rjay

This might happen, I think the PP was too hot but this might be ok. I think Port got looked after pretty well last year with their compo.

Talks a good game but we have to see it consistently on the field.

Brown

Blind loyalty...probably about the same thing.

No...you don't drink I thought. Must be something else.

If that was the case no one would be playing at Collingwood or Carlton.

A bit strange indeed.

How's Chappy's 3 year deal going at Essendon 'Clark'?

Don't encourage him 'Ron'.

Has some skill but doesn't hit the contest, a very lazy footballer who wants it all on his terms.

No, Rawlings was caretaker at Richmond when Wallace got the flick. Didn't do a bad job but didn't get the main gig as Hardwick took over.

I don't think it's showing us anything apart from the fact that people on here are impatient for action. I also wouldn't think Jackson or Roos underestimate the work that needs to be done. Let's see where we sit at the end of the trade/draft period, not at the start.

I reckon you are right.

I'm sure it has over the years but it's a lot harder to hide someone away these days with so many full time recruiters at clubs plus their spotters. I don't think tampering had anything to do with Grundy getting to Collingwood though, he was available for all to see and his form was excellent so he didn't lay down. Clubs just passed him over. Darling, everyone passed over. If the Eagles were playing games then they held their nerve well in leaving him until the 2nd round. I think your logic is good here 'master' and I was surprised that GWS didn't pick him up. Grundy did show at 18's level that he was a good resting forward and would have been a handy pick up for the Tiges, Maric is a good honest player but Grundy will be a beauty. One key indicator to me for a big bloke at junior level is how he attacks the ball, a lot of them just bank on their size to do the job and this is why they take time to develop at AFL level but Grundy hit the ball hard and had some mongrel (a bit like Hogan), he was always going to come on quickly at senior level. Besides all that I was so p...off the Collingwood picked him up at 18, shouldn't have happened.

No manipulation here, just the idea that a key tall needs development time. This is only the case with some, the really good ones can make an impact in their first couple of years. Think Brown & Cloke for example and we will see it with Hogan next year I'm sure. Grundy was taken at pick 18 because of this flawed thinking from most clubs, they got a bargain. A lot of Demonlanders wanted us to take Grundy last year, I think Richmond even though they got a good one in Vlustuin would have been better served with Grundy.

The similarities are red hair, broken leg and pace. If Rohan is right to go he will be an absolute star. His closing pace when tacking this year was amazing to watch. Don't rate the rest of his game on this year though, they had to rush him back in with their injury list. He was still in rehab and needed to play out the season in the magoos. I would be happy to get him packaged with another player like a Parker type for pick 2 if he passed a medical check.

I don't think anyone is underestimating him but at this stage we only have one first round pick. Who do we take? If we want a good all round talent then it's Scharenberg, Class it's Aish, Kelly for a bit of class, clean skills, run all day, is good in and out (no matter what people say they are only looking at pix think him a skinny outside & not watching him play), best inside clearance player and mongrel is Crouch.

It's the conventional wisdom that they put a bit of mayo (may or may not be true) on the story but they still didn't pick him up until their 2nd round selection so they were taking a gamble there. I think his form dropped off in his last year at 18's level and this had a bit to do with him dropping back also. Can happen with big kids, recruiters seem to have different views at different time. Prime example was Grundy dropping through to the Pies last draft.

Probably discount the goals a bit against the easy beats of the comp but you've still got to kick 'em...he has the potential to surprise next season but I don't think he is contracted yet.

You really need to watch him play, he has poise with the ball in hand and uses it well. Consistency has been a problem partly in my opinion because he has spent too much time as a permanent forward this year. The standout game that I've seen from him was at Box Hill last year playing as a mid. He has a lot more going for him than Evans in the size and skill department and hopefully he gets time to develop under Roos.

Not sure of Mahoney's exact wording on that but it seemed strange that he said they were looking at 5 candidates yet people on here are saying that Dew rejects Demon offer. From the Age "In-demand assistant coach Stuart Dew has turned his back on overtures from Melbourne to sign a new three-year deal with Sydney." Nothing about an offer, rejects overtures. Maybe no offer at all, he may have been one of a few preferred candidates. I really don't know but over the last few days I was trying to justify why Dew would be a good choice then felt a bit flat when he signed with the Swans but realised that it was no big deal. I think the club are being very cagey with this position, lets wait and see what happens. The worst thing is we get Roos for an extra year or two, hardly a disaster.

Tommy Mc's not going anywhere. Yep, disposal not good but can improve. I don't think he panics with the ball in hands but he does run himself into trouble. Under Roos he will be a big improver.

How & why? How do you know this?

...and that's why he will stay at Adelaide. Would love to get him though.

Who knows, and that might be a good thing for a change. No one saw Buddy going to Sydney, Tippet was also unexpected. The culture Roos helped instil at Sydney with the sealed lips of Jackson and Mahoney might be taking effect at Melbourne. We might get a pleasant surprise.