Hannabal

In other words, he's a first year player. Shouldn't you be discussing Winderlich's operation on Bomberblitz ?

He won't want to play with Melbourne as he'll want a chance at a flag, but I'd be happy for him to rub shoulders with some young Dees at Sandy and show them the meaning of work ethic. He also played with Chopper Lovell for 3 years at WC.

Stynes by a fair margin.

You really are an expert at missing the point. Obviously Dunn isn't on the same sphere as the players I mentioned and never will be, but they reached great heights at a young age partly because they were prepared to put their body on the line. And that is one of the great aspects of our game - endeavour doesn't discriminate. I'm potting Dunn for a reason. Other supporters may be jumping on the bandwagon due to Sunday's game, but some of us have been discussing this tendency of Dunn's for years. I've seen him shirk contests on numerous occasions at Sandy going back 3 years, but back then you cut the kid some slack. I saw him do it versus Nth Melbourne during a preseason game at Princes Park 2 and a half years ago. I even saw him do it during an intra club practise match at Moorabbin 18 months ago on the boundary line when he didn't commit to a marking contest when he was surrounded by fresh air. It was intra-club, ffs. But there were only about 10 supporters watching - Fan and GOTO were there I noticed. So when I pot him for Sunday's effort it's not an ill considered view out of the blue. I demonstrated what other players have achieved in the game for a reason. You don't have to be a 21 year old Wayne Carey to commit to a contest. And sadly I've seen enough of Dunn to know that these efforts are entrenched in his makeup. I have a few non negotiables. Teams won't regularly win finals, and make no mistake that is all it's about, with players that repeatedly hesitate to take on contests. Dunn wouldn't be part of my plans going forward, but the good news is 'I'm not the coach'.

David Neitz was All Australian at 20, Chris Judd won a Brownlow at 21, Michael Voss won a Brownlow at 21, Jonathon Brown was a triple premiership CHF at 22, Dermott Brereton won a B&F one month after he turned 21 having played virtually the entire season at 20. Dunn is still shirking contests at 21 in his 4th year. Keep making excuses.

1. Brown won't leave. 2. He wouldn't choose the Dees even if he did want to leave. 3. I'd rather keep pick 1. I reckon Brown's body is the equivalent to a 30 year old's with the injuries he's had and the crash and bash nature of the game he's played. Brereton was finished as a decent footballer at 26. Lyon's back was stuffed at 28. No thanks.

My dog is nearly 13 and still dark on me for changing her food to the Hill's Science diet about 6 months ago. The upshot is she's lost 4 kilos and runs around like her old self. People are amazed when we tell them her age. Although she still looks dirty at us when the scraps go in the bin. Sometimes you need to be cruel to be kind

He's a serial offender. I've been complaining about this element of his game for over 2 years. When do actions speak louder than words ?

As stated earlier, Ablett had a reasonable first 100 games where he played more forward than midfield and has had a brilliant last 37 games where he's nearly double his disposals. But if I had to judge his career today, assuming he never played again, I'd rate the following ahead of him in terms out the output and influence they had at the time they played. In no particular order: Matthews, Ablett Snr, Carey, Hart, Bartlett, Dunstall, Lockett, Simon Madden, Blight, Voss, Williams, Daicos, Flower, Hird, Matera, Watson, Brereton, Jezza, Garry Wilson, Ricciuto, Buckley, Judd, Brown, McLeod, Black, Kernahan, Cable, Dench, Darren Jarman, Knights, ... I could probably add Gerard Healy, SOS, Tuck, Greig, Kouta, Doull, Glen Jakovich, Lappin, Stynes, but you've got to stop somewhere. And I was a little too young for Polly and Skilts. Of course you'll disagree with some, and it's a subjective opinion only, but remember, I really only rate Ablett's last 37 games as elite.

Unfortunately he's an habitual offender. I'd be disappointed if he wasn't dropped despite his good game. Coaches need to create a culture where those sorts of acts aren't tolerated. It's a bit different to Morton doing it as an 18 year old in his first game. Mind you he'd want to eradicate it pretty quickly or I'd expect the same punishment. I'll be interested to see what Bailey stands for this week. I'll know when I see the teams read out.

I really rate Jarryd of Hawthorn. He's a terrific young player getting a game in a top 4 side.

That's a ridiculous assertion. The best players of yesteryear would be every bit as good in the professional fulltime environment of today. Ablett has had 37 games as an elite player, the previous hundred were nothing special. He needs to do it for longer.

I agree Bt. No disrespect to Ablett, but presently he wouldn't be in the top 30 players I've seen.

