angrydee

As much as I hate the place, I shall be there. I thought we were certanties last week, but am not confident this week as I believe Hawthorn wish to make a statement this season (and preseason).

Those knocking his performance v maggies should have another look at his tackling and knock ons. His involvement created 6 scores and he consistently helped create space on the forward line. I suspect that was his role, which I have little doubt will change when Clark is back, and change again when Jurrah plays. As long as he pleases the coaches, he pleases me.

I was impressed by the fact that after they were headed they came back twice. Sellar is a terrific addition now that he's over his personal problems and that means there are now twin pillars in Clark and Sellar. Tommy Mc in 10 minutes took a pack mark, made a great spoil and chased a smaller opponent pressuring him into error. I expect him to have many more minutes in the next two games. Magner continued on from last week and Couch looked more comfortable. Nicho still can't kick and drops a couple of spots for mine. Bail, after some poor disposal, was working out the kinks as the game wore on. Martin will continue to get better and will provide x factor. Blease worked hard in the packs after he came on, but should have been there to crumb a couple of times arriving just too late. Sylvia was instrumental in most of our scoring. Watts worked hard and a couple of good handballs and knock ons led to scores - but he need to do more. Fitzpatrick was good and hunted the ball well. Loved Davis's work and Tynon was tough early before going off. Petterd will be tricky to match up on. Green looked his old self and Davey was lively until subbed off. All in all, although only a glorified practice match there was a lot to like - except for Joel MacDonald, who if his brain fades any further it will cease to exist.

Mate of mine is a member of Essendon's FD. Laughed his head off at the notion of Beamer at the dons.

As Neeld has stated that he sees these games as part of preseason training, I'm expecting a few surprises.

I can also confirm that Caddy will only go to Essendon. I know a few people at the club and they are in no doubt that he will play for them in 2013.

I was impressed with the way the players set up at stoppages. Both Bate and Green played well on the wing (and after what Neeld said on SEN this morning, I suspect Green will play most of the season there). Was impressed by Sellar and Tynan (particularly later in the day). Blease's pace was outstanding and he made mainly good decisions. The very short haired Nicho also showed great pace early but his disposal was poor. Bail kicked OOB on the full 3 times. Watts did not do enough, but what he did was 1st class, and Clark's leap is impressive. Morton was good and competed well. Joel Mac worked hard. Tom Mc did some really good things and slotted a nice goal. I did not like Davey's body language. Lawrence could be very good - showed good acceleration and tackled well. Dunn was also good. The usually reliable were reliable. The stanzas were pretty open except for the 3rd which was nearly all stoppages. As mentioned by others, the corridor was mainly neglected. I really wanted to see Magner play, but maybe next week. I am very excited about this year.

Was named today by Jade Rawlings in an interview on SEN as the most likely of the 'unknowns' to have an impact in the side this year. He also thought that Tynan would most likely play a few games.

I suspect that Sellar will surprise quite a few. His personal problems are now behind him (which obviously Craig knew - and he had left the club before Sellar was delisted) and he can start enjoying his footy again without the weight of too much expectation on him. I feel he may thrive with the demons.

Having sat through AGM's in the 70's, 80's, and the last two decades, I was more than happy with the way things went. We didn't have a president thanking wine companies for the product he had obviously been sampling for hours before the meeting; or one who refused to allow any questions. There was no bull, just that it's all about the future. Perhaps some people think we should have appointed a great public speaker as a coach, but I liked what I heard from the man who was appointed. I want the players to not die wondering. Redleg - you were there. You could have asked the questions that you wanted answers to. Why didn't you?

As above

I, too, think it's a good idea

Sellar is over the problems that beset him at Adelaide. Mentally he is in a different place, and I hope that means he's where he was as an under18 - happy and enjoying his footy again.

Totally agree

In one of his 1st interviews he said that one of his main functions was to ensure the coaching staff worked together cohesively as a team to ensure an elite program was delivered.

Wonderful! And in 64 it was just as good. I'd love to feel that again

Wooden spoon after wooden spoon would be karma. Not this.

Sitting behind the goals during the 1960 GF in the rain a seeing the b&w only kick 2 goals for the day.

It brought a smile to my face - and my partner called me grumpy old man less than half an hour ago.

Being an old fart 1. Bluey Adams 'cos he was my neighbour and would play kick to kick in the street with my mate and I. 2. Big Jim 3. Big Bob Johnson 4. Allen Jakovich 5. The Wiz 6. Robbie 7. The ox before he became the ox 8. Warren Dean 9. Rod Grinter 10. Sean Wight

'tis a shocking thing. Hopefully he will return bigger, stronger and better. Now another rookie will need to be be elevated.

The pieces of the jigsaw that Neeld inherited could be pretty good. I suspect that they were being joined incorrectly and the picture was turning out completely wrong. Neeld, with a few extra pieces, hopefully will join them into a wonderful panorama.

Won the Falcons B&F and finished 4th in the TAC goalkicking. A good get, IMHO.

Article by Caroline Wilson in today's broadsheet. And perhaps a front of jumper sponsor,

Fletcher Roberts - 3/6/93,195,84. Kicked 5 goals in the GF, missed a couple of sitters. Inside Football - "... an exciting player with a great football brain. He is a great decision maker, who hasn't had a preseason due to cricket commitments at Melbourne Grammar. Can play both ends in a Leigh Brown type role."