nutbean

This is so overdone - "ready to go". Look how many players are "ready to go" from each draft. Before you start hitting with me names look at it in totality - the percentage of players who are drafted and make a big impact year one is small as it should be. We should not be looking to our draftees to be the saviors next year - we need the likes of Toumpas to step now coming into year 3 - plus major improvements from Watts, Howe and the like. Steps from JKH and Salem in year two and hopefully some input from Hogan even though he has yet play a game.

You would be the only person on D/land who doesn't think that they are.

I can see both sides of the equation. I thought that Howe was good when he went back this season, more consistent and better output. His high marking is a reason I go to watch us play. There is excitement every time the high ball comes into his area. If pick 6 was the missing ingredient to get us a genuine elite mid then you would consider it strongly. ( the proviso being it had to be a pick or trade that got us a star - wouldn't be happy trading ihim to get a pick 6, 18 year old)

We wanted him - some risk that we may not get him - we jumped. Irrespective how Hannath has gone this scenario is the same.

once upon a time you could place a price on your head in the PSD but whoever was prepared to pay it picked you up ( ist in best dressed) - so no one nominated. Has this changed ?

its the leap from assistant to Head coach which is the big unknown - how the assistant will handle being numero uno. Neeld was spoken of in glowing terms before he got the top gig. In fact all assistants have fantastic reviews before they get the top jobs or else they wouldnt get them in the first place. It may be that some assistants are just better at being assistants

It isn't the fault of backmen in most instances. Key is pressure on the ball carriers coming into our back 50 - if you let the opposition waltz into their forward half your backmen will get cut up most of the time.

You're my bruddah from anudder mudder.

The HS is giving us a reasonable pass mark as well. It's more the "woe is us" on Demonland who can't see it.

The small paper reported that Swans would have taken a late pick for Membrey thus leaving Frost available at PSD 1 for the Saints. The anguish over the use of 23 for Frost is amusing. Go back to the Hannath thread where we going to Rookie but missed out because Freo jumped in. "Geez the club is stupid - should have used an earlier pick on Hannath instead we let Freo get in before us" "Geez the club is stupid - why do we use an earlier pick to grab Frost" Damned if you, damned if you don't.

You never really hear anything on these boards about Peter Giles - he looked like a wildman when he first started - he could play though

This I agree with 100% - as I said before I have supreme confidence in this coaching team - the simple reason being that I am not sure there is a better coaching outfit anywhere else so if this doesnt work we are completely rooted.

OMG - did Longmire die ?

I remember a friend of mine played an interschool match and lined up on Robbie . He said Robbie had about 50 touches for the game and he got 2 kicks and one of those was in the ankle.

you made me watch Scully you bastard...

who is our best forward ? The bloke who played 15 games in 3 years ? who is our best defender ? The bloke who played forward the majority of the year ?

Never said we were a basketcase but if you do a ladder of unattractive destinations we are arguably bottom 2. We have to show improvement up the ladder to become a more attractive proposition. The only club arguably in a worse position than us is Essendon due to its uncertain future. That's the reality. The picture of where we are at right now is not pretty. I have faith that Roos and co will improve the picture over the next two years - the reason I say this is because if this "rebuild mark 5" under Roos doesnt work then nothing will.

you really need to apply for Taylor, Mahoney and Viney's job - you weren't happy that we weren't trading, you aren't happy that we did a trade. You obviously think it is as easy as asking players to come to our club - contracted or not and its a done deal. Apply at the club - they could use your help.

So he played 16 secret games this year ? What difference does it make where a player was drafted ? That is a single point time and bear no reflection to their actual output - Fyfe was pick 20 and is arguably one of the best footballers in the league - Scully went no 1 and ewwwwwwww...

We have had more success with our later draft picks than our early one - sad but true

JKH last year at 40 Kent the year before 48 Tom McDonald 53 Neville Jetta 51 You can get some gems post pick 40

I like that much better than a straight swap for 23

or it could mean that we asked after 150 midfielders and they all said no. Now prove me wrong. You are guessing because you want to see movement.

Exactly how can you be proven right or wrong on this ? Really frustrating....

I am realistic about where we sit but if I couldn't find some way to get enjoyment out of supporting my team I would just stop supporting - as simple as that. I got some enjoyment last year out of seeing obvious improvement, watching for the first time in years three good recruits come in and make an impact (Cross Tyson Vince). The club has some stability about it. We have now put the missing piece in place in the coaching box and I am eager to see how Hogan goes. Do I think we will knocking on the door for the 8 ? nope. Will I get frustrated during the year - absolutely . Will I be satisfied - unless we race up the ladder - nope. Will I moan and gripe about our club and be woe is us - I'll walk away from the game first.