Lucifers Hero

I also think Dusty will stay. Shopping him around is a ploy by his manager (Carr??) to flush out the best offer for leverage with Richmond. He did this with Dusty's last contract except Richmond didn't take the bait and declared they would let him go. The ploy backfired and the Dusty camp was left with egg on face. Carr now has Richmond over a barrel and they will pay dearly for 'embarrassing' the Dusty camp last time...altho' it was of Carr's own doing. This time Carr will laugh all the way to the bank...

No problem Wise. At least you gave us a summary of the article. I only find it frustrating when someone posts a link and gives no idea as to what it is about.

Do you know that as a fact. The media report I saw around trade time said the Sydney offer was around $350k - they couldn't afford anymore because of salary cap pressure. If a fact I will go back and amend my post.

Jack Niall reported our interest a few days ago. Caroline Wilson reported that Zak is earning under the AFL 'median' pay which is the range of $230k to $250k. Yes, I was shocked at how low it is but she is rarely wrong with her info One thing in their favour is that the new CBA tips $2m into their salary cap next year and the Buddy contract does not have escalation clauses - his contracted annual amounts are fixed. But if Zak wants to come to Melbourne we can beat any $ Sydney offer without breaching the faith with our players or abandoning the club's mantra of not paying 'overs'. Zak really fits our 'run and carry' game style and is as tough as so would be rapt to see him in our colours.

While somewhat reluctant to raise this thread a significant development is happening: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/sports-court-would-level-playing-field-for-athletes/news-story/1ee6a6359f11184b6096db438c60b8a3 "Sports Minister Greg Hunt has proposed an Australian sports court as part of a national sports plan being developed by the federal government, the Australian Sports Commission and other peak sporting bodies". A long time coming but never to late. I fully expect the AFL to activate its lobby machine to get that quelled or watered down in some way so they can continue to play to their own rules. Time will tell if a Sports Court does happen.

bb, l assume by 'gorilla' forwards you mean the solid types eg Buddy, Hawkins, Kennedy, Walker, Cloke. These guys are around 195-197m, 95+kg and are getting older. The next gen are more likely to be the mobile, 200cm, lithe types eg Brown, Daniher, Scache, Moore, Lynch. So for mine the backline you outline will be too short. The FF has kicked a bag on us in nearly every game this year in part because we are too short or our players don't have the leap. We need to structure up to compete with the 200cm forwards of the future.

Jack Nial is reporting Demons are interested in 'reuniting' Zak with Nathan North, Ess and StK also interested (but they seem to be linked with all and sundry). Zak fits Goodwin's run and carry game style and we can do with his speed thru the midfield. Its a key ingredient we still lack.

Great call, RaBe! Apparently he wants to stay at Port but Port may value the high compensation draft pick they will get for him and let him go. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/port-adelaides-mr-fixit-jackson-trengove-could-face-an-afl-freeagency-dilemma/news-story/4d3f0472ae39ab356ddfa29d8bdcb128 The article mentions Demons, Essendon and North as clubs who might make an offer he can't refuse but then Hawks and Cats also need a key defender so there may well be a bit of competition for Trengove. I would love to see us be on the receiving end of attracting a good FA. And I reckon he is almost as good as May and as you say offers an on-ground ruck option. He would also be our second tallest player behind Gawn. And we desperately need talls around the ground. With the CBA we have the sal cap to substantially front end his contract and we keep our draft picks. I say get him!

Goodwin was interviewed on SEN on Friday night and was asked where he thought Petracca would be in about 5 years (who will then have just turned 26). Goodwin said he would be like Dusty Martin is now (who will be 26 this June). That is something to savour As Christian seems a more settled character I wouldn't be surprised if he fulfills Goodwin's prediction a few years earlier!

Those comments don't change the fact that as a group they are struggling to get on the park or perform to the AFL standard, according to their coach. Similar to that are the other returning Ess players: Crameri, Carlisle, Monfires, Ryder, Melksham and Hibberd - they are also struggling with either injury or form (except maybe Ryder). (Yet to see how Hibberd goes at AFL level. Hope for our sake he is the exception. Also hope that Melksham starts to have an impact soon because so far he has just fiddle around with the ball). Yes, all clubs have under performing players, but as a group of 16 there is little evidence that their bodies are standing up to the rigor of AFL football either not getting on or not performing on the park. And yes, there could be any number of reasons. It is good that you give them the benefit of the doubt - it is something I struggle with for all those involved with that sorry mess.

Their coach says the returning players have 'hit the wall'. An interesting rundown on the 10 at Essendon. The 6/7 at other AFL clubs have been injured or similarly flat. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/report-card-for-returned-essendon-players-not-great-reading-20170419-gvo2nh.html Perhaps its just that the drugs have worn off and their bodies can't cope with 'normality'. Just hope Melksham and Hibberd are exceptions...

Young Paddy is going to find it hard going: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-17/geary-pleads-for-patience-on-underperforming-mccartin His captain, Greary describes him as "He's more of a stay-at-home forward who's going to eventually be able to out-muscle defenders …' However, the game is moving away from this type of forward to the agile, mobile player. Not sure Richardson did him any favours when truthfully answering a Paddy vs Nick question and saying how professional Riewoldt is with this training.

