Hells Gates

Artie Bucco??

So do I...but remind me of why we are going backwards again....

I like the idea. Why not tank from round 1!!

Will finish with a wet sail hopefully. But the first 5 games will determine our season. Could possibly be 4-1 or 1-4 IMO. Need to win 4 out of our first 5 to make the 8. i have said we will finish 12th.

Welcome to Darwin - enjoy the heat! Yes that shower was heavy ya poor bugger!! I just made it under the grandstand! Good on Tiwi - Love their theme song.

He doesnt understand what depressed is yet the little boy.

That is the perfect way to sum it all up. Same here.

Yep & Yep. Spot on.

Yes it is mesmerising stuff hey. Just incredible what they can do. Tunga had a quiet game for him but booted 48 goals from 15 games this year. Silky skills and very much an outside player. i think the guy you are talking about from Nightcliff is Stafford??? Yes he looks good, strong hands in the wet. Haha all shapes thats funny - how about the Tiwi full forward?? Big lad but normally kills it.

Haha. All good. Great entertainment thats for sure and very educating!! I might ask you some questions another day about it as it must of been a terrible time. Its hard arguing with people who love circular arguments - impossible to get your point across - they are never wrong so to speak. Anyway keep up the good posts and go Dees.

Interesting. So why did Adelaide pick up their structures so quick? And why will it take us 3 years? Im sick of going backwards!! Craig is a great asset for our footy club. I like 2009 - I was 3 years younger!

Interesting stuff with the merger Macca - you seem to be well up with it. I was too young to know what was happening so thanks for the history lesson. I did get lost though, does the proposed merger reflect where we are as a team onfield now?

Yep start winning games and the culture would change, supporters included. Not rocket science. As much as I dislike it, people who have been around to see 50 years of hurt have every right to be upset and disgruntled.

Sorry OD I was referring to our fitness training. I have sent you a PM as well.

It would of been an awesome pre season if we hadnt of had so many injuries - guys in rehab, but yes a big step in the right direction.

I kinda agree however its our disposal that concerns me more than anything - it just hasnt improved. I was at the game and the disposal was terrible just like the the Hawks game and even the Pies game. I watched that interview too and it could go two ways. He either doesnt care/another hitout or he is quite frustrated and knows he has his work cut out for him. Only he knows the answer to that. Im willing to give it a few rounds but Im not holding my hopes high - good opposition will be well worth watching mid year.

I hope you are being sarcastic? I did not change my opinion when Scully left at all, I had this opinion from the first time I watched him in the TAC cup and during our games. A hard nut? Dont be so friggin stupid. He is an outside runner, nowhere near a hard nut. I dont recall seeing him throw himself into packs, do you?

Yes he was. As I said in my post read the small forward thread for more info. Cheers

Did I say something wrong??

