rjay

I don't know if you're old enough to have experienced the zone system that was around in the VFL days. It's part of the reason our club was in the wilderness for so long. Development should be handled by the AFL rather than the clubs. It is their responsibility to grow the game. If the AFL did their job then players brought through their pathways (not the cubs) would be available to all clubs in the draft. The current system is heading the way of the zones and is open to be rorted. Stories are legendary as to what went down in the "good" old days and it wasn't just brown paper bags...

Get rid of the academies....nothing good has come of this hare brained idea.

I'm leaning towards Bont as well. Curnow would be a good get for our list but even then imagine Bont with Trac...

So...lets not debate the list too much. ...but how about a question. Who would you take if you had the choice of any player in the AFL now? Would Cripps be your number one pick? He wouldn't be mine but I need some think time as to who would be.

Interesting to watch him...and will be over his career. Doesn't appear overly quick, gets to the right positions though & uses it well. Looked like a goal kicking Caleb Daniel to me.

I think it was Bolton before he got pushed by Carlton...

...and that post re guitar lessons is funnier than you think.

I really meant advertising 'bin'...I'm not a believer in banning things. Drug and alcohol being prime examples of it doesn't work,...

When I saw the thread title I thought we were going to be discussing the idea of getting rid of betting in the AFL. The sooner it happens the better.

I would prefer we didn't have a thread on betting at all... ...but, I guess that's just me.

Good call 'Redleg'...ahead of the game with this one.

Thought the same 'Adam'...I didn't get to watch it live and won't see the game until tomorrow night. ...but man I thought we were getting smashed then someone put the score up.

A game with nothing hanging on the result is always boring...it has nothing to do with the length. It's why I didn't bother watching.

I don't hold out any hope...but a government worth it's salt would keep and enforce anti syphoning legislation to stop this happening.

It seems to matter to him and only weakens his argument of being home sick. Strengthens our case to keep him to his contract.

I'm happy with Windsor...

That's how I read it...

Good question and one for ' @Webber'????

I don't understand what you mean by centreman...the role that say Hassa Mann played as a true centreman is no longer a part of the game. What role do you want Windsor to play when you keep bringing this up? Should he take centre bounces? how should he position around the ground? Who plays this role for other clubs? I'm trying to understand your meaning here.

I wouldn't have agreed a few years back but I shifted my thinking on this. All clubs go in level with no practice matches. ...and as you say, a far better build up.

I couldn't find the records on Tom and trusted good old AI who told me he played none. After further searching you are correct, he played 19 senior games in his first 2 seasons which suggest a fair few in the 2's. I'm pretty sure Buddy was in & out in his first season or so... ...but, they still had a fair few games at senior level. Kennedy is an interesting one...imagine if he could emulate him... I still stand by the thought that this is the time for Jeffo to stand up or he risks being another to fall by the wayside. I really hope he makes it, but being burned before I'm not as trusting this time around.

It's often quoted but I will make the point again that the good ones take time in the 1's... People continually bring up Hawkins as an example, I don't think he played any games in the 2's. Yes, they take time but usually at the highest level. I would say it is time for Matty, he's had his games at Casey and now needs to stake his claim or be just another promising forward who need to take time.

The AFL's charter is to grow the game...they should be doing the work and not pushing it to the clubs. A big reason they granted academies to Victorian clubs was because of the whining of McGuire and co in regard to the Northern academies. Instead of fixing things they just made them worse. The whole system is a dogs breakfast...

Not sure how old you are 'Return' but the old zone system really stitched us up and was a big reason why we went so long without a flag. I'm against anything that looks like a zone and would rather we keep some integrity in the draft. The current system as you have already alluded to can be too easily rorted like the old zone system was. The less interference the better, keep things simple. Go to the draft, let the AFL spend their money on development. Development of the game after all is a big part of their charter.

I would rather these pathways be scrapped and taken over by the AFL...