rjay

Not quite true, his last 2 games have been good in the VFL, his game in the development squad was connected to him not being well after having his wisdom teeth removed. He has played a lot at half forward which I think is a mistake but it was when moved into the middle that he had a big impact on the game last week. Have a look at the highlights on the MFC website and you will get an idea why some us want to see him in the senior side. If he doesn't get a game this week then he must at least be played in the midfield from here on, we need to develop him further.

There are a few Presidents in the AFL that I wouldn't classify as good and decent blokes.

I think better, he has a lot more depth but never gets it enough.

The appointments are what's important now. I like the way he is approaching the job but the next few months will tell the story.

That's why he should be playing there. We need midfielders and this kid is a midfielder with a good kick and pair of hands.

No hip op but a basic arthroscopy. Sucked into playing another game when I had retired, didn't need a lot of convincing to play though. Wish I could still do it. He'll be ok, I reckon his biggest problem is he puts too much pressure on himself. A bit of time and another pre season or so as you say and he will settle.

Did it get him fired from the Doggies? No. That's where he made these tactical moves, he got fired from the Tiges. Anyway, if we want a tactical genius then it's Eade. He knows how to get the best from what he has, a brilliant strategist and game day coach. If we want a culture builder then maybe it's Roos, he's sure going to scare a few players but unlike Neeld he has the runs on the board to get respect straight up, he also has the relationship & communication skills. If we want a crazy who maybe can or can't coach but will need some hand holding but seems to be able to get some positive results from players then it's Williams.

Yep, agree. So if he's not into the money then he won't go and looking after Hawthorn he will do by staying there.

Thanks for the feedback 'Pennent'; on another thread I mentioned that we often judge players like Toumpas, Aish & Trengove playing in good senior teams and we might over rate them. I thought a better gauge might how some perform who don't have the advantage of a good senior team around them. If Sheed is holding his own in a poor midfield then he steps up a notch in my estimation, in the game I watched he seemed good in tight but I don't remember him getting the ball out to advantage on occasions. One look is not enough, hopefully we have the right people in recruiting for us now and they have a good handle on who is our best available. I agree with you on the other, the players you mention are all good hard at it footballers first and foremost. We need those type of players.

I just don't see them as the nice guys 'dee-luded', it is in their hands though as well as buddies. If they want to offer him the money but not compensate Hawthorn then they can walk as well if he insists. Who will hold their nerve?

Dawes only played limited ruck time at Collingwood in his last year, Brown did the bulk of that work before. He does need to take his opportunities and puts to many on the deck. Gawn will improve yes but Clark is the better ruck at the moment and he is a good midfielder. It's ok, I have hopes for big Max too, I just hope the knees hold up...those big guys like 'Sandi' at Freo are hard to keep up and running. The current forward line is not up to scratch and is being let off lightly because of to much focus on the midfield. They are not providing enough movement or working hard enough up the ground. They are not holding the ball in when it gets there and they are not holding easy marks.

Agree with the evolving game but I think we got caught out a bit last time trying to pick winners (players to suit a CS game style). I think we just get the best footballers and the rest takes care of itself. Some of the real gems like Sam Mitchell are just the best footballers. On another subject 'Pennant', I've been meaning to ask if you have seen much or have and opinion on Sheed. He certainly had a good carnival up to the injury but before that his ranking was down the list a bit. What's the WA wisdom on him, has he been playing any senior football and is he likely to get some more football in before the seasons out?

I know you have to give up quality 'Moonshadow' and that's why I've been arguing there is no quality on offer for the number 2 pick. Frawley is one of a few in the comp, midfielders, well every club except us seems to have them. ...and yes I know Ablett wasn't traded, my point was that if I had an offer for Ablett and he was now 25-26 yo for Frawley, he's the only mid I would consider trading for. Looks like I value that key back position more than you, that's ok.

People floating ideas 'dee-luded', nothing more than that. If GWS make an offer for Buddy that will be it they will be paying him a load of cash and they won't be interested in looking after Hawthorn. It aint going to happen. I'm still wondering if they will make the offer or whether he is to hot to handle. I'm pretty sure that Bellchambers has been made a big offer but that may well depend on the ASADA results. Free agents no secondary deals, it's just nice paper talk.

Agree, he will finish up a one club player at the end of the season. He has no more to give, got the best out of himself.

