rjay

Having a bit of an analytical look at the game... The Tiges really struggle to get clean ball from centre clearances. If they can't sort it out they're not winning a flag this year...

So long as we've got the top spot sewn up 'Diamond', the rest can please themselves...

It's an area of his game I expect will improve and it does need work. I'm sure he's aware of it... He's coming in to this year with only 58 games under his belt so he has time on his side.

The doctor always has responsibility to the patient. The club might employ him but the patient is his prime concern and the privacy of issues with that patient are paramount as it should always be.

At first the Hogan trade looked as though we got unders, surely he was worth 2 first round picks.... We might have even got those picks or equivalent in players and picks if Bell hadn't arrived on the scene. I think Freo went in with eyes open and took the risk on Jesse. I would be interested to know if the CEO overrode Bell on the final decision. He, Bell had cooled on the deal and I don't think that was just a negotiating tactic.

If he has a big problem with anxiety I hope he can get off the alcohol. Anyone that has had an issue with anxiety at any level can tell you that it's a bad cocktail. I know personally that if I have problems and anxiety kicks in the first thing I do is not have a drink.

Yep, Roos had this crazy idea that he was a back not a forward. He sooked up at being made to play in defence by Roos. Bucks offered him a spot in the forward line... How did that work out? Now Bucks is a genius coach for playing him back. Go figure....

Completely different type of player 'norm'.... The only similarity is they both play key forward, Weideman also has a run in the ruck. I don't see the Hogan type doing that.

Better answer my own question...they replaced him and won a flag... As the saying goes "the cemetery is full of irreplaceable people". It would be harder without Max but life goes on.

NikNat would have been considered the most irreplaceable (in fact he was according to many) before he went down, and how did that work out?

Why do we keep bringing blind kicks from the full back line back into the middle of the ground & open the goal face up for Adelaide?

I think the pressure might come off Richo a bit with the injury/illness issues giving him a let out. They just need to show they are up for the fight. I think pressure this year will be on Bolton if Carlton still can't get on the scoreboard and win some games. The list is pretty good, the coach now needs to develop it. If they can't get 6/7 wins this season he's gone. Hinkley is where the real pressure is. Port will be expecting finals and not just to make up the numbers either, they think they've got a shot and let it go last season. I don't think they're that good and reckon he's gone...

Hartlett unlikely according to him on a recent interview. Said he needed match practice and more likely to play some SANFL games, but hey stranger things have happened...

Sucked in.... The AFL fly this kite every year around the same time. Got to fill the news cycle until the games start.

Happy if they're consistent but you can guarantee this will be relaxed as the season goes along, especially if it involves a Brownlow favourite.

Is their first game on April 1?

Come on 'bub'...the Brisbane player wasn't negligent, he just didn't expect May to be so stupid. It was a dumb act, a bit of a brain fade. ...but as 'Gonzo' said, minimal impact. A fine and move on.

He must of had a bad preseason to drop down to 6????

Freo didn't have the Vic-bred assets to get Hogan either... Nothing in this world is static.

One thing you can be guaranteed of 'Ethan'...the fans won't be listened too. I think you have the scoop again mate...the only source I go to for my news.

...and that's the problem. When there is a vested interest in giving teams like Carlton undeserved Friday night fixtures then rusted on AFL supporters like myself who love watching a good game turn off in droves. The AFL have treated their TV viewing supporters with contempt and have been paid back in kind. They need to understand that it's the neutrals that make up the big numbers on prime slots. Very lazy thinking and a little bit of funny biz (Who did the former Chairman play for? let me think a minute) at head office...

Not buying in with the Hibberd knockers but he had an average season last year, particularly compared with a stellar previous season. ...by the way I thought Oliver was really poor yesterday (and I'm one of his biggest fans) despite reasonable possession numbers, his ball handling was way off the mark. I expect him to fire up in the season proper, hope he doesn't buy into the Gary hype.

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.