Lucifers Hero

1) Lets face it he came to us because he was a mate of Neeld and Leigh Brown! 2) That he is 'much less a failure than Rodan and Byrnes' makes him a seriously, seriously bad recruit. Right up there with some of ourdisastrous high draft picks. What is more those guys did not cost pick #20, get a 4 year contract at 500k+ per annum! Dawes does not deserve to be on our list. On a value for money basis he should be the first to go, contract or no.

Dawes' 2 terrible 1st qtr kicks to inside 50 and his missed goal were total morale killers. Must be totally demoralising for young players see a senior guy dribbling the ball to a free team mate and shortly after miss an unpressured goal from 20 mtrs out!! He gave up any chance of getting momentum back our way. We never recovered! So much for his leadership skills. Simply put, he must go. No need to trade him - just give him away, at least it will clear his massive salary from our cap! We can then use it to reward a younger play or fund Prestia/another player we trade in. We must get better value from the money we are spending on Dawes so sorry to repeat: He must go.

Looks like Jared Rivers will call it quits at the end of the year. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-21/rivers-runs-dry-as-cat-concedes-season-may-be-his-last- Extract: "He (Rivers) said he was aware he needed seven games to reach the 200-game milestone..."It’s a big thing for some people, and for me, who has had an up and down career with injuries and also playing at two different clubs, I’d love to try and get to 200," Rivers said. "It’s been a battle, but there’s still a chance to get there and it would be a proud moment for me." Jared was a great servant of our club, gave his all in the worst of circumstances. As the 200 games mean so much to him, I hope his injuries stay away so the Cats can get him those 7 games. Its a shame their last game isn't against us...we could give him an MCG farewell and beat the Cats, again!

Plenty of chat today in footy media that Danger is about to sign with the Crows. If true, very happy to see Geelong miss out on another FA...Frawley being the other!

Would agree with that. In a shallow draft Roos may prefer to get an FA in instead of a comp pick, if Garland goes. For those interested here is the list of 2015 FA's http://www.afl.com.au/trade/free-agency Not many goodies left for Roos to choose from. Kreuzer is in negotiations with Carlton Leuenberger, Selwood and Dangerfield tipped to go to Geelong Suckling has been linked to Lions Roos is probably creating a smokescreen with his FA comments! Probably has some surprises in store!

An update on other club interest is some players mentioned by posters: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/fremantle-in-talks-for-gold-coast-forward-charlie-dixon-20150715-gid747.html Summary: Charlie Dixon suitors: Freo, Crows, Lions Leunberger suitors: Cats Suckling suitors: Lions (Suckling a FA and still uncontracted) Treloar suitors: Pies, Tigers, North (Pies tipped to get him) Also, earlier this week I heard that Carlisle is a lock to go from Bombers to Blues. So that is a few players off some 'wish lists'. As it looks likely that we get Dion, the midfield is still our priority. This will cost our first pick (at least) so it limits our ability to trade in, another high quality player eg a forward, forward/ruck.. Hopefully, our recruiters can pull off a Vandenberg type find, or do a 2 for 1 trade (eg Toumpas and Howe for player X), or they have confidence in one of our developing players, to fill the positions we are poor in.

To give credit where credit is due, 'Sir Paul Roos' called Dion a month ago. Here is his PM: Sent 15 June 2015 - 05:59 PM Dion is the one I'm confident of...

IMO until Hogan consistently kicks goals from 45m to 50m out, he should play out of the square (FF) and lead to the ball carrier. That's not a criticism just a development thing.

On Ch7 this morning Goodwin was asked about the list turnover...about 22 in last 2 years and maybe another 12-14 coming up (before he takes over in 2017). Goodwin said: yeah that is a huge change. My take was that the players we on DL complain about will be gone end of 2016. So any player coming our of contract in 2015, 2016 is in strife if they can't become a regular 22. We have enough newer Roos recruits for depth to not keep the pre Roos NQRs. I then wondered if, given this year is a shallow draft and the lack of trade value of many of our NQR player, we could see all 4 rookies upgraded. Then bring in 4 new rookies that we can groom and have a good look at. Would be quite happy with all 4 rookies to be upgraded to seniors eos. BTW Bernie was asked about the 'mansion' he has bought a few doors from Roos' house. In his cheeky style Bernie said it was the old wooden shack at the back. Allowing for any sort of house in the area is $1m+ it was interesting that Bernie is settling into Melb.

