rjay

Huge difference... Look at the support staff around Petty. This wasn't available at the other inferior camp.

The idea of these camps and getting the edge is beyond stupidity.... ...I've got a novel idea, how about you recruit the right players put the right resources in place and then train them to play football.

No, it's the same cultural problem. Win at all costs...combined with our guys would never cheat....and if caught use as many weasel words as you can fit in a sentence. This was not a one off, it's systematic in Australian sport and society. News....Australians are as good at cheating as anyone else. It was almost condoned in the EFC situation. It's par for course in politics. This comes from the top down...Coaches and Captain sacked for me if we are serious. I bet they get smashed with all the force of a wet lettuce leaf. My trust in top line sport is at an all time low and it's not too high to start with.

6 disposals 2 goals in a losing team. Weideman in his debut game had 13 disposals 2 goals, was hampered by a corked thigh in the second half and we won... Now let me think a bit before I write a mindless statement. Yep, I got it... Weideman looked good and made an impact.

I hope he has a good start to the year as we are going to need him with Tommy Mac going down. I don't have the faith in Pedders that others have. I think he is a good running ruck but struggles as a key forward. A lot will rest on Trac, Hannan and Fritsch to cover the loss of McDonald.

I'm not sure if blame is the word but the FD must take some responsibility... Playing an important player coming back from ankle surgery in the off season in the AFLX was not smart. Tom was in rehab earlier in the preseason and came to the main group late. It was a dumb move playing him. ...not to mention that the AFLX game is one that Tom is not suited to. There was nothing to be gained by playing him.

I doubt it...

I wouldn't think so... I think we have one of the hardest lists in the AFL now, I don't think any club would find us to be bruise free with the likes of Viney, Oliver, Vince, Lewis, Jetta, Hibberd, Petracca, Harmes, Lever and more on the list. No, I think you are way off the mark.

No, the players weren't concerned about lack of sleep or a couple of little injuries.. I know it doesn't suit your narrative but the issue was lack of qualified MFC support staff at the camp to look after injured players. My understanding is everything was left in the hands of the people running the camp...not how you look after your major asset I would have thought. The 1st camp was not well organised and players lost trust. We move on. Lets hope everyone learned from this, players, coaches, administrators...the proof will be in the seasons ahead.

Too much has been written into the timing of the article. It's not a conspiracy or a particular dig at us. I don't see the article as out of date, it's very current given the season is now upon us and the expectations on our team. Have we learned from the experience? are there any residual resentments? how will our players & FD respond when under pressure? These questions and many more will only be answered in the season/s ahead kicking off this week. Further to the timing 'Gonzo' is close to the mark, although his comment was probably in jest. Caroline has retired, she no longer works in the day to day footy media hustle, bustle & will write a weekly feature piece during the season to keep her hand in. On the cusp of season 2018 in her field of expertise this is a good a topic for her to kick off with.

I'm not worried about them at all, they either make it through or they don't. Of course I hope they do get their chance. I am worried about Oliver though...would hate to go into the first game without him. It does seem like a bit of a game going on between the Scott & Goodwin all the same, neither really showing their hand at this stage and the odd bluff maybe.

I think she's told the story pretty well. It's a balanced article, I've got no problems with it.

Trump, May, Brexit....the agenda is going well.

...but what about the false news that comes from the clubs and players? This stuff goes both ways and some of the more serious journalists have been set up beautifully by clubs, players, agents in the past.

People have mentioned this but he actually looks quite strong through the legs/hips. That's where his balance and kicking power are coming from. Looks class...

That's interesting 'Mach5'...I've heard a little about Impey but not a lot.

Can't see how this is the case 'Demonland'... Tommy wasn't playing last week and Hoges still had a run through the middle. Nothing will change in that regard.

Thought about the ground myself but walked past it today and it looks in superb condition. If we were training at Docklands then that would be a concern but we don't even play a lot of footy there... Do we have more foot injuries than other clubs or is it a competition wide problem? I guess we can be a bit myopic so it seems like we do but it would be interesting to know the competition wide stats...

No, not at all. It could be long term but I think we can cover him. MFCSS would see it as the end of the world. It's not the end of the world but I am concerned we seem to have more than our fair share of these foot injuries. It's always a tricky one 'ProDee'. Hotspot seems to be code in the AFL for a stress fracture these days and he came back from ankle surgery again pushing things hard early. Before I get howled down by many for not being a doctor, as an observation from afar it seems that 2 players (both renowned hard trainers) have tried to come back a bit too soon from foot/ankle injuries and have had problems. Maybe the club will be more conservative and work harder to hold players back in the future. The currents handling of Viney seems to indicate that may be the case...

If it's like Viney's then we could be looking at most of the season. ...was wondering where Weed would fit this season but you never know what's ahead.

I found him a bit arrogant and aloof...but each to there own.

I really hope we smash this arrogant bunch of tossers in round 3...

If that was deemed misconduct then surely Jacobs needs to go for pushing him into the other players. There was more chance of damage (very, very little) from that incident.

Wish it was Nigel...

As good a player as Ollie is I don't see him as a priority. If we have a weakness it is a bit of outside class & that's not him. Pity we didn't pick him up when we had the chance but that horse has long bolted.