Pates

http://afl.com.au/news/2014-04-14/sylvia-on-wafl-charge Ok I'm not usually one to bring up our departed players and take joy in their downs, but we have done so incredibly well out of Col leaving under FA and essentially trading in for Vince. Col has always had discipline problems and now it's got him into trouble while playing WAFL where he's been given a 3 match suspension, which he's defending and could be increased to 4 weeks. I will add I take no joy in Colin's situation but I more want to point out that the club was quite highly criticised for losing another to FA but it's fair to say that in this instance we have actually done very well out of it.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we'd be a genuine shot the the premier league title this late into the season. God it was EPL theatre at its best, home team races out of the blocks only to be reeled in, and just when you thought the hope of the locals were going to be dashed up pops a hero (along with a very poor mistake). One of the worst games I've seen from Suarez, incredible given the stakes as well, I would've thought the chance at a title would lift him, instead all he did was appeal for frees/penalties. What a game!

Jeez Trenners is a bit of a concern, can't dominate at Casey or at least get in the bests. I hope he isn't gifted a game until he shows he doesn't belong at that level. Toumpas I reckon Roos will almost look at as a new draftee, he won't be asked to come in and play a role he's not ready for, same goes for Salem. I'm looking forward to the second half of the year being the emergence of Salem, Toumpas, and Riley.

So all those people saying we wouldn't win a game this year will be feelin like muppets right now (and rightfully so). Dawes was so important today, but it's funny it's not totally reflected in the stats. The two goals he kicked were absolute team lifters and he played a part in several other goals. But the big thing was all of a sudden the players moved it quickly to a target and although he didn't take the grab every time he made sure it came to ground almost every time and in fact his mere presence caused the blues players concerns. A good team effort today well rewarded.

I am so happy we've beaten the Blues! Obviously a win against anyone is awesome but I hate them so much and to beat them is sooooo satisfying! Sad I couldn't be there to witness it live but this is a feeling I haven't felt in what feels like forever!

3rd quarter = premiership quarter. We must go into the last break in front and with confidence. C'mon dees believe in yourselves and believe in each other. The blues showed they can get a run on vs Richmond so when that happens we need leaders to stand up. I'm only keeping up with this from afar so I'm going to be doing it tough for the next 70min!

I don't really see so much of an issue with our current set up, in an ideal world we would have everything confined to the one venue (a perfect world would have us training at the G!) but we are all in the same precinct and the idea of Goshes Paddock (I still think that needs to be renamed by the way) and AAMI Park being a separate location is ludicrous. Footy department and Admin are separated by a bridge so it's not a massive problem. Should something arise in the future where everything can be consolidated into one then should consider going for it but for now there are surely bigger fish to fry. As for the boutique stadium idea, I'm definitely a fan. Although it wouldn't be the most convenient spot for people to get to I still feel there's enough public transport infrastructure around to cope with it and it would be nice to play at a ground where 20000 looked packed as opposed to empty. I think there's still some way to go but I really feel a developed Casey Fields could be a similar option.

I've got Watts in my SC team, I was a hair's breath away from trading him but decided not to at the last minute. Good thing too as I had LeCras so needed to get rid of him, still don't make me regret it Jack!

Murphy is the only top-class mid on the ground, if Jordie can do a job on him then that can bring their midfield down to our level. Nothing would give me more pleasure in the world right now than for us to notch up our first win against the blues. It's unfortunate that I go into every game of ours now with very little hope of winning, but suppose the dream is still alive in my brain. Dawes straight back in is a big call from Roos, my thoughts are if Fitzy was doing some kind of a job he would've held off but Fitzy's game is looking totally bereft of confidence so sending him to Casey will hopefully give him a chance to clunk some marks and kick some goals. I agree with some of the sentiments on here about Pedo, he looks better down back than forward. Although Dunn has been doing a good job down back he would be a better option forward IMO. Also interesting to see Roos persist with Chip forward, perhaps having Dawes will help him to lead to the right places. JKH has to play the entire game, he almost changed the game last week and looks like he's starting to settle into the speed of the game. Plan to sub him out and I'd have Evans as the sub. I really hate Carlton, it sickens me that we were dragged through the tanking mud but they somehow avoided it despite them being the first to blatantly do it. They are No. 1 on my hate list. Play like Demons this week, give them bruises they'll be nursing for weeks!

I have never said this before, but mods can we please close this thread? I think those who have said their piece and wish Mitch all the best have said it. All that's left is pathetic arguing and thread hijacking.

