nutbean

Wouldn't matter where you play him - with his old style approach you can be sure the umpires would crucify him.

Re-read my post - that's exactly what I am saying. Their initial attempts to be conciliatory by self reporting and feigning cooperation went straight out the window when they realised the depth of poop they were in. Then self interest kicked in big time and since then it has been deceive, deflect and generally muddy the waters at all costs. The only thing I disagree is " they are single handedly trying to destroy the game" - no they are not - they don't give two hoots for the game. This is all about protecting Essendon by any means possible - nothing more nothing less.

hmmm.. With such scrutiny on players would be a ridiculous thing to do. Dawes is playing poorly but the only thing he does have going for him is he tries to make his tackles and run downs hurt. His "fight" is not his problem.

And go one step further - not only do we have the worst inside 50's in the comp - have a look at how we deliver it when we do go inside 50. He is out of form but geez being a forward in our team - what a thankless task that is .

My bad.... I actually laughed....

correct nothing has been settled - and I am surprised you can't see that the distractions aren't irrelevant. If the distractions were irrelevant this whole mess would have been over months ago. footnote - you are right on what should be the only issue but obviously Essendon are making it about the process and what can and can't be proven. Distractions ? yes - but distractions that Essendon will keep dragging on

They absolutely do have an interest to protect the state of the game right up until the time they are about to get whacked with a very big stick - then self interest kicks in.

Because they weren't nominated ? Have a look at the criteria for the award and then revisit the names you just suggested.

I saw him in 2010 at Rod Laver - a nice intimate venue for comedy - he had 95% of the audience in stitches ( the other 5% thought he was just Mork and were a bit horrified at the turn his comedy had taken). Comic genius and will be missed.

really only one issue ? so we are over a year into this and this has all been settled and put to bed......ohhh

Either way, I'm tipping the sun will still come up on Monday morning.

why are people astonished ? There was always going to be two very separate issues at play. I don't think anyone think that Essendon have done no wrong except some delusional supporters. I wouldn't think that the hierarchy at Essendon even believe that they haven't done wrong - they are towing the line that was always going to be towed. This was always going to be about what can be proven and what process was followed in trying to prove Essendon has done wrong. I am still not convinced that there will be the huge punishments that lots on here are expecting - I expect Essendon to muddy the waters for ever and a day. However Essendon will receive the biggest punishment of all - their name will be a stinkfest forever and a day ( well for a fair while - people have short memories)

I thought Neil Young QC's opening statement which he sang in a high, slightly off pitch voice was illuminating "Hey Hey , my my Essendon will never die There's more to the picture than meets the eye Hey Hey, my my" (note - if I have to explain it then you are wayyyyy too young)

I have 3 words for you - " Never loses his feet" ohhh.. I have 4 words for you - "Never loses his feet"

I hope you are right - I was never in doubt that Essendon done bad. My only concern was the solidity of the process in getting all the parties involved punished for doing bad.

Do you believe it was ever going to be any different ? So many cases that go to court are not defended on whether or not the accused is guilty of the crime . The defense's main weapon is whether procedure was correctly followed to bring the case to trial in the first place or whether correct procedure was followed to enable a finding to be made.

As opposed to the last 2 years before Roos where we looked ok in the last 10 minutes - usually kicking a couple of goals meaning we were only beaten by 15 goals instead of 17 goals.

5th most tackles at the club - behind Jones, Cross, Bail, Viney.

You're a bit antsy ? I think almost everyone on the thread has acknowledged the same thing - we need more than just role players.

Disagree - we have recruited players that we expected (hoped ?) would turn out to be superstars and have turned out to be sometime role players ( with the occassional teasing cameo)

Actually - yes - more than Watts does. 40% of Gunstons possessions are contested. 31% of Watts are contested. But don't go by stats - just watch and you will see that Watts game is based around him being the outlet. Gunston is more your hit up forward.

In an article in today's Age mainly about Jack Watts, Roos talked also talked about role players and it resonated with me. “I think there’s this myth in footy that every premiership player has to be a superstar. "You have to have role players, you have to have guys who can do the job week in week out that perhaps people don’t recognise as great players externally but internally they’re extremely valuable players.” I think many here jump on players that basically do what is asked of them - they have talent "ceilings" and will never be superstars but do as the coaching staff wants. Bail is one player that comes to mind - many here pot him but I think he is one that fits exactly into the Roos quote above. The big disclaimer on Roos statement is the we just don't have any superstars and as much as the coaching staff like him, if you have a team completely made up of Bails you will go nowhere fast.

Wasn't Northey an absolute ripper. He could get some fairly ordinary footballers to crash through walls and play out of their skins.

I am not a bettng man but whenever Hogans Heroes makes a prediction I clean up by betting the opposite.

nope - he wasn't - soft as butter in his early years. Lots of outside stuff and he would tease with talent but wouldn't put himself on the line. StKilda supporters were baying for blood and wanted him traded out ( the lots that I know). Something clicked and voila - the very tense uptight competitive animal we see today. I have the same hopes for Watts ( you're a fool Nutbean, a fool !)