nutbean

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.

made me laugh....

or Sir Humphrey Appleby

Do you want to add Russel Howcroft to the list as well.. I have no idea if he was a success or not but he was certainly in the same field.

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.

disturbing.....

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.

Why on earth any player in any team in the league would need a educational session about drugs with what has unfolded with Essendon is simply beyond me. ( the education session should go something like this - "good morning players. Essendon. That's all. The end")

I think that Tom McDonalds kicking has been problematic but for the very reason stated the he does take the game on and kick forward which is always a more difficult proposition than chipping back and across to a man by himself. I don't want to see him stop running forward and taking the game on purely because he fluffs the odd disposal.

spot on - unless our footballers deliver improvement season on season - we will be cellar dwellers.

I have been on record as showing some sympathy for the Essendons players ( not the admin and the coach - they should get banned for ever) - I won't rehash that - what I also said that what happened at Essendon has changed the landscape forever. No player should ever take anything whatsoever unless they can unequivocally answer the question - is this ASADA/AFL approved. On what I have read, Crowley gets no sympathy from me at all due to his unbelievably stupidity of taking nothing from the Essendon saga at all.

Brett Lovett was a most unlikely looking footballer ( too fat, too slow and too short) - if his son is half the footballer he was then we will have an absolute pearler on our hands.

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 !

spell chekc is my best friend.