nutbean

Agreed. The last thing we need is more incentive to breed lurkers.

The arms on Vandenberg...lordy...

I understand the reasoning We are 3rd in hitouts, We are 1st in clearances and centre clearances. So when big Maxy is in the form he has been in why wouldn't you set up an offensive plan to capitalise on it ? I don't see the issue of losing the centre clearance as I haven't seen us burned too badly - the ball comes into our forward line pretty quickly - The diamond has pretty effective as it is usually a bit of bomb in an then under some pressure . The issue we have is if we get the ball and turn it over going forward as the half backs have then pushed up way tooo far and we will absolutely get hammered on the counter attack as the ball comes first to a loose on the wing/ half back line and then it is an easy entry into our back 50.

He ripped into him because we want quality players on the field and he will be quality and it was dik move to get yourself reinjured after a year out - the intimation that he is pivotal to this defensive structure is a nonsense. (if you said Gawn, Viney, Tyson or Jones then I get it - but Petracca ? really ?)

That's what you took out of the Saints game. The Saints worked harder, spread harder, ran harder - if you don't pressure the ball carrier coming into the opposition forward line our backs will get smacked. ( most teams backs will get smacked)

Why would you say that - of course the whole team is important to a game plan but the key ingredients is the half back flankers pushing into the square like mad men and being reliant on Gawny getting first hand on the ball. If you watch the Jones interview he commented that it is relatively new thing - a couple of matches old. As a player who was always going to be predominantly a half forward flanker with a run or two in the middle he was never going to be a key ingredient to a diamond defense.

A heap of goals ! The problem with the diamond is not so much if we lose the tap but when we push forward hard and turn the ball over. I don't recall us getting killed from the centre square bounces - but when we push up and lose the ball - mark it down as an easy goal against us.

And the inaccuracy was not a thing of luck at all - We couldn't attack last year but defensively we guarded the corridor quite well and that meant that teams were taking shots from out wide where the % of success is obviously lower.

The "scoreboard flattered us" response rates up there with the ever popular "if only XXX had played this week" but both of these get trumped by the king of rationalising quotes - " if my sister had balls she'd be my brother"

I have absolutely no doubt that the 'scoop handpass' is being coached and it happens in a blink of an eye and that fine line between handpass and throw is being tested every week. Also when players are tackled in their desperation to rid themselves of the ball they will throw and many are just not being pinged. I will say I have never seen a team throw the ball as much as bullies on Sunday.

I must be very naive - It just goes so contrary to what is good in our game and if it is being coached I'd be horribly disappointed ( but not for the first time). North don't do it , Geelong don't do it and the Hawks and Bulldogs don't do it - certain players in their team do. I have watched the action closely and see exactly how it is done. One of the worst offenders is Dylan Grimes. At worst certain players in teams are being coached to do it.

i would suggest absolutely not coached but I hate it none the less. Caleb Daniels drops the knees and falls over at the slightest hint of a tackle as well.

I would agree that VFL is certainly a step down from the AFL but the apparent knock on Newton ( i say apparent as it was mentioned on Demonland) was his defensive side of his game and 18 tackles shows his willingness to do the hard things. I think Newton has a few more tricks than Michie but you are right in that the jury is certainly out on both of them.

Can I ask you if you know this for certain or are purely speculating as I would be shocked if they were actually coached to do this. It is just not in the spirit of the game and couldn't imagine a coach actually coaching this technique.

I had to quote you at the top to get the context - and you are 100% right - nothing can be done. Bugg never ever shuts up and Jones and Vince don't mind the yap either. If it is coaches orders then that coach must feel that Hogan is susceptible - I say harden the "f" up. (As long as the sledging is within bounds - that is an entirely different discussion). You jump to a teammates defense for over use of physicality but for verballing ? I say just grown a pair.

The problem is that you are not allowed to cite other cases/penalties as a precedent when I firmly believe that is exactly what should be quoted to get consistency.

I am not suggesting dropping Bugg - but if we are pointing at Bugg's 9 tackles then you can point to Newtons 18 tackles for Casey on the weekend !

seriously puts the whole game of football and our whole obsession on who re-signs or why Tmac can't kick a football into perspective. Get well soon - good health is everything....

He is housesharing with me in South Yarra...

So opposition players mouth off to a Hogan, or any other footballer for that matter and this is all of sudden news ? Pray tell - what should his teammates do and why exactly does it mean we lack C. I get that if a player has a heavy tag on him or receives unnecessary physical attention his teammates should step in and help - but sledging ? How about we go with "hey ump - he is calling me names"

This election is such a snooze fest that not one of the more politically minded demonlanders can be bothered opening thread to discuss it. Can Australian Politics have any less care factor ?.

On Sunday he was. He played some pretty dumb football.

got to the MFC website you will see it

I find it interesting that he made those comments in February and had an injury last week.... ( I stretched the long bow even longer)