Totally agree 100%! Players need to find their feet and gain confidence in their strengths. That 'system' sounds like Hawthorn: 'one soldier out another soldier in'. The difference is Clarkson implemented that system over many years and skill development with an established and effective game plan. We are nowhere near that point yet.

Yes, that is what I am suggesting. I would also hazard a guess that Roos would give Weid a rest at Casey as he did with Oliver last year when he lost form. It is a long year in the seniors and Weid could easily get burnt out. Goodwin is doing things his way which is his right. I haven't seen enough of him and how he operates to see how he rates players or what his 'system' really is.

Last year Roos let Goodwin take the reins from time to time. I suspect Gus on the flanks in 2016 was one of those times. As time goes on we learn more and more from both Goodwin and Roos as to their respective influences in the last year of Roos' tenure.

Thankfully he has Type 1 - http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-27/going-places-the-medical-diagnosis-that-almost-stopped-draft-prospect-paddy-mccartin-in-his-tracks It doesn't sound like they were on top of it at the time of the draft and he has had a few setbacks. Its probably a case of getting the medication/diet/exercise balance right. A different disease but the circumstances are not dissimilar to the situation we have with Salem and his Thyroid. Perseverance and patience but it must be tough on the player. Paddy needs time and I really hope he makes it and based on your comments there is every reason to think he will.

...and Roos knocked that out of him quick smart by making him 'pay' (ie wait and wait to debut) for injuring himself playing basketball in the preseason...

Finally, someone in the media wrote it: "Fairytale’ is not to be used when describing a Round 1 victory of a team that had six players return from their 12-month suspension for doping offences." http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-outsider-two-genuine-footy-heroes-prove-why-football-fairytale-term-cant-be-overused/news-story/e820d10556cc732b28d2bf2829f31cbb A Good story about real AFL heroes: Jason McCartney and Jarryd Roughead. It took someone outside the AFL media bubble to call out out the hypocrisy of the bomber players return fanfare. Those inside the bubble will never say it. (In fact I'm a bit surprised fox footy even published it!)

The EFC win just proves how badly they tanked last year. Their 2016 season and the #1 pick were a complete farce. Worsfold had form! In 2010 he tanked WCE to the bottom of the ladder collected the top draft pick then played the prelim final the next year! Only difference is last year he had the AFL's blessing. Didn't see much in the media after the game about Roughy's comeback! Nauseating media coverage of last nights game!

You are quite right about the issue really being PE drugs. My post that you quoted was in the context of the posts before it about the WCE grand final, not EFC saga.

I wonder how many clubs have won games, finals or premierships with players under the influence of illicit drugs? Maybe even won premierships with players on one or two strikes. Wasn't it Robbo who this week last year wrote an article about the high percentage of Collingwood players testing positive to illicit drugs. I saw a table posted on DL before it was taken down (appropriately) by moderators that showed some very prominent teams' players being right up there and higher than Collingwood on that list. And wasn't there a case where medical records were found strewn in an Ivanhoe street that implicated some neighbouring AFL players about 10 years ago? And who was the Sydney player around that time that claimed illicit drug use was rife in the AFL. Andy D canned him big time in the press and his reputation never recovered. Just can't recall the players name but I think it was around the time Sydney won the GF. I don't condone drug use at all. But the bluster in the press about WCE 'tainted' premiership is just bluster. It is naive to think it hasn't happened since. Unfortunately for WCE they have had some high profile, very tragic fallout from that era. I would bet my bottom dollar they aren't the only team to have won a premiership with players taking illicit drugs. The others have managed to fly under the radar.

Clearly I missed that little word 'not' but the context would have implied it .... Hird is still not contrite.

Your mate is dreaming DA! If a team ever needed a pp it was Brisbane last year. They got one but it was end of first round. That was the first pp since the new (at AFL discretion) pp system came in (to stop tanking). So can't see the AFL giving pick 2 to the bottom team, in a hurry. And, Carlton recent history: 2016: 7 wins (14th) 2015: 4 wins (18th) 2014: 7 wins, 1 draw (13th) 2013: 11 wins (played finals and finished 8th... 9th if Ess hadn't been dumped) Bottom 4 only once in last 4 years (...didn't they tank their last game vs Brisbane in 2015 to make sure of 18th...) They can tank again (after all they are the masters at it) and they might finish last but their recent history won't get them a pp and certainly not pick 2. And as Mike Fitzpatrick is no longer Chairman they won't have as much clout.

Bit of a surprise that Hird suddenly turns up in the media. The AFL pulling some strings? I don't begrudge him a path back to good health but I really hope he doesn't use his column to preach about the drugs saga - a column of 'Fake Facts! Interestingly, EFC have scaled back the round 1 comeback campaign of 'welcome back our 'heroes'', walk to the G, etc. Maybe they recognise they aren't the comeback story of the Haw vs Ess. That honour belongs to Roughhead. And/or, the fanfare last week around the Wallis/Elliot/Gatto allegations have forced them to pull their heads in!

Contrast that article with the real comeback story of Jarryd Roughead: “I don’t think it will be emotional. It is a little bit about me (coming back), but I don’t really want it about that either..." http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/jarryd-roughead-doesnt-want-the-attention-to-be-on-him-ahead-of-his-afl-comeback/news-story/b385bddf1ef71429d793533db02da1b5 Roughhead is humble. Hird is still contrite. WE all know who the real hero is! It is sickening that Ess are still harping on 'comeback'!