Hannabal

Maybe Axis can post here. He thinks Buddy is overrated.

And you'd have recalled the slow and not up to it Newton I suppose ? The cupboard is bare.

10% at AFL level is the difference between being first or sixteenth.

I was at a Christening unfortunately today. SEN had Bruce as our best and only winner for the number he did on Stevens. Yet he's not recognised as I post. Hmmm

T or F The author of this thread is fat with a beard ?

As a list, we haven't got a choice.

They're in just as much trouble. Their litmus test will be next year.

Hate the [censored].

This is ugly. Our buddy Y_M has been reamed. And no KY in sight.

I stood then and stand now. I go to the Blazer Bar for a beer as last year I noticed the BR gets too crowded. But both are equally bad. I pay a considerable amount to be a member yet struggle to get a beer even with a small crowd as they close off sections of the bar for service. What a joke. Have the whole bloody bar open. Then I have to walk a mile downstairs for a [censored]. A further joke. And they even have the 'Ladies' closer to the BR and staircases. Is there no tradition left ?

I was there - standing on the middle steps at the bottom level. I always stand at the football and usually see the same tragics year after year. Quite a funny place to spend the day. Getting less so, though.

Bazza is misguided, tired and emotional, but he means well.

No flies on you.

I'm not suggesting that there's any link with the MFC just cos he was doing some run throughs at the Junction Oval, I'm just giving consideration to the vexed question of recruiting Cousins. I don't believe we'd be a flag threat even if he were to join Melbourne. I think he'd benefit the culture of the club in terms of work effort, training, professionalism, winning at all cost mentality, etc. If given a second 'crack' at AFL I doubt he'd be popping eckies behind the shed. I also expect the new leadership skills being invested in the club through Leading Teams and a new coaching dept would ensure quality discussion regarding Ben and the challenges he faces and any club joins. I do concede that some clubs would handle his presence far better due to more seasoned leadership. Cousins may not be around for a flag, but he may be able to influence those that may. Could one player who's trying to reshape his life be such a disaster at AFL clubs when those clubs are fully aware of the recent history of the Eagles and the player in question ? I doubt it. I can't see the grim picture you paint. But you may be right. I have a pretty straight forward view of most things and you may have greater experience in this area to detect the impending doom. To be honest, I'm not really fussed. It's just an interesting proposition and I tend to lean to the feel good outcomes and too much would be at stake for all parties for it to go pear shaped. But I may very well be wrong. Drugs are in every AFL club. I expect the MFC to be able to handle a high profile recruit trying to beat an addiction. If his presence could be such a disaster for impressionable players given all that's publicly happened to him and the Eagles then our club has a terribly long journey in its quest to once again become relevant in this competition.

Frankly, I'm about winning games of footy and hopefully a premiership before I die. I expect to be around for the next 40-45 years, but it's far from a given that I'll see one, in fact I expect I won't. It's 20 years since the 88 Grand Final and it seems like yesterday and with 18 teams it will only get harder. Cousins is a gamble, but with clear minds and strong leadership he's certainly worth the gamble. I completely understand the views of Rhino, etc, and can't find too much fault with this view, but I'd take him if all boxes were ticked - knowing it's a risk. After 44 years there aint much to lose.

I flew to Sydney in 06 for round 4 and watched a great victory. One of my fondest football memories.

Jeff Farmer dragged me along at his peak, as Jakovich did, so did Lyon in his best years, not to mention Flower, but Lord knows we need a marquis player. I'm already excited about seeing Morton develop. I've seen enough to know that I prefer him to Gibbs. Let's hope CAC has landed a star in his farewell draft.

Garry Lyon commenced his career in 1986 and was quickly a revelation. I suppose that I have higher hopes for Morton. There's a touch of Robbie and Hird about young Cale. Please no knobbish posters now accusing me of undue pressure on the kid, or you will be dealt with severely Healy started in 1979 and was a young star on the wing in his first year before playing predominantly forward over the next few. And if you never saw Healy play, it's silly to say "not sure about that". It's best to say nothing.

He's the best 18 year old at Melbourne I've seen since Gerard Healy.

A slow half back flanker ? No thanks.

I never said that you didn't need the cattle. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> One can't make chicken salad from chicken [censored].

I don't believe we've had a premiership side in my lifetime, but I wouldn't dismiss the advantages of fantastic facilities and cashed up coaching departments, as well as the money spent by some clubs on talent identification. I don't think it's any coincidence that the most recent flags have been won by well lubricated footy clubs. North won 2 flags on the back of the greatest player of the modern era. It's also 10 years ago, and much has changed in the last 3 years, let alone 10. I don't believe that the North flags are likely to be repeated by a struggling club. And I'm not underestimating the values of the Noth Melbourne Football Club during that great era, but so much has changed. The AFL isn't a level playing field and if clubs aren't up to speed they won't win flags, unless they get really really lucky.

He's a soft target is Johnno. I wouldn't be so quick to brush aside his views.

Interestingly, Cameron highlights how he got Sylvia incorrectly pegged in that discussion. Cameron states that Sylvia "is more of an inside mid than ball carrier". "A 30 possession player with a ferocious attack on the footy." Yeah right ! Sylvia has a ferocious attack on the player with the ball, not the ball. So we ended up with a predator as opposed to a first dibs midfielder, and a predator who's not a proficient ball carrier. In other words a power flanker. Not worthy of a pick 3 unfortunately. But still can be a valuable contributor. I see far more in Bartram than a Godfrey type, J. Time will tell.

These 2 points caught my eye. And yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I'll take Bartram every day of the week over Bell as a footballer, and importance to the team. Now and going forward. Morton did some of his best work in tight with a couple of opposition tacklers hanging off him. Yes he's not first dibs, but I can't agree that he's not exposed to much body contact, even as a skinny receiver. Footy is all about finals. Try telling a "wide midfielder" that there's not much body contact in the middle of the ground in a final.