PaulRB

Depressing that 29 of our list are yet to play 50 games. With 19 of that number yet to play a seasons worth of AFL footy... A way to go.

If Wonna was serious about getting to the VFL to enable him to restart his AFL Career he'd pay the $10k himself...

It appears we have the pieces and with luck on the injury front and being able to realise the potential on the list we could surprise. And we'd have to be owed some luck. On the game plan, I'd think its three simple elements that well integrated are the basis for a rapid improvement in our fortunes: 1. Win stoppages and contested ball - the addition of Cross, Vince, Michie, and Tyson along with another year into Jack Viney, Matt Jones plus N Jones continuing means we should be solid around the ball, be able to hold our positions and exert more physical pressure in contested situations. Included here is improving our ruck situation with the emergence of the next No 1 ruck needing to happen (Gawn or Spencer). A 10-20% improvement in this area to start to break more even in this area is the key to improving our fortunes. 2. Spread, create space, get ball to outside mids - Jack Watts, Toumpass, Howe, Salam, Barry, Blease form a creative collection of skilled players who can break lines and deliver the ball. Improved stoppage and contested work sets these players up in space and on the move. This area should again improve us by 10+% for better feeds from the inside mids and better targets down field. 3. Forward options and marking power - not since the days of Neita and Swartz have we had the possibility of such a powerful marking forward line, Clark, Dawes, Fitzy, Howe and Hogan will provide headaches for many teams and great targets for outside mids to hit with precision, and inside mids to bomb to when the heat is on. Also allows us to work the ball up the boundary line (as the pies do at times with cloke) when we need to grind it out... As these three areas of our game improve, confidence will rapidly follow.

True re- Watts Fatigue, and understandable. Just have the feeling that Roos will get the best from Jack, and that Jack is ready and able to really hurt teams.

Jack Watts - Surprised he's yet to feature in lists. Can play forward, can play back, great kick and now physically able to impose himself. New coach bringing him into the midfield surrounded by solid in and under mids able to get the ball to him (and Toumpas) to deliver with precision into our forward line... He will tear teams up this year. Bernie Vince - Pride will be a big factor for Cross, Tyson and Vince, all discarded (traded) and with something to prove in 2014. Vince will hit the ground running and relish some big days in the spotlight on the G. Has all the tools and experienced enough to know how to turn it up... will kick goals and lift the team often. Max Gawn - The ruck position is up for the taking, with Jamar seemingly injury prone and in decline. Max has talked it up, but lacked the strength and stamina to match it with the true ruck monsters for the four quarters to date. The addition of Stafford indicates Roos wants improvement in this area. If Max can mature physically, team (80:20) with Clark/Fitzy, and at least break even in the ruck position we'll have a better year.

Its been too long for us, but Clubs tend to give their Premiership Captains the keys to the club. Essendon no different to us in this regard, i.e. Ron Barassi...

What happens when you have two bulls (Clark and Hogan) in a china shop!!??

Like ^^^ Meditation works to quiet the mind allowing better focus and intuitive action to rise... Might also help Jack to cope with vomiting "more in the next 3 months than he has in his life" hee hee hee Bring it on Roosy!

I reckon Terlich could evolve into a similar midfielder to Mitch Robinson. Attacking, physical, in your face...

If you look at Jeremy Howe, he was passed over in the 2009 draft, played a year at Dodges Ferry and then we pick him up at 33 in 2010. With Jayden Hunt we're looking to pick a player before they have to put in that extra year in the wilderness... GIven his underage background (i.e. equal to Kelly and Salam), growth spurt and injury, other focus in Tennis and school, plus families athletic culture, it would seem we have minimised the risk inherent with taking him early...

I loved his allusion to him and his mate watching "The Big Labowski" after he heard he was drafted. Boyle is the Dude!! The Big Lebowski: What makes a man? Is it doing the right thing? The Dude: Sure, that and a pair of testicles. The Dude: Yeah,well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

I reckon this is close to the mark. And the exciting thing is the calibre of the almost 5 new players in for 2014 Vs 3013: Clark, Hogan, Tyson, Cross, Vince. Plus ideally full season from Jamar and Dawes... Not to mention one of the players not selected, developing quicker than expected, i.e. Gawn, Michie, Evans, M Jones, Salem, JKH, Dunn, Tapscott, etc...

Key criteria seemed to be skilful kicks, line breaking and speed. Salam's left boot is a weapon (better than Freeman).

Hogan

From The Age "The 195cm, 18-year-old has been compared to Matthew Pavlich and Jonathan Brown." Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/jesse-hogan-must-earn-afl-spot-paul-roos-20131118-2xqan.html#ixzz2l4Rl4xQc

Agree Hogan, Howe and Watts rotating through middle / forward line would add a new dimension to both areas that may cause the opposition some issues...

As Mr Stone said in his interview (twice) we want to win more games (paraphrased)... Don't believe the spin, we've now got capable and professional men coaching the team, they will want wins.

If Hogan is instrumental in the MFC finally lifting the cup he'll have surpassed Nietz. We all live in hope.

I like that several of the players you list (Clark, Dawes, Tyson, Trenners) rely more on Misson and the health of their bodies than delivering on untapped or as yet unseen potential.

If Clark is running now why would he need more than 4 months to get fully match fit?

Roos has been around long enough to know us stupid fans are going to get over excited with over blown expectations come round 1. And smart enough not to feed it. He's our third coach in three years, FFS! "Under promise and over deliver" will be the mantra for 2014.

Comparing us with a top four side in Sydney was a bit distracting, I'd be keen to see how we compare to Richmond or Carlton. He also failed to note that we have a higher conversion rate once the ball is inside 50 than many teams, and with the addition of Clarke and Hogan this should rise further...

Exciting

Been reading about how excited we are about this young man, couldn't find his highlights, so... Feel free to add more...

Laidley or Williams.