Ok, Ive gone away and had a good think once again at where we are at and it doesnt look good to me. Firstly I would like to say that I am extremely happy with the way things are going off the field, coaches, FD spendature, we are heading in the right direction, no question at all. My absolute disappointment is in the way we have recruited. The AFL has given us a perfect opportunity because of our performances to build a dynasty through first round draft picks. As some people have taken the time on here like Clint to point out we have really missed the boat. Even going back to 2003 when Sylvia was drafted. I have no doubt that this coaching group will make these players the best they can possibly be but the reality is they are only average players and I dont see us worthy of challenging anything with this list. Im not negative, Im a realist. I can see how people are asking to wait on recent drafts, fair enough, but my problem goes back alot further. Remember Geelong didnt take long to start making the pre lims after they started their re build. To me we started in 2003 and should be well ahead of where we are - no excuses. I will only list players taken in the first round or close to, anything above that is a bonus in my eyes as we still would of picked them up anyway, we have failed at our top draft picks. 2001: pick 9 - Luke Molan Rookie pick: Mark Jamar - whilst a great tap ruckman, still doesnt do enough damage around the ground for me, not like a Cox or Sandi. 2002: #14 - Daniel Bell #15 - Nick Smith 2003: #3 priority - Colin Sylvia - At 26 should of reached peak consistantly by now, lazy, looks tough but isnt. Poor output for a number 3 pick. #5 - Brock McLean - Slow and lazy. Did pick up Davey as a rookie but jury is now out again. 2004: #13 - Matthew Bate #15 - Lynden Dunn Dunn has been the pick of the two, finished off a season well a few years back but both have stalled. Both on thin ice. Bate is way too slow for the midfield, wont make it there. 2005: #12 - Nath Jones - gives his all week in/week out, is improving but jury still out on disposal efficiency - to me its improving. 2006: #12 - James Frawley - hooray, we are on the board here. Absolute star. Picked up Petterd & Garland,my brother late in the draft. Jury still out on Petterds inconsistancy. 2007: #4 - Cale Morton - showed a little early, not a lot the last few years. Like a rabbit looking into headlights. There are people smaller than Cale in AFL that go in alot harder. Soft. #14 - Jack Grimes - 32 games in 4-5 years. Now captain & cant doubt his courage, not the best disposal but reads the play well and a good mark. Recruited with injury concerns and nothing much has changed. Unless he can start remaining on the park there is a big question mark here. Once again recruiters knew about his injuries. 2008: #1 - Jack Watts - has all the skills but he has an extremely long way to go before he is crunching packs like a CHF should do. You can make as many excuses for him as you want but I think the critisism of late by Carey & Malthouse is worthy even if it is NAB cup, likes the outside game. #17 - priority - Sam Blease - Too early to tell, has speed & from what I have seen good by foot, but poor tank, mainly because of injury I would say. Is he best 22? #19 - James Strauss - injuries, has shown a bit, not alot though. Is he best 22? 2009: I will put these in just to give my opinion. #1 - priority - Tom Scully - somehow backfired with him leaving. Got alot of the footy in TAC cup but once again recruited with terrible disposal and soft as butter. Maybe something with his personality wasnt picked up in his interview? I dont know. The fact his Dad was working for another club would sound alarm bells to me straight away anyway. #2 - Jack Trengove - I watched a lot of him on the SANFL, was a star especially during finals. Has the ability but I dont think he will be a star. Now Co Capt. #11 - Jordan Gysberts - This will be the pick of the bunch IMO. Natural footballer, just needs to work on bulking up and fitness. Similar traits to Pendles. #18 - Luke Tapscott - Excellent by foot, good mark and courageous. Injuries a worry. Was recruited with OP problems. #34 - Max Gawn - I will add him as I would of taken Vardy everyday of the week. Recruited with knee problems and nothing has changed. I will stop it there. You can blame FD spending all you like, but seriously, think about what you are saying. North won 2 flags in the 90's with the worst FD spending. In recent seasons the WB's have been a genuine top 4 team and made a few pre lims, they dont have much money. And StK, made the most out of their draft picks with a poor FD and continually make the finals albeit top 4 and even a Grand final in recent years, so stop making excuses. I do believe we have to keep up with the times though. Our rebuilds started long ago and we just keep going around in circles. Whilst we have snagged a couple of OK rookies/pre season picks which we still would of got anyway we have pathetically failed with our first round picks which were set up for us to build a powerhouse. Even our depth picks through these years have been somewhat shocking and alot have been moved on. Whether we like it or not, we have failed and missed a very big opportunity and we have to start all over again. A lot of people here seem to be in dreamland and overate our list by a long way. The news for you is they will improve with a better FD but they will only be average players at best, we should of had a few stars by now considering our first round picks. I see the potential for only one star after all these drafts - James Frawley. That says it all BP did not even interview Dustin Martin - are you serious? When you build a house you dont get the first builder, you get quotes. Its absolutely pathetic that this was let to happen. Martin was an AA midfielder, why wouldnt you get him in for a quick chat? I wasnt a huge fan of Dean Bailey, but what he did do was pump games into kids, more than any other club in the AFL. These kids should of matured quicker than other teams, but some have overtaken us like North & Richmond. People use the excuse about senior players to learn from but these two teams dont have many either. Maybe it wasnt Baileys fault, even though I think it was the right decision for him to move on, maybe the cattle that we drafted is so overated? For me, twist it, turn it, paint it pretty colours and tell yourselves what a powerhouse we will be but the fact is we have failed with our drafting for a long time, things dont look good for me. If you think that our current group will bring us success then I doubt your knowledge of what is right or wrong. Recruiting - Epic Failure. Feel free to argue amongst yourselves as I wont be here and nothing will change my opinion as that is exactly what it is - MY Opinion.

