with bowman on board) but i'm going to make my best: Mosh Music Race 6 no 9 at the Valley. I love horses who love the valley and i love picket fences.

That was exactly the point he was making.

Agreed it may not have a great wow factor. But the signing of a respected ex senior AFL coach who reporatably had a number of options in the industry can only be framed as a positive. If for no other reason than for the fact he must rate us. Signing richo runs completely contrary to the club is in crisis and has major issues narrative that some posters, yourself included, have been running hard with. As does the signing of burgess. Good work from Mahoney and the club. Kudos.

Ouch. I'll think twice before engaging with you in a battle of wits.

Add to that pick 3 in the draft and a much easier draw.

Your ambivalence shocks me. Normally so positive

We do best in even numbered years.

Spot on bb. As you suggest if player did not come back cherry ripe (which us unforgivable) then that compounds the issue of interrupted preseason and injury as it means some never had a chance of getting close to fit enough. Particularly if they also had postseason surgery and had rehab to do. I suspect Brayshaw is in that camp. It would be folly to say that the preseason and injuries woes were the only reason, and that there are not other issues at play (e.g. leadership issues, poor culture among players) . But they are the key reason.

Strange quote from a club that is going to sack him Sunday afternoon........

I thought so too.

I wondered if that was us, but confused by the header which noted big melbourne club close to signing him.

In normal circumstances I'd agree Ron. But as Lord next notes he is a poor kick and we have too many of them. And as wwsw notes he is onw of fww players with tradw currency. The other issue is his commitment to fitness. Was dropped early last season because he wasn't working hard enough. And I wouldn't be surprised if he is one of the players who didn't come back in great shape. His lack of two way running suggests he is not fit enough.

No don't rusty. Trying to explain the NS curse only makes it worse. It is enough to say it is real.

Easy to read too much into comments quoted from on air interviews but this line caught my eye: “The boys who are around next year and come back to pre-season, I’ve got no doubt their attitude … compared to last pre-season, will be completely different,” Lewis said. Could be serious cull about to happen

If Lord Nev's rumour that there has been some divisions this year between younger and more senior players is accurate one wonders if this issue is at the heart of those divisions.

I heard this live. This comment came right at rhe end as they were wrapping up and he wasn't asked to elaborate or expand on it, whicj was [censored] poor (but symptomatc of the rubbish mfooty media he is going to fall into). Certainly caught my attention and if true in part explains their eviden5 lack of fitness. When you add our boom recruit coming to the club miles off the pace fitness wise the picture doesnt look great. I get the leasdership criticism but really each player should drive their own standards. And besides I can't imagine viney or Jones not coming back cherry ripe.

Really od? Terrific player and our best defender by a mile. I have been super impressed.

I put a lot of stock in the fortitude to keep going 100% and performing at a high level when getting thumped, particularly at the [censored] end of such a dismal season. The players you mention are right up there for me as the most respected dees to play the game. I was really impressed by Lever's game on Friday. He never stopped trying, was positive, played super and worked hard right to the final siren. Respect. Has gone way up in my estimation. About the the only positive to come out of the game to be honest (maybe Fritters continued good form the only other one?)

And as i posted on another thread fatigue exposes poor technique and we have a surfeit of players with poor technique

Spot on. Fatigue exposes poor technique in all sports as does pressure and lack of confidence

No better illustration of the impact of an interrupted preseason and the resulting inability to get close to the necessary fitness level. For the same reason I'll bet we are at the bottom of the tables for score against in the last quarter and second half

Are you kidding? You believe him. Cherry ripe? Anyone with eyes could see he was hamletef in his movements, pretty much right up to the bye, but particularly early when he could barely bend over, couldn't jump or kick over 40 metres. No coincedence his short form reversal coincided with his evident improved freedom of movement post bye.

Playing for a leaders track, which often seems to be the cause early spring at Caulfield. Race one gives me some confidence I've pulled the right rein

Best bet Caulfield race 2 no 1 torjoy (apologies for late post)

What are you talking about? If we play a different style next season of course it will be down to Goody. It is is his call as senior coach. And just in case you haven't noticed we HAVE BEEN playing a different style since the bye. Quite radically different in fact. And that is also down to Goody.