binman

20 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

'he's leaving for Freo' 

Source?

Demonland's away strip

58 minutes ago, Choke said:

Check out Jessie in the back:

 

 

Most amusing.

I thought so too. Hence my new(ish) avatar.

1 hour ago, Peter Griffen said:

Christian Petracca ......He's our Jake Stringer 2.0

That's funny you should say that. I was saying to a mate on Friday that several of the top draft picks were being compared to Jake Stringer when in fact I reckon Jake Stringer should be compared to the track ie Stringer is the trac mark 2.

I'm not sure he'll make the same impact as Hogan but there is a few similarities. One is that the Trac has sat out a season, another is that he now has an AFL ready body. Another is he has an X factor and also shares the Hogan swagger.  A gun.

I suspect he will play half forward and be a very hard match up given the best back will have to go to Jessie, a decent player will have to cover Gartlett and if fit Kent will pose some problems in terms of match ups. 

Looking at photos the track is a beast, almost too big. Big in the legs he'll be hard to move off the ball in the way that Leigh Matthews was and he will be a real handful. I reckon 25 goals is a possibility. If he stays fit he is likely to play all games and is great vale for the Rising Star at $6.50

3 hours ago, Nasher said:

This thread is already really long and I haven't had time to add my thoughts, but since stuie seems to be taking everyone on all on his own, I thought that I'd just say that I have agreed with every word of his that I've read so far.  

Short summary of my views which I'm too tired to really debate:

• Martin is out of control and anything less than a sacking is getting off lightly
• It is in absolutely no way, shape or form the woman's fault for provoking him or such
• You're contributing to our culture of excusing violence if you think it is in any way, shape or form her fault
• If you think she should have gone to the police and kept her mouth shut in public, you're woefully naive about how much interest the police would have in this kind of matter
• If you started a post with "he shouldn't have done it, but...", you've said all I needed to hear and I read no further
• All violence is bad and is a problem, but male (domestic) violence against women is issue #1 at present.  That isn't devaluing the issues others face or mean others don't need/deserve support, but this is the most prevalent issue and therefore the most urgent issue

Could not agree with all of the above points more Nasher. I haven't been able to summon up the mental energy to contribute to this post. You've saved me the trouble. I find some of the views, comments and values expresed too depressing, disturbing and frankly upsetting. 

If anyone doubts the veracity of the bit i've bolded they only need to read the report from the The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission discussed in this article:  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-09/high-rate-of-sexual-harrassment-in-victoria-police-report-says/7012288

Boy he can really roost the ball. Off both feet as well. Penetrating, accurate kicks is something we sorely lack. I can see why they're thinking HB as if he can carry the ball 20 metres and kick long he can get get it over the press and quickly into our 50, allowing our forwards to get one out, much like those couple of goals Brayshaw set up for Gartleltt against Collingwood (i think). 

4 hours ago, sendoff2014 said:

Take my word for it. As someone who comes here to speak with Dees2014 and read his stuff, he has predicted everything that has happened, both the predictable things and the unpredictable things. He's reported things that will happen so far in advance that when it actually happens, people have forgotten he said it was happening. 

As vague as that sounds, I'm not going to waste time listing everything he's predicted, but if you want something of note that he predicted, find something unexpected that happened in the case, go back to 5-6 months before it actually happened and find Dees2014's posts and it'll be somewhere near there. 

And who said satire is dead.

Brilliant.

1 hour ago, Dees2014 said:

All I can say there are about a dozen key turning points in this saga all of which were speculated about on here and about which I have written extensively.  Check the record for yourself if you don't believe me. I won't bore you all be listing them, but I am happy to stand on my record.

Happy to be bored. Perhaps list just one specific example that provides evidence of your sources being 'spot on'. 

I have read a fair bit of what you have written on this subject so don't feel the need to 'check the record'.

17 hours ago, Dees2014 said:

My sources. Which have earn pretty spot on so far - or haven't you noticed? I have every confidence in them. Can you show me yours?

Not wanting to pick a fight, honestly, but whilst you may have good sources as far as i can recall nothing that has happened thus far in the EFC supplement saga indicates your sources have been spot on. I mean you certainly have pontificated alot and mentioned your highly placed sources often enough but as far i can tell what has actually transpired thus far has been predictable and in fact has been accurately predicted by many on this thread who have not claimed such sources. 