Good honest post Robbie. That's exactly right and yep that's where we are at.

I will put something positive up this time, hope you enjoy for those interested. Well after watching last nights horrible display in Adelaide I flew back home to Darwin and got ready to watch the Northern Territory Football League Grand Final between Nightcliff and the Tiwi Bombers. For those who may be confused footy is played from October to March up here as it is the wet season and they naturally play cricket during the dry which would be Melbournes winter. The Nightcliff Tigers, who have 3 premierships to their name last won way back in the 1964 season - how ironic. Nightcliff were the standout team all season after a huge recruiting drive and finished the season on top of the NTFL ladder, an amazing feat after finishing with the wooden spoon last year and consistantly being cellar dwellers. The Tiwi Bombers, a team originated from a group of Islands approx. 100 kms North West of Darwin, were invited to enter the Northern Territory Football League on a seven game trial in 2007. The Tiwi won all seven games and officially became the eighth NTFL club, ‘Tiwi Bombers’, for the 2007/08 season, securing the double chance in that and the following season but failing to win a finals match. A remarkable story of young indigineous men who live and die by the football. Seeing as Nightcliff havent had a flag for years and Tiwi have never won one, it was going to be a fairytale for one club and heartbreak for the other. 15 minutes before the opening bounce a monsoon storm decided to let rip dumping 20mm of rain, when this happened I quickly thought that would affect the Tiwi free flowing, fast outside running footy and put Nightcliff as favourites as this game was due to be clustered up. After the a nervous start from the young lass singing the national anthem the boys were away in front of a packed house at TIO stadium. Nightcliif got the first goal and looked the goods in the first quarter taking an early 13 point lead 16m in before the siren sounded with Nightcliff taking the lead to the first break 4.3.27 to Tiwi 2.2.14. Second quarter and Thomas Motlop goals 5 mins in to take the tigers lead to 18 pts, things were starting to look grim for the Bombers. Ross Tungatalum goaled on the run to bring the deficit back for Tiwi. I mentioned Ross Tungatalum in the "small forward" thread for those who want a bo peep. Then Tiwi flicked the switch from nowhere and started their running game, which is like something from another planet, and started peppering the goals, unfortunately squandering their opportunities kicking 8 behinds for the quarter. Half time score Nightcliff 6.4.40 to Tiwi 4.10.34. At half time chief Minister Paul Henderson revealed that the grandstand will now be called the Maurice Rioli Stand much to the crowds delight. Third quarter was underway and it was Tiwi playing the better footy and the Tigers defence hanging on for grim life as Tiwi attacked. From the second to the third quarter there was no score for 35 mins until a rushed behind for Tiwi. The Bombers piled on another 5 behinds and when Nightcliff goaled just before the siren at 3/4 time, Tiwi had 4.16 to the Tigers 7.5, Tiwi playing better but Nightcliff hitting the scoreboard. Last quarter Tiwi unleashed their run and never gave up while there was only so much Nightcliffs defence could handle and finally gave way. Tiwi Bombers running out 14 point winners of their first ever premiership 9.20.74 to Nightcliff 9.6.60. An outstanding game of football and one I highly recommend for anyone to holiday here and watch the Tiwi Bombers. The indigineous boys blow me away and theres nothing they cant do, some of the things are just unbelievable. Paul Scanlon for Tiwi won the Chaney Medal for BOG. Austin Wonaemirri played for Tiwi tonight. He spent most of his time on the bench, I asked a Tiwi member why and he said he just isnt fit enough and too slow for this standard. He has put on a few extra kg but did turn it on a bit in the last, but nowhere near what he used to be. Sadly I dont think he will play AFL again. Ross Tungatalum however will be on a few clubs minds as a small forward. Personally I rate him a lot higher than Waylon Manson and Wonaemirri.

So he should.

Everything Dean Bailey touches turns to magic!!!

Ross was pretty quiet tonight, flashed in and out. Although I couldnt see up the other end!! Im about to write a report and put pics up unless you were planning to??? I wrote a piece this morning on Tungatalum in the small forward thread if you want a look?