Macca

Not necessarily in our case ... ... Pedersen has been more than handy for us playing the role of the 2nd ruck ... rather than being played as a permanent forward with the occasional run in the ruck, he's been used as a utility who bobs up everywhere. Whilst Cam is in the form he's in and whilst Jamar is doing as well as he is in the ruck, we don't have a need for a Gawn or a Spencer. We may not need to change things up for quite some time. That's what I was basing my future forward line on - with Pederson to be used exactly as he is being used now. Have people seen the champion data stats on how well our backline/defensive game has improved? It's quite remarkable and all this with Frawley playing in the forward line. Hogan could probably do a bit of work in the ruck when he comes into the side (probably more so in the forward line) He's a big lad.

The way footy is played now and especially where it's heading, a lot of players will need to be able to play in all parts of the ground. The positional line-ups "as they're picked" is often quite irrelevant. It's often about match-ups now.

We get an extra 3 flags and another (I think) 9 runners-up (although it seems that it was primarily the team that finished on top of the ladder that won the flag, back in the day) Well done. Now it's the elusive 16th that we're after ...

Forgot to add that in the future I see Salem, Kent and Toumpas in the midfield rotations with the occasional spell in the forward line (rotating with Watts, Trengove and JKH) ... probably somewhere around the wing area but not strictly as wingmen (I'm not sure the position of wingman even exists anymore) All 6 of the aforementioned are handy around the goals. Suddenly, we don't have such a bad list. Hogan will help us win a lot of games. It was an inspired move to use that pick to snare him. Things are looking up and it seems that we're getting an important re-signing on an almost weekly/fortnightly basis.

Have you factored in that Roos might keep Frawley in the forward line? It could happen. I remember many supporters wanting Neitz to go back (I was one of them) during his first couple of years in the forward line. Neita was such a good CHB that many of us just couldn't understand why Daniher was wasting him in the forward line. History tells us that Neale was on the money ... but for a while there ... Here's my "6" FF: JKH ... Hogan ... Frawley HF: Watts ... Dawes ... Trengove Both Watts and Trengove to play as high half forward's/midfielders with Frawley and JKH to run up into the space provided by their absence. Dawes to be used as a lead up forward (rotating with Hogan and Frawley) Dawes, Hogan and Frawley could be used as power forwards or as leading forwards out of the goal square.

I'd prefer Watts or Frawley ... Fitzy needs to add some more parts to his game to squeeze out either of those 2. I also believe that if Frawley stays and Hogan is fit and firing, James may well remain in the forward line (or at least be used periodically in the forward line) I reckon he adds a lot and he's hard to match up on (especially when he can use his pace) Watts can develop into quite a versatile player who could play anywhere. I'm a fan of having 3 dangerous big forwards who can all take a good grab, can play a role as a lead up forward, be a power forward and/or have a yard of pace. A big forward playing a defensive role is an asset as well but knowing where the goals are should be a given. With all the flooding that is in the game, a tall forward must have a lot more than one string to his bow. A talented 3rd tall in the forward line is needed if a team wants to contend. IMO a list needs to contain at least 5 players who can slip into one of the 3 roles so right now, Fitzy is depth. Sometimes a back-up ruckman can play a role in the forward line and that's where Gawn comes into proceedings.

Great investment and terrific news. We will still need another big bodied forward who also has a bit of pace. Someone who is hard to match up on and together with Dawes and Hogan, would make our forward line quite formidable. We could almost rotate the 3 within the forward line with different roles (within games) to further make it hard for the opposition. I believe that might be an ideal scenario for Roos. Either Watts or Frawley can be that 3rd big forward (At some stage Watts will put on a bit of muscle which in turn will help his overall game) Haven't heard the latest on Hogan but it would be great to see him play at least a few games towards the end of the season. If he's fully healthy, let him loose.

