Ouch!

IF they make finals I don't think the outcome of this case will have any bearing on whether they can play finals or not. Judge Middleton is expected to take a couple of weeks deliberation, at which case if it goes against EFC and Hird, then the SCNs are 'activated' again as such, and I thought that the players had X amount of time to respond at that point. Pretty certain their season would be over by then. I think they have just delayed... and magnified the amount of pain that they as a club are going to experience fairly soon...although I like many just want this whole thing done and dusted!

In: Grimes, Cross, Salem Out: McKenzie, Terlich and Bail.

What are list sizes these days? 38 players? ROK could easily fit onto our list, if he is good enough to make his way into our best 22 is another thing entirely, but if the body is sound, he might add significant value to the club in terms of training standards, assisting younger players on the list playing down at Casey etc. He is said to be a consumate professional in regards to preparation etc similar to Crossy, and people are moaning cos he can't get a gig in the Sydney best 22? Seriously? I doubt if 5 of our players would get a spot in the best 22 at Sydney. I don't think age is an issue, if the body is sound, the player and club is willing, and he can play a role then I don't think it's such a stupid call for 1 year contract.

Byrnes didn't have the impact on our team (in a gameday sense) that we as supporters, the MFC as a club or even he as a player would have expected, but as to whether that means he he has had an influence on younger players learning how to train, prepare for games, and all of the other things that happen behind the scenes at a football club? So to say that he enjoyed the cheque effectively for nothing is in bad taste. I suspect that he has probably been more influential off the field due to the fact that he has been injured than we would suspect... especially if as the article on afl.com.au suggests that Byrnes wants to look at a career in coaching after playing, and the club is going to allow him to develop his skills in this area for the remainder of the season... it's not as if he spent the last 2 years on his playstation!!

Sorry guys, perhaps I am not being clear, this isn't about me saying Stone will make way, or that he isn't a crucial part of the coaching staff. I am trying to say do we know how this senior assistant would fit into the coaching team? and is it possible that Stone intention all along (as worked out with Paul Roos and the club) was to come down for a year or two just to set things right before retiring and handing over his duties to this senior assistant? The thing is that we are all very much so concerned with whether Paul Roos is signing for 2 or 3 years, that we might not be aware of the other aspect to the appointment that *could* be that Stone was ALWAYS planning to be here for a year or two max whilst the senior assistant is actually found. Wasn't Stone going to retire before Roos convinced him to come to the Dees?

Not disagreeing with you, but the question still remains about whether the Senior assistant is a new coach that we are adding to the current coaching group? or is it a replacement.

Nup I thought Brett Alison and Miller are head of development and development coach. Stone is looking after the midfield and strategy. Sharing the role in the midfiled coaching role with Ben Matthews

One part to all of this that hasn't really been discussed is that if we bring in a senior assistant next year, will this be an additional coach to what we already have? I would have thought that if we introduce another coach that it's likely that one of the existing coaches makes way, and if that were the case I have to wonder whether that means that George Stone, similarly to Roos, has only committed for a short term and at Roos really needed him for a year or so to get the boys back into shape until a senior assistant could be found, and then step away once this appointment is made. I can't think that any of our other coaches would be all that pleased to be moved on after only a year or so (given their age and that Stone was close to retiring when up at the Swans anyway I thought) ... would be a bit of a shame because I think Stone has been very well accepted by the club, players and supporters and he would definitely be missed.

Tapscott will be given more than one week, Roos won't drop him after one game, but I reckon he will be the sub. Roos and the coaches have made Tapscott, Blease and Michie earn their way back in on the back of 'form' in the VFL, and JKH and Michie I suspect will have another game in the VFL before being an option after the bye. My guess is Gawn, Blease and Kent as the I/C, with Blease and Kent told to leave nothing on the park with one to be subbed for Tapscott. Gawn to get a game because we will try and stretch their defence without Carlisle and Trengove, whether it works is another story.

Pretty certain Riley wasn't dragged as much as it was a pre-determined thing that he was playing 3 quarters in his first game back in senior ranks. Roos seems to be managing these younger players pretty carefully (Salem and JKH) and also Riley in coming back from a serious injury.

It's the inconsistency within games that gets to me... I don't have as much of an issue between games or within a round... but it seemed like different umpires ran out there in the second half

We currently have won 17 quarters this year.... 8th best team in terms of quarters which is pretty impressive too!

Whilst there is some truth to your words Akum, then the AFL still has an issue though because they are still not absolutely clear in their message to clubs out there on this. Accidental contact to the head is not permitted because we could potentially have lawsuits...if Georgiou had received a broken nose or was concussed and out of the game, why isn't Viney... or Lynch responsible for that. Also... if the bounce of the ball went to Viney and he had possession and this occurred, nothing would have come of it. You can tackle someone in this game and do spinal damage by driving them into the ground, but not make any contact with the head at all... or the person who comes in 2nd or 3rd can also do damage this way. I think that the AFL has got such an unclear message that it is trying to peddle and this makes people angry.

