binman

Were you tripping on acid?

I really admire your honesty and preparedness to be some open about what you have been/are going through Mark. Inspiring.

Rubbish. Talk about revisionism. In what way did jessie not perform at a high level?. A 23 year old kpf averaging two goals a game, despite coming into a team averaging 60 odd points a game and basically never winning. Also despite often getting doubled team in his first 3 seasons and being our number one forward. Elite numbers and as goody said was in an form in the first half of this season. All of that whilst dealing with his well publicized issues (a way from his support network) And perhaps his less known ones. By that I mean the mental health issues Micheal Gleeson noted he has experienced in a recent article. Sounds like someone who is well able to 'compartmentalise' and perform at an elite level in a extremely demanding elite profession. Weeded out? Sheesh.

In east Melbourne they prefer to call it 'influence'

I did indeed want to keep jack. One of my favorite ever dees players. Certainly that was a factor but so was the fact that he was our best kicks and we lack good kicks. His second last season with us was his high water mark and he made valuable contribution. Something that you might well remember I predicted. A prediction you took issue with leading to a losing bet and your jacky boy avatar But I also made clear on multiple occasions that I understood and respected the decision to trade him and haven't complained once since it occurred. And besides we all get things wrong PD. You for instance, in your inimitable way, dismissed completely my belief tmac could make an excellent forward when it was first tried. In fact IIRC you were quite adamant he could never be a forward's boot lace and the experiment would be short lived I on the other hand, with my strong football analytic skills and many many hours of watching him live, was adamant that not only could he be a good forward he might even play that role going forward. I mean it was pretty obvious he had the ability if you were to take of your confirmation bias glasses. Looks like I might have got that one right pd. You - not so much.

Good point. It is quite telling. We are expected to be a top 4 side next year. We should be a top 4 side next year. We have the right players, system, culture and mindset. When is the last time you could say the dees should make top 4? Scary. And of course there is absolutely no guarantee we will make top 4. If we have a reasonable run with injuries anything less than top 4 would be a fail.

Agree. On all 3 points. A better comparison is stringer. Hopefully he has more application.

Sorry MB, i am positive you will be proven to be wrong. Which you will be happy with. So all good. Carlton will be lucky to get a single night game next year after the ratings disaster this year, not to mention all the criticism the AFL copped for scheduling rubbish games in the primo slots. Bombers, Pies and Tigers will all get their share of premium FTA night games, and deservedly so. Hawks too - but again they deserve it. All top teams. What will be different is they will play quality opponents in those slots, which will include the dees. With the additional Thursday night games the dees will get plenty of free to air action in the premier slots. The AFL and Channel 7 will also support the heart of the nation game again and i would be very surprised it e don't play the Crows again.

Good post LH. Agree that he has big opportunity to fill the space left by Hogan. I think he was pretty consistent this year but next year its time to go up a level and deliver on his promise in the way Gus did this year. Get super fit. Work on his set shots. Stop trying for all the cute assists and start imposing his will on games the way degoey does.

Thrice? Ye Olde beezle most indubitably attended a private venerable tower of Babal and digested snippets of Latin.

The upside for weed is huge. He is still growing and another two off seasons and he will be formidable. Strong, heavy but athletic and takes the ball high. His ruck work improved out of sight last season, which speaks volumes in terms of a player willing to do the work to improve. Love his kicking action too. Smooth.

Did you tell him that?

This thread is turning into a psychedelic head [censored]. Must be the Amsterdam hash. Inception dees stylee

Ouch. Paid the price today for doputting bets on early. Despite the soft track has favoured leaders all day. Infuriating. Was evident early but too late to change. Punters lament: changed my selections to trailing horses from Shamook, From Within, Best of Days and Thinking Big. Double ouch

Cost me there. Changed from From Within

Too late. I put all my bets on before the first so locked in. The second was not so leader dominated, but still i think horses will need to be in the first 4 or 5 (which is what i planned for), at least until late in the day.

My best is Roosevelt at Randwick. Race 6 no 7. With the cliffs of moher in the cup. Tricky day. The rain muddled me up a bit as i was selecting for a leaders track with firm going but the rain has taken the edge off and all horse should get their chance. Like Extra Brut but feel it is a touch short.

Gold. If the pole was in fitzroy a hipster would videotape himself reading it aloud on beta tape and release an audio version on cassette tape.

Trade breaker extraudiner

I like the fact he is a left foot kick. Means with Salem and Hibbo we have 3 lefties down back, which as well as creating a nice balance helps us exit the ball. He's also a reliable kick, which is important everywhere, but most of all down back. I think, if there are no fitness issues our starting back six next season will be omac, jets, may, lever, hibbo and Salem. Lever is probably the least of reliable kick of that group. But not too bad. The others are all excellent kicks. Which means we will have a back six who rarely turns the ball over when exiting defence. So important. Helps also to set up attacks as well. I suspect they will take a leaf out of the hawks and eagles play book and do a lot of practice switching the ball.

PD much of what you post is interesting and often insightful. But fair dinkum you sometimes post some perplexing things (not to mention playing the man with specious insults). I mean what does this actually mean? What does a spectator who has something on the line look like? A warrior spectator? Obviously it would not be easy. It has a similar feel to it as the old 'it's soft supporters like you that make our club unsuccessful' chestnut. Anywho, just musing - I know you don't care what I or others think. The Ray Hadley of DL. Actually that's not right. He has no clue. Maybe Derryn Hinch.

That's certainly not in his favour in terms of interest from the dees. We really need to get some better kicks into the team, in particular wings and outside player who deliver the ball inside 50. Surely this draft period they will focus on skillful players with better than average kicking skills, albeit ones with the required desire for the contest. Of course they don't grow on trees. Fritter is the template.

Fixed.

How's his kicking?

Spartacus would give provide some good avatar options.