rjay

From the club site Upcoming open training sessions: Wednesday 23rd January - 9:15am - Gosch's Paddock All other training sessions are closed sessions.

Spot on 'old dee', I think we will find our backline will become one of the best if they can get some support from further up the field.

...because he played in the midfield last year and is training with the midfield group this year.

...and most of those kicks went nowhere. A highly overrated performance. This is the year the heat comes on for him. Being hidden at GWS last year I think is the only reason he didn't receive more scrutiny.

Pretty sure he is with us, saw Rendell, Taylor's replacement in his Collingwood gear a couple of weeks ago.

Could be close to the mark 'Ron' it's a good comparison. Apart from the other things you mentioned expanding on his gut running and competitive nature, he is not a natural endurance runner but he just wills himself to get there.

Think you might be dreaming 'picket'. I like 'macca's' dream a whole lot more though.

So it goes to Gillon and he makes the decision if it goes any further. Do we take AD at his word? I guess we have to. Only another week or so to go and we will find out where it all sits unless there is a leak beforehand. The history of this investigation is that a leak is more probable than not.

My view is that AD as he has said in the quote will stay at arms length from the investigation. Once it is wrapped up he will be involved to either to say the evidence shows there is a case to answer and hand it on to the commission or say there is no case to answer. I would think he's seen the evidence now that the investigation is wrapped up and is waiting responses before he makes his decision.

Well that's embarrassing and might temper a bit of the enthusiasm around here.

So lets return the favour to 'Bomerblitz'. This of course is an outside view without the knowledge or some may say the rose coloured glasses of the true supporter. Starting with the FD. Hird is the golden boy, great player but this year comes under real pressure as a coach if the team doesn't perform. To me he has to many mates involved, Corcoran divides the club and is only in the position because of this friendship. They could really do with some senior outside non Sheedy people but I don't think Hird is comfortable with people he is not close to unless they are in more junior roles. Maybe a bit thin skinned, not good for a coach. They made a big mistake last year trying to fast track physical development and this could follow them over the next few seasons. The weapon who was a hero early in the year became a villain by the end when he was hung out to dry for carrying out the coach's instructions. Interesting to point out here that David King was lauding the Essendon approach last pre season to building big, strong bodies whilst being dubious about Melbourne's fitness regime. Essendon are now following the Neeld, Misson approach after realising their folly and the change in the game which will result in less packs and fewer rotations. The players. Well the defence is a bit of a moving feast and depends way too much on the veteran Fletcher to hold them together. Hurley adds some steel but he seems to be their Neitz, he can have impact forward but is a born defender. Carlisle is a good prospect and will need to replace Fletcher sometime probably sooner rather than later. Dempsey added a bit of run coming back last season and his mate Winderlich will have a full pre season after coming back from a knee. The midfield group relied far to heavily on Watson, Stanton had a purple patch but didn't handle a tag very well at all. Goddard has been brought in on big money to be the saviour here but he is not really a mid. Goddard is more of a floater who can pinch hit at both ends of the ground, I don't see him as the answer to the lack of midfield depth and again as Jordie McKenzie has proven he does't handle a tag. Let him run free and he will kill you. Zaharakis is the big plus here after missing a lot of last season with injury, is still a developing player a goal kicking mid could be a big plus. Heppel will probably develop as a mid and is going to be a good player, still has a way to go. Overall they still lack in the midfield area and lack run and carry. Watson is still the key, if he goes down then they are in trouble. Forward, too much is put on the shoulders of Crameri who really should be working as a 3rd option not the pea. Hurley as I stated earlier is like their Neitz and would be better played back but they can't afford the luxury. The other problem with Hurley is his consistent hamstring problems, a real issue with such an important player. Gumbleton can't get on the ground, pity he looked to have the goods so that leaves Daniher as the big hope. Trouble is the kid is prone to injury and is moving into a club proven to not handle injury prone players well, see Hurley, Gumbleton, weapon. Jetta is probably their best small forward option but goes missing for big periods of the game, if they could develop him as a mid it would help them with run and carry. The rucks with Ryder, Belchambers and Hille, they haven't worked out the best combination yet. Hille is probably on the outer, Belchambers still developing but looks good and Ryder very inconsistent, good on his day but needs to run the whole day in the ruck to give value. Seems to like that responsibility. Overall they come into this season with big expectations, don't seem to have added much with the exception of Goddard who is coming off a couple of average seasons. Big money is being paid to Goddard, Hurley and Ryder and if they don't give value early on the natives will be restless. Wouldn't it be good to see them come unstuck and the pressure on the golden boy, will make for some entertaining talkback radio. Mathew Knights anyone....

I think he is to 'Jose', I also think part of the issue is the injuries (I think osteitis) he has been carrying because when he does get clear he has not been confident to kick at all over the last 2 seasons preferring to give off by hand.

Thanks for sharing; great work mate, I really enjoyed it.

107 pages and counting.....

No it's his opinion, I don't agree with it but it's better to hear what people have to say rather than be somewhat surprised down the track that many people have these opinions. This is where political correctness goes wrong, you are better off knowing what you are up against.

Thanks KC, just wouldn't be right if we only had the one.

Thanks, I missed that one. Will look it up.

How much it is costing us is pretty important to I would have thought, even more so if we are restricted in when we can sell.

I also think he has the tools but it is mentally now where he needs to trust those tools and take the game on. His kicking will be a real plus for us if he does.

His record is not good with his call on Carlton and as for the stuff about not getting on with the coach or being on the outer it sounds like Misfud all over again. ...but hey stranger things have happened.

How much is it costing us to run now? and how much does it effect the cash flow of the football club?

As I posted before I think you will find that Neil Craig takes a lot of these duties and Mark Neeld sticks to the coaching side of things and as someone else pointed out we also have Josh Mahoney heading up football operations. If you watched Craig's press conference the other day I think you will find we are in good hands.

Swan said the story was absolute BS that Carlton had approached or were even interested in Jack Watts, he was really annoyed about the story and put Denham right back in his box. Now Denham has backed down and said it was Malthouse that had shown some interest, not Carlton. Well Malthouse was one of Jack's mentors last year under the blessing of Mark Neeld so go figure that one. As for the current story I think 'Ben' is on the money.

Not according to Greg Swan.

Hazy I'm not so sure you can isolate the individuals from the club in this situation. If they are found guilty of any of what they are reported to be accused then as officers of the club responsible for the running and on ground performance of the club surely the club must also be found guilty and face penalties. I know you are concerned with the running of the club and it's future and I am too but I don't think you can cut them free at this time without doing serious damage to the club as a whole.