Hannabal

I'm possibly going mad, but Demonland 4 which I created doesn't appear as one of my leagues any longer. It was full yesterday, but seems to have vanished. Can someone that joined this league let me know if it has disappeared for them too ?

Four spots remaining.

Code: 224561 Demonland 4 Seven spots left.

I started my team a few weeks before the comp opened using Monty's FanFooty website. Like you it's changed on a daily basis ever since, but I haven't made one change since last Friday. The trigger finger is still itchy, but I've just got to have faith with my plan and judgment. Filling fast - 6 spots taken with 10 left. Snoopster, Supercoach just isn't my game. Thanks anyway.

Excellent ! Perhaps some of our other old foes can renew acquaintances ? If you need any help feel free to pm me your team. I haven't changed my team since Friday, so am pretty much locked and loaded.

Goodvibes league is now full. I've started Demonland 4. Ideally I'd like decent Dreamteamers, as I don't like taking candy from a baby. My name: Franger Banger B) Code: 224561

For me that was virtually a faultless report, as I had identical views on just about every player. I only differ a little on Gysberts. I liked his game today and he got quite a lot of it in difficult conditions and reduced minutes. He tackled well and got lots of first possessions. You're right in that he will enjoy having better teammates by his side. And yes, he does need to bulk up a bit. Wonaeamirri mildly hurt his shoulder in the third and was off for ten minutes while they taped it up. He came back on and it didn't seem to effect his play. He looked pretty good actually and appeared trimmer. Casey isn't the easiest ground for viewing. I left at 3/4 time.

That's a very silly statement. Who has played the game like Franklin ? Who has played the game like Riewoldt ? Who has played the game like Lockett ? They're all different. I expect to be saying "who has played the game like Watts ?". The point being that Watts doesn't need to play the game like anyone before him. But he does need to be able to take contested marks in the forward line to become a star. Goals win matches. And I'm not "demanding" anything. Watts hasn't even turned 20, let alone "21". But I am giving you a history lesson.

Yes, he's the one. Say hi to him too. Started in '73 and finished in '87. He became a bona fide star in the late 70's, which is 30 odd years ago. Who said that they expected a star performance today ? Are you reading between invisible lines ?

If we end up with 3 bona fide stars of the competition then you'll see flags. I've seen one bona fide star at Melbourne in my lieftime, so 6 in the one team would be incredible and highly unlikely. To win a flag we'll need roughly 10 players to become genuine A graders in that flag year. I say "that year" because a player can slip out of A grade status quickly.

Every key forward star I've ever seen in the AFL has been fantastic by the age of 21. That doesn't mean that they didn't continue to improve, but they were border line star by 21. Kernahan, Carey, Lockett, Brown, Riewoldt, Brereton, Lloyd, Franklin to name a few. I expect Watts to be at worst a very good player, but naturally I'd prefer a star. But typical of Melbourne supporters you'll make every excuse under the sun to protect expectations. He'll show quite a bit this year. He needs to. 2012 will be his real test.

Absolutely. This club hasn't had a genuine AFL star for 30 years. When you're afforded pick one in the draft there are no guarantees, but rest assured the club knows we needs stars and the expectation is that you'll get one with pick one. Not too hard to comprehend is it ?

Watts doesn't look close to taking contested high marks in the forward line. He struggles to get in the right position and ends up flinging one arm in the air in a forlorn attempt. I want Watts to be a star. He was recruited to be a star. Until he's able to take strong contested overhead marks against good opposition he won't come close.

One swallow doesn't make a summer, but I just loved his kicking, the way he moved, the increased intensity and defensive pressure, his build, and I forgot to mention his really good pace. But despite all of that glowing reference, at the end of the day I'd need to see efforts like that against quality opposition to get too excited. Also, Lawrence can't kick. Martin can't mark overhead. I don't rate him at all.

