Moonshadow

Agreed IDIG, there should be a balance between where players want to go and what trades the clubs want to do.

You sure know how to spice up a story Biff. Keep stewing it up!

'Doctor' Biffen to you chook

Affray. Goes back to court March 20.http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbournes-jeff-garlett-to-fight-affray-charge-20141103-11g39n.html Are any of the legal eagles on here able to tell us how serious this charge is and what are the likely consequences?

March 2015

From what I've heard Jazzy O your Bristol Cities are faaaaaaaaar bigger than BBOs. But I reckon BBO would want a lot more than nothing separating his from yours.

Very funny! http://youtu.be/9iUbEIbcuE4

Interesting. I've heard he had the same skin infection on the palm of his right hand.

I'm taking a stab in the dark Dr Gonzo and guessing that like me, you've not been following all other teams training reports this pre season. In which case we are estimating 2015 ladder up and down movements based upon last year and perhaps the year before's results/form. In that case, logic says we'll be bottom two in 2015. I can only see a handful of clubs performing worse than us this year and most teams will improve, because that's the way the competition is heading. I'm finding it impossible to guess, but still excited for the year ahead like I am every year. It will be interesting to revisit this thread mid year to see who's closest to the pin.

I'm going to be the devil's advocate here. It might sound simplistic to say, but if we are improving, so too must nearly all other teams. The standard of the competition gets better and better each year (whether you like the way the game is heading is another matter). I find it impossible to think that other, higher resourced clubs are not also improving at the same or better rate than we are. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to read reports the club is now run professionally and training standards are on the rise. I just find it a tad early to make realistic predictions because I think that there are about 12 clubs which should be improving as well, and they all finished higher than us last year. Sorry to rain on anyone's parade.

Very happy when I read the Queensland training reports, they were excellent.

Scott Watters didn't help one bit either.

I think we will be the new Port!

Without 4 strikes.

No one has a problem with a supporter approaching a player. Every issue with over inflating your ego by acting like you're their mate and using that to diss others.

Sorry mate, I didn't mean to say that you said all. But what you say reeks of broad, sweeping statements that are just not accurate. To say that those who don't get paid much would be happy to play elsewhere and that being traded wouldn't bother them too much is just not true. I know a number of recent fringe players who have been on afl lists who went back to suburban comps rather than move interstate to keep in the system. And I've heard of many, many more. The average is four games per AFL listed player... four games. And to say that players have all the power and the clubs have nothing is borderline hyperbole. Have a look at this list from 2014 and tell me how many of these players had power over their respective clubs... http://www.afl.com.au/news/features/retirements-and-delistings

That is music to my ears. Senior players demanding higher standards is pivotal to our improvement. Thanks again wayne.

Great reports Wayne. Much appreciated.

So what if we trade a player after 5 years? Can he leave his next club after 6 years as a FA having been there for only 1 year? The second club might find that to be a disincentive. I think there will a number of grey areas re trading players against their will that may need to be dealt with on a case by case basis. Interesting the idea of players being contracted by the AFL rather than by clubs. Could this be seen as further centralising power to the AFL and removing club control?

Your first paragraph assumes a fantastic salary, great perks and celebrity status are the norm and indeed what every player desires. Not sure that is the case IDIG. My understanding is the average AFL player plays just 4 senior games. I could be a bit out on that number though. I would have thought that most AFL players want to play in the seniors regularly, play finals footy and play with their mates. Obviously if they do this the money they earn will increase.

Not just European soccer bing. I know a kid who plays footy for Calder Canons and he told me about half the list were let go in his age group at the end of the season. Something about identifying talent early and continually searching for new talent to replace old. Not uncommon in TAC apparently, but someone on here that knows more than me can add further to this. He was kept on and made VC and considered himself one of the lucky ones. Very humble kid, very talented footballer too.

Love ya work Bruiser. Can you come down and do the Goschs sessions in future please?

I believe they are referred to in footy speak as the old man's injury. Very hard to shake off when a player gets older as you say red.