Fitz Fitzpatrick

2 hours ago, Peter Griffen said:

Jesse is one of the more loyal guys you're likely to meet, i would be absolutely shocked if he is talking to Fremantle at all, i have no doubt they'd be chatting to his manager but meeting them in seasons with a year and a half to go on his contract is just crazy.

Of course he didnt go to talk to Freo. thats people trying to connect dots that dont exist. im sure he went home to visit family and friends in this day and age you dont have to fly to freo to discuss ontracts. still think hes gone but his visit got whipped up by the media

"It's not my thought process at all. It's not really a money thing, it's just (about) where I want to be."

gone

23 minutes ago, Moneider96 said:

No [censored] I'm assuming Hogan's intent through my own interpretation. So are you. It's called an opinion sweetheart. Here's an example of one:

''I'm a Dean Kent fan, and this is a totally unfounded comment which is just based off a feeling I have had for a while,  but I could see him leaving. 

Again,  no basis for this,  and it's merely just a hunch,  but for some reason I've never had the same confidence that he would stay as I have with someone like Watts and Hogan,  or Viney.''

 

Mind telling me who wrote that...?

 

 

?

3 minutes ago, SaberFang said:

I can't for the life of me understand why Hogan would leave what looks like the most promising batch of youth coming through, bar GWS and the Dogs, for a team that's just fallen off the cliff. He's spent 3 years enduring a rebuild about to flower, why on earth go back to endure another rebuild that has no guarantee whatsoever will deliver? 

Ross Lyon ain't known for youth and development, and Fremantle is a black hole as far as trading in big-name players from other clubs. It makes absolutely no sense.

With the points you made, you are right- it makes no sense.

wjat you didn't include was the draw of family, an intangible that depending on the individual is impossible to measure in dollars

1 minute ago, nutbean said:

just a point of order  - don't all players fly around the country to play football anyway - it doesn't interfere with preparation  - clubs take flying it into account when mapping out their preparations. ( and yes  - it may mean that his preparation is slightly different to other players but these days players have different weekly preparations anyway and there is no longer a one size fits all)

 

Him going to Perth probaly has nothing to do with the eventual decision. A distraction from the real considerations.

I think the club also know he's gone but it was agreed by all parties to not announce it until the end of year. It's not in the clubs or jesses interests to play the year with that info public.

the line "delay till after season" has been used to get us to trade week where a deal will be done without the media drama of a season out committing to leave the MFC.

tjeres no way MFC haven't at this stage put their best offer forward. 

Thats the point that the "he's staying" camp conveniently gloss over

I firmly believe he is gone. A massive loss but no point worrying about it.

his father is ill and has been poorly for some time. Money can't compete with that. It was clear in his presser a month ago that the questioning on this topic made him uncomfortable. Only the people refusing to accept it couldnt see the way he mumbled those answers.

there is no advantage to him delaying the contract. The CBA excuse is baloney.

theres no way Melbourne havent offered massive coin and a long term so what else is there to discuss that is so far poles apart that it had to be postponed. 

Further to that, if MFC have offered everything they can and Jesse still postponed , we'll connect the dots guys. You would delay talks for a year over contractual technicalities.

hes gone,

i wonder if harmes was ever a demonland wanderer or poster pre afl career?

1 minute ago, Webber said:

The number of goals the saints got from floods of uncontested possessions without a Melbourne player within a handball's distance  of any of them was beyond belief. Passages of the most uncompetitive football I can remember seeing. Even when we are running well in attack (last 2 weeks) we are woefully easy to score against. It's a massive and frankly fatal flaw in our game plan, and opposition teams know it. Much too unnacountable and much too predictable. 

The game plan has swung far too offensive. will not stand up

2 minutes ago, Lord Ivanhoe said:

I agree. The look on Simon Goodwin's face was one of frustration at not being the man making the moves.

Saints have been playing this similar game style for at least a year longer than ours and it showed. Also they had bigger bodies. Today was a learning day. Our  least experienced players were shown up hence opportunities for Casey players. I can understand not including Oliver but he provides an xfactor to the midfield especially his 360degree awareness.

 

we can only hope that is the case. i would imagine its very much Roosy's show in the box. wont take anything away from Roos's efforts with the club but game day he is left wanting. i dont think many on here will dispute that. 

anyway plenty of film to look at and hopefully tweak a few things and bring in a couple from casey. i

if trenners makes it then he is going to provide a nice injection of leadership that others at casey dont have. 

