binman

Sameal must be pleases

No they don't. As a restricted free agent they make an offer and we can match it, or not. I guess if we match it he could still say he wanted out in which case I guess the club might trade. Though that doesn't seem logical. I'm not sure if he goes as a restricted free agent if we get a priority pick

And our in whilst inexperienced in terms of afl games is not a youngun and is a strong little bugger

That's a fascinating stat and one that gives me alot of confidence. When is the last time we played a top 8 team (from last year) and had more experience?

To nail my colors to the mast, lest i be accused of calling for his head and then being bagged after he stars against the tiges i do not think Dawes should be dropped. That said i'd drop him before dropping Watts

Why? Are you hoping we lose? We scored 55 points last game. Watts directly created 3 goals with assist, so a third our score and was involved in 2 other goals. And you want him dropped. What about Dawes? No goal assists, few meaningful plays and it would be more of a shock him marking a ball than dropping one

Retraction accepted. But in future it is your honor. Never mr

With all due respect Hemmingay the term Watts bashing is not hyberbole. It is reality here on DL and has been since the beginning of his career.

I'm another who agrees. For context Watts had 3 tackles against the crows (all good strong tackles by the way). That's more than 8 other players including McDonald, Howe, Kent and Hogan (who had 0 tackles).

Just saw that footage again. He didn't duck his head. He just dropped an easy mark (albeit a wet ball). Yes it cost us a goal at a goal. As did Kent who made a bone headed error in trying to kick the ball off the ground rather than pick it up or dive on it. Cost a goal at a critical time (3rd q). Game over

Tabasco?

Didn't know where to put this as i forgot to post it after our round one win. Figured this as good a place as any. Watts was rightfully praised for his tap down to Gartlett to set up a goal but there was an even better bit of play that also set up another goal for Gartlett, the one he got after getting the ball in the middle of the ground and kicking from outside 50. At the ground i couldn't work out how the ball had got out to Gartlett. I thought Frost might have knocked it out but thought it was just a lucky bobble of the ball. So i looked for it when i watched the replay. I had to watch it a few times to work out it was Watts who flipped the ball out of the pack to a running Gartlett. Brilliant stuff and so deft i don't recall a single comment about it on DL or in the press (or indeed the commentator, Anthony Hudson). Interestingly he took what some might say was the soft option as he could have elected to attack the ball and grab it, but would have been immediately tackled and was heading away from goals. Anyway brilliant bit of work. 1.33 of the following clip: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-04-05/rd-1-watch-all-the-goals

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/talking-point-do-we-overreact-when-it-comes-to-afl-players-ducking-20150421-1mplnf.html

This perfectly sums up for me the dichotomy of views on jack and the tendency for confirmation bias from his critics. Luckily handed it off? Please. It was a brilliant bit of play that resulted in a GOAL, one of only a handful on the day. Yet some dees fans would have preffered he out muscle his opponent and cleanly snag the greasy wet ball. And if he had failed to do so would have used it as yet another example of his weaknesses.

Yes fair points. But i'd much rather have Watts than Dawes, even with Dawes greater intensity and pack crashing ability. Dawes had a great pre season. His best for years he reckons. He had his game back to get into the swing of things. Yes the weather didn't suit but he took no pack marks at all and as far as i can recall not one goal assist or score involvement. And i bet Watts had more contested possessions and tackles (i hope im right). He also gets up and down the ground whereas Dawes lumbers and has a turning circle of the QE. I reckon Watts ticks more of your boxes than Dawes, indeed i reckon he ticks them all

I do too. And whilst Deespicables post is well reasoned'i think it is wrong on at least one count - and a crucial one at that. From dees post: 'It has everything to do with the fact that once the errors were made (and every player makes errors) that he didn't get mega-aggressive and try to make amends. He internalised and went back into his shell even more' I disagree. I thought he def came out after quarter time fiercer. He laid a couple of really god tackles and committed to the ball. This is reflected in the stats that Bossdog posted that showed many of his possessions were contested. As is his norm he also was involved in a number of our goals and in a low scoring game this involvement was crucial. Roos said as much (though people tend to disregard his positive comments about Watts - what would he know?) Yes his dropped mark costs us a goal and momentum but i don't reckon he dropped it because he was worried about getting hit. He just dropped it. I'll concede there was another two marking contests where he didn't go when he should have. I reckon it is an instinct thing and related to basketball, where he is looking for the ball to spill. Anyway not great but as i say he he was pretty aggressive in other contests and without looking at the stats is suspect he had more hard ball gets and tackles than a few of his less scrutinised team mates.

Agreed. I would love to have the sound off but find it funny without the crowd and game noise. Wouldn't it be great to have a crowd/game noise on, commentator noise off function

Lets see if the big bad WADA wolf has any thirst for a fight and if does any teeth. By the by love that Dank is threatening to appeal after not cooperating at all in the process thus far, including not bothering to give evidence to the tribunal. I assume he would have to do so (ie go on stand, cooperate etc) in order to appeal. Too funny. Also made me laugh he is threatening to sue the people who told lies about him to the tribunal. Speaking of teeth, if he was a tiger he'd be a pretty toothless one.

Sorry did i miss something above. I'm not sure why the baove info puts the AFL tribunal in any context. If i read it correctly the Royale Ligue vélocipédique Belge will argue Van Avermaet was treated with Diprophos, with the evidence being the email exchange. What was the outcome? Was Van Avermaet found guilty?

Walking down the bleachers looking at the pleaches

Good idea. The second tier comps would be strengthed by having the best kids in them. Afl clubs would also have an incentive to assist these clubs to enhance their development programs. The product would be more attractive to TV stations. Also like the idea of a national under 23 state of origin carnival which would showcase the best 18-19 year olds and give those overlooked in a draft or late developers to show their wares. The best Under 23 year olds (excluding afl players) playing proper matches with something on the line would be great to watch and probably of interest to TV (whereas under 18s probably isn't). It might revive state of origin as well

The good thing about this win is that hopefully it will scotch the rubbish about 25 odd players missing the NAB cup games being disastrous or their fitness, which seems to have become an accepted fact based on getting smashed late against the Swans. It of course suits the narrative the AFL, Channel 7 and EFC are keen to dive, ie the heroic players overcoming adversity, come watch them live and on telly! That Hamish [censored] was saying with 10 mins o go that a comeback was impossible and that a win would be their greatest in two decades. Please. Seems they had sufficient fitness after all, though the AFL, Channel 7 and EFC narrative will probably be thye won it pure mental fortitude and grit alone ANZAC day will make me puke

Great post. Best I've read in a while

What drills are PJ and Bartlett doing?

If trenners come back near his best and petracca also returns in good nick that's two pretty handy recruits to to go with the 18th pick in the next draft