Lutz

Jesus... It's been our biggest problem for years. In fact, we finally have a lot of good leadership coming through, even if they're not quite ready yet.

Where did you read that? Because only the top 10 in each category are published. And I find it hard to believe the club would release that info. Clubs wouldn't say that about another club's recent draftee. So really, it's a spurious fact at best, probably off a forum. Hardly worth repeating.

I'm a big fan of the shared captaincy, and I like this setup, but I think the forwards are a bit under-represented. Add Watts and I'd be bloody happy with that result.

Hahaha you crack me up WYL. "<insert oversimplified personal opinion here>. FACT."

Andrejs Everitt 1 pick before James Frawley and then Jack Riewoldt. Xavier Ellis 1 pick before Josh Kennedy (WCE) and then Scott Pendlebury. Patrick Veszpremi 1 pick before Cyril Rioli and then 2 picks later Jack Grimes.

Mitch Thorp 1 pick before Joel Selwood..?

Is O'Meara technically on Gold Coast's list? They hold the rights to him, but I'd have thought if he were on their list, he could be selected.

C - Grimes VC - Trengove LG - Jones, Green, Frawley, Moloney, Garland, Watts

I think that's a bit of a reach. We've used late picks to acquire mature bodies. It says more about his opinion of the state of the list when he came to the club, than his coaching and recruiting philosophy.

Please explain how it is you find it misleading? Not sure it could have been much clearer... I see the point of difference, but I wouldn't go as far as to say it couldn't happen. Yep, I thought that too, but I'd think the same of the Suns. I really think the football dept would agree with you on this. But it's a faint possibility!

I don't know why you'd make such a comment. What is the difference between O'Meara with the Suns, and Viney with us? Also Crouch at Adelaide and Daniher at Essendon for that matter? If one is allowed, it would be mind boggling to deny another in the same situation.

True, but a brief taste at this stage could be invaluable for his development. Then again, I'm not sure he needs a taste so he can adjust to the physicality...

I think you're confusing sensibility over sentimentality with "low moral fibre". It's a difference of opinion - you can disperse with the snide insults.

All of the above, from memory.

Far from a certainty, but I see the Suns have applied for Jaeger O'Meara to be allowed to play in the NAB Cup and NAB Challenge. If he is allowed, surely the same would go for Viney. The Suns are confident after the league set a precedent last year by allowing GWS to field players in the same situation. From the sounds of things, he's managing some OP anyway, so could not be included even if eligible... Sorry, don't have a link, but the article was in the Sunday mail.

At the risk of giving new legs to the deskgate saga... In all of this praise for Jimmy, Schwab, Lyon et al for the professional re-structuring of the footy dept, I wonder what role the Andrews Report played in all this? You know, the report Caroline Wilson insisted had been shelved, ignored and not acted upon? Maybe because it took a lot longer and a lot more work to action all the recommended changes, especially while the season was ongoing. $70K paper-weight anyone? Or invaluable tool in restructuring the club to achieve ultimate success? Time will tell.

A lot of revisionist history here - Darling wasn't a sure thing at all. Yes, he had a very impressive bottom-age year, but his final year of U/18 competition was decidedly average, beaten by Cook to U/18 AA CHF honours, and beaten consistently on the field by taller opponents. He currently (in 2011) plays as a high HFF, so any parallels to him being a KPF success are a reach. Some called for his drafting, but they for the most part were seduced by his style of play rather than the realityof the situation.

I don't think anyone could logically disagree with that. And pace off the mark is the biggest difference between Cook & Watts.

My guess... Toothpick = Cale dead set cross = Lynden Dunn Kung Fu panda = Fitzpatrick He's got something = Gysberts

It's interesting now to look back on this article, in particular what BP's role was, or maybe how his input was being used or valued. Not saying it was wrong, but it may have influenced his decision. Also, in hindsight, I'd assume the player brought up by Craig to muddy the waters would have been Magner. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hours-inside-the-melbourne-demons-den/story-e6frf9jf-1226225193389

It's wrong to suggest that being put in the spotlight "did" anything to Nathan Ablett. He never had the desire or competitiveness, spotlight or no spotlight.

Actually, I might have heard it in a radio interview. Either way, no connection.

He's not - I read it mentioned in an article when Viney became coach last year. Something to do with the Footy Show a long time ago when Roland was on it frequently. A segment about players and their families. Viney found the photo a bit embarrassing, from memory.

DC just won the thread with 1 post.

Not sure we should be patting Darling on the back for getting through 1 season with no indiscretions. Not exactly a crowning achievement. Darling was always going to be ready to go from day dot. Let's say hypothetically Cook becomes exactly as good as Chris Dawes. Would you prefer to add Chris Dawes as another tall KPF, or would you rather add another good HFF to our glut of them, with Petterd, Green, Jurrah, Howe, et al..? I'd prefer Dawes. A glut of HFFs AND of KPFs would be much nicer.