Umm... interesting no one has looked at the Tribunal show on the AFL site. Nathan Schmook sp? actually is saying that the reason it has gone to the tribunal is that under MRP laws that with the severity of the injury (Broken jaw) that they would not have had any other option than to give Viney 3-4 weeks, and by referring it to the tribunal that they can actually not charge him, or give him a more lenient penalty than they are forced to with the MRP laws itself. MRP has no discretion in how to assess an injury like this, but also with the bump and head high contact being stamped out of the game they basically have no other option but to refer it to the tribunal to determine. Maybe some truth in this?? dunno what people think on this.... http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-05-05/charged-round-seven

Sorry mate, wasn't having a go at you. I suspect the sheer number of people on the site excited by what was happening, and all these people clicking refresh to see the comments coming through just worked over the site a bit hard.

Whats the story with Roos having a coffee with Tex? surely thats a beat up? Mind you he's top mates with both Clisby and Vince and we have a bit of room in the cap... But surely Adelaide can't let another top line player slip away...

Yup... someone forgot to put the money in the meter, and the show went off air.... It would have come back sooner but Nasher only had notes on him, and had to run down to the milk bar to get some change.

Watts by a mile....

Still think a good comparison is Goddard http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-essendon-bombers--brendon-goddard He was slammed for the first five to six seasons for being a soft and unaccountable player... he eventually came good, this is Watts 6th season... fair enough to judge how he goes by the end of the season I think. He is also was a bottom age player when drafted too The spotlight on Watts is harsher due to the poor nature of the team in general in the time he has been at the club.... we have had a lot of players that seem to have struggled to be developed and the club hasn't seemingly improved... other teams managed to turn things around in a 3-5 year time frame and the performance as a whole is noticed rather than the efforts of the few. He looked good in the first couple of games, and had everyone excited and hoping this year would be the one that he could turn it around... a couple of average performances followed by a poor one and basically people are slagging him again.

I also think that Ports woes a couple of years back were on the back of some pretty crucial injuries and 'outs' for them. From memory Harlett, Gray and a couple of others were not significant factors, I also think that they recruited shrewdly in getting Schultz (2011?) and Monfries in 2012 when free agency came in. This is not to take away anything from their excellent turn around of form off the field and on field. But I don't think they were hugely terrible from a list perspective. But they were struggling with confidence and some key injuries.

In: Riley Out: Jetta I like Jetta, but as some have mentioned I think Riley is desperate to play, would love to see him and Viney in and under feeding out to Jones, Vince, and hopefully a more switched on Watts. Gawn I think will get another week @ Casey before coming in for the Dogs game next week.

Stupid thing was he then went on later to say that he could be back in a month... Only news that came out was that Josh Mahoney and all key players are going to sit down to sort out the best way forward for Jesse... Which I guess isn't really that surprising Wish the kid all the best, rotten luck for him, and just want him fit and firing... If that's this year great... If not then so be it!

Fair enough question... I personally don't think 1 BOG justifies promotion, I would prefer that players are consistently BOG for several weeks and bashing the door down to get selected for the seniors, that being said, I would also like the senior players to be playing at a sufficient enough level to warrant their spots to ward off young kids from taking their places. Roos has consistently said that we shouldnt expect to see these kids in the seniors in their first year, as it was his intention to educate these kids in the VFL sufficiently that they would be prepared to come into the AFL and not be out of place.... and 3 rounds in the VFL doesn't seem enough. I know Roos also said that age would not be a factor as well...but still. BOG also doesn't translate to coming into the senior team to play a specific role... Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Salem come in and tear it up on the weekend! I just feel as though Roos is being somewhat disingenuous when he comments about how badly Watts and some of our other players were handled when they were young and not prepared, and yet Salem didn't get a full preseason in, and has played a handful of VFL games is coming in pretty early.

Certainly hope not OD! 16 weeks with you holding your breath might be fatal!

Personally think thats a crock OD. 6 years yes, but I don't think that his time under Neeld and possibly Bailey was well managed, I think Roos needs more than one pre season to get Watts into the shape that he needs to be. I have no doubt you will come back that I am just making excuses, but other than Jones none of our list has shown much... if any significant development in the last 3-4 years. Goddard was slagged off for the first 5-6 years for being soft and a wasted talent, he did eventually come good, Watts is similar to Goddard to me in this sense, and I think Watts still has several years of improvement in him. He is still a better player than those like NicNat, Kruezer and co..., that and the fact that he has shown the club loyalty and re-signed when he was being heavily courted last year means something to me also.