I don't think anyone has shown me up at all, they just have a different opinion and that's ok. I appreciate people want to go in to bat for their club and players and I've done the same but after yesterday I sat back and had a look at things taking the rose coloured glasses off. It wasn't pretty. It's not all about the midfield, I think we are too focussed on it and let a few others off the hook. Yes it is poor to say the least but the only part of the ground that I would back in is the back line, with Garland and Terlich in I think they hold up pretty well. Would be a bit better with a really top notch run, carry and distribute type player and if Tommy Mc's kicking was a bit better but they are around AFL standard. The current forward line isn't. Dawes average includes his Collingwood games and he had pretty decent delivery there. I'm being honest on Fitz, yes he is still developing and he's had some good moments, so did Newton, but he is not part of a forward line that I would call AFL standard at the moment. He drops way too many marks that he must take as does Dawes. We can beg to differ on Howe but I think he has been playing too deep of late and needs to work harder as a high half forward. Love big Max but surely you are kidding me that he at this stage is a better ruckman than Clark (apart from Clarks injury). You can argue Clark is better for us at FF whilst I would see him in the Ottens type role as a big mobile ruck who can also hit the scoreboard. Of course this all depends on how he comes back from the foot. Clark immediately gives us an extra midfielder, the other ruck man don't offer this although Max has promise. So...if I had the choice of my key forwards being Dawes and Hogan or Boyd and Hogan I would take the last option as they will set the club up for 10 years. By the way seeing as you are interested in others opinions what do you think 17 other league coaches would want? I'm over serviceable and workmanlike, speaks well, I want the best. Then I would have the choice of Clark in the ruck or Max in the ruck with Clark as forward/ruck change.

No, you don't pick up a development player at his pick. That's for a smokey down the list who will play a bit a Casey and may surprise. He's playing a lot of senior footy, some good, some bad. Wouldn't expect much different at this stage, I think he will be ok.. The hip op happened around this time last year and is being over played a bit, he did a preseason with the rest of the new boys and like them all he needs time to build on that. It's always a reduced programs for 1st year players.

Not even close, there is no way Dunstan is ahead of Kelly or Scharenberg, I also doubt very much that Sheed will be. GWS or us are not going to gift Boyd to the dogs. The only one I reckon you might be close with is McDonald to North.

Not unfair, realistic. Dawes as a key forward has an average of 1 point something goals a match, hardly good numbers. Howe to me plays his best football when left to rotate through forward and mid, gets too tied down as a permanent forward and easier to negate. Fitz is nowhere near it yet, has done some good things but far from being part of a top forward line. Watts doesn't hit the scoreboard enough and I still don't think his best position is settled. As you say Clark may not be back and if he does he is far and away our best ruck option at the moment. Hogan will be a player, we are all excited about him but it still might take him time to settle. Swallow at GC came 4th in the liston in 2010 and is just now starting to realise his potential, Zac Smith is another who set it alight at VFL level but has taken time now unfortunately out with a knee. I do think Hogan will come in hard in his first year, he has the aggression and attitude to do it. No, let's not kid ourselves again. Our forward line is a long way from just a small forward shy of being good. If Boyd is best available and we have the pick then we take him.

I think our forward line is highly over rated. Hogan has yet to play a game and Clark can't get on the ground, and these are the only players I would rate.

It happens...that's why they invented the 'tall poppy syndrome' to try and deflect criticism and deeper investigation. It's probably a good lesson in why hero worship and placing people on a pedestal is not necessarily the best approach. Unfortunately some of our leaders get caught up in hero worship, in football circles this is known as 'liniment sniffing'.

Fyfe is a very good player, Martin nowhere near him but you don't trade out a top key back for a mid. Ablett at 25yo the exception. Buddy and Daisy both free agents so won't cost them anything but cash and salary cap space.The blues won't be able to offer enough if Gibbs and Murphy are off the table.

I would say Frawley is one of a few non trade players, absolutely required. I would put Garland and Jones in that bracket and trade anyone else.

It's all in the method; years ago I watched the Hawks under Jeans going through a drill where they had one player block with hands in the air, eyes on the ball and another player in front taking the mark. So it's been around for a while now. The only way you get caught out is if you are a fair way off the ball (sometimes) or if you take your eyes off the ball and focus on your opponent.

A bit more mobile than plugger I would think and he does like to get up the ground and not restrict himself inside the 50 metre arc.