PaulRB

Sure its general to all threads and the many discussions on here where there is insufficient data to actually conclude. So the situation with Jack is we don't know a fair amount about where he's at, his ceiling, his role and ability to perform that role, and how it will turn out. So there's a debate, yadda yadda, that's what we're here to engage with. But then someone turns a opinion based on "we don't know" into a campaign to somehow prove their point... they claim to "know" when they don't know and insisting they are right, and that's where their intention becomes revealed. I'm comfortable with all of the above stuff until its becomes clear that the intention being pushed is actually detrimental, disrespectful and nasty toward the player, the person we are discussing. Jack T is a former captain of the club during a woeful time and from all accounts a dedicated, professional person who has relentlessly pursued his rehabilitation and earned his spot in our team. To push a line as you (and others) have that he's never going to make it, when we don't know, is ugly to me and why I responded as I did.

I think to write off and make questionable absolute (negative) claims about a player whose been out of the game for two years and playing AFL level for just three games, says more about you and your need for attention, then it does about Jack. Given where Jack's come from to even play at AFL level this year, ahead of schedule, is a testament to his capacity to work on his body to get it right. I'll back Jack's ability to continue to develop himself and play AFL footy over your cheap point scoring with insufficient data and knowledge.

For a player of his talents he's yet to stamp himself decisively on a win, yet to generate the acclaim or acknowledgement that his talent should demand. It appears that hes previously been content to be a contributor rather than a dominator and leader. But he's improving with age and becoming an elder player in a young group, and a game bursting performance now feels more likely than ever before.

There's a particular Demonland experience when you start reading a thread because you're interested in the topic, you read a couple of pages to the end and you think why am I reading that?, where am I? did I click into the wrong thread or is the site broken?... An then remember you're on Demonland...

How fun is it hearing the Bummers whine about being pushed around by the mighty Demons. Ha ha ha suck it up Dons...

Hopefully we learnt our wet weather footy lesson versus Hawks a fortnight ago... Move it forward relentlessly, ease off the finesse, and play in front.

We don't have the picks to get Dion and Hibberd, unless we get Hibberd as a uncontracted free agent... Whod be preferred of those two, if we had to choose?

I suspect we are a lot more interested in Hibberd if we can get him as a free agent, and our public comments are our first steps in acquiring him as a free agent. ideally for both MFC and EFC the AFL will see a stouch brewing over Hibberd walking to the Dee's and offer the Dons picks as compo based on contract we do for Hibberd. Weve started it now so it's clarified prior to the brief trading window... Maybe.

Are we allowed to "entice" a targeted Dons player to walk to the Demons for free, rather than via a trade? I.e. Offer Hibberd 550k p.a. if comes via trade OR $600k p.a. if he walks and we get him for nixs?

I reckon we'll be pretty happy to make it work for us when we're a top 4 team pressing for a flag (or two)... As we move into being a regular finals team the free agency tide will swing in our favour.

Yeeessss! Let the breeding program begin... http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-national-womens-league-the-carlton-star-with-a-fatherdaughter-hope-20160615-gpjdlm.html "And the AFL has indicated it will introduce a father-daughter rule, which would operate in a similar way to the father-son arrangements." A mother-son rule can't be too far off the cards, and we MFC supporters are a patient lot.

Do we get preference in recruiting the sons of 100+ game women? and visa-versa (daughters of 100+ game men)? Please.

The average age/experience of the top teams really highlights that if we can keep this team together and developing over the next two years, we should evolve into something special as our boys age and gain experience.

It's taken 3 years to climb from last to the edge of the 8. Realistically it will be 2-3 more years to reach the pinnacle, then 3+ years to try and snag a few flags. If Hogans up for it he'd be looking at 5+ years.

It's hard to gauge given our form oscillations earlier in the year. But of the current top 8 teams we've played, we knocked off GWS, and pushed the Kangas and Hawks. So we might be a chance against a wounded or napping top 8 team, if we can consistently string together our best for a month or three. Which, having just said it, feels unlikely. But you never know. Big game vs Swans, must win some of these against the odds to stay in touch and build confidence and form.

Jack is primed for big game! Relishes the challenge and knows to hate the old foe in his DNA...

I'd assume with Garlett's omission to has to do with adherence (or not) to non-negotiable team rules around structure or contested ball, and form.

I have to say that I've used the shift of footy to Foxtel, to watch less footy and do other stuff with my time. I watch Melbourne games live or on Foxtel at the pub. Otherwise I rarely watch other teams play footy.

I like Hunt as well. I think if Melksham and Lamumba were holding down the HBFs then Hunt would have been groomed and come in on the wing...

I think losing Melksham, the form fall of Dunn and injury to Lamumba has robbed us of a lot of experience and leadership in the backline. The result of this is OMac, Hunt and Wagner have had to step up earlier in their development than would have been planned for.

Without knowing the answer to the Dawes Vs Pedersen riddle, I'd suggest that Dawes plays the role he's given in the team more consistently than Pedo, which has multiple benefits for the team beyond what he actually does with the ball. All the players repeat the mantra "just play my role" (Trenners said this multiple times in his press conference earlier in the week). Given we don't know the detail of what these roles are that players are being trained and asked to play in the team, its very hard to discern and judge if they are adhering to them, or not. But, for what its worth, I suspect Dawes does it better than Pedo.

Great news! I'm up for and excited about Saturday now! Bring on the Hawks!!!

Not clairvoyant, but we've been touching our toes for the [censored] Hawthorn [censored] football club since the eighties... Can't see things been different this week, sorry, would love to jump on the "yes we can" express this week. Glad I'm not clairvoyant as I reckon, as Keating once famously said, we're about to have "the recession we had to have", unless some of the older overpayed players pull their fingers out ASAP and come back into the AFL team blazing and we can stop relying on kids in their first 50 games, winning it for us, against the reigning premier...