Hannabal

Some of us use our eyes and experience and some prefer to wallow in an unlikely faith that just maybe the unlikely could come true. Please yourself, just don't offer your recruiting services to the club.

In fact he's a bit of a worry.

Bell is capable of playing AFL football. I'd give my left one to have played one game. Do I think he's good enough to regularly play good football in a quality team ? No.

He's had a great preseason and yet been dropped tonight for the third time this season - a probable wooden spoon season. Will he be lucky and get a third reprieve before the game due to injury ? Some supporters can't bear to hear a bad word about any player on the list. It would appear that you fall in to this category. Please yourself. I prefer reality.

Incorrect. We were excluded from round one in the draft that year for salary cap breaches. Green was 19 and Wheatley 20.

We're last on the ladder for a reason. Players like Bell polarise supporters. Some think he's a good young improving player and others think he lacks awareness, doesn't have footy smarts, and for all his willingness and hard work just doesn't quite cut it at this level. I'm one of the latter. As I said, we're last for a reason and fifth year players like Bell aren't quite good enough. We all aspire to have a top 4 side, but Daniel isn't a top 4 player and I've seen enough to know he never will be.

You should receive a diploma in stating the obvious. Of course we may not end up last, but I believe that it's more than likely we will. As I said, you have no reason to visit this thread until later in the year. Tata

We haven't played them yet, but do so next round AND round 22.

Not bad considering it was wet.

In over 700 posts you've had a mortgage on stupidity, so I would have thought you'd be comfortable in this thread. That said, in light of your views I don't expect to see you on this thread again. Also, assuming Richmond beat us then one of Richmond or Carlton must fail to qualify for a PP as they play each other. Anything can happen, but I'd say that we're pretty safe with pick 1.

I'm not ? Ox, I really know little about Naita's on field exploits. Like many here I try and read as much as I can because there's not much else to get enthused about in 08. So I find myself trawling disdainful places like BF to get as much info as possible. I've been on the WC and Freo's forums to hear from people that have seen him live. I've seen a bit of footage of him, but never even see him play on the tube, so unfortunately, I'm no wealth of information. I know his manager so tried probing a little without wanting to be annoying. Thus far it seems that he'll end up being more of an Adam Goodes than a typical ruckman. His leap is incredible and his inside and clearance work around the stoppages also impressive. He's very aggressive, strong, a great tackler, and he's fast. He apparently needs to work on his kicking, but a West Coast supporter who queried this aspect of his game was impressed with his kicking at a WAFL game, so it may not be as bad as some make out. Because of the hype there will be some inclined to pick holes in his game, but those paid to make recruiting decisions are in awe of his talent. He may be a boom or bust pick, but I hope like hell he's wearing red and blue next year. Not only will he be the talk of the town, he could be the franchise player we've been dreaming about. If he lives up to expectations he'll be a marketer's dream and give membership sales a huge boost. Rich may well be the safer bet, but there's no guarantees with any player.

Scott Clayton who's widely considered the best recruiter in town was interviewed today on AW. When asked who he'd take between Rich and Naitanui he responded "I'd be calling Naitanui's name out pretty quickly. People are talking a lot about Buddy Franklin, but at the same age I can say that Naitanui is the most exciting talent I've ever seen. And it's not just his rucking but also his ability to go forward." Hmmm. I wonder if he can mark over a 6' mid ?

OK, you're just too clever.

Yes. He started in '97.

I don't have all the answers, but as a 19 year old in his first AFL year Dean Cox played 17 matches and averaged 7 possessions and 10 hitouts. Naitanui in his first senior year at WAFL is averaging 13 possessions, 20 hitouts and a goal a game. Obviously 200cm players take time, but with Naitanui's freakish genetic advantage and already impressive development, it's no wonder recruiters are very interested. At 18 I believe that his stats are very impressive. I've included a link to Cox's career to date. http://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=750

Hate the [censored] and would almost consider never going if he played for the red and blue. He makes my skin crawl.

There's no doubt that the above statement is correct. That said, it's a waste of space this whole argument, because you can bet the family home that if Melbourne have pick one they'll take Naita. And Boi, if he'll never be able to outmark a 6 footer why do supposed experts salivate over him. Are they stupid, or you're just too clever ?

I was the one who coined the term Donuts for Jamar and gave up on him long ago, so don't lump me with others. I know Rich and Naitanui's manager and discussed both players with him recently, so I'm aware of the risks associated with Naitanui. This will be known as the suckers draft, in that whomever has pick one will almost feel forced to take Naitanui, and as you say there are risks involved. It's a bit like Kreuzer last year, there was so much hype that Carlton were never going to take anyone else even though Cotchin will probably be the better player. Some of those who rate Naitanui are aware of what he needs to do to improve, and believe that if he gets certain aspects to his game right he'll be a better version of Goodes. A 6'6" athletic, fast, aggressive freak. I doubt that Melbourne will be able to pass up such an opportunity. Especially the marketing aspect. So yes, I understand your point. I'll reserve judgment until I see him first hand, but even if there are associated risks with his selection I suspect that the potential upside makes these risks an acceptable and calculated punt.

And you're one of them ? Perhaps express a point of view when you've at least seen the person in question play. I've no doubt that there are a few people wanting to bring him down a peg or two, such is the hype, but when I hear club recruiters like Wayne Hughes say that without question they would've taken him over Kreuzer had he have been four days older, Scotty Clayton say that people won't believe the money they'll pay to watch him play, and Hawthorn's WA recruiting officer Buchenara say that he's the most exciting junior talent he's seen, then I suspect he can do more than just run and jump. At 18 I suspect he'll have an opportunity to improve some areas of his game.

I'm all for culture and reckon that any Leigh Matthews team would have it in bucket loads, but the Old Shinboner Spirit that supposedly endlessly permeates Arden St is an absolute croc. It's governed by the coaching and playing personnel of the time.

Rubbish. It's a fallacy.

It's about time that supporters and journos learnt how to spell Ausssie's surname. It's Wonaeamirri.

Dunn is a first rounder into his 4th year. He should be doing much better. I doubt his longevity in the game.

They've played 11 matches this year and won 5. They lost the last final they played by over 100 points. They got Wells from pick 2 and Hansen from pick 3, and they gave up two top 20 picks for Hay and another top 10 pick for Thompson, so don't bleat over their lack of quality picks. I'm not suggesting that they don't have a good coach, or culture, but the Shinboner Spirit grows legs with every good performance and is conveniently forgotten when they're [censored].