Brilliant Jack ! I too like M1, you may be on to something.

Thanks Alpha, it's a good article. He's now 194cms and has terrific pace. His decision making worries me, but if he can fill into his body and gain confidence he could become a great defender. I hope so, as Jack Riewoldt, who was taken with the very next pick in his draft, looks very good.

No argument from me on that count. But if he never played again he'd be ranked below nearly all the others from a career perspective.

I disagree. Ablett has a long way to go to match the consistently excellent standards set by the players you mention. Eighteen months ago Gary Ablett was an inconsistent small forward who occasionally had a run in the midle. At the end of 2006 he'd played 100 games of footy and averaged 15.17 possessions. The last 18 months he's been superb. He's built an engine to run in the middle and in his last 37 matches he's averaged 27.7 possessions, a marked difference. But it will take more than 2 years of stellar footy to match the exploits of those that did it for over a decade - all bar Kerr. That said, Ablett's last 18 months are equal to or better than the elite company named above. He just needs to do it for a few more years.

Yes, and back then they made decisions about players dependent upon their potential offspring 25 years hence. Are you for real ? And since when was Nathan a superstar ? Oh yeah, he coulda, shoulda, woulda...

My brother played two's with Ablett Snr at Hawthorn in 1980 and they knew he was very very good. He kicked 5 goals from the centre as an 18 year old. He went back to Myrtleford as a youngster due to his well discussed nature. Hawthorn were never in any doubt as to how well he could play. He had two brothers that played for the club, it's not as if Hawthorn were blind to the family talent. Let's remember that they had a fantastic team oriented culture in those days and won numerous premiership as well as appearing in 8 Grand Finals in a row. Ultimately, it was far more Ablett's loss than Hawthorn's.

There are some unscrupulous reports that Rich is tanking a la West Coast. He's having a terrible carnival, notwithstanding the close attention.

Potential Father/Son selections are discussed in the media regularly. Any potential draftee confronts the same scrutiny. You're being precious and naive all in one. Even if your sentiments are noble.

(A report from today's state match in W.A) Vic Country best in west VICTORIA Country has bounced back from an upset loss to NSW/ACT a fortnight ago to defeat Western Australia by 27 points in the 2008 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships at Subiaco Oval on Saturday. The visitors dealt WA their first defeat of this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, running out 11.4 (70) to 6.7 (43) victors in a curtain raiser to the West Coast v Geelong match. Country set up its win with an eight goal to three first half and kicked away in the final quarter against a lackluster WA. WA won the inside 50 count 43-23 but were unable to find the space to deliver cleanly to spearhead Chris Yarran. Country on the other hand refused to cough up the ball and delivered to advantage with Nic Heyne (three goals) and Andrew Browne (two goals) the most productive of their forwards. But Country were able to find options all over the ground with eight separate goal kickers in a low scoring affair. For WA, Nick Naitanui was unbreakable around the stoppages doing it all for his team. He had 18 hit-outs and 10 clearances, but struggled to have the same influence around the ground. Matt DeBoer (23 possessions) was clean for the home side across half-back while highly rated Daniel Rich (eight) struggled to shake the close attention he was given. Victoria Country 3.3 8.3 8.3 11.4 (70) Western Australia 0.0 1.1 4.4 6.7 (43) GOALS Vic Country: Heyne 3, Browne 2, Bucovaz, Christensen, McKenzie, Rockliff, Roughead, Sheahan Western Australia: Daly 2, Hill, Rich, Walters, Yarran BEST Vic Country: Heyne, Sheahan, Ziebell, Browne Western Australia: Naitanui, DeBoer, Jetta, Daly ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As stated earlier, Nicknat is well on his way to AA honours. Ten clearances from a ruckman ! Once he learns to link play around the ground and get some uncontested ball by running to the right spots he could be anything. Keep jabbing, EBoy.

The correct way to spell the male name is Hannibal. The correct way to spell my female dog's name is 'Hanna'bal. If you now suggest that I'm your [censored], I'll not argue.

Judge away, Sunshine.

I don't know. Do a poll. I had to pull up my seven year boy old today on the very same subject. I think he'll thank me in years to come. Many people in society judge you on such matters, Weapon. There are basically two ways to go. You either care and make concerted efforts to improve one's deficiencies, or you take the 'care factor' approach. Always remember though, one way is correct and the other is incorrect. If you care so little about being incorrect in your grammar one can only assume that you don't value your own point of view. If you have no concerns about appearing less educated than some then I'm sure that others who share your view would say "all credit to you". Well done.