nutbean

Easily swayed ? You say players dont have a choice on who drafts them - by the same token if a players doesnt want to go to a bottom side and the club plays hardball then the player doesnt have a choice of where his next destination is. The below figures are taken from 2010 which eliminates the GWS and GC factor where they had a window to take uncontracted players. 3.3% of players in the AFL moved to other clubs - thats around 1 player per club. Of those trades (and drafting via the preseason) - 70% of them would be considered mature players. That means less than .5% of young players will leave your club every year. GWS cannot take Blease as uncontracted as they took Scully last year but I think the can take him in the preseason draft if he falls out with the club ? Unless he wants to go to GWS or GC or the Dees wont play ball on money and actually decide to trade him, then the chances of him going are slim. From here on in the traded players average will increase because of free agency but FA doesnt affect the youth. In short - unless Blease wants to go to GWS or GC , he aint going anywhere

I am once bitten twice shy so as to my opinion on whether Blease will sign I will now opt for the Ronald Reagan directive to the Navy when being quizzed on whether certain US warships carried nuclear weapons. "I will neither confirm nor deny"

Whilst not quite as abrasive (sorry RR) I really dont know how anyone can gauge the work of the assistant coach. First and foremost the assistant coach would be delivering the message of the head coach- they would not work in isolation. The only way to judge is through heresay and movements of the coach (and it is unfair to say that West was a poor assistant coach because Neeld moved him out - Neeld wanted his own people in year one ).Probably when 5 teams chase after one guy - you have to take the leap and assume he is good and if Neeld doesnt renew Royal at years end you have to conclude that Neeld doesnt think he is the man to assist. Anything else and we are guessing.

Whilst he provided a different sort of leadership, when Big Carl Captain Coached on his second spell with the Dees, we were far superior with him on the ground - and he wasnt getting the ball all that much. It wasnt only about him biffing people- he had a physical presence that made people walk taller. He led by example which is what the Judds of the world do but take a different example. Talk to the Collingwood people and the first person they all mention in terms of leadership is Maxwell. I know,I know - he is the Captain but there are maybe a dozen before him on the Pies list in terms of talent and their football influence with ball in hand. Maxwell provides superb leadership and his effect on games is not measured by kicks,marks and handballs. Who was the last player we had who provided real leadership ?

I'll point to a part of our culture that has irked me - I believe our player over an extended period have never been challenged to be excellent. We have had numerous players that have taken the big upward curve only to plateau or worse, go backwards. Neil Craig said at the beginning of the year that there will be players at the MFC who will not be able, or not wont to stay at the club because of the expectations set and that was fine with Craig. Its fine with me too.

I think I stubbed my toe on a big lump of irony.

What I find amusing is the debate at the beginning of the year - how can you have both Beamer and Jones in the same team - too similar. Wow - don't those days seem 100 years ago.

your Nephews are far too skinny and lack ticker- why can't we draft nephews that are built like men

I am big a softy when it comes to our players but the only player that has been terrific over the last two years is Jones and since Bailey we have had glimpses of nice from players but not for any sustained period.

Yes there is a baby and he is one ugly little sucker.

I would add another vital component - fire in the belly and a hatred of losing a contest.

leave my shell out of it

Aside from the countless documented cases of what can happen to footballers when they stay out late with a skinfull of drink in them are you really trying to compare footballers participating in fitness sports like surfing as opposed to drinking which certainly has an effect on fitness. I cant recall Darren Millane running under a parked truck with his surfboard or Stevie J trying to jump a fence on his skateboard..

Now there's a comparison you want to draw !

So if its ok for Dane Swan to rock up under the weather I'll pose a couple of questions.What if it is was Swan and Beams.What about Swan Beams and half the list - still ok ? What if it is two weeks in a row ? still ok ? what about half the team turning up to training under the weather 5 weeks in a row ? These guys are professional athletes and need to act as such.If you want to turn up to training "a bit under the weather" then play suburban footy.

my exact thought on umpires summed up in 16 words

You forgot the major glaring problem with the Jones decision apart from what you said and the thing that DRIVES ME INSANE. Schmidt made the decision and he was on the boundary line side of the contrast- Jones back was facing him as he was on his side with the ball locked in facing the Southern Stand.Schmidt had no idea if the ball was in Jones grasp or 3 feet away from him. "Not getting the ball out" should not defined by whether it clears congestion or not but whether or not the player no longer has control of the ball - not to mention that the umpire cant see if opposition players are holding it under or into the player who pulled it in. Not knowing where the ball is, is no basis to make a decision If you are on the wrong side of the contest, Mr Umpire, you are guessing- I repeat guessing. Schmidt - on the Jones decision you were guessing as you could only see Jones back and nothing more. GUESSING - ARRGGGHHHHHHH

Thats what irks me - you selfish %$%$^& - you have misbehaved and it costs all of us. It probably wouldnt get through but my thought was that code of conduct with guidelines as to what happens if there is a breach is written into the contract- any breaches means big financial loss to the player -Im not talking about $3000 slap on the wrist - I am talking about a percentage of the yearly wage that hurts and an increase for a second indiscretion. Hit the player big time but not the club. Make it "AFL approved" or "AFL players association" approved so all players in all clubs lose the same. I know it will become subjective like the MRP (how pi55ed was he ?) but its the only way to hurt the player not the team.

The skull tells a fabulous story about getting hammered during a test with Doug Walters and getting to the ground and being told that Redpath was crook and he was going in first drop. He had a massive hangover and they made him sweat for a couple hours with pads on with a headache from hell and struggling not to throw up until a wicket actually did fall and Redpath quickly padded up and went out instead of him.

So you're saying instead of setting team rules you would set individual rules ? As long as it doesnt affect your game feel free ? Again please point to research that shows alcohol and late nights is beneficial to the output of a professional athlete. (actually one does comes to mind - there is an urban legend that Ian Stewart used to play better when half pi55ed than completely sober - am I defaming a multi-brownlow medalist or has anyone else heard this ?)

His weight and shape has been well documented and only the Collingwood people would know if he presents himself in the best shape he possibly can. Rules on drinking and late nights are set for collective not for individuals.

A world where you are paid in excess of $500K a year to be an elite athlete presenting yourself in the best condition you can.

Legality has nothing to do with this issue. I have a problem with being out at ridiculous hours of the morning drinking alcohol if you are professional athlete. This is a profession these boys have chosen and are paid handsomely for - part of the return is that players present themselves in the BEST physical shape they can. Point me at any Sports medicine professional that will tell me that staying at 2am drinking (irrespective of how many) does not detract in any way from being physically at your best. Its not about only about form - its also about a team rules. I am a one pot screamer (I wear it as a badge of honour) as opposed to my girlfriend who could drink Demonland under the table. So do clubs make two rules ? Ms Nutbean- go out and make merry as it has no impact on your form but Mr Nutbean, no going out for you young man. Team rules are there for a reason. If you chose AFL as a profession then abide by the standards and rules required. You want to go to Tramps to 2am in the morning and have a drink or two - fine- don't be an AFL footballer. There are choices.

You lost me when you said "Bruce"- held us to ransom at every contract negotiation- thats his right like all players have the right - then the club made the decision on his last contract not to budge and he left. Players demand big money to play - and the club decides yes or no. The club not the player should decide when time is up- hopefully the player and club are in unison but unfortunately in Juniors case this was not so.It happens. So be it.

Well played Brad. Thanks for the good memories.