Pates

Well on the other hand it's probably a lot easier to continue a downward trend in W/L!

I know his next milestone game isn't for a couple of seasons but they should definitely have a guard of honour with kids all boarding big beards! 2 things from this year above all else has given me so much enjoyment from football (didn't think I'd be saying those words 3 years ago). First is Jack Watts having a sensational year, the second is Maxy Gawn fulfilling his own prophecy and becoming the number 1 ruckman in the game. Great to have a fantastic player and great character at our club!

Don't forget there were periods in our history the WE were the dominant team! Pretty hard to improve when your the best team in the comp. And it is also actually very difficult to continue having an upward trend for improvement in W/L ratio. At some point you either get to the top, get your teams ceiling of improvement, or you just get some bad luck. Would be interested to know the all time AFL record for improved consecutive seasons.

I'll quibble over cost if it costs us Hogan. I believe we are already building a very very good midfield, obviously Fyfe would make it better but I don't want to lose the big forward we've already invested so much into for Fyfe. Inquire but also think of the bigger picture.

Opened this thread thinking surely no one is actually suggesting us getting him. Not meaning to be harsh on the OP but no. Past it, down on confidence and would be a waste of space. We have Dawes and Pedders and I expect one of those will be delisted. We have Weeds coming through and didn't look out of place last week, we have Watts who's looking every bit the player we hoped he could be, and of course we have one of the most promising young forwards in the game in Hogan. We don't need a deadwood lumbering forward. I honestly don't think I could actually bare supporting him either!

True, that one we were so close to breaking this year too (probably should have). If we can knock those two off they would be the two most frustrating records broken on the list.

I'll take that!

I've been comfortable with the way we've developed him. Early on this year I did question whether he deserved to retain his spot as he was getting push around fairly easily and the easy option would have been to bring in Garland for him. Well done to the coaching staff for persisting with him, he's showing confidence and they seem to really love playing with each other. Big Mac and Junior Mac!

You have too much time on you hands....

That's the big thing, outside chance of finals aside I'd like the boys to go out there for the last few rounds thinking that this is their finals series. Play each game like it means everything to them and use it as a platform for next year.

Great stuff from both of them! OMac was pretty scratchy for a while there (understandable he is still developing) but he has definitely been improving in recent weeks. TMac I never really thought he was going to leave, even though he put off the contract talks I think it was to gauge the clubs development before deciding. Hard to argue with how we're going now! If he can get rid of his brain farts he would be an excellent player for us, as it is he is still very important and he's in Red and Blue for another 2 years. Not to ruin the moment but anyone else find TMac's choice of the 2 year deal surprising?

After the Saints loss and the Ox's comments I felt that unless we got a big breakthrough win the improvement this year wouldn't be huge. That we got the win against the Hawks for me definitely shows the improvement and the direction we're going.

That was meant to be Greg Swan wasn't it? Swans definitely got the experience but it is very difficult stopping a free fall at a club like Brisbane where the slightest drop in success means they lose fans quickly. The fact they are not a desireable destination in terms of position + being a non AFL state will make it very hard to stop this free fall. Essendon will come back fairly strong next year whereas the Lions will likely head downwards.

The double fend off and pass to Kent came out pretty well.

I get mad at that too, but I get so bloody excited with that handball he did to Viney keeping the ball in. Every Hawthorn player expected him to take it out, in mid air handballed it to Viney who did an awesome shimmy to get away and pass it to Weeds. Ended up with a goal to Bugg, one the moments of the game for me because it was so audacious from just about every player involved! I too look forward to Clarry (and Weeds too for that matter) bulking up and giving one back to Rioli!

Nah you actually nailed it pretty well, just couldn't have predicted H getting his concussion issues.

I was wondering who I went for before I skimmed this thread. Damn! Still reckon it's all there for him, he's just got a get his thyroid issue under control and get a clean run at it.

Big chance to knock another couple off this week. 3 in a row + Port + Port in Adelaide. I'm just so stoked that we've got over the Hawthorn hurdle, surely next year the St Kilda one has to be smashed into the ground.

Why does it have to be a top priority pick? Why can't they give them an extra second round pick which can be used as trade material. I still think the AFL painted themselves into a corner with this thing when they didn't give us SOMETHING when we requested it. Now that we are building and looking better it makes their decision justified and makes it harder to give anyone else a PP. Tough decision because they are looking in a lot of trouble.

I loved him making the statement last year and continuing with the line this year, but I honestly didn't expect it to happen this year. I expected him to be in contention and probably finish 3rd behind Goldy and NikNat. Absolutely fantastic, his confidence is building every week and it's building with the team. Top bloke too!

I think that's a touch harsh, he played some games that he looked like a decent hit up forward for the future. Like so many others at the club we/he failed to make the most of the talent available. Hell even Brad Miller I feel would be a better player if he played under the same development and training regimes in place now.

....believe.

90% of the time if you're good enough for finals then you make it, that we dropped the games against Essendon and the Saints shows we are probably not quite there yet. The way this feels is similar to what Richmond had last year (I think?) where they had a terrible start to the year and all the Richmond faithful kept on about was that they were still a mathematical chance to make finals. They went on a crazy run of wins and got help with some out there results from other games and snuck in. And then went on to be humiliated by Port in the first week. I'm content that we are where we are, we're better than all the teams below us for sure and are pretty much on level pegging with Port, St Kilda, and I would probably include North in that now. Next year we have a great opportunity to go ahead of those teams, the ingredients are all there. As for finals this year, if it happens; amazing. If not; no big deal.

The bump was a bump, and while I still feel it was a free kick I don't think it deserved weeks. Interestingly (and it shows the blinded love of Rioli) I thought that tackle he did later in the game on I think Oliver again was worse. Lifted his leg as he tackled upwards, that's the action where all of a sudden both tackler and tacklee have no control, can be very dangerous. But of course commentators just gush over anything he does. Just as a side note can I mention that I think Dwayne Russell is one of the worst commentators to listen to, particularly in this game because every time Hawthorn got the ball his tone basically sounded as if "oh here they go, this is it, this is where they put Melbourne to the sword". Even when we were basically home and hosed! And quick question, what was the spread of fans with it being just under 39,000? Everyone talks about the Hawks dominant supporter numbers but that seems quite down, I would've expected at least above 40K.

Haha you're right, I meant to say when he was at Hawthorn. Cheyne's come a long way from being delisted by us.