I can see Italy winning both their last 2 games but I'm not sure England can beat Costa Rica. It's possible for England to still get through, but as you indicated, Suarez might have a fair bit to say in the outcome of the Italy/Uruguay game. Costa Rica may even surprise against Italy tomorrow - they were very good against Uruguay when they beat them. If Costa Rica defeat Italy or indeed if it's a drawn game, England are out of the tournament. ... World Cup: Mario Balotelli wants a 'kiss from the Queen' if Italy beat Costa Rica Also, Italy might be happy with a draw in their last game if they go into that last game on 6 points (they would win the group if that scenario happened) A draw between Italy and Uruguay in the last game would eliminate England but not necessarily Costa Rica. It is also possible that one of the teams in this group (group D) could finish on 6 points and miss out on advancing altogether. It's probably happened before but it would be an awful way to miss out. ... and that's just one group.

If Frawley goes and we receive a first round pick (say, pick 5, 6 or 7) there will be plenty of clubs willing to trade for that pick. We might be able to swing another Tyson/Salem type deal. GWS have been willing to trade in the past so there's one possibility. As well as that, we can use our other first round pick on the best available prospect. If he stays, we've spent a year developing him into a forward who can therefore play at both ends of the ground. If he decides to leave, he may have some regrets later on ... that's the risk he might decide to take. We really don't know if he's staying or going but it might end up being a win/win situation (at the end of day)

We drafted Dean Kent with that 3rd round compensation pick ... a more than handy late pick by the looks of it. We've drafted quite well in the last 2 off seasons ... when Toumpas and Hogan start firing, that 2012 draft will look even better. Viney and Matt Jones are progressing well and Terlich just needs to improve his disposal and decision making - we know he can go at the ball hard. ... 2012 National Draft

I'm not sure we're in disagreement anyway, GD ... I may be way off the mark with my thoughts on why the handball was not given off by Salem but I agree with you that at that stage of the game, you go back and have a shot (especially from that position on the ground) I guess sometimes more than one opinion can be true. Anyway, all's well that ends well

The technology gave it as a goal but it didn't look so to the naked eye. Shaka Hislop on ESPN brought up a good argument that at the exact moment that the keeper was bringing the ball down, the ball was initially past the line. It might have been academic anyway as the French were 1-0 up playing against the 10 men of Honduras. However, the overall reaction might have been a whole lot different if the incident had happened in the actual final.

The world's worst tipster at work again ... serial offender. Well done to the Spurs though ... Popovich is the master and his group of players were just too good. Patty Mills had a terrific series as well. Tim Duncan - 5 championship rings ... what a player he's been.

Yep, JR and your good selves have all made excellent points. All in all, the correct decision was made. Nothing wrong with a senior player putting the onus onto a young player either. Salem would have dreamed of those kind of moments. Christian came through with the goods under a lot of pressure - I wonder how Bellchambers feels today? (lol)

Yep, fair enough JR, but I'll stick with my theory. Dawes was in the clear and under normal circumstances would almost certainly have demanded the ball. Salem would have had no problem giving it off because it would have been part of the team rules. The timeclock governed the decision in my opinion.

Dawes put his hand up straight away to Salem (as if to say, go back and have a shot) I reckon he did that because he was aware that the siren wasn't far away ... he may have simply looked at the clock a minute or 2 earlier or maybe the runner had indicated that there was x amount of time left. I thought it was a heady piece of play by Dawes regardless. Of course, the commentators were urging Salem to handpass it off but they knew how much time was left. Dawes didn't.

If the club purchased the banned drugs then that is possibly enough - there's almost certainly a paper trail if that was the case. Or, if other people who were involved are saying that the players were administered banned drugs, then that is possibly enough. There's other scenarios as well - it's the sum of all the parts at play here. Circumstantial and corroborated evidence is how many drug cheats are nabbed. It might seem a little unfair but that's how WADA/ASADA/USADA etc have seen things previously. The precedent has been set on numerous occasions. Armstrong tested positive in the late 90's but it was hushed up. In the end, they got him because his ex teammates spilled the beans. Armstrong could have kept on denying everything but even he knew the jig was up. A lot of money was at stake and he got out while the going was good (IMO) I'm almost certain that at least one player will talk and then that will be it. They too, might decide to get out while the going is good. As it is, ASADA may well be running with what Kyle Reimers has told them (amongst numerous other bits and pieces from various other sources) Too many people were involved and when push comes to shove, many people in this situation will look after themselves first. Those who are clinging to the "but none of them tested positive" stance are either naïve or are clutching at straws. There are strict guidelines in the ASADA/WADA drug code and testing positive to a banned drug is only one part of how things work.

