Hannabal

No news there. It's well known that Bruce has often touched him up.

I doubt we'll have a representative. And I have no problem with that whatsoever. If they choose a second ruck then Jamar will get the nod.

That's great. He was beaten.

No, I simply watched the game. I wonder how we played our best game in years against the Swans without Juniors comforting "words".

Your avatar couldn't be more apt.

You're joking, right ? We won in spite of him.

True. It was the only time this year when Frawley has genuinely lowered his colours. Interesting to know who would take Riewoldt at pick 12 given what we know now ? The fact that we've got Watts developing means that the key back position is more important. And the fact that Frawley is already not far off the best defender I've seen at Melb is significant. That said, a Watts/Riewoldt forward line would have been something.

He did last weekend. If it wasn't for McDonald being the captain Trengove would have (and should have) played. I'd make this McDonald's last year. He's had a great year, but at 34 he shouldn't go on. Next year it's just going to get harder and harder to get games into Tapscott, Blease and Gysberts with McDonald demanding a game. The game can go past you pretty quickly and I don't want McDonald getting games at the expense of players that will be part of our next premiership. And I don't think that he'll be sorely missed.

Watts is naturally a very effusive fellow. My Brother was on the plane with the Melb team on the way back from Darwin. Jack walked down the aisle with a huge grin saying hello to all the passengers. It's just part of his makeup.

I agree. The MC erred by leaving Trengove out last weekend and it could have cost us the match. McDonald was woeful. He turned it over at every opportunity. Shocking decision to have Trengove running around at Casey. I'd drop Jurrah. He's as soft as butter and right now he's scared of his own shadow. When your natural disposition is on the timid side it doesn't help when you've had a shoulder reco. That said, I reckon he'll be back to his best next year. Obviously they won't drop the captain and I doubt they'll drop Jurrah.

Hazy ?

I'll put a bib on you and speak slowly. I never like the idea of giving a player just one game in the seniors if 1) it's a first gamer, or 2) a player that has battled hard to break into the side all year, got his chance and then performed well. Ergo, I don't like the idea of dropping Maric. But you'll also note that I listed 3 players from the team on the weekend that would be the first to make way - Maric, Bail and Johnson. Without hesitation I'd drop any one of them to recall a fit Trengove, McDonald, or Moloney. I also stated that I doubted all 3 of them would come up. I want the best players playing. And I don't believe in 'rests', unless it's really warranted.

I agree. And it's very 'Demonland' logic.

I really can't fathom why some are advocating that Trengove play for Casey. The thought makes me want to puke. He's already one of the fittest at the club and missing two weeks won't be an impediment, if anything it will have served to freshen him up. Along with a couple of others, he's the best chance this club has had in decades of producing a star of the competition, but some want him running around with Casey, because it's too hard, or unfair to drop others after a good win. You can't be serious. I want the best players running out for this club each week and already Trengove has shown that he's one of our most important players. I'll be astonished if he's not selected this afternoon.

I don't think that this argument always has basis. You're insinuating that we would have put up an even better performance with those players on the weekend, but I doubt it. It shows that we've got greater depth than years past, but we wouldn't have played any better against the Swans with the players you've named. We may not have even played as well. That said, typically, those players will make us a better team. In isolation not always.

Goodes beat Morton in numerous 'one on ones' and clearly beat him on the day. It's one thing to support your own, but another to distort the truth.

There'd hardly be a poster on this thread that wants to 'drop' anyone, but tough decisions will need to be made over the coming weeks with one eye on winning and one on development. That said, our class is the young developing players and they've earnt their spots. There's no way that I'd leave out Scully or Watts. They'll learn much more playing against Brisbane than running around at Casey. Get as many games into them as possible. Scully is already just about the fittest at the club. His loads are closely monitored, so if he's right to go let him play. Obviously, we're not privy to whether Moloney, McDonald and Trengove will be fit. One can be fit enough to play a game at Casey, but not necessarily ripe for AFL. If players had to be unlucky enough to make way for them it would be Maric, Bail and Johnson, imo. I have a feeling that not all 3 will be right to play. And even if they were I doubt the MC would want to bring back 3 underdone footballers at once. I really like Bail as a footballer, but this time I'd have to squeeze him out. I don't like the idea of dropping Maric after one game, especially as he took his chance and played well, but hopefully the taste he's had will serve to keep him hungry, as opposed to disillusioned. And It's not ideal to ruck Jamar against Leuenberger and Clark, but it wouldn't be the first time we've improvised. And I can't see who else to take out other than Johnson. They will talk about bringing Warnock back, but I like the current balance of the backline and wouldn't change it. Garland gets the neanderthal - if he's not dropped. Sure, there's a strength disadvantage, but Fevola isn't a pack mark. Nearly all his goals come from leads and Garland has the pace to match him, whereas Rivers doesn't. Frawley again goes to Brown, while Rivers covers Cornelius and assists with the high balls.

The more they complain the stronger I feel as it's fear that drives their emotions. I look forward to hearing more and more whinging. I seek it, I crave it, I grow with it.

True, it's not just Essendon supporters it's the public in general. Oops, I just generalised.

I think I can help. If he's not as good as Riewoldt, then he's not as good as Riewoldt. If he's only as good as Neitz, then he's only as good as Neitz. He was picked at no.1 by the club because they hoped and anticipated that he'll be as good as Riewoldt because they're trying to win a flag. Ultimately he'll be what he'll be. Hope that helps.

While not as physical as Carey and Brown, Riewoldt regularly hits packs. Moreso, he shows tremendous courage running full tilt back towards goals (Jonathon Brown and Carey like) in an endeavour to mark in the face of oncoming defenders. If we ever see Watts do that we'll know he's arrived. Btw, I'm not suggesting that he ever has to do that, but it will tell me much about him if I see it - not to mention the football world. Don't hold your breath though.

Jack had the Simon Eisholds when walking into goal last Sunday

Green has always been brave in the air, but has never been overly hard at contests; nor has he been soft for that matter. Not a great example, despite some supporters thinking that he was soft early in his career.

Correct. Watts doesn't lack courage, but he hasn't learnt when it's imperative to make body contact. Being the smart footballer that he is he'll usually avoid it, but there are times when it's imperative. It's just not a natural part of his game. Some players, like Brereton, loved the contact from the outset. That said, he was washed up at 26. I've always thought that Watts will be a star on the proviso that he develops the physical side of his game. There are no guarantees that he'll develop it to the level required to be a great of the game.

Why do you assume that I missed his lack of physicality when I watched him at junior level ? I didn't, and am on record as saying that the only query on Watts being a star was whether he was soft. His perceived sotness was adressed by a number of posters pre-draft. As the saying goes: "nothing hard has ever come out of Brighton Grammar". So it was hardly "missed". Btw, stop saying I'm "worried". It's wrong and annoying. I merely point out that if the soft edge to his game is never fully ironed out he won't achieve the level that I'd hoped and envisaged. At worst he'll be good, I want superfrigginstar. And to the other poster: well, you're a [censored] poster. Some things just need to be said. You post like an overly excited, cardigan wearing, public servant.