7 minutes ago, Samael said:

 

1 minute ago, bing181 said:

Seriously?

yes seriously.

of course there were blokes with bad days at the office but our game plan was totally carved up and we didn't react to that. that makes players reactionary. has happened to me in the past. when you are being told to do one thing that is clearly not working it makes it very hard and you just end up chasing jumpers.

1 minute ago, Rafiki said:

Were people expecting Truck to just come in and dominate? I was excited to see him play and was a tad disappointed with his game but overall it was a decent debut

Petracca showed he has the skill. the game was a bit to quick for him at times but his touch was A grade. not worried at all. 

people get sucked in by media hype far too easily. 

Roos is really a very non reactive match day coach. out of stubborness or just lack of ability, i dont know , but his refusal to adapt to the game unfolding in front of him has cost us many times now. 

im not sure the players were to blame today. the game plan got carved up and without leadership from the box it left them unable to adapt and the carnage which ensued made it hard for the side to stay in the game. 

an opposition side picking apart a game plan will make players look slow and reactionary. im not so keen to put all of this on the players to be honest. of course ill agree some more on field leadership will help but in a nutshell our game plan has been picked apart and no answers were provided to the players. hence so many lefft in "no mans land" on turnovers

14 minutes ago, SaberFang said:

What the [censored] happens in the space of 5 days that turns our small forwards to rubbish? Was this coaching from Richo?! I don't get it at all.

If they were tired with the short break, something plenty of posters here raised during the week, how the hell did the selectors not see fit to make changes? Wagner and Hunt were never going to keep up great form for extended patches, adding a zero gamer to that list was a disaster in the end.

We desperately needed Oliver and, frankly, he deserved a spot in the team more than Petracca (as did several others, to be honest). If Petracca got given his first game because we wanted to attract a larger crowd to Shitihad, it was a shameful decision.

Thats exactly what it was. It was teh plan from a fortnight out i would say. had merit as long as petracca earnt the spot. not sure he earnt it over oliver but he was showing form . naive to think the decision wasnt part marketing.

Perhaps a bit of a financial decision as well. Debuting Petracca at our etihad home game will help the gate takings is maybe part of the consideration, knowing historically supporters stay away from etihad a bit

9 hours ago, CHF said:

Dateline: London 2am Tuesday Morning...... cannot sleep

 

I am in pain here… looking for a bit of sympathy.. I pinched a nerve in my back between the 4^th and 5^th lumbar vertebrae. Having experienced the resulting  pain of this pinch, I would not wish it on Alex Rance. (I would but I wanted to appear very PC in case there are impressionable children reading)

 

Last week I tipped 7 out of a possible 9; running total 34. Bloody Aints could not get up and The Duckers are making me look bad by losing to the Boos.

 

Before I go on to the games I would like to address the wonderful entertainment that was the Tiges’ supporters defence of their god botherer fullback. I cannot believe some were going for the ‘Smack the ground in frustration’ defence. I mean there you are less than an arm’s length away from two objects. One is Jack Watt’s head, about the size of a half deflated basketball, the other is the earth, 12,742 kms in diameter. While I acknowledge that they were in close proximity, just how inaccurate do you have to be to miss the large object you are aiming for and hit the half deflated basketball?

 

That was a rhetorical question but I will answer it. About as accurate as 47% of the Tiges’ disposals.

 

Now for the Games

 

And what a cracker to start with….

 

1^st against 2^nd …Norf Vs the Dogs at the home of foot…. Wait a minute, they have got it wrong, surely… the AFL have it listed at the Home away from Home and neither of these teams are from interstate….

 

Could be the match of the round on Friday night football and with the Dees up first thing on Saturday that leaves another 7 matches for me to find something of interest.

 

Norf beat the Sons last week … hmmm been sitting here trying to come up with an angle on this win to make myself appear witty and intelligent…. No surprise I came up empty handed.

 

The Doggies pleased the Tepid Tea (Lukewarm Beveridge for those that have not been following closely) with a win over Leppa’s Pride…. I like the doggies better than I like Scotts Team.

 

Prediction: Doggies to end Norf’s unbeaten run by a couple.

 

 

 

Saturday already… you beauty!

