rjay

I'm not sure what the great innovations are that have come from AFL football departments, but if there were any wouldn't they come from the sports science (phys edders) that he seems to have a problem with. I think that innovations argument is really a furphy.

I thought Healy was spot on with the FD cap and it was good he pushed the issue...the only reason the big clubs are pushing for other measures is because they know the money they spend is to their advantage and they don't want to give it up no matter what airy fairy BS Eddie was talking the other day about how the clubs are united for the health of the game, every supporter deserves to see their club with an even chance of winning...blah, blah, blah..... The reason a commission was put in place is because the clubs and their self interest were sending the competition to the wall. So it will be interesting to see whether AD has the balls to take them on with this issue. His talk of a cap on the employees in the FD is a total croc but it seems to be his preferred outcome. It's like saying we won't have a salary cap but we will restrict each club to 40 players, like that's going to work. As far as the "T" word goes, it's over as far as I'm concerned, nothing to see here.

If he's playing the sweeper role off half back as he has in the NAB then the forwards will get plenty of good delivery from him and he will kick a few goals himself.

All I know is that Jack has had a good pre season and has been our best player in the NAB cup. He's much better poised for a good year than he was last season when he couldn't get a touch in the pre season games.

It's just the classic punchable face, even some of my tiges mates want in on this one.

Brain the size of a pea, him and Lynch could combine their intellect and come up well below average. It would probably be taking advantage to have a shot at him. Hopefully someone will come and collect them both before the real season gets started and take them back into care.

The local pharmacist, not a bad bloke really. Just can't bring myself to talk footy with him though, who knows what he might give me.

Way to many heads RR, this is going to be a tough poll.

She might be one for the girls, "face you would most like to slap."

Sure is but it gave me a laugh. When's the poll coming RR?

Toumpas has had a couple of years of senior football already so he will be able to look after himself...but I think in general you will see a different mindset amongst the players, they will work for each other. The old days of having an enforcer in the side are long gone from AFL football, but you do need to clear a path and work as a team to get players free and this is what Geelong were good at with Gary Jnr, but as you can see at GC he is quite good at the game without that assistance.

Not this time. You think it sums up Sydney's culture when they can't win a NAB cup game?

This ones not about winning it's about game time.

14 new players mean the stats from last year mean next to nothing.

Agree and we need to remember we are Melbourne not a suburban team.

...anyone notice that the focus was on Hird tonight and Bomber Thompson was not in any of the shots, it was like he wasn't even there. A bit different to last year, is he the sacrificial lamb but doesn't know it yet.

Adelaide for all there top mids have been very average since early in the game, lets see what the last brings.

We have a city, and we need to own it.

I would add Hird to that list too 'old dee', surely he must have noticed 40 players wondering off over the road to the botox clinic. As senior coach you've got to at least ask questions.

'WYL', it doesn't matter if they sign off or not these days. The power is with the commission to make decisions whether the clubs like it or not. Of course they would like the clubs to be on the same page but in the end the clubs have no power to overrule them. It's a little bit mischievous when the AFL say the clubs all agreed or signed off.

I think Viney will have a much bigger impact this year than Wines. Harder, faster and better kick.

Certainly food for thought 'dee-luded', on first early morning view I like the idea.

Thanks for the insight 'Robbie', a breath of fresh air after the neg stuff we've been getting hammered with.

You know what, at the end of the day it is only an opinion and in most cases no more informed than your or mine. The only thing that counts is the game itself and we haven't played one yet. We have flown under the radar this preseason and that's got to be a good thing.

VFL park was no mistake...the AFL were able to leverage the deals they have now with the MCC because of it. We would be looking at a completely different competition if it wasn't for Waverley. This is why the word is out on a new stadium, it's about creating a bargaining chip to get a better deal with Docklands. History is repeating itself. Geelong is now a boutique stadium and is being sold as such since the redevelopment. Transport infrastructure is the big one and will need to be dealt with stadium or no stadium, a stadium would create the extra incentive to see it done. There is also talk of an airport in the region so things will move on as the area grows. If they can't draw a crowd at Casey then the game will be in bad shape. They have had no trouble filling the Geelong ground and by the way Geelong will be a Western suburb of Melbourne in the not to distant future. ...look I'm not talking the next couple of years here and with Docklands moving to AFL ownership nothing will happen in the inner city area, but in the next 20 years there will be some movement and Casey would be well considered. With the clubs involvement in the region I'm sure we are looking at another Bentleigh type venture, pity we couldn't get it up and running at Casey fields or maybe we can in the near future.