nutbean

29if ?

I know why Scully has not been at the games - he has been otherwise engaged ( come on....its a little bit funny)

You are way too old Tony. So am I - you beat me to the punch on this exact post by about 30 seconds

Nailed it in one - There is where we differ and there is a gulf in opinion on this site. I do see Dunn playing in front and making the contest and working hard defensively ( except against Hawks where the whole team was insipid for periods of the game). I dont think he has recaptured the highs of his 2010 season ( as havent a few others) but I see him working hard. This is the way coaches are reading it ( if you place any store on their player review). Its obvious others see it differently.

So if you are happy with Dawes like I am - Dawes 30 goals last year from 20 games, Dunn - 26 goals from 18. This year both have played four games - Dunn 7 goals and Dawes 11 goals. Their 2010's were remarkably similar. Dawes output this year has been much better as opposed to Dunn's especially in his tackling. (Would rather have Dawes as I think he will be a genuine A grader as opposed to Dunn who still has the potential to be more than handy)

How about this There is far to much emphasis placed by theorists on forwards playing a defensive game. I am figuring if you ask 17 coaches of AFL today they would comment We place great emphasis on forwards having a strong defensive side to their game I just think that your football 101 is football 101 circa 1980. The two powerhouses last year (Saints and Pies) both had demands that their forwards were defensively minded and Essendon great start to the season is being put down the defensive mindset of the whole team that was missing under Knights.

Say hello Cameron Mooney - twice ! ( well actually thrice). Coaches see different things in players then obviously we do.

You corrected me because I was wrong ! (glad I put the disclaimer in). He certainly has a purple patch towards the end of the year which is what we should judge him for - if you compare his 18 games last year against his 4 this year - he is tracking about the same ( two less disposals but a slightly higher mark and goal rate). The interesting one is his tackle count is down so that does indicate that he is not going hard enough as he did last year.

Glad you brought up the big Neita - perfect example of how the game has changed and why Dunn is in the team. Over Neitz's 300 plus games he laid less than a tackle a game. Fantastic player and goal kicker but would have had to add another dimension to his game if he was to play now - defense. My only criticism of the big boy ( and dont get me wrong - most of the greats of the time - except Jason Dunstall) is letting the ball out of the forward line with way too much ease - different time - different game. To me Chris Dawes is the new breed of forward - almost averaging two goals a game and ferocious defensively.

I will take into consideration that Ricky has played half the games of Dunn ( 37 as opposed to 74) but they are almost identical on goals kicked per game and that doesnt take into account the amount of time that Dunn played as tagging midfielder and Dunn being better defensively. So whilst Ricky still is establishing himself, to suggest that he offers more as an attacking threat doesnt stand up to scrutiny (at this stage). What I do like about Ricky is his kamikaze approach to the contest ( boy's gonna get hi'self killed)

And whilst you are at it - lets get rid of all taggers - lets let Swan run free - just make our mids get more kicks than he does so he has to worry about us. What is the difference between the Bombers last year and this year ? The emphasis on defense. Sorry to disappoint but it is not new age football science - it is the way the game is played. So much attack is now created from the back half that all teams at some stage use a defensive forward to try and shut down that drive. Correct me if I am wrong but didnt Dunn play on Heath Shaw twice last year and negate his set up play from the back ?

I said he is a better kick than Miller. Miller has played 134 games for 90 goal and 61 behinds, Dunn has played 74 games for 69 and 51 behinds so you are right - on the statistics Miller was more accurate ( but never kicked enough goals ) - My observations tell me that I would rather have Dunn kicking from 30 metres out than Miller but thats just opinion ( again its opinion but Dunn takes quite a few shots from long distances - look at Millers easy misses on Friday night). The most interesting stat and why he is in the team - Dunn has hit 200 tackles compared to Millers 161 and thats in half the amount of games. We talk about being a strong man which Miller was perceived as for the first two thirds of his career - he didnt lay nearly enough tackles.

Martin is contracted until the end of 2013 - happened late last year - takes him out the GWS window of opportunity. GWS can dangle anything they like - can only happen with Richmonds blessing - so the question remains - do you think that Richmond would trade out Martin for Scully ? I don't. I also put on the record that it really mean squat who you barrack for growing up as a kid - The Ox was in the Hawthorn cheersquad and Judd was mad about the Demons. Means little

I think Scully will be an absolute gun - but do you seriously believe that Richmond would trade Martin to GWS to get Scully ? It like trading Judd to get Hodge. Never happen.

Serious question - And you know that he doesnt attend the games ?

I disagree with you again C&B - this is a SUCCESSFUL attempt at humour

Actually I don't know what you mean - so please tell me - what exactly would you like to see Scully doing ? What would you like him to be saying.

I think the call on Dunn is harsh and the three players you mentioned are all so different. 1/ Ricky Petterd plays the mid size forward role - he can take a grab but I dont see him competing with Dunn or Bate for a position 2/ Bate - I am concerned for his future - he seems to be treading water ( and taking in great gulps of sea water) - when he is on he can be good but he doesnt create enough defensive pressure 3/ Dunn was settled in the forward line to be the "defensive forward" that has become fashionable. Since so much drive is created from the half back line teams want a shut down forward to take out the creatives that set up play in the back half. Whilst he hasnt been as good as last year I think that Dunn has done his job ( would like to think he was a 25-30 goal per season goal kicker) Comparing him to Brad Miller - firstly Dunn is a better kick at goal, Dunn is not as one dimensional and has better defensive skills a a forward.

how did we reach that conclusion ? this process started in the summer before a ball was even kicked.

The club is taking a business as usual approach. Scully is in the "let out your demons 2" advert and he is on this "business trip" to Sydney. He is not the face of the Demons, he is not in the leadership group. He may be interviewed a little if he was playing but he ain't. The club by not pandering to hysteria is sending a message - "nothing to see here - move on".

(yes we have !.....)

Conjunction, conschmunction - there are threads and there are facts - Two facts only - he hasn't signed with us and it a fact that he says he hasn't signed with them. Everything else is speculation without foundation. A question - Where do you want to see him and what on earth has he got to say ? (We havent heard or seen McKenzie either)

I must be marking too low ! I know the player review can paint too rosey a picture but I actually thought this week that the review took some shots at a few players - Frawley, Garland, Davey. It described Dunn as performing a team role and thats what I saw. I would be surprised if he is dropped - if he is then we need to question the player review that they put out every week. (which is a given - it should be questioned !)

I thought the attempt was successful but thats another story. I disagree with you - the idea of Scully leaving is NOT ridiculous. The piecing together of threads of information and loads of disinformation and applying illogical and unfounded assumptions to the information/disinformation that cannot be reasonably be argued IS ridiculous. On the basis of what we have been told by all parties and the set of circumstances at hand you can logically argue he may stay - you can even argue that you will dismiss all information at hand and what we have been told and suggest he may go. To state as Freak has done that he is categorically gone has no foundation in fact. Hence my attempts at humor (still a bit miffed that you think them unscuccessful)

Seriously - Cale Morton did tweet that about them going up for a business trip. What business could these five possibly have in Sydney ? Until all five are signed on contracts for life ( and their offspring under the father/son/daughter rule) I am assuming they are gone.