 

First up The Mighty Dees Vs the Aints at… ya gotta be kidding me! This is a Dees home game….. I will never understand some decisions by either the ALF or the dirty maggots.

 

It would seem that Roos has done a Dr Frankenstein on my team with the assistance of his faithful hunchback servant, Igor (Goodwin). Been working on it for a couple of years now. First gave it a bit of backbone and a few other bits and pieces. Followed that up with a bit of brain and heart and finished it off with some muscle. In the off season he gave it a jolt of lightning to bring it to life and voila! And he has created a monster…..well not quite yet but he will get there. Oh yeah, he threw in a bugg just to annoy people.

 

Like ya work Doc!

 

The Almost Aints’ Richo likened his team to a crowded council bus….. carrying a few too many passengers against the Gnats…. Keep it up Richo and one day you may win Presser Bingo

 

Prediction: Dees by a lot….. I jumped on the wagon….Go, you good things!

 

 

 

Still Saturday but who really cares? Dees game- tick …..match of the round-tick….. and a wasteland of fixtures stretches out in front of us….

 

And we start off with this stinker… Cows Vs Duckers at the ground shaped like an oval in Adelaide.

 

Shoot me now…. I have yo find something to say about this pile???

 

Well let’s see what happened to these two last week….. the Cows came a close second to the Dorks after leading by the length of Flemington straight with a couple of hundred meters to go. Now that takes a rare talent. Pyke was ‘disappointed but really proud’.. yeah, nah.. tell us what you really think.

 

For Ross the Boss it was another Loss and I am sure he is still ‘identifying’ what is wrong. As Sherlock Holmes says “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

 

It’s the game plan stupid!!!

 

Prediction: R the B looking at 0-6… cows to win it.

 

 

Gnats Vs Dorks at SPO… no idea and do not want to know….SPO????

 

I amdoing it haRD HERE with the back pain….

 

Had to go and have a nanna nap to ease the pain. Had breakfast and a coffee so this next bit might be a bit better. Back is still carp.

 

Ok Gnats and Dorks…. Gnats  rolled the Aints last week and are purring along… Can Gnats Purr?   Cammers in his presser did not get into the spirit of things and sprouted some basic rubbish about running and form…. Not at all exciting.

 

Dorks have become the Line Team…..  as in Fall over the line… Hard to believe that the Cows gave that one up last week and Clarko sounded like he could not believe his luck…..

 

Prediction: Gnats to win it….. Dorian Grey portrait to fade a little more.

 

 

 

God, just when I thought it could not get any worse….

 

Inepts Vs TOT from Adelaide at the Home of Football…

 

Saturday evening, Round 6 and hey serve up a pile like this?.... must have looked like a good fixture when the draw was announced….

 

We all know what happened to the Inepts last week at the hands of the Mighty Dees. They are in a world of pain. Rance has apologies for being human, Hardon has apologized for being coach and the team has apologized for being intimidated by Bugg.

 

They should sack Hardon and bring in a guest coach each week. They could sell it like sponsorship. Maybe first up they could have Madam Lash from the Daily Planet (that still exist?) she might actually harden them up a bit and give them some sting.

 

Port lost the plot after the brawl at quarter time…. Could not have scored with a fist full of dollars at the Daily Planet. Hinkers has decided to take it a quarter at a time. First quarter last week…. Maybe the second quarter this week. Hinkley…DMW

 

Prediction: This is a Bi game… It could swing either way. In the context of the season it matters not…. TOT from Adelaide to not lose it…. And the winner will be the ad breaks.

 

 

 

At the same time as the last game The Handbaggers take on the Sons of Ablett at Kardy Park

 

Son of Ablett returns to his spiritual home this Saturday but don’t expect him to leave a winner. The Sons are not at their best and the handbaggers will do them no favours. Wow, I sound very professional in those last couple of sentences. Scary stuff.

 

The handbaggers won it all last week in the city that time forgot… the game the fight…all of it.

 

And they have Danger… have the feeling he is papering over the cracks and they are middle of the road this year.

 

Prediction: Handbaggers easy

 

 

 

Sunday and we are in the home stretch..

 

Leppa’s Pride Vs The Swannies at the other “G”

 

Swannies by how much? Blubby to kick 10 and Horse to speak really slowly during his presser.

 

How is that? You read this and end up getting  three predictions for the price of one. Of the three games this Sunday this is the one I have lowest interest in. Two East coast clone teams try to make AFL relevant somewhere up north.

