Cheesy D. Pun

Yep, I felt this too. Collingwood just wore us down with their continued intensity. We'll be ok though. As the players progress, the wheel will start to turn.

Spot on Chook.

I think the problem with keeping Warnock as insurance is that he is too good. I understand why he doesn't slot into our talented backline week in week out but he is far too good for the VFL.

It's not saying much but this is about the funniest thing that's been said on this thread.

Part of me loves the idea of making the draw fairer and punishing teams for not performing, or more importantly, tanking but I think this would just widen the gap between the big and small teams. How many people are going to go and watch their team if they aren't playing for premiership points? Say, for example, our boys win every single game in a season playing division 2, and the top team in Division 1, wins 5-6 games less. That's it, we still play games in front of 30,000 people in finals series, just to see if we're promoted, even though we are clearly the best team in the competition. Not matter what the system, we can't make the fixture fairer until the AFL decides that fairness is more important that maximising takings - I can't see that happening. As far as the tanking issue goes, I really don't understand why the Draft Lottery system, like the NBA's would not be more appropriate. It gives the bottom teams a chance of re-building but there are no guarantees. If you look at the NBA, the best young team in the comp, the Chicago Bulls, have built their team around league MVP Derrick Rose, who was the No.1 draft pick 2 seasons ago. Chicago recieved the first pick while only having the 9th greatest chance of getting it. It also adds wonderful drama - the Draft Lottery is a massive TV event in the US.

Yeah spot on, it interests me that Collingwood is able to spend a ridiculous amount of money sending guys overseas mid-season for recovery. Part of me feels like this sort of thing is a little unfair given the costs involved, while on the other hand, it's good to see the boundaries expanded in terms of professionalism.

I was just reading the article about David Smorgon's time being up at the Bulldogs and it got me to thinking. Are the achievements of clubs like the Western Bulldogs actually more significant than that of clubs like Collingwood? OR should we be expecting guys like Smorgon, Jimmy, Brayshaw & Co. to be lifting their clubs to the level of the Magpies? I guess this delves into the progessive nature of the sport but it could be argued that by making sound outside investment and being good at non-football related business, Collingwood have been able to essentially purchase a premiership. If we make restrictions on clubs like Collingwood, we may end up with a more even competition that rewards the clubs that are good at running the football side of their club, but at what cost? The Magpies continually set new benchmarks for professionalism and it could also be argued that is it weren't for clubs like Collingwood, the fitness, athleticism, attitude of players, and therefore the game, would not be what it is today. Any thoughts?

Yeah, I don't mind this idea while we don't have a big bloke of quality to throw in the goal square but it just means that either A. The forwards aren't reading the play well enough and running back toward goal quick enough or B. The forwards are not fit enough.

He actually spoke briefly about that on that half time special. He wanted space 30 metres out from goal for the forwards to lead back into. This leads me to think that our forwards simply aren't fit enough to push up and then get back.

Watched the game again. As flawless a game as a backman could play. Easily best on ground.

Yeah, I love how Darcy labels a new guy for most improved player in the competition every week.

One can only hope.

Yeah. If that. There was less contact than Sylvia's and his garnered only a $900 fine.

The Good Great win. Jared Rivers was downright sensational tonight. Stefan Martin. Getting better each week. That two or three efforts by Nathan Jones in the pocket. Our ability to soak up a lot of pressure early in the game. The Bad Our ability to lock the ball in our forward area early in the contest. The Ugly That stance of Big Max's when he lines up for goal.

He'll be ok. Just a corky i reckon.

I thought his skills once the ball hit the deck were pretty good too.

Totally, I thought he was amazing tonight. That's the best game I've seen him play.

Hahaha!!! Good call Choko!! You li'l Motherflippin' ripper!!!

You li'l Beauty!!!!

6 - Rivers(unbelievable tonight) 5 - Mckenzie 4 - Jones (I love the way he goes about it) 3 - Martin 2 - Gysberts 1 - Green

Yep, the weight of the world has crushed your spirit but that doesn't mean everything you say is going to be any more balanced and objective that the next bloke. In fact, in my experience, just the opposite is true.

Hahaha..good stuff. So yeah, tonight is a Win or Lose game for the club.

Depth is a hard one to gauge. I think once a gameplan is up and running and the team is going well you start to see what we might call sub-par players being able to fulfil a role with the team structure. Therefore, a lot of players in good teams get overrated and a lot of teams lists get overrated. I would argue that most lists in the AFL, are of a similar value and that a teams structure and focus on effort create an illusion of depth.

Yeah. I wholeheartedly agree with you.

Please no AC/DC!! It would kill me if that bogan rubbish had any association with our club.