rjay

As you say 'steve', there were many reasons. We might have finally run our race...call that cooked if you like but I think it probably overstates things. ...but the big one for me is we definitely had list issues, which we're addressing. The 2 finals wins we had were against teams that had their own issues, they probably gave us an inflated sense of where we really were.

This is disgraceful 'old dee'...they've just left the country leagues to rot on the vine. Their pay-packet should be linked to the real health of the game Australia wide, unfortunately it's not and down the track when Gill has moved on and done his damage I can see our football being relegated to being a quaint provincial game like Gaelic Football is now...

I've had a feeling for a while now that we are 2 to 3 class players off having a premiership capable list. We really need to pick up class in this draft, not sure splitting picks will help. If Bennell can get on the park then that's one...

I get your point 'Biff', we are assuming it is a racially motivated comment. ...but no matter it's more than idiotic and shouldn't be tolerated if made to anyone of any race or colour. As to the right wing/conservative v left wing stuff. We need to seperate that from the acts of extremists. AKA the nut jobs...always misguided, often disaffected.

...been saying this for a while now but I think he is the obvious successor for Nev...

Trouble is that the Republicans have moved further to the right and many Dems have become default Reps...Sanders, Warren & AOC scare the hell out of them so badly that some are even pushing for Hillary to run again. Now that is delusional...

I don't know about haranguing but the question must surely be asked and answered, not avoided or brushed over.

...not just you 'dazzle'. It's most definitely my preference.

I think he is way off the mark with our defence. A fit May pushes us up a few more places than 13th, Lever adds another place or 2. The structure of our defence will be interesting this year but I really rate May, next to Rance I think he's the best in the business.

It's nearly like you're shifting the blame to the players here 'Dee' Ryan most definitely didn't open himself up to these comments. Prevention would be to name and shame the people who make these comments then let's see how many are willing to make them when they are fully exposed.

We might be deeply flawed 'Jako' but I prefer not just giving in. Things do change no matter how slowly, the optimist in me is hopeful.

In this particular case (Liam Ryan)...do you think it's ok for someone to say what he or she said or under freedom of speech are they free to say whatever they want?

What is political correctness 'Biffen'? Can you define it? To me it seems like some catch all for anyone who doesn't like a particular view.

Why do you feel more exposed 'old dee'?

Let's just say if he didn't intentionally touch cocaine he probably would have been in the minority.

Looks like we're going around in circles a bit here. Changes have been made and quite significant ones. Do I care about the Crowes? No... Whilst I don't think we were in crisis we had major issues. Do I think our preseason surgeries were an issue? yes Do I think we had other issues besides those? yes and we've started to address them which is good. Do I think there will be further shake ups prior to the start of the season? yes

Very true 'Gonzo'...we have a new CEO who is yet to make his mark on the club. It will be interesting to know how much input he had into the changes made. The structure is there but there have been significant renovations.

No brigade of coaches sacked, that was an overstatement by 'steve' but also your take was an understatement and didn't account for the significance of the changes made. Some pushed and some moving on, who knows where each falls... Viney, MIsson, Rawlings, Jenning, Macca...it's not a small exodus, these were major players.

A little like the politician that steps down for family reasons... Spin it anyway you like 'bin' but there have been significant changes made in the FD as there should have been after a disastrous 2019.

This you don't know... Some of these things take time to fix. There are no magic bullets, it may take us a few draft/trade periods. Maybe the changes made on and off field already have been in answer to these problems.

I didn't want to quote the whole post again 'Goffy' but you make your point well. I like to make opinions on what I see but I'm not stupid enough to deny that stats, particularly well analysed stats are an invaluable aid. I mean at the end of the day the scoreboard is a stat...in most cases it tells us who was the better team on the day. If we can break that down with well considered stats & some smart analysis it should help us in every facet of the game including building the list and yes improving the goal kicking...

I rate him too, he's a slow burn but plenty of talent. Still only 21yo.

Hi Mel, I might have got you in this a little bit deeper than we expected...we could have a discussion on drugs and creativity another time. My thinking is it might have more to do with the temperament of the artist in a lot of cases and may not have helped and could have indeed hindered their creative process. It certainly screwed up a lot of them, Brian Jones, Peter Green, Jimi, Sid Barrett and many others... Good old Satch and Bing were know to have many a recreational smoke together. The culture police would be surprised to know that... Zappa by the way had the Roos policy in his bands, the opposite end of the stick. As for not having any drug users or former drug users playing for the club then I don't think we would be a hope in hell of getting anywhere & would struggle to put a list together if that was the case. Drug use is rife in the whole AFL system, our club is no different. I heard of a prominent recruit who was surprised to find at least 70% of his team-mates into it. So, that horse has long bolted. It's only those with their head in the sand that would see it as a problem to club culture. It's not changing anytime soon, it's why the AFL have a harm minimisation policy. Not for the players, but for their brand.

You mean the 2 players that paid for their own personal training camp o/s during the break? ....and the number 2 pick who was spotted training for a couple of hours early on a Saturday morning looking in peak condition with his own personal trainer before the kids took over the ground for cricket? They're both working hard... For some it's better they stay away from the club, do the work & come back refreshed. They're all going to be in each others pockets soon enough.

Who are you talking about???