rjay

Not so sure 'Dr'... Smith, Tommy and Weid are not working well together. Part of the problem is the delivery into the forward half but a lot of it is positioning. They are spoiling each other and getting in each others way. Does Smith make way for Melk?

A lot of people wanting to put things into perspective from my readings.... ...so here's my perspective. We're not good enough to cruise through preseason games just yet...if these games are meant to tweak the game plan and fine tune for the first game then heaven help us. That was a dogs breakfast. No amount of perspective can change that.

Reading between the lines it appears the AFL are using this as some kind of scare tactic. If it was a real issue then all clubs & club doctors would be right on to it not just "Some club doctors and football department officials have passed on the message to players" According to ASADA even though they can detect usage, the levels are not high enough to warrant a suspension. In other words the tests show that players didn't use the drugs on match day & didn't have enough in the system to give a competitive advantage.

Jacobs is ok... I think their 2 big forwards are front runners & their defence could be suspect against good opposition talls. Also need to keep their small/medium defenders honest, that's where they launch from.

People laughed at Gale when he targeted 75k membership and premierships. Who's laughing now. Dream big, but also do the work required to make it a reality. Happy to see us not content to remain a small club, we were once big and can be again....

It's out of control if true 'bin' and no reason to believe it's not. Apparently sharing across private groups. The world is a better place since the advent of social media said no one....

Listening to Andy Maher they other day callers talked about it being rife in all AFL clubs as well as in local footy. So, yep it's only a matter of time before it starts coming out.

I get the idea of cutting back on preseason games. ...but I hope they don't cut preseason itself back any further than the current 3 week Christmas break. If they do then you can guarantee more off field problems. Think NRL have trouble now, the AFL off-field indiscretions will sky rocket. The AFL need to look at this as a whole and not just as injury prevention. Players need structure, time at the club is important to this structure. Young men, big money, big ego's and plenty of free time...I mean what could possibly go wrong?

By legalising it you have more chance of controlling it 'Ethan'...it is already out of control under current restrictive policies, that horse has bolted. If you take the marketers and distribution network out (criminals) then maybe you have a chance. The war on drugs is a failed public policy backed by those who make money out of the misery. Many in so called legit businesses.

I pretty much agree with what you are saying...there's a lot of self interest and big money propping up the war on drugs and it's not all on the criminal side. ...but if the AFL want to continue the current farcical system for me it's one in all in... Maybe then they will have a good think about what they are doing... Me, like you I think they need to stick to weeding out the performance enhancing stuff.

You don't think that Dill is on bigger bucks to perform (much more than any player)...or Eddie, Gary, Robbo, Sam??? I would think the decisions made at AFL executive and board level are more important than anything a player will have to do. Shouldn't they have a clear head. ...and those reporting, wouldn't it be good to know they are not being hypocritical in their views. Coming out strongly against drug use but privately in it up to their eye balls.

This list shows where we've been since '64 & why....we've lacked real star power. Oliver is the best mid I've seen at the club (apologies to Hassa one of my heroes growing up but the memory is fading) & well on the way to being an absolute champion of the game.

Like the Pies and Vic Park the Tiges have outgrown Punt Rd. The oval is only Docklands size & they've already extended it to it's maximum to get that. I would expect an announcement of a move in the next year or 2. They will build elsewhere and move on...

It is a bit early 'spurs' and of course it's only practice match footy but yeah, it is really boring stuff to watch. There has been zero pressure in these games so I guess we have to wait for the season proper. So far it's about as interesting as last years AFLX footy. ...and just maybe it comes back to that old saying "be careful what you ask for". Someone had to say it, but at the moment the emperor has no clothes.

I've been thinking along similar lines 'Diamond'... Whilst I fully get the romance of being around the 'G' the practicality may not match. It's only a matter of time until the Pies & Tiges move on...

I think we often look at the fully formed C/wood centre and wonder what could have been. ...but like him or not, without McGuires political savvy & vision they wouldn't have been able to develop that ground & in turn the facility they have. Say if we did get the building I think we would probably still be arguing about where our training ground would be and the athletes would still be training at Olympic Park...

Came across from Oakleigh 'Diamond', a little like Fritsch and co, he had to rack up the numbers at VFA (now VFL) level to get noticed.

As I said the other day, don't be so sure. There seems to be a bit more unravelling going on now... I'm not sure any policy the AFL sets up will stop some players falling off the rails.

I like Jake's article and makes a lot of good points, nails it as you say....but he's incorrect here The irony of the AFL situation is that, outside of football, the drug debate is heading in the opposite direction - towards medical/health solutions and away from law and order - particularly in the United States, due to the opioid crisis. The opioid crisis is due to prescription medication...think Prince as a prime example. There is no loosening up law & order as far as illicit drug use is concerned in the States, particularly with the current regime. There is too much money to be made by benefactors in the incarceration industry for that to happen.

Hi Mark...

For me 'Laughing' it will always be just about the game. Take away the game and you've got nothing...

Funny thing is I never knew what a player rolled up to the game wearing. If you asked me what they wore I wouldn't have been able to tell you. I'm not at all interested until they are out on the ground playing the game. I guess I'm just part of the old breed who just wants to see a good game of footy and my team win.

I'm not so sure it is 'Chazz'... Let's say in our realm of AFL football that the outward expression of racism seems to be on the decline even though you get the odd case like the current Betts incident. I have a feeling that it still bubbles away under the surface. In its own peculiar way social media lets us know there's a long way to go before we get any semblance of togetherness, understanding, acceptance & tolerance.

The trouble with the AFL policy is any player who takes time off with mental problems (or a long term mystery injury) will be painted with the drug brush even if it is far from true.

Not this case 'Grimes' ...but Sam Murray who was tested positive on match day. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/magpie-sam-murray-being-investigated-by-asada-20180824-p4zzh0.html