Blease only played a half, but had a lively first quarter with quite a few possessions, so I'm not sure where the "just a couple of kicks" report came from. He's clearly being groomed for a role in the backline this year. Moloney banged it long to no-one. Ordinary skills in the first half, but some excellent passages of play in the second. Watts did OK, but never looked like taking an overhead grab in the forward line. He made 3 disposal errors (got smothered by Bail, short kick went over leading players head on the wing, another dropped short of leading player), but also did some nice things. Nothing to write home about, but it's just an early scratch match. By the end of the game he'd had a fair bit of it. Scully and Bail went head to head for much of the game. Both got a fair bit of it. Some of Scully's inside handballs wouldn't get noticed by some. By the end of the match Bail must have had leather poisoning. Trengove worked his way into the match nicely. I love this bloke. I often saw Scully and Trengove waxing. Evans showed class. I really like the look of Howe. Grimes played well and used really good pace on occasions. Nicholson looked like a neat left footer. Sylvia was terrific despite a couple of rusty mistakes. Maric was busy, but doesn't enthrall me. I still can't see him as best 22 despite the obvious effort and strong preseason. Others may disagree. He makes too many mistakes. Morton is definitely filling out. He has that wiry frame, but his upper body has definitely got bigger. Did ok. My last comment is for Strauss. He was the highlight of the game for me. He was terrific, especially in the second half. He's a very strong unit now and his kicking was a delight - short or long. I'd almost written him off due to a lack of intensity, but he was great today. He linked up well with good handball, ran off opponents, made space and didn't miss a target. He even got a good hardball and dished off to Scully in the backline. Contested ball hasn't been a forte of his. There's a spot on a half bank flank if he wants to claim it. He'd make us a significantly better team if he can fulfill his talent. It's only one game, but if he played like that every week he'd be a lock in the best 18. No doubt other reports will be at odds with mine as supporters often have a very different take on things.

There are degrees of everything and in the main you're stating the obvious. Players are very well treated at most clubs and it's rare for them to leave for money.

Firstly, clubs don't owe players anything. And the right decision was made on MacDonald. The clubs best interests are paramount. And of course Scully was taken out of self interest. It doesn't matter. He's been given an opportunity by the MFC and most characters worth their salt would feel obliged to repay that faith and investment. Clearly you think differently. Generational I suspect.

Yes he does. The club bestowed a huge honour upon him and have invested greatly in his development. Players usually form an intense bond with their teammates with whom they do battle. They're on a journey together and it's very unusual for a quality young player to leave unless they want to go home to their original state. This would be the first time I can remember that a regular and important young member of a team has left purely for coin. The closest is Mumford, but he wasn't getting a game. EDIT: Gold Coast not withstanding - but no young player of Scully's quality and shortness of tenure. Blease and Scully are best mates and one would hope that friendships play a consideration, but I've no idea what Scully is like and he may be an unusual cat. Considering that he'll make huge money at Melbourne over his career it would be a very ordinary decision from a very ordinary young man.

I must say that I disagree with many views on here. There's a tone that Scully should take the money if it's true. I don't share this view. He'd be an utter dog, imo.

There's no doubt that the jungle drums are beating. My Brother listed a property for sale a few weeks ago and the vendor told him that Scully had signed with GWS during their recent window. Apparently a player agent had told him. This client is a Melb supporter. That said, it was reported that Andrew Swallow had been signed, on radio it was stated as a "done deal", and 48 hours later he re-signed with the Roos. I doubt he'll go and he'll be an unbelievable mercenary if he did, but I'll be somewhat chearful when I hear the news he's staying. Those that are completely dismissive of the prospect will probably be right, but I don't share their dismissive tone.

