nutbean

Unfortunately this is not accepted by many - there are some that think there is no guesswork. I actually don't care whether they raise the age or not. All I am suggesting is that what we see for 2 years at TAC under 18 level is nothing more than indication that can't possibly take into account both future physical development and maturity rates. There will always be late bloomers and there will be TAC guns that never develop much further than that. If we retrospectively reordered the first two rounds of every draft they would look nothing like the order in which the players were actually picked. We only moan about how it affects us but the reality is most players in the draft have either under or over achieved if you compare them to players taken before or after them.

Way too sensible for my liking. The "experts" also put the knock on Wines kicking - it looks more than fine to me. Until they raise the drafting age so we have more exposed form these mistakes will happen over and over again. Bontempelli, Wines, Dom Tyson's draft - GWS missed out Chad Wingard at 6 ! ( the effectively missed picking the best of the draft and trading out the equal best in Tyson !)

Spot on. I have asked a few times who would like to revise their thoughts on last years drafts but as yet no takers, History tells us that at least one of McCartin, Petracca or Brayshaw will turn out to be ordinary and there will be a much better player or two lower down the draft.

If you need to quote the "papers" then tell the whole story. The "papers" talked up Wines as Toumpas was not expected to be available at our pick. For that reason it was assumed that we would take Wines. The "papers" rated Toumpas higher. Then in the last week or so when it looked as if Toumpas may slip, he was then talked up as our obvious selection. We talk about conspiracy theories - there was one floated here that we overpaid for the Hogan underage pick with the understanding that GWS would let Toumpas slip through to our pick. It is because of Scully, Morton, Toumpas and countless others that I know hold the belief that the "papers" have little idea as to how these kids will turn out and are crystal balling. I wonder if the doggies are slashing their wrists over not picking Wines either. He is clearly the standout from that draft.

All Dazzles post highlighted is that TV considered Toumpas a better choice. If you are alluding to the JR post where he suggested that TV didn't pick Wines because he didn't want someone better than his son...you couldn't possibly be giving that theory oxygen. Patently ridiculous when you consider how many onballers that Viney has put forward to come into the club that could all be seen as competition for JV's place.

exactly - I count our blessing that for 2013 draft we traded our pick 2 for Tyson and Salem or we would be having a huge moanfest about "how on earth did we not take Bontempelli".

I think the simple reason is because Neeld is responsible for this and everything ( as well as the GFC, Ebola and man not actually landing on the moon. I also believe that Neeld's contract with Essendon has a retrospectivity clause in it so he can also be blamed for the systematic doping of their players)

My support for a player in our colours is not unwavering - we give a contract to perform - I expect a player to perform. I haven't written off Toumpas - but I have seen enough of Wines to know that Toumpas is going to have to perform out of his skin to be half the player - Wines is an out and out gun and Jimmy has a loooong way to go. We have got so many wrong in retrospect. We just need to get some right (where can we get some beforo-spect ?) The one thing the likes of popular picks like Scully, Toumpas, Morton and the like have shown me - the expert watchers are simply working on way too limited information - there is too much growth left in the seedlings when we draft them to have any confidence that the ratings we see every year trotted out by experts will be anywhere near accurate. What I would like to see is where get on the end of a surprise packet !

And yet JV is on record in an interview when asked who we should take with our pick said Jimmy Toumpas but thought he wouldn't be available.

I respect your opinion that you may have seen what was the right pick predraft but you keep failing to mention that the great majority rated Toumpas higher. The great majority were obviously wrong but this is only in retrospect. It may hurt you the most but it wasn't staring us in face - Toumpas was rated higher by nearly every good judge. Just proves there ain't too many good judges out there. This one doesn't hurt me the most - the likes of Cook, Blease and Strauss who were taken way too early hurt me more.

a few of them did - Rebecca Barnard opened the night - and then there were guests singing with The Jazz Party. The club was donated a grand piano as part of sponsorship - $110K worth - yikes !

