nutbean

I think it matters little if he is the anointed one IF we are a smart football club. I have repeatedly said that succession plans in business are not set in stone and I am hoping that we take the same philosophy. If the successor is not up to it - you go to plan B. It is true that you don't know how a person will transition from an assistant to a head coach - Neeld being the perfect example however I would hope that after two years that whoever is selected as the next coach will get the Roos tick of approval at the end of his next two year apprenticeship - "I have every confidence that A B or C, after the last two years as my understudy will make the transition to head coach" or conversely "After two years I am not convinced that A B or C is quite ready so I will stay on for another 2 years and further educate the assistant" or " "After two years I am convinced that A B or C is not cut out to be a head coach - I have instructed the MFC to look outside for a new coach". The idea that you anoint a successor but after his assisting period, even though you are unsure of him having the right stuff to make it as head coach, you plough on anyway is hopefully something that someone, with the abundance of grey matter of Roos, would not allow to happen.

Watch his highlight reel. He is was really hard at it/fierce at Adelaide but never got an even break with injury. I am really looking forward to him after a full preseason.

To those saying "What has Ling done?" I don't think that is the question - it matters little what he has done previously - that is why he would serve an apprenticeship under Roos. If Roos and Co believe that because of their discussions with Ling he has the makings of a coach then fine. My only question is - Is two years in the system under Roos as an assistant ( with no broader coaching experience outside) enough time to make the transition from an assistant to a head coach?"

now you are just making an ass of yourself ( boom tish...thank you - I'll be here all week)

Troy was another that I had very high hopes for - alas.....

freakin me out man

Actually if rearrange the letters of Jonestown you get ewsjonton which is eerily close to Essendon. Freakin you out huh ?

"Alcohol: the cause of and the answer to all of life's problems"

Two things - if you imposed that sort of system on umpires you wouldn't have on left with no umpires coming through the system - would make the job far too unappealing. - I have some far too many appalling decisions this season - I again will re-iterate I don't think I have seen umpiring actually cost a team the game. I have seen far too many games when umpires have cost me my enjoyment of the game.

"trying is the first step towards failure" - Homer Simpson

struggling to see that number quoted myself

Roos and two way running ( actually all coaches want two way running)

No - you consider them bad selections NOW not "At the time" - please post any past reference to where you suggested that either were a bad selection "at the time"

I think Roos is more about match-ups than positions. Assign each player a task or a role. We have seen Grimes in a few different roles this year including run with. We have also seen Dunn forward and I wonder at any stage if Howe will be thrown forward again. Grimes may well play wing depending on who Geelong play there. The days of teams lining up on the ground as selected in the paper are well and truly gone. (Best example of this is Tyson is named as rover or ruck rover every week and every week he starts on the bench for the first bounce - he rotates on after 5 minutes.)

We are struggling to get enough inside 50's as it is - not only would he starve from the lack if inside 50's, he would doubly starve as you have deprived the team of one of its main inside 50's drivers. I do note that Jonesy has had a "rest" during some games this year on the half forward line but his main value will always be as an onballer.

I don't think anyone pays the slightest bit of attention to where players are named.

What beggars beliefs for me is so many claims by people either within the Essendon Club or affiliated with the club that the players took nothing illegal - this is being spruked with so much ferocity and volume yet no one can produce a list of what they actually took ?

You are completely delusional. But I am completely delusional too. For some mysterious reason I never go to the football with the thought " we are going to get trounced". I always have this belief - we will be 10% more switched on, they will be 10% switched off, they will take us too lightly, they will have 2 late withdrawals and 2 injuries in the first quarter and Watts will have a breakout game and kick 8. Binman, you are delusional - welcome to my world.

Hate the idea but understand the rationale - you gotta give to get ( as opposed to posters trying to bundle Strauss, Evans and Blease in a swap for dangerfield)

Dunn - maybe other clubs interested Kent/Barr - anyone else interested ? Watts - Carlton apparently interested Tmac - sure there would have been some interest Frawley - apparently 10 clubs have inquired - this will probably be his biggest contract. I honestly think he is gone - but this is the way of the future on FA - lots of players will sign earlier - equally as many will wait until seasons end - unfortunately the majority ( not all) of the ones that wait until post season move on. So whilst Frawleys delay doesnt mean he is definitely gone the odds are not forever in our favor.

I haven't seen a Casey game. Seen him in two AFL matches and honestly can't comment either way - didn't do anything that stamped him as a player of the future like Salem has. For that reason happy if the FD is happy that we signed him and will keep my powder dry on how he will go in the future until i have seen a lot more.

I haven't seen a Casey game. Seen him in two AFL matches and honestly can't comment either way - didn't do anything that stamped him as a player of the future like Salem has. For that reason happy if the FD is happy that we signed him and will keep my powder dry on how he will go in the future until i have seen a lot more.

I like him back as he gets more involved but i would like, for example, against the dogs in the last five minutes ( when a game is in the balance) - swing him forward to jump on everyones head to take a mark and kick a goal.

Ablett's first 3 seasons - I think he was harshly judged because of his surname. He played ok football - but didnt play Ablett quality football.

I too think he is gone but you do realise that just because one player signs the circumstances for a second may not be the same ?