Happy to be corrected

Or madame. As in madame tausauds

1 hour ago, fndee said:

 

Im guessing but given every player and his dog named Petracca as the player to watch next year and also the Club only rates him behind Hogan for talent I'd say that they are looking over their shoulders just to watch what he does next. Players can be fans too. 

I think they are trying to ascertain if his eyebrows are real and if so how on earth they are so sculpted. They should call him Wax

1 hour ago, Mad_Melbourne said:

i reckon it should be just Jack Watts, imagine the drama that would follow that.

would be good for a laugh

Great idea. Even better if it included a rolling update of his game tally

2 minutes ago, CityDee said:

They have all said they are innocent of taking anything banned so stuff em they deserve everything they get for cheating and following the company line . Its 2015 no excuses for atheletes . 

I 100% agree. Well almost. I reckon they should let The Melk off.

1 hour ago, Chris said:

I have thought the same about the management in how could they not see this coming. I have come to the conclusion that they actually didn't, that their reading of the whole thing has been that bad from day one, and their legal advice so appalling (remember the court case that embarrassed them but did serve to delay, which may have actually been their tactic) that they actually had no idea the appeal was coming. 

The other part of this is that I don't think so lowly of them that I would think they would drive the players into the shock of an appeal knowingly. Maybe I am given them too much credit?

You might well be right. Either way it is another shocking example of mismanagement. Or should that be an excellent example of  mismanagement? 

As for whether they would knowingly drive their players in to the shock of an appeal i think you are giving them too much credit. If they really cared about the players they would have counselled them to go down the Cronulla path. Its funny to think some questioned the decision of the Cronulla players to take the wrap and move on. It looks a smart move now.

1 hour ago, Chris said:

Tell me this Stuie,

Did the EFC think there would be an appeal?

Did the EFC think WADA would get involved?

 

This is a really interesting question Chris. I have to say i disagree with you and that despite their (feigned) surprise the answer to both these question is actually yes. I'd be shocked if they didn't expect WADA would appeal. 

I've never called a radio station but was very close to calling 3aw and speaking to Caro on exactly this point and i'm pretty sure i posted about it here. In my view of all the complete balls up from the EFC in terms of how Little has handled this whole saga this was up there with the worst.

As i said I'd be shocked if they didn't expect WADA would appeal but either way they should have counseled the players to be prepared for such an eventuality. Instead they played the shock card and allowed their players to be completely caught of guard. The bottom quickly fell out of the club and the players lost all morale. I really believe EFC were extremely lucky not to get hammered for this woeful bit of man management. 

The one positive is Hird lost his job on the back of their horror run. 

7 minutes ago, Chris said:

Surely you jest! I am yet to see one person in AFL land have any really appreciation of the impact the drug scandal may have. 

Sorry i wasn't clear. I meant the impact the scandal might have had on Melksham. For example he had a terrific year in 2013 but fell away a bit in 2014 and 2015. Perhaps a factor was the ongoing drugs saga. Because of his personal relationship with Melksham Goodwin would likely have an intimate understanding of the impact, where as i and other DL posters (unless they knew the Melk personally) wouldn't. As i understand it the Melk and Goodwin have remained close after Goodwin left EFC

7 minutes ago, It's Time said:

Because the salesmen are Goody and the Great McCarthy.

Because on the basis of their recommendation, we might all think he's a ute but they think he's a Monaro. 

Depends on how much you rate the salesmen. I rate them more highly than my opinion or anyone else on here. They both tinkered under the bonnet for a couple of years.

As the Fonz might have said ... exacatamoondo.

Not only do i rate their opinion (on this topic) more than that of my fellow DL posters (no offence meant) they also are privy to a hel of a lot more info than us (eg contract info, personal relationship, better understanding of impact of drugs scandal, any discussion with AFL about possible compensation in the event of suspensions, MFC contingency palnning etc etc)

13 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

I cant agree with this. Taking Melksham is actually a high risk.. Why.  He was drafted not when he only faced the AFL tribunal. He was drafted when on a list before CAS  as part of the appeal by WADA.  Whilst there is a possibility he may not be found guilty, as that iIS a legitimate outcome , in all probability he will. They all will. Otherwise WADA wont have gone the distance.. If/when found guilty the idea  of but a handful of games as penalty is fanboy speak. There's NO precedent for a light smack given the offence and shenanigans leading up to it..

