rjay

I think the bullies would have been more worried about Stringer until recently. For what it's worth I think Stringer (if they don't lock him in the forward half) could still end up the pick of that draft and did at the time although I was fully behind our taking Toumpas. I know he needs time but I have been disappointed in Toumpas to date. He had some really good exposed form in the SANFL playing senior football and it's really surprised me how hard it's been for him to adapt to the AFL. Others like Dunstan and Aish haven't missed a beat.

I kind of agree, I think he has to give us a lot more. As noted by 'JV7' above, he needs to start leading up at the ball a lot more. He's not there purely for forward pressure, it's nice that he will chase but at the end of the day the absolute best forward pressure is kicking goals and that's not happening. So often I see Dawes either leading back or holding his position rather than making a legitimate lead up and really wanting the ball. It's a sure sign he doesn't have the confidence to take the game on. He's being paid overs to make a difference, not to speak well in the media or chase players around the ground, occasional catching them, very occasionally. He needs to provide a legitimate target and hold his grabs.

I don't think it would with the good recruiters (probably has with ours) but then again when you see players like Barlow slip through you must wonder.

Yep, heard that and thought the same. Also heard Gary's little smokescreen earlier...

No conspiracy but a poor decision from the mrp...loved Bomber Thompsons reaction on 360, it was priceless.

Didn't know about it...

We didn't trade away early picks to get Cross and I doubt Roos is stupid enough to just trade away those picks. If he does he will show that he is not concerned about leaving the club in good shape. Smart trading and drafting will get us there, we will pick up some more experience and class but not at the expense of the top end of the draft.

Maybe some are some aren't...I only know of one that isn't and wants to come home. I'm sure there are more.

Will say it again. This is for the state screening, the kids who miss out on the national. Billy will be part of the national along with Petraca, Wright, McCartin and all the other highly fancied kids not listed in the state invites. List attached with Stretch in. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-07-28/huge-rise-in-northern-talent

Will be part of the National screening.

Agree with you on this but some like Mitchie are big boys now.

Seriously...new players are needed.

It's probably time to see what Mitchie can do, but the Hawks will be a big assignment. It will be good to get Cross back and maybe Strauss deserves a run. Sammy is gone along with Tap I would think, they just can't impact a game at all.

That could be argued 'Nasher'. I still have hopes for Trenners but his performances last year were not up to AFL standard and he quickly found himself at Casey this year...we will excuse him through injury (and pressure of captaincy) but he needs to have a big year next year. Grimes is gives us some good, some bad so we can leave him out of the bucket for now but only just.

We have to draft kids at the top end this year, we can afford one trade if we get Frawley compo but to do otherwise would be disaster brought on by short term thinking. The only way we will get real class is to draft it at the top end. I know this is not a popular opinion and many will point to a lot of the players we have that were first round picks that have been fails but look at Brisbane today and they are streets ahead of us at the moment. Aish, McStay, Taylor etc....

Humour is all I could see in the game today P-man. The game from both clubs was laughable, I was looking for the line to pick up my cash for being an extra in a comedy at Docklands today. They finally started hitting up some targets in the last Q and it was game over, maybe they were playing "rope a dope" with us.

Who has also been massively underwhelming unfortunately.

Well if we don't get one I think we need to go on the offensive and take our own by using the PSD to take a player from another club, no trade, no compensation...

The ego often gets in the way of the message unfortunately.

I wouldn't give a 2nd round up for him either. Andrew Moore that is...

...and they will only be making up the numbers.

Didn't have a good one 'Chaser' would put it down to an off day at the office.

Been meaning to bring this up for a while 'sue'...I've played, coached and watched a lot of footy and have never seen an umpire ball the ball up or bounce it down and run forward. It's just redundant to indicate they are going to back out after throwing the ball up or bouncing it down. Of course the backwards movement comes from the bounce down. Try and move forward after you bounce it down and you will look pretty stupid.

2nd pick for Moore??? I don't think so.

Thought Tomlinson was really good in the first half tonight. Worked hard and showed good skills plus wants to come home. Some stability under Roos would be the making of him.