nutbean

I get that we need to get fitter and need more endurance - but running until we topple over the end of the earth is a little too much

I am only addressing the question of where the money will come from - China, Northern Territory, NZ, Qld ( suns and brisbane in their early days ), GWS - the return on investment has been a negative. Some will argue shrewd investment for the future - others will say peeing money up against a wall. However there is a clear precedent of the AFL tipping money into loss making ventures with a plan ( in the hope) that there will a bigger payoff down the track. I don't see this as any different. As to the point that the AFL has to earn the extra - that has never been the way they operate. At no stage with the above ventures did they wait until the earned "more" before sinking money into them. The AFL has a huge pool money ( ever growing with the TV rights) and distribute it as they see fit. (as to your point about womens matches before the main games - I commented that I would like to see half the banal entertainment scrapped on grand final day and have the women's GF played before the big game)

The "who" is the AFL and the precedent is already there. The AFL has never been shy in pumping money into "start ups" .

My view is posed as question - is there money in the kitty to pay more ? The comparisons to other sports and country leagues is disingenuous as the reason some athletes and country league footballs are paid a pittance is there is not the money to pay more. It does have me scratching my head when you compare this situation to the AFL pouring millions into propping up Sydney, Gold Coast and GWS in the early days to ensure they were successful.

When I read the title I thought this was going to be a "bragging rights" thread. I'll start - Nutbean = impressive

You can say whatever you like but again, my point has nothing to do with positive or negative posting. My point has always been about respectful vs disrespectful posting and whether comments that can be labelled as plain nasty serve any purpose at all. Saying "good riddance" to a player serves exactly what purpose and furthers the debate how ? My thoughts on a Dawes are hardly positive. He was drafted as a key forward who simply did not take enough marks, impose himself on enough games or kick enough goals. Judging his time with us it would not be considered a success.

That's how my entire biography reads....

In his first couple of games,every time I heard his name on the radio, I thought they were saying "liquorland" and they were giving him a stupid nickname ( possibly based on past indiscretions )

And I hear all the things you have said about Dawes and I will state categorically IMO it was the right decision not to offer another contract. I will counter all the positives you have mentioned about Dawes ( although I believe they are all valid) and say he was recruited first and foremost to be play as a power forward, take marks and kick goals and that basis alone it did not work out for the club or Dawes. I think the broader point is what we see from the outside. He looked like he trained hard, he put in when he couldn't play and was in the leadership group which speaks to me that he was a respected member of the team. He did not earn a new contract but he did earn a thanks for your efforts.

your forgot to add that they are also "burning up the track"

Agreed - I don't think that he will get another shot. On his resume to date, his body is just too fragile.

nope - it's just an opinion like everything else. And my opinion is pretty clear - anyone can critique a player and posters will agree or disagree with it - when a critique respectfully highlights a players flaws or shortcomings or praises the players skills to the heavens there is robust debate on it. When a poster resorts to derogatory name calling or plain nasty send off's it usually gets called out and rightly so. It is unnecessary, adds nothing to the debate and leads me to believe that the poster may struggle to formulate a well reasoned response.. If you feel it is positive posting to write "good riddance" about a delisted player then don't be surprised if other posters call you out. But hey that's just my opinion.

I disagree that the modern game doesn't allow space - although i will agree space does become more of a premium at finals time - this is because teams become so much defensive and less adventurous in my opinion. Pushing up has becoming so aggressive in the modern game that you seeing more goals over the back than ever before. Whilst I agree that he needs to be more contested, Gartlett absolutely has the pace to capitalise on breaks out of defense over the oppositions "wall"

Every time i heard his name called I kept hearing "liquorland".....I thought it was commentators giving him a stupid nickname

Worked with Riv's wife. His was offered almost rookie wages from the MFC to stay but opted to leave and play finals for Geelong. Was an assistant at the Pies last year and now has been promoted to VFL coach. He has been to a couple of functions at the club and still considers himself a Dee's player and would like to come back to the club at some stage if his coaching career takes off.

I view Dunn a bit differently to Gartlett. My read on Dunn is ( rightly or wrongly) the FD didn't think he had the ability to be offensive and "create". Gartlett has everything required to play the modern game - his problem last year was lapses in form. Forward pocket is one of those positions where you can just get lost. The difference between Gartlett's first and second year is in his first year things went for him and when it didn't he made things happen. He didn't make things happen last season - I dont believe he worked hard enough.

Most clubs have either a welfare manager and/or a psychologist. It is absolutely incumbent on a club to assist in the welfare of players. I have highlighted the word assist as it is always a two way street - a player must want to be helped.

sigh... Again, I am bemused by posters who can't differentiate between criticism of a player and criticism of the sheer disrespect shown in their description of a player. The majority won't disagree with the assessment that Fitzpatrick didn't have the necessary skills to make it as an AFL player. There is no sentimentality, again the majority don't disagree with him being delisted. A few here do question your ability to critique a player without resorting to calling him a "spud".

What is the deal these days with De Niro ? From being "the" man as far as acting is concerned he is now making some absolute stinkers.

How "classy" someone is not determined by their wealth, by their position or whether or no they misspell a word. But you keep swinging, Tiger.

I'd get Max another top line centre square clearance specialist...oh wait....

Good on him ( and all the delistees ) for giving it a crack. Unfortunately there are only 792 spots on AFL lists. Fitzy, like many others before him and many to come after him, is a good footballer - just not good enough. All the best for the future.

I believe we are absolutely burning up the track and it is the hardest preseason we have ever done.

not big on religion but i am big on family and these sort of things brings family together. However I do have priorities and I can tell you exactly where my family ( and me )would be next September 30 if the Dees made the big dance. ( we can repent heaps later!)

gets worse for all observant Jewish supporters of any clubs - the grand final next year falls on Day of Atonement - the holiest day on the Jewish Calendar