At some stage it wouldn't surprise me if he does a sit down interview with the a reporter (please don't let it be Barrett) and talk candidly about his experiences but for now all the steps he's taking are for his long term health and I wouldn't have thought any doctor would want him facing that kind of pressure. In fact the low key, no media circus style was perfect for this. A lot of Melbourne fans were prepared for this the moment he was granted leave, Josh Mahoney is an assistant coach but has known Mitch longer than both Roos and Jackson, and has also likely been privy to his condition for one of the longest at the club. Mitch didn't need this to be a big front page story with the club making bold statements, he and the club just needed it done.

It might well be one of the reasons we are keeping him as a listed player, he might've indicated to the club that playing in Perth would be the only likely scenario should he wish to continue his career and the club chose to leave him on the list to get a trade. Still as someone said, this thread is for thanking Mitch for his time at the club and wishing him the the best with his recovery. Whatever happens playing wise happens, ultimately he just needs to get himself better.

Well if nothing else we can move on now, we can always question what could've been but his long term health is his priority. At the end of the day footy is just a game. Best of luck to you Mitch, I hope you stick around and support us from afar.

Poor bugger, it's not a massive set back but must still suck for someone that's such a wretched run with injuries. I think he has the potential to be a good pick up for us, I wish him all the best with his recovery.

That is exactly my faint hope as well. If there is still a faint desire to play again I would really hope he hangs in there with the club supporting him. But I guess what he may need to consider is that coming back isn't just for the benefit of the club, but for the benefit of his long term health. Imagine the demons he'd be conquering if he got out on the park.

Tyson keeps me wanting to go to the football, there's still plenty of improvement for him but he's shown himself to be a very worthy pick up and a value trade with Salem still to come. People will be crying for Roos to play Salem but I think Roos will stay the course and let him develop with less pressure.

Seriously you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. They players went to congratulate him because he kicked an important goal and was fired up, if they didn't then we would've accused them of not looking out for their mate.

I agree to a point but I think the saviour belief, if it still exists in the playing group, will be well and truly gone by the end of the year. Them both committing to 3 years shows they aren't just going to cut and run before the job is done and tells the playing group there will be stability for the next three years. That one year will make a big difference.

The idea during the mid-stages of the game made sense, particularly when it was wet. We get distance on the ball and kill it for a stoppage. Towards the end of the match when we still had a chance I didn't agree with it, we should've got Vince to roost it down the middle and have runners there to collect it, take a chance every now and then to win the game. Unfortunately they had already moved into the "how much will we lose by mode", that isn't something Roos can get them out of easily because it's ingrained in their brains. But I'll say this about GWS, they adapted to the conditions much quicker than we did. They worked out very quickly that long and direct kicking was the way to play rather than handball around and the quick kicks into the 50 while there's space was very dangerous.

Viney was quiet but it was his first game back and he still went in harder than 90% of his teammates. Can't even believe you brought him up, so far from our worst today.

I couldn't agree more, this really isn't a quick fix solution and the players aren't going to committ if the leaders of the club don't. Fair enough have your exit strategy in place for three years time but this club needs long term stability to crawl itself out of this hole.

I didn't actually realise Dawes played, will he be given more time at the VFL to settle back into footy or does he straight in regardless of form, same question goes for Jamar. Dissapointing if Toumpas, Trenners, and Michie all had quiet games. I really think Blease should be given a run in the seniors.

I don't really know what to say, commitment was good in the conditions, I mean they were throwing their bodies in but they still lack confidence. So many times we are our own worst enemy's turning it over with little pressure on. And the simple fact is we cannot buy a goal at the moment. We could've won this, it was there for the taking.

When Evans dropped that mark it was game over and I reckon the players knew it. I'm gutted we couldn't run it out and win, I reckon if we'd got our noses in front some doubts would've crept in and could've got the job done. We were smashed in at the stoppages by Mumford, and just couldn't get any run going at any point of the game. Endeavour was much better but that first quarter (much like the saints) was when we played our best but couldn't get goals for effort.

I maintain what I was saying in the first quarter, we are playing ok. They are also going hard enough to suggest they give a s$, but I would say with the change in conditions we swap Chip back to defence and Howe back to forward, pull the trigger on JKH mid way through the 3rd quarter subbing either Howe or Fitzy out, whoever stays must bring the ball to ground. Chip I the forward line hasn't been horrible but he still plays like a defender with his positioning, and he should've squared the ball up rather than go himself but it's good to see someone backing themselves. We are in this.