Undeeterred

Didn't he say that at the start of the Neeld years? Or am I making that up? That would make it 5 years ago, no?

Interestingly, that's the second time in a few weeks this topic has come up - someone was talking about their mate at St Kilda who thought the same thing... I hadn't thought of it before that, but I guess it makes sense really. You're right, there must be a lot of them!

Nope. We've been very good in the wet this year (Hawthorn, Port games come to mind). We've mastered the art of getting it forward at all costs a la the Hawks. If it's wet we will smash them even harder.

This gave me a laugh. I can totally see where you're coming from, I just think people are conflating two issues. One is what they think of H as a player and the 'value' we got from him, and the other is the reaction to his playing career surely winding up soon. I think this thread is the time and place to discuss the latter, rather than glorying in how your feelings about the former justify you potting a bloke at this particular point in time, and in these circumstances. We don't have to agree.

You don't have to be, you can do whatever you like. But both your initial post and response show your character! Nobody's demanding that you like the bloke, or the trade, that's irrelevant.

A remarkably unnecessary and insensitive post. What drives you to feel the need to express this sort of opinion in these circumstances?

I saw that. Amazing really.... Jack Grimes: Jack had 42 possessions, 10 marks, three tackles, nine inside 50s and kicked 1.2. I thought Jack’s game was really workmanlike. He continues to play at a really high level and standard at VFL level. His work-rate and ability to be involved in the game, from a defensive point of view and from a contested point of view, enabled him to get his hands on the football and make really good decisions as well. Matt Jones: Matt had 41 possessions, six clearances and five inside 50s. Jonesy, for the second week in a row, has been huge. He seemed to be everywhere on the weekend and he certainly provided us with a lot of run and quality ball use. Matt played with real speed and played like an AFL player at VFL level. It was a high quality performance. Pretty clear which of them is going back up when there's a spot.

I'd rather eat all my shoes than watch those [censored] teams at that [censored] heap of a stadium

I think what I'm saying is that, to PaulRB's original point, just because players look good in their first year or two doesn't make them good players. They are just good young players until they're good older players, or not.

He's had about two games back at Casey, and we have about 8 other players who have been consistently picking up 30+ touches in the same games, and have much better form over the rest of the season. Not that hard to work out, I wouldn't think.

Sure, with finals on the line, blow the cobwebs off a guy who hasn't played all year.

Oh, mate.

You said the fact we had lots of nominations this year meant the recruiters had been doing a good job. He is saying we had more nominations in a period that has proven to be one of absolutely shocking recruiting. His point therefore is that nominations do not equal good recruiting. It just means that young players have been good both times. The difference, in my view, is that this young crop will be developed properly, whereas the 2008-2011 crop got their nominations before they were Melbournised.

Well, sure, but why is it ok that these peanuts are allowed to get away with this? Bernie Vince wafts an elbow within 5 feet of someone's face and gets rubbed out. These guys (including Mitchell last week) are allowed to make contact to the face, and nothing happens. It irritates the [censored] out of me.

Another sacred cow gets away with deliberately smashing someone's face http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-15/mrp-simon-tunbridge-charged-twice-boomer-avoids-ban [censored] you Boomer Harvey and [censored] you MRP.

How do you feel about Essendon getting pick 1, just out of interest?

Gee there's some talent on that list.

He's surprisingly hard at it for such a quick bloke. Almost the complete package really, good mark, loves a goal etc.

I was 15 rows back in the members, right in front of it. Was disgusting.

Our point differential with North is only 49 now....

We've turned very quickly into a team that should put bad teams away by 10 goals. Bloody fantastic, as frustrating as a lot of that game was.

As if. Want more goals!

What balls. He's been one of our better players. Did you miss his two goals?

Tom McDonald has been immense. Jetta and Hunt fantastic also.

Not now. But we've been in danger a lot of the night tonight and we're super lucky that they are 2-3 men down and complete shite to boot.