It was like a who's who last night. Firstly - Harry Angus did join the Jazz party last night - they have a great sound. - especially if you like traditional jazz. Debra Conway, Shane O'mara, Jack Howard, Tim Rogers, Rebecca Barnard and a host of others were all there for the opening. Soo "Memo" - it is a great old room and will be fantastic for live music. They need to sort out two things - the sound was a bit muddy but this was the first ever gig they have put on - sound at the caravan club is absolutely pristine so I am sure they will work out. Next thing - it was roasting in the hall and it wasnt that hot outside so I hope something can be done about that. It is such a wonderful old hall and perfect for music so I am looking forward to seeing lots of music there - starting with the Sports !

noooooo... there are some music freaks - I know a bit from the comfort of my armchair but I would be like a rabbit caught in the headlights if I got chosen to be on the panel. Hey Hardtack - cracked an invite to the opening night of Memo tonight ( where we are seeing sports) - "jazz party" are playing - there are a couple out of Clairey Brownes band playing and sometimes Harry Angus from Cat Empire joins in - should be a hoot. Full report tomorrow.

Went to a taping of Rockwiz last night - it was a 50's theme. What a great night. Firstly - Katie Noonan has the voice of an angel Secondly - they had Col Joy on - he is a seriously funny man and can still sing well for a man of 78.

they sound great - fit in really well in a Quentin Tarantino movie

I am off to see Pokey LaFarge.... I knew nothing about him - but loved the name. Looked up his stuff on youtube and now I am very excited !

Sunnyboys were great -so good to see Jeremy Oxley in a good place.... However - The Cat Empire - You cannot help but dance and jump and sing when they play. I don't know how many times I have seen them but they never ever go through the motions ( unfortunately The Whitlams at the Corner - did go through the motions). There is a reason that the Cat Empire is my favourite live band - i always walk away ( albeit with a limp as I jump around like an idiot) with a huge smile on my face.

Sunnyboys tonight at the forum - i am getting too old for going out 3 times a week to a gig. Imagine if I drank as well ( which I don't)

You know how you make allowances for bands as they get older ( aka - Mick Jaggers voice is not what it used to be). No allowances needed for Chain - they were phenomenal. Matt Taylor's voice was the same as the back in the 70's. You are also right about Phil Manning - he was on fire. I did go up o the stage during the break in sets and noticed that he had nothing on the floor in terms of pedals and switches . Compare that to Mike Einziger of Incubus that had two acres of stuff on the floor around him. This Saturday night I am seeing my favourite of all live bands - The Cat Empire. It is impossible not to come out of a Cat Empire gig smiling from ear to ear,

it may be my failed eyesight and shot hearing that makes them sound good.

Macca - got two spare tickets for Chain on Saturday night if you are interested....

Its official - I am the Dustin Fletcher of Festivals - the mind and heart is willing but the body is failing. Saw Ministry - excellent. Faith no more rocked the house. Chris Cornell - this is what i imagine i sound like when i sing ! Incubus - excellent. Disappointed with the Smashing Pumpkins - musically was fantastic but no connection with audience at all. Slipknot - great visually and really tight. Marilyn Manson - horrible. Of the bands I hadn't heard of - Tonight Alive - Australian - really rocked - I got home and youtubed them and a bit Power pop when they are not live. Hollywood undead - a cross between the beastie boys and linkin park - really enjoyed them. It would be remiss of me if I didn't mention Steel Panther - they sent respect for women back to the dark ages with every five minutes getting girls to "show us your b00bs" - which all obliged. Their songs are so sexually blunt. They were sort of like watching a bad 1970's porn movie made into a musical. But I could not help but laugh.

Seeing Chain on Saturday night - I will give you a review of the gig !

Makes me feel way too old. I have a picture taken at Echuca of Todd Viney with my two girls when they were 12 and 10 taken many moons ago. As i took the photo I had a very young Jack Viney standing next to me. Even at the tender age of 7 he looked like he could steam roll me.

Ill give you feedback ! Thanks for that. Talking of wholesome look - have a look at the boys out of Parkway drive - they look like they should be in one direction right up until they start playing.