rjay

That's the one they should get. Lyon, Ross

They need an ex coach who hasn't checked out to take the position if they are serious...can't be just an ex players view as they don't have the whole picture. Wallace would be my first choice but I think he's headed towards retirement. Please not Nick...

So, who were all these outside player/finishers we were chasing. Since Goodwin has been in charge we've gone after Lever & May...and landed them. This year we went after Langdon and landed him. We had a dip at Elliot and missed, we picked up Tomlinson. None of these are outside player/finisher types. Langdon & Tomlinson give us some outside run no doubt but they are both, particularly Langdon very hard contested players as well. Then if we look at this years draft all 3 are hard at it competitive players.... The coach doesn't like purely outside players, I'm with him there.

'Mach' isn't a grenade thrower 'Pennant' and his info is generally pretty good. I would take some notice of what he is saying in this instance...maybe the source has an axe to grind, this must always be considered in these things but the messenger is ok.

So if you don't think he has the ability to succeed why would any full time recruiting/list manager at another club part with picks that will get us back into the first round of this years draft... ...not a cheap shot, it just doesn't add up.

You can see it this pic. Dunkley looks like he's just spotted a white pointer and he's done, meanwhile his teammate (is that Bedford?) is looking on like he's a gonna...

He will probably play off half back and maybe have a run in the mids at times...this also opens up the forgotten man, Salem to do more or more of the same...

I think we will see Jackson running through the midfield at times this year...

You tell Carl he's not playing 'La Dee'.... Personally I would play him off the bench to clean up any issues we may have with opposition players.

Yep, it was until the 2019 season. We had made progress each year but the fall off was a bit dramatic. That drop off create a great opportunity to top up our young talent & may be seen as pivotal to success when we look back. Agree that our list is in better shape than 2018 & we should expect a strong 2020 season. I don't understand those who think just making the 8 is good enough. We should put 2019 aside & judge on the improvement up to & including 2018. We made the Prelim in 2018 but weren't competitive. We need to at leat make it and put up a good show, maybe even win it for 2020 to be seen as successful.

I think Hawthorn did better 'old'...and they made the most of it. Carlton bought their flags and did a bit of a Melbourne, they didn't adapt to the changing game like us in the 60's. Hawthorn nearly fell away as well but for some smart work from the likes of Dicker. He didn't share the arrogant traits of his Carlton rivals.

With all the opposition analysis that goes into games these days it would be unusual for any team to be caught out. Fritsch can play & will be vital to any improvement in our forward line this year & beyond.

The rebuild started at the end of 2013...it was never linear as I've stated elsewhere. You pick up, you lose, you win some, you lose some. Players come in, players go but over that period you build or should build a stronger list. ..I just think 7 years is long enough to build a contender. I'm not saying we will contend, just that we should be in that position now and I will see it as failure if we don't...

Harry was Roos Folly...

It is 'Macca' but in our case we could define ground zero as when Roos took us on. I know we came from a long way back but we need to show something this year. There's a lot of if's & but's on the list for mine at the moment 'Macca', this year will tell a tale. I wouldn't take it 'Macca'...if there's real substance then the results will show better than 11.

You're playing with words here mate... We started a rebuild at the end of 2013 when we brought in Roos...part of the process was bringing in Goodwin. That means by the end of 2020 we will have had 7 years to bring in players, trade out players, basically build a club/team that will seriously contest for the flag. I think that is probably long enough. Just making up the numbers will not be a successful season.

There's a difference between how I see us going and what I see as a successful year. I have no idea how we will go this year but I am optimistic... However if we aren't contender then I think our season is a fail and by the clubs metrics if we go by what Pert and Bartlett tell us it should be seen as a fail. It will be the 7th season since Roos came on board and that's long enough. The rebuild will be close to a fail if we don't see results soon.

We need to be a legitimate premiership contender for this season to be a success. Simple... We've been building this list for long enough. Now's the time to put the runs on the board.

Also said he would miss 2 to 3 weeks...not ideal.

Didn't want to post this as I thought it might get the Oscar bashers salivating...was standing near where it happened. Melk had back position, Oscar in front and the ball was put up to Melk's advantage, nice bit of body work to edge Oscar under the ball. Given that everyone was going through the motions I wouldn't write a lot into it.

Had a bit of a wander around the park and took in a bit of the training this morning. @DeeSpencer, Jetta, Viney and Vanders were running fast laps earlier (while the main crew did the tan)...it looked as though Vanders was absolutely streeting them but turns out he was on a different program running sets of 2 laps while Jet and Vin were running continuos. Must say he did look in great shape though. Just a few general observations. Tomlinson is huge. Jackson moves well, positions himself well and is a nice kick. if he gets an early call up it will be as a forward, maybe with a run through the middle. In the ruck craft sessions Max moved him off his line way to easily but that's to be expected, a kid v the best in the game. For the time being Tomlinson may have to do the relief ruck work, not my ideal but we do what we do. Rivers has an AFL ready body, if he has a good preseason will play early. Tracs strength and balance are going to come to the fore this season...expect him to move up another notch, holds position nicely whilst fending off and taking the ball. Very hard to take off his line. Pickett offers us what we don't have up forward, don't be surprised if he plays first game. Good to see the numbers out on the track and looks like Tomlinson and Jones are not far off full training. They seemed to be putting in longer and harder work in the rehab group.

I've come in late on this discussion 'Macca', but I agree that our list has been substandard. That recent list of our top 10 players of the last decade pretty much showed that up as a fact. The Champion Data rating last year was a joke... I do like the way we look now and they have us at 12...a better list than the one they rated as best in the AFL. Part of the problem has been development, coaching etc. but you still need quality to work with. The trading and additions we've made over the last couple of years have strengthened the list...we just need to get and keep them on the park. I know you're not a fan of our forward set up and for good reason...it's our weakness. I think Fritsch could be the wildcard here but he is going to work best as the 3rd forward in a traditional set up...Tommy is a number 2 at best and we don't have the Key...It's going to have to be manipulated to work. We don't have the players to play a traditional forward set up...maybe with the mid sizers we can make something work. Goodie is going to have to earn his money and pull something out of the bag... As the thread is about the Captain...I've said it before but Gawn as sole skipper for me. ...but I don't think it will make a world of difference. Get good cattle, coach them well and keep them on the park.

I reckon it's more about our midfield connection with Gawn and how we are going to use him as a get out kick from defence and who is going to be the 2nd banana...the connection wasn't that great this year and we have to also account for 666. Injury risk, I guess it is the same but I've got to admit I always worry more in preseason... Another thing not mentioned with the media naming their best 22's. I would think maybe there would be 8 on the bench giving us a best 26. Makes sense to me...

That's why it's not the same thing. After season 2019 we need to coordinate our game a lot better. Playing a couple of games with teammates would seem a much better preparation for us than one or two of our key players playing a 'Micky Mouse' game.

Hibberd has been known to enjoy his time off and generally takes his time to ramp up. Not the best, not the worst... ...but it looks like he's come back in better shape than ever and has a point to prove after an average 2019.