Hannibal

I'm talking about poor decisions. But thanks for your input.

It was massive today.

I left at 3/4 time. Hawthorn's pressure and spreading was amazing. They were far more composed and their skills were brilliant. Funnily enough we had a crack today, but were simply outclassed. We over possessed and the lack of forward targets really hurt. It didn't feel we were as bad as the scoreboard suggested, but others may disagree. Roos and co now know exactly where we need to improve. It's onwards and upwards from here. I need to add that we got the rough end of the umpiring. As usual.

How can your 'opinion' throw a "spanner in the works" ? A couple of things. Frawley has not put off talks until the end of the year. He has delayed contract discussions to see how the year starts panning out. You also say that Jones has never once "considered his options". The following is from an Emma Quayle article, "Five Seasons". “It took me some time to make the decision because I wanted to make sure I was making the right one." “I wasn’t sure where I was going, and so many things go through your head. I was 24 and people tell you these are the best years, so you feel like you should be thinking about it more seriously than ever before. I ended up signing in the middle of last year but I gave it plenty of thought." It's best to acquaint yourself with facts, Steve. Also, I was lucky enough to be invited to the MFC board room a couple of weeks ago for an information night on the Foundation Heroes. It was a small intimate gathering where Roos, Jackson and the President spoke and I had a bit of a chat to Frawley. It was only 2 days after his press conference at Luna Park. I wasn't rude or silly enough to directly ask him if he's going to stay, but I can contribute that he and the players are excited about the coming year. He's a very friendly chatty guy, seemed genuinely happy and didn't strike me as someone contemplating leaving. I recognise my gut feelings mean two fifths of SFA, but I reckon the first clear signs that things are really different, and just don't "seem" different, he'll put pen to paper. I've seen players at functions before where their presence has clearly been a chore. Frawley was really engaging and surprisingly "Chipper". Dawes was also there and didn't seem to be weighed down by his supposed degenerative knee. But he may be a good actor. I also had a surprisingly long chat to Roosy. Nice guy. Best of all I met and had a great chat to my childhood hero, Robbie Flower. They say you should never meet them as you tend to walk away disappointed. I'm pleased to say it was the opposite. A fantastically friendly and engaging guy. It made my night. Steve, best you worry about Salem being an ectomorph and let these others things take their course. I'm surprisingly confident on all fronts, especially Salem.

Someone with seemingly good mail said 4-6. Let's say 6. And let's say he'll need at least 1 game at Casey. I reckon round 6/7 is likely. Not great, but not the end of the world.

You put the craven in mendicant.

He doesn't take "pack" marks, sook.

No, Watts isn't a good pack mark, unless he gets a run at it and can use his leap from behind, and even then there will nearly always only be one other player involved. Jostling, bustling among a group of 3 or more and then dragging down the mark isn't Watts go at all. So I suppose it depends on your definition, but I certainly don't consider Watts a good pack mark. He has done it, against Richmond a few years ago and possibly Freo, but it's an absolute rarity. And no, I don't call Watts soft because of his tackling and laziness. There have been many reasons articulated over the years and most of it revolves around his hesitancy in certain high marking situations, which expose ones midriff, etc.

Sook.

I think it's more that Clisby is a tad behind Terlich at this stage.

Quintessential Demonland.

Only idiots. He was one of the best tacklers I've seen. Robbie only had one real weakness. He wasn't quite defensive enough, but that's a small criticism when he was the only player trying to take the game on and set up play.

I'm not sure what you mean. I think I've been pretty consistent with where I stand to Watts.

I think there's enough evidence to suggest this isn't a false dawn. There are 10 players delisted from the team that beat Port last year plus they had their A grade midfield missing. It was almost Casey playing their seconds. From memory Sellar kicked 5 goals. I wouldn't read anything into that game. These are very different circumstances. Besides, we now gain possessions.

Previously we've gone into years with expectations that our kids may drag us up the ladder. Any rise now won't be on the back of kids, which will only improve their development. We know that Vince, Jones and Cross can bear the brunt. Dom Tyson may have only played 13 games, but with what we've already seen and his pedigree we know we've got an exciting talent on our hands. Like Tyson, Michie now has a third preseason under his belt and has shown enough to suggest he won't be out of place. So rather than relying on mere hope and early draft picks we have something far more tangible this year. Quick development from kids like JKH will now be part of the cream. Add Viney and Trengove, who can now play supporting roles without pressure and there's cause for genuine excitement. The best part is we don't even need to mention Salem. In Trengove's and Watts' draft years most of our hope and preseason discussions were about them. We're a far cry from that these days. If we get off to a good start I see 8-10 games as quite achievable. I'll not be upset if it doesn't happen, but it's a distinct possibility. I don't really want to compare the times, because it's now past history and most other clubs have since got better, but you can't tell me that our list now isn't miles ahead of those Bailey teams that won 8.5 wins two years running, even though the Suns were a guaranteed 2 wins in those years.

It's a harmless gig.

He lacks so much physicality around the ball. Imagine him in a cut-throat final at the G. He'll hardly get a kick. I know he's precious to many of you, so here's hoping...

While I could easily go last year's experience was a nightmare, even though I arrived in good time. The parking and traffic getting in and out is hideous. Not to mention it's one of the worst spectator viewing grounds I've ever come across. No thanks.

Amidst this 60+ pages of Left-wing bile you're surprised by my efforts to provide some balance ? Second funniest thing I've heard for a while.

You needed to provide a contrasting view ? Funniest thing I've heard for a while. The Left hate him. Provide this googled substantiated "evidence" against Bolt's views. Thanks in advance. Somehow I think you already would have if you could have ; ) Btw, I merely like Bolt and agree with his perspective on life. If that's called pathological so be it.

Skimmed through it. This person has a pathological interest in all things Bolt. Interestingly, I couldn't find a shred of evidence where they articulated where Bolt was wrong on a single issue, other than their own opinion. Perhaps you can highlight what I missed ? Thanks.

Agreed. i was merely responding to your declaration that Trengove had never had a year to match Jones 2013, which wasn't correct. This club desperately needs Trengove to fulfill his potential. I reckon he has a lot of talent and he now has an environment for it to flourish.

I have a bias against Byrnes. When he gets the ball, or is about to, I cringe a little. My point ? You may well be right and my objectivity is probably missing when it comes to Byrnes. He could have 10 great possessions, but I tend to remember the horrible one. I'll take your word on it regarding his game. But I still don't see him anywhere near a best 22.

You're not being tough, just wrong.

Just a reminder: Bolt's new and improved 1 hour show starts this morning at 10 am - in about 5 minutes. : )