 

Prediction: Siddelly by more than a few

 

 

 

Oh Dear me….OH….Dear…..Me…

 

I have mentioned relevance… now for meaningless

 

TDC Vs the Boos at The ‘G’

 

What to say about this? When I was a kid I used to go to the movie matinee on the weekend. It was usually a double bill with a B grade shocker on the first half of the bill before the interval. You know the type…Tarzan and the Apemen, where Tarzan with the help of a chimp wins the day.

 

Well, view this game the same as that type of movie except that there are no ‘goodies’ and very much B- grade.

 

TDC should not be allowed to play on this ground.

 

 

 

Prediction: Boos to win… TDC deserve to lose

 

 

 

Last one of the round over in the West… The Ex-Druggies Vs The rubbish

 

I have had a good look at this game, analysed the living suitcase out of it and cannot see it being of interest to a normal person unless you have the first 8 tipped of the round and are looking to get up in this one for a perfect NINE.

 

I have no kind words for either of these teams and my gran always said that if you cannot say something nice about someone than STFU. Wise woman my gran.

 

Prediction: Ex-Druggies to step up over the Rubbish(hate ‘em)

 

Another one done and dusted… back still sore

 

 

 

Cows, Dorks, ex-druggies, the rubbish, leppas pride, the boos, handbaggers, gnats, duckers. ? what are you? 12?

23 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Richmond came to play, their season on the line.  They challenged us multiple times yet, like the Pies last week, we were never headed once we kicked the opening goal. There's room for improvement but it was still a good win. And now we get to see the blowtorch on Hardwick this week

7 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Fantastic effort.

Mediocre execution.

We'll struggle to beat good teams playing as sloppy as we did tonight, but we'll be in the game with the effort. 

We just have to find the right balance between sharing the ball and overusing it. If we are out in space, don't go back in. If we are under pressure but running forward then kick to advantage instead of trying to find extra handballs. 

Our step backwards in the 3rd quarter was created by players trying to be more direct to make up for the first half where the overuse was prominent.

The last quarter we found the balance again. Although we left a few goals out there/created a few hassles either trying to be too direct (Frost up and under kick that did Kent no favours), not pulling the trigger (the pass to Hogan that was off line and spoilt before the goal game from Tyson) or the opposite in trying to walk it in (Hogan smothered). 

Some other mental errors like lack of concentration (hello Tommy Mc 50) and getting sucked in to a 1/4 time fight that we can avoid.

 

Good analysis

21 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I haven't been this up about footy since 2011 when we beat up on the Crows and Dockers.
The difference is now is that we aren't downhill skiers. Besides the Essendon blip, I have been impressed with out ability to get in and continue fighting.
Now there is a new streak that we need to break. The Saints have clowned us for a good 8 years now.  It's time to get that monkey off the back. 

We are a pack of absolute c$&ts and I love it!

21 minutes ago, Rafiki said:

I still think the booing of Goodes wasn't racially motivated, no one this year has been booed because of their skin colour. Very happy to listen to other opinions about this though

I want to like this Twice.

burgoyne, Jetta, Garlett and maybe others do far far more for aboriginal interests than Goodes. Divisiveness serves no one

5 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Please stay on topic ... argy bargy and personal comments will be deleted.

thank you

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

Oh Ok so maybe Deestroy all, you should refrain from posting coz many on this site might get tired of you constantly taking me to task!??

Ad Nauseam! Eh?

Site Administrators

is there a possibility with the current software to put a 6 hour block on offending posters as soon as these weak ass, [censored] for tat defenses of fragile egos break out so that informative discussion of the topic at hand can be allowed to carry on unhindered. This garbage that's allowed to play out is a cancer to every discussion it invades. The rest of us aren't interested in watching these social misfits defending their little online kingdoms. We just want to talk football. 

Site admin, please look in to it. Freeze the offending posters for a few hours so by the time they can post again, the discussion has carried on beyond them.

why Freo?

1 hour ago, Pitchy said:

I agree actually, I sort of meant 'explosive' as a veiled pejorative. He did some good things on the weekend though. Gee your profile picture is off-putting. Not trying to be mean if it is actually a photo of you. Your best photo? Sorry if so.

That's fine, Pitchy , I get it all the time. It's an old photo