I love Grimes, but he missed targets today and I was a bit disappointed as I don't like mistakes - ever (as opposed to the glowing praises by a previous poster). Jurrah's wierd cousin turned up today (as opposed to the glowing praises by a previous poster), but have no concerns as he has days like this. Scully had a bad day for him. Yes he was pretty good and I have enormous manlove, but he missed a mark when he should have gone harder and made a couple of uncharacteristic errors (as opposed to the glowing praises by a previous poster). Trengove was my standout. I just love him as a player. He's underrated by some around here who question his speed. His smarts, balance, disposal and decision making were exceptional (except a poor kick into the man on the mark - Jurrah) Gysberts didn't complete the session, but was terrific. He's a very composed and smart footballer that has the ability to find the ball, which is very underrated. I love Bail and the love continues to grow. His kicking has improved immensely, he's quick, and makes good decisions. Watts trained very well. He knows he's now the main man and training like it. He needs to get bigger physically, but he's more confident and asserting himself. Cook did a couple of nice things. Strauss kicked really well and is noticeably stronger. Got caught as mentioned earlier, but looked far more confident. I'm not a fan as his intensity has been well below par, but I hope he makes it as his skills are excellent. It's in the mind with Strauss. Jetta trained well. I wouldn't have mentioned him as I don't consider him best 22, but he really is a good footballer. He lacks pace and tricks, but for a small he leads well and definitely has ability. Garland was very good. Fast and smart. There were far too many smothers by the man on the mark, but in general the skills were good. I've seen McKenzie train better. All in all they were pretty good with pretty high skill. And don't take too much notice of training reports as we all see things differently. Finally, as I said to my Brother, I bet many of the people at training were Demonland posters. [censored], you're an ugly bunch. Eat less.

The match is for the players and coaches, not for the fans. The club will always try to accommodate its supporters, but on this occasion due to the NAB Cup scheduling and the condition of Casey Fields it won't suit all supporters. So put the tissues away and try a dose of perspective.

The only training session I've seen this year was today, but he didn't present with the midfielders, rather the forwards. Rightly so. He's no onballer and is average overhead. What he does have is x-factor, and he's a difficult matchup. I've gone from writing him off to recognising that he can have a role.

Fair enough, I only saw him drop one, but it's difficult when one is browsing 40 players. I liked many of the things he did today and I've seen enough to know that for his size he's actually quite strong overhead. I'm more interested in his intensity, running patterns, involvement, kicking, etc, than a few spilt marks.

It's funny how we can see things differently. I thought that Maric and Morton were standouts today. I didn't see every single play they made and there may have been the odd mistake in terribly difficult windy conditions, but they both ran and tackled very well at great pace and were heavily involved in all drills. Some players like Sammy Blease have great skill, but struggle with their positioning and getting their hands on the footy. Morton and Maric didn't have these issues and Maric's second efforts and kicking were highlights. Morton must be 195cms now. There was virtually no difference in height with he and Watts. Watts would have been at best 1 cm taller. Morton is training with the mids and could be a real weapon with his improved marking, endurance and decent legspeed. Maric trained with the forwards and there's no doubt that Grimes will once again play in defence. There was much love from one poster about Jones, but his kicking skills let him down today, but as I said, the conditions were very difficult. Gysberts didn't train a full session, but he did take part in some of the early drills. The only knock I have on him is the occasional kicking error, but today his passing was pinpoint, as acknowledged a couple of times by supportive teammates. Trengove looked great today. We know that he doesn't have express pace, but he's not slow and his skills are superb. He has a real footy brain and is starting to build an impressive physique. Scully was Scully. McKenzie was very good. He's just getting better and better. As his confidence grows so will he as a player. Tapscott didn't do full training, but he did do the drill with the handball nets at each end and I really liked what I saw. Clean skills, good positioning, and great kicking. Nicholson is fast with class. He's training with the backs and looks a find. I also liked the look of the ginger, Cam Johnson. I wouldn't be writing off Fitzpatrick. His kicking had improved markedly from what I saw last year. Max Gawn moves like a midfielder for such a tall. Jurrah's body is sometimes occupied by a wierd cousin that makes him look the opposite of the freak we regularly see, but it was the real Jurrah today. No fumbling, good hands, and superb kicking. There are varying reports that he's 188cms (MFC website) and 191cms. He stood right next to Bate during pretraining stretching and there was no difference in height, if anything, he was a fraction taller. So let me put paid to any doubt, he's at least 191cms as Bate is listed at 192. I also liked the look of Troy Davis. In one of the simulations he was paired with Frawley in defence and he looked very sure. He made good decisions, moves well and showed decent skills. Frawley was great. One always feels comfortable with the ball in his hands. I like Bail as a footballer. His pace and determination are assets. So yeah, I disagree with a couple of earlier reports.