There , to me are two separate aspects which in the main have been lobbed together incorrectly.  There is the risk  of his selection coming to little. That comes about should he be rubbed out. Gain from Melksham, zero   Then there's the caliber of contribution  he may or may not present by playing.  He might be ok, he might be a relative dud. This only becomes apparent should he be cleared.  The risk is about him playing. The probability is not good for him.

• Of course he was drafted post the AFL tribunal decision. That doesn't change my contention one jot.
• NO precedent for a light smack? Yes the crounlla players pleaded guilty but none the less their light penalty is clearly some sort of precedent  
• Fanboy speak? That's a silly comment. There is no way you can be so definitve that a light sentence is not possible. No way. And as such it remains a possibility (note i never said it was anything but a possibility) and therefore has to be part of the risk analysis equation
• If Melksham is rubbed out our gain from Melksham is zero? Again that is simply silly. He will remain a MFC player and potentially may go on and have a long and successful career at the dees. He's only 23 for pete's sake.  Plenty of players have year long injuries and go on to have successful careers. Lets hope Petracca and Hogan are two such examples

My take (ie my opinion, not based on any fact):

• Goodwin is very unlikely to face any sanction so the risk in appointing him very low.  
• Why? Even if they do go after EFC staff surely it will only be those in an authorizing roles (board, Hird, CEO, FD manager etc) as proving guilt of any one else would be nearly impossible (eg 'i was told this is what we were doing and as an assistant coach i was contractually obliged to do as directed and in any case i was repeatedly assured by my superiors that all was above board' - an argument players can't run but an assistant coach could)
• Also i reckon that both WADA and ASADA will figure this case has absorbed more than enough time and resources and will happily let it end with the players sanction
• Taking Melksham was also low risk. Why? Well firstly there is a chance he won't be found guilty. If he is found guilty there is a chance he will miss only a handful of games. If the sanction is longer it is unlikely to be more than 12 months in which case worst case scenario he is right to go XMAS time 2016 and ready to go round 1 2017. Big deal. We have in Michie a player who can come straight of the rookie list into the team and a 24 year old with 100 games under his belt and no major injury problems ready to go the following year
• Also the AFL might allow us to rookie another player and as someone else said this might result in another rookie gem
• To say hiring Melksham and Goodwin is a high risk strategy that reflects poor decision making at the top is complete bollocks - in my humble opinion. 

6 hours ago, H_T said:

I'm generally underwhelmed by gifs but for some reason this one made me laugh. Well played sir

On 12/1/2015, 11:50:29, olisik said:

I personally think Geelong have [censored] themselves trying to hold on. Scott can't build a list and is [censored] up their future to salvage his career.

If Selwood or Danger go down injured they will slump so hard

Censor not working?

The injury was to his left foot - not his kicking foot...

No left foot?

Absolute highest quality kid.

The importance of this can't be underestimate in terms of our decision to draft him. Roos has been unequivocal about the need to build a team of players with strong values and good character. Crucial element of the Roos rebuild of the MFC and the culture he is trying (successfully i believe) to develop.

Watts is a C+ player ... sometimes B-. It's been that way for a few years now.

Previously, we've had an abundance of D grade players so Watts was an obvious best 22 - then.

Now, our list is on the verge of becoming much stronger so Jack will need to become at least B- consistently (or better) in order to be best 22.

If he can somehow raise his game to B grade level then he'll be comfortably best 22. It's all in Jack's hands.

Everyone has a different grading system but I see a B grade footballer as a player who plays well most weeks and rarely, if ever, gets dropped. A solid contributor who plays his role and can beat his opponent.

B+ is very good or excellent and A grade is elite, a gun and a champion of the game. The A grade status is bandied around far too easily - A grade should be reserved for game breakers and genuine match-winners.

The draft pick number he was picked at is now quite irrelevant.

An excellent summary and i concur with your analysis.

Using the same formula i have more concerns about Dawes getting a regular game than Watts and its worth remembering we gave up pick 20 for him.

The only reason JW is still on our list is because nobody was interested in a trade deal.

So 2016 will be Jack's last season or his best

Over to you Jack....

That's a complete nonsense. if they didn't rate him at all they would have cut their losses and taken waht they could have got, which would have been minimum a second rounder