Johnny Grogunn

Jack Watts needs to learn to take marks in his hands. I can't believe the forwards coach hasn't taught him that. He dropped two chest marks that quarter due to gving his opponent the opportunity to make body contact and spoil.

Perhaps it reflects your age, but I loathe Essendon, even more than Carlton, and much more than Collingwood. I wasn't alive in '58, but those who were and have related the details do so with rage. To me, it sounds like the tactics used in the GF 2000. What happened to Greeny and Simmonds were a disgrace and I'll never forget it. In my living memory, the last three decades, we've beaten Collingwood when we're better than them and a few times won (or gone down by a bee's) when we clearly weren't. Beating Carlton in the finals in 2000 was one of the great days ever. But Essendon, they've destroyed dreams. Obviously, the Grand Final in 2000, just the way they went about it was revolting. If Michael Long's name ever comes up in conversation I'll slag him. Dean Wallis ditto. Elimination Final 2004, when they won by 5 points in the dying minutes, after Nicho ran over the ball. F#%$^@^&**@@!!! Daniher's farewell game in Round 13 2007, ball goes over the pack and Lucas kicks a goal to give them a 2 point win. C$#*@$^@#@!@!! Round 6 1992 at the 'G: up by 8 goals and lost by a point. J$#@!%!! Dirty play with the umps kissing their arses, their arrogant supporters thinking their thugs are golden boys, it's enough to make your stomach churn. I'm praying they're the Richmond of the next two decades. Yes, I hate Carlton, but that's primarily based on the arrogance and corruption of the Elliott era and the perpetual smugness of the supporter base. For me, Essendon's loathesomeness is endemic in every level of that club. I'm no big fan of Hawthorn or North either, the thought of Wayne Carey and Jamie Shanahan by themselves in the back half of the MCG still gives me the willies.

Absolutely. Tom's all about being the best he can be, and I'd think playing AFL in 2011 with a team his future lies with, minus the negative speculation, would be the best recipe for that.