Hannabal

"Most people's second club" ? It's your first club and you don't even by a membership. Wimp. And you expect me to believe that your 'cheque is in the mail' ? Chew my goo.

If everyone thought like you my dear dolt we'd have no club to vent our far ranging emotions. It's on the back of paying supporters that even gives you the opportunity to express your 'well considered' opinion. But be comforted by the fact that 'you' are many. Unfortunately.

And you needed to waste your time responding ?

Great to see that our new gun ruckman from Adelaide has impressed over summer.

More likely you're wrong. The team/squad would have been submitted by MFC. And Nugget. FFS, don't worry about the named positions.

It's not hard and fast but usually the 18 named are fixtures. New coach, so I'm unsure.

Those that don't see Wheatley's monotonous errant passing mustn't watch the game closely enough. He looks terrific cutting a swathe through the backline and can roost the ball a long way, and his passes are often nearly perfect, but time and time again they 'just' miss the mark, only to cause a turnover. Put it to the test and watch for this in 2008. He's done it his whole career.

I hate to sound contrary, but I thought Wheatley was horrible. Turnovers directly cost at least 2 goals, kicks got smothered, passes went astray, etc. He provides much needed dash and yes the ground really is too small, so there's much congestion, but Wheatley's passing today showed why at best he's a reasonable AFL player and will never be elite. And Dunn can "pack mark" ? Marking is what he really needs to improve, but I like him as a player. No star though. For me Bruce was BOG and moved really well. There's no doubt he'll play round 1.

Good decision Ooze. I always thought you were a tad common. Know what I mean ?

I'm not in favour of match bans as they penalise the team and all supporters. I understand it, and yes, it worked for the Cats. I'm not up in arms over it and there's no doubt our culture needs to change, so if these types of measures work, fair enough. Sylvia is a bogan and not the sharpest tool in the shed. Let's hope things sloooooowly sink in.

I think it's because we overrate many of our players.

Great summation, Dave. I don't think I disagreed with one word. And geez McLean was disappointing. I love the bloke but he'll be in the overrated category very soon. Jones knows how to get first hands on the footy and Brock doesn't. Our midfield looks very pedestrian. It's where games are won or lost and currently my biggest concern. Our forwards had no chance today despite often having a pretty open area. There's no doubt that Bailey's plan is to open up our forward line, which was so congested last year, but the lack of skill and too many handballs lost that advantage. Then we get slaughtered on the rebound. Buckley at least adds some size, pace, and a strong leg.

I doubt we'll ever be on the same page. I wasn't concerned by results with an under 12's side. Yesterday was close to full strength and I got to witness our R & C gameplan first hand. I doubt I've seen a worse brand of football.

Really ? Maybe I should have highlighted a couple of other areas. Knock knock.

It's taken me a while to get concerned, but today's showing was pathetic. The overuse of handball is hideous. We have so few genuine A graders. Our skill level was awful. Our decision making even worse. Any forward would have less hair after today. If ever they nail the gameplan, and I use the word loosely, they'll be world beaters, cos the opposition will have absolutely no friggin idea what's going on. Could Rivers, Bruce, Whelan, and Morton (poor kid) make so much difference ? I hope I'm wrong, but I may need to learn how to spell Natanui.

I was at that game and to this day it's one of my greatest thrills and proudest moments as a Dees supporter. Imo Flower was a superior wingman to Greig. I've always highly rated midfielders that kick goals. Flower's 315 goals from 272 games stacks up pretty well against Greig's 48 from 294. But it's just not the goals that separated them. Flower's best was better.

Somewhat talented left footer, but achieved little.

The kid was probably born after Flower retired. I knew Flower wouldn't make it due to the teams he played in. There's absolutely no doubt that Flower was the greatest wingman of all time and deserving of a top 30 position. He regularly outshone many of those named in the 50 when playing with the Big V around his neck. He kicked 40 goals purely from a wing one year which is an amazing feat in a crap side. What other wingman have kicked 315 goals ? A subjective piece that's not worth worying about.

I can't say I'm familiar with you. Thanks for taking an interest.

In the right car, on the right freeway, responsibily driven (to you an oxymoron), 125 is nothing - except a speeding fine. The clowns doing 80 are a far far bigger danger. That said, I'm heart broken that my reputation has suffered in your eyes.

Who hasn't hit 125 on a good freeway on a lengthy trip ? I did it when overtaking driving to Merimbula over xmas. In fact I did it on the Mooraduc a few weeks ago. Sseriously, the expectations of some people on young players are ridiculous. He's my next Captain without hesitation, as I'm more interested in his training ethic and exploits on the field. Give me a hardnosed uncompromising midfielder over an off field all round good guy. I'm about winning games of footy. Footy ? Remember what this is all about ? It's what he does in the field of battle that interests me. He's level headed enough that a couple of minor transgressions won't hinder his claims. And yes, speeding is vewy vewy naughty ! Ok.

Supporters get so excited about nothing. It's not preferred, but it's hardly a big deal. In fact, I think I've been caught speeding a couple of times myself.

You are kidding, right ?

As you're not in my 'must read' category I'm afraid I've missed your nine previous offerings, and it seems that you're not overly familiar with me, which is quite understandable as I'm far more economical with my postings these days. You won't get spin from me, Mo. I doubt anyone on here would ever accuse me of that. I was sick of ND and his second rate Footy Dept. They rewarded a bunch of softies for far too long. They played players that were half hearted to the contest and even rewarded one of them with a top 3 showing in the B&F a few years back. The list management has also been poor with many players considerably over staying their welcome. We just haven't turned the list over nearly enough. We haven't made enough hard decisions with under performing senior players. We were especially at fault a couple of years ago when we had too few picks in the Super Draft. We've been stagnating. I too am sick of the soft culture embedded in this club. Where perhaps I differ is that I'm going to have complete faith in Bailey until he proves that it's misguided. I won't get my knickers in a knot over matches that he's using as a stepping stone to the season proper. I'm not privvy to his agenda or the internal machinations of the club. So, I'm reserving my judgment, whilst others get overly excited. But go on. Knock yourself out. I'll have a beer for you on saturday.

I suspect that what you know about football could be scribed on the dot that ends this sentence. But at least you're a keen footy follower and Demon to boot, so good on you champ You're right, I'm not concerned at all by losing practice matches when 21 of the group have played 51 AFL matches or less, and of those 21 fourteen have 10 games or less. I enjoy the kids getting a run. And when senior players are eased back in with 50% game time it doesn't faze me. I've never really thought of myself as a nervous Nellie, but we all march to a different drum, Mo. And I won't hear a bad word about you I am concerned when 8 or 9 goals are gifted the opposition through undisciplined acts. Bailey has sold himself on his teaching ability and fast tracking smart footy. Eight goals given away from frees isn't overly smart, is it Mo ? So I'll see you at Cranny on saturday, Mo. I expect a good hitout and with round 1 around the corner I expect a strong team and a good showing.