Ouch!

so you know how all the other young prospects around the country went this weekend? Sorry, but making these statements in isolation from one game doesn't mean a lot. It looks like a solid game don't get me wrong, and he's a quality player, but lets wait a little to see the pecking order of the players that will be seen in the 2012 draft.

Just sitting down and watching the Geelong v Saints game, and noticed Nigel Lappin at half time. I know people have commented about someone like Ling (I am probably on record saying that I wouldn't mind him) What are people's thoughts on someone like Lappin who played 270 odd games, played in three premierships, has been at Geelong as an assistant since 2008, so has been involved in a few premierships as an assistant coach. Obviously all hypothetical at this stage, but if an experienced midfield coach is being sought, he might be as good as most going around at the moment.

See... this is the bit that for me is like the proverbial needle in a haystack, or the smoking gun. I just can't see it appearing.

and THIS comment is the crux of it. This is AD's definition of tanking. I believe his view is that if the players are throwing it, or the coach is intentionally instructing the player not to win then THAT is the definition of tanking!!!

Agree, It's too early to say, but I think Whitfield and Toumpas could easily end up 1 and 2 in the draft, Grundy might go 2, but could also slide as far as Port. PS just on the leadership thing, wasn't Viney captain of SA for the under 16s carnival?

Oh now thats harsh Billy! You'd be the sorta person that would be great to line up on the other side of the net when spiking the ball. I'd apologise afterwards of course!

Actually think you could see some of the higher placed clubs trade a player and a lesser pick and for it to be seen as more valuable in the eyes of GWS this time round. Bullies isn't a ridiculous notion either Olisik. Can see that occuring as well.

That and they used a lesser pick in a weakened draft to secure "potentially' a better player in O'Meara last year.

PSD Binman? Don't think he has to nominate for the national draft, just the PSD which means either GWS or GC could get him that way doesn't it?

Haha very true.... I just can't stand "The weapon" crap...

ahhh rightio

I am thinking Carlton. Moreso because I don't mind Ratten and don't think he deserves to lose his coaching role. (That and I hate Hird, Thomson, and the Weapon!)

Sorry Thomo, I think Rudeboy at the moment is worried about Liam and his welfare and well being. I have no doubt that would involve working with the MFC, and our welfare manager... not Eddie or the CFC. Any discussion of collingwood is a bit far fetched and even if he wished that it could happen, he would have to convince Liam, then trade rules have to be complied with, so without free agency, he would be required to go through the draft or pre season draft, and I don't think thats an easy path (especially given his next appearance in court is October isn't it??) It's an interesting conspiracy though. In relation to PaulRB... are you referring to the comment made by Neeld that it's unlikely he will play for the Dees this season? if so I think thats pretty apparent given he has played one game, and his fitness base is pretty low. That and the fact there are only 3 games left, the last being an interstate trip to Freo that you would not risk underdone players would you?

Sorry I know that. My point (perhaps not super clearly stated) was that Swift wasn't a star, who was hit down with injury only to come back as a gun player (See Joel Selwood, Darling, etc) 34 unforgettable games in 4 years?

Thats the point I was almost about to make. Darling's last junior year was nothing special compared to the year before... ... but then again the same can't be said for Tom Swift and how he has progressed...

A lot of people seem to think that GC will go around again in the mini-draft. I am not totally convinced that they will, There would be a fair amount of pressure on Guy McKenna to get some results in this third year, so deferring a quality player by on trading pick 2 seems a little unlikely to me. (Also need to bear in mind they need to reduce the numbers on their list further too.) Also I wonder if GWS might use a slightly different approach themselves with regards to the mini draft and perhaps look at trying to getting a package with a mature player in from another club in return for a pick in the mini draft. I am not sure if they will try the same tactic they did this year with Junior, Power and Brogan.... Anyway, just a thought I had...

Riiiiight, good luck with that. Seriously doubt he will be there at 13. No doubt the club has had enough of Blease and Strauss.

Must admit I have liked the sound of Stringer from what I have read about him. and I'll be interested to see where he goes in the draft, it doesn't sound likely that he would slide to our mid round pick, So depending on what happens with Jack Viney, then one of the picks 3 and 4 will no doubt be a midfielder, but the question is what happens with the other? is it Grundy if he is still around? a smaller forward/mid like Ben Kennedy or a player like Stringer who looks like he could hold down a similar role to Jack Darling (looking at size and weight) but perhaps ultimately moving into a midfielder role.

It's actually something I thought about for a while too (Jolly's reference to missing culture at the MFC) It's a damning statement, as TBH it suggests that MFC at the time had a very poor culture in terms of looking after young players, or indeed it's so unforgettable / non existant that he truthfully can't comment. There are several aspects of the MFC that are rock bottom, ... lets look at next year for some improvement, and the years afterwards, it's only then we can see if the changes made in 2012 were the catalyst.

Nah thats a pretty fair assessment, I agree it's hard to assess Trengove and Grimes, especially in this first year. Both players are around the 50 game mark, whilst neither has set the world on fire on the field, they haven't been terrible either. Just looking at basic stats will tell you that they are both high up on possessions etc. Not great, but not as terrible as a lot of people make it out to be either. Off the field is the bit that none of us would have a clue about. But given what has been thrown at our club all year, they have done a decent job... and it will take several years before we see results.

Oh bugger well thanks for that....

So Billy, do you think Grimes and Trengove are closer to creating a culture ... or maybe a positive culture than our previous leadership group? after seeing whats on offer for 2012? . I guess also to that extent, could our previous leadership group have turned around the culture of the club to make it remotely like the famed 'Bloods' Sydney player culture?

You have almost 2 pages of people saying that they value Rivers and what he brings to the club yet you still try to push an agenda he is no good, likely to be playing the VFL, and Joel MacDonald is the person to displace him from the side... Whilst I don't know whether I admire your determination, or pity your stubbornness, I do know one thing... This topic does not deserve another poll!!!!

.... you reckon his leadership ability would make up for the 5cm he is apparently lacking then?

So Jnrmac, Totally agree in extending this to the MFC in it's current state. A chance to create a club culture from scratch, with 'untainted' players driving this change? As you mentioned, two very young leaders in Grimes and Trengove, Clark in his first year from another club, and only Jones being retained from the old leadership group, it's a very big statement, and was viewed as harsh, and perhaps it was, but maybe it was also very necessary as well. With Trengove, Grimes, Clark, Jones etc... we have a group of players that must attempt to adjust the culture at the MFC to where it needs to be. In regards to Col, I kinda agree with the sentiments of THBT in that not every player has to 'drive' the culture of the club, but they have to be accountable. Dane Swan is a good example. Fantastic player, and probably a great guy to have around the club, but he will always need to be kept in check. What he does bring to the club is personality, which I think is something that gets suppressed all to often these days. Sylvia is probably the closest player to our list to Swan (except in the fact that he hasn't reached his potential) (This last bit is for RPFC) Footy skills and height aside, I have heard, and believe Jack Viney is rated one of the drafts best prospects in terms of leadership, and you would expect him to both thrive in a good footy culture, but equally would be one of the players that could serve to reinforce culture as required too. Grimes was seen in a similar fashion when we drafted him....