Salem has an X factor that is needed in the senior side ... the ideal way to rest the bloke is to make him the sub when applicable. He's too good a talent to be playing 2nds footy. As a sub right now, he becomes quite a weapon. Unless there's an injury, I wouldn't expect any changes. If there is an injury, maybe JKH or Toumpas could come in. Either could start the game and be subbed off for Salem - or vice-versa.

I put some of our tardy starts down to the team trying to control the tempo of the game. You are right though, we do need to jump out of the blocks a lot better. We saw some "tempo" footy today and it certainly caught the Bombers out - they didn't see it coming. There's no better way to win against that mob. Plus, the victory was by one solitary point ... sweet as. We've got North next Sunday at the MCG. The expectation should now be that we will win next week (that view should certainly be true amongst the players and the coaching staff)

Our poise under extreme pressure was really something (especially in the last 15 minutes or so) It's like we grew an extra leg and our finishing skills were excellent. The play that finished with the Salem goal was tremendous - especially at that time of the game. Heady stuff from Dawes not to call for the ball from Salem as well. McKenzie's coolness in that play was brilliant. We keep coming out after half time with renewed vigour and we continue to finish games off well - that's a sign of a side on the up. The self belief is growing and we're only going to get better. Apart from being an excellent tactician, Roos is the supreme motivator. A fantastic effort today. ps ... Pies, Blues, Dons and Tigers all lose on the one weekend and we win ... Bliss!

You little bloody beeeeeeeeaaaaaauuuuuuttttttttyyyyyyyyy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep ... but it looks like they've got them on the other drug (the "bad" thymosin) Their players possibly or probably thought they were given the "other" thymosin but in the end, much will depend on how ASADA views that. History tells us that they're in a bit of strife. However, any player who feels that they've been misled should take the deal on offer (if that offer is forthcoming) Why be a martyr? I feel a fair bit of sympathy for the younger players on the list at the time (of which there were many) In that sort of environment, a young draftee or rookie can easily be caught up in the whole thing (especially if they had no idea that they were being lied to) The older, more mature players should have asked a lot of questions and I'm not sure that they have the same defence as the rookies or the recent draftees. Generally though, all those implicated will be treated in the same way. The coaches, staff and administrators who embarked on this whole scheme have a lot to answer for and if they cop the full wrath, so be it. The fish rots at the head and it's fairly evident that this whole saga falls into that same scenario.

I generally agree with your post 'pantaloons' but I would like to see the governing bodies of the various sports around the world do something about tanking or at least be proactive about the issue. They'll never eradicate tanking but to turn a blind eye is dangerous. Where tanking occurs in sports around the world, there's always the risk of a team, club or franchise just flagrantly disregarding the rules of fair play (for instance, Carlton tanked on numerous occasions) We could draw the same conclusion with Essendon and the alleged use of PED's. In their minds they may have believed that a number of "other" clubs were overstepping the mark with the whole "sports science" thing so therefore, they then followed suit but took it way too far. With regards to the whole tanking saga, we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. In the whole scheme of things, our alleged indiscretions will largely be forgotten about. We were found not guilty after all. As for the Bombers ...

The Kings looked the dominant team for the most part and they thoroughly deserved their triumph. The Rangers fought hard but they just couldn't hold on to a lead ... LA have to take the credit for that though - they're just never beaten. Too good ... highlights of game 5

Netherlands could easily top the group now and therefore avoid Brazil in the round of 16 games, the Q/F's and the S/F's (assuming Brazil win their group) The Dutch were ultra impressive this morning and when they're in this sort of mood, they're hard to stop. With goal difference* deciding the placings in the groups in the event of teams being equal on points, Spain will need to recover well in order to advance ... their next game is against Chile and they'll almost certainly need to win that game to get themselves back into it. Another huge clash tomorrow (8am) when Italy and England do battle. *The next thing to decide the placings in the groups (if 2 or more teams are equal on points) is total goals scored and then head-to-head etc etc