rjay

Seems we have enough of this type already, no thanks.

I think you are pretty much on the money with both of these posts "Jerry". The technique of dropping it at his feet is an old one that Hawthorn used in the Jeans/Joyce era with the idea being Jamar and the umpire would create a block. Now the AFL worked out that umpires were being used and getting run into so it's an expensive exercise to use the umpire in this way. Maybe it's past it's use by or maybe the application is not so good, if say Moloney takes the ball at Jamars feet then we should have someone running on to take the ball off him and that's what seemed to be the plan last week however Collingwood were aware and fed off us. With better awareness we either draw players to us and spread or if they are not coming at us block and break. We just don't have enough quality in there at the moment.

I think Vlastuin or Toumpas maybe Stringer if he falls through with pick 4, we don't need a back (Plowman) at the mo we need a good mid. around Pick 13 the speed factor with Haynes or Simpson if he falls through. Maybe the Vic factor would steer me to Vlastuin ahead of Toumpas but I really like Toumpas as a player. A midfield with Grimes, Trengove, Jones, Howe, Viney, Vlastuin/Toumpas, Haynes, Blease and Taggert might be something to work with.

I think Cam knew he was gone early on and was positioning for the best compo throughout the whole of last season.

Damn, does that mean Scully will miss?

Yeah, I expect that to happen but it's probably about time for him to learn his craft at the higher level.

A good run from Martin should see him up for the GWS game I think. In another thread I have said it would be good to see Cook in the ones but the bye is not helping his chances. If the VFL is to take the place of a reserves comp then there should be no weekend off for rep duties (one less bye). Do it like the NRL and play through, too bad if you have players out, suck it up like Storm have to or can it.

I hope we get to see Cook this year, it's time for him to get a taste, he's in good form now and GWS would be a good opportunity for him. Time to get the project off the ground.

It's probably about time to give Cook a run against kids around his own age. We have been pinch hitting in the forward line with Rivers and Garland anyway so let's see if he can stand up. Let Garland take Cornes as a defensive forward. Couch deserves a run and with Petterd still carrying and injury and Gysberts only just back from injury then maybe he is the one to come in from Tappy although they may also choose Tynan in a similar role (playing forward and back).

Would you have Brock over Gys? because that is the swap.

Beat me to it Chook, I think they made a big mistake last year not playing him in the GF. Very versatile and hard at it player who can kick, would really take to the responsability I think.

I think Sam needs to be played and pushed at senior level he really has a lot to offer, but you are right and I have mentioned before, he does go to ground to much and this is not through opposition pressure, he falls over. You run faster on 2 legs Sam not crawling.

That's really interesting, where do you think the gold is before it bottoms out? are the top picks being highlighted because of a lack of opposition and if so are they not as good as has been quoted?

Sorry my mistake, I knew it wasn't in the last but only watching on TV didn't pick up when.

Yes but remember he was one of the mids that was crunched by the Pie crew, so whilst he worked hard and got a lot of ball he was badly beated by Swan, Beams, Wellingham and Sidebottom. Thomas and McKenzie were a match up so draw your own conclusions on that one.

He went back at the end of the 3rd. He had no obvious match up in their forward line apart from maybe Goldsak who Tommy Mac had so it was worth a shot. I must admit it was a strange looking back 6 with Tommy Mac, Nicho, Watts, Sellar and it seemed Morton with Frawley the only constant.

Too early for Gys back one game after his previous comeback of a few minutes. Green is injured and struggling anyway, his kicking has gone missing and that was a strength. Stef Martin may come back in but also hasn't had much match time. If Couch were to come in it would have to be for Moloney or maybe Magna or as sub for Dunn, maybe not. I would like to have a look at Cook, he strikes me as the type of player who would play better in top company. He didn't look out of place in the early NAB cup round robin last year. Davey, Petterd, Bennel, Bate??? Tynan just back from injury, has a go and is flexible? Maybe Davis deserves a run. All up I don't think we have a lot of options at the moment.

No, they put some work into him because he has been damaging the last 3 weeks. This is a great learning experience for him and he still played a good game for us considering how we were crunched out of the middle and the amount of ball coming in. Speaking of that, Frawley was well and truly our best today beating Cloke with the amount of ball and quality of ball coming in. Clarke and Howe also good. Jones, Grimes whilst they worked hard were well beaten in the middle today.

Match ups Sellar - Cloke McKenzie - Thomas

Agree with you on Grimes as well, with an injury free run i think he will get there.

Yep. I will judge these guys on what they have done and the current crop if and when they get there http://www.afl.com.au/aflhq/awards/halloffame/legends/tabid/855/default.aspx

Agree with you on these Adam. I still think Ablett is the best going around but Cotchin is the future or should it be Selwood?

If Jetta hadn't taken a dive then Joel Mac wouldn't have been tripped up on top of him. Maybe Joel should have received the free for a trip James?

Yep, as I've said earlier I think he will stay so I guess we are talking about the principle here. The developing midfield group you've mentioned plus players like Frawley, Watts, Garland, Blease, McDonald as a group are where the value is in my opinion and I wouldn't like us to tip the balance by bringing in a Cloke and risk loosing one or a couple of these guys or to cause some dissent in the group as a whole. I also think there may be opportunties to pick up a good young GC or GWS player that would be a better fit that we may miss or a Freo player if Cloke does move there. You asked whether I thought we would be a stronger chance for a flag with a Cloke, Clark forward line and midfield maturation and I guess this is the argument. My concern is that it would bring disharmony to the group and be conterproductive. So I only think we would be a stronger chance if we could guarantee everything would be happy and all the players were on the same track, I just don't think it would be the case.

No mate no long bow the point is simple, I don't think Cloke is the right fit for us. To me we would be putting to much into one player. It obviously didn't escape you at all.