Not really. He was in and out of the pies side and not always because of injury. He wasn't ever a key forward - Cloke and Brown were ahead of him. Dawes was a 3rd forward decoy. His best goal kicking was 30 in 2010, and 27 in 2011. Those included finals and the GF replay in 2011. He has had a calf problem since 2011. His effort and attitude are great. But there isn't anything in his career that suggests he is or will come good. For us he has been an expensive 1st or 2nd forward decoy. Jesse will be a champ but he doesn't need a decoy he needs real help up forward. IMO Dawes isn't that person as yesterday showed.

Probably watched more football than you over the last 50 years! Hogan was thrashed no matter how you look at it: in the air, on the ground, in contests and in hunger! You don't want to see it well that is up to you. But as I said he is a kid and he will learn.

Very good point! Forgot Leuy is an FA.

Great wrap for Leuenberger yesterday. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-05/ruck-dilemma-looms-for-lions-after-leuenberger-finds-form?utm_medium=RSS Heard somewhere the Lions are interested in Howe. Straight swap, anyone?

I would cancel my membership!

Not meaning to criticise but the way Max King is going he is a very similar type. Max, soon to be 20, 200cm, can kick a goal. (Kicked 5 today with Scoprions) Just needs some experience! Max can be our Mitch Clark, or Kurt Tippet or ...

Harmes and King playing well at Casey so at this rate we may need to upgrade 3 rookies: Vandenberg, King and Harmes! Each is certainly making a case for upgrade. Otherwise another team might pinch King and Harmes!

He played under Neeld for half a season for a handful of games. Hopefully we can trade him but his value is limited: Is 27 with a calf injury since 2011 so can't play a full season. Has averaged 1 goal/game with MFC (1.2 at Pies)...poor for even for the 3rd forward. Being paid over $500K pa (unless contract front-ended). Works very, very hard but for very little impact. So, can we get anything for him? Doubt it...steak knives maybe (and we would still have to pay part of his salary). We are stuck with him...a depth player till end of contract in 2016.

Pretty much agree. Grimes, Terlich and Spencer are contracted till 2017. Grimes has probably done enough to stay as depth. He may request a trade to play more seniors. Tigers, Ess, Bulldogs might be interested. Spencer has trade currency as a few clubs looking for ruckman eg Ess and Bulldogs Howe may opt to go. Garland may be gone as UFA. Would add Dawes for a trade (admit to my bias here). Riley (and maybe Mitchie) is OOC this year so they are vulnerable. That is 10-12 changes before any serious trading.

Interesting reading Rusty. Thanks. Shows up some of the comments (biases) on DL as being inaccurate or partially complete. What struck me is the performance of Cross: top 5 in contested poss, uncontested poss and effective disposals. If he keeps that up in the 2nd half he is still a required player IMO. Wouldn't be retiring him just yet!

Roos' thoughts on delistings: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-01/paul-roos-flags-delistings-at-melbourne-after-port-disappointment?utm_medium=RSS Pertinent comments: -"Roos told Fox Footy on Monday night he was using the most brutal of motivational techniques to try to lift his players' efforts. Perform - or find somewhere else to play...After years in the AFL's bottom half, Roos said he believed there are some players that cannot shake the mental demons of their past." "We know what's wrong...We're yet to convince the player group of some of the things we know that work." So who still have 'mental demons'? I'm reading Roos comments as those players who can't/won't change, can't/won't be coached, players who give up too easily or play as individuals. The 186 game 'mental demon' players: Not Safe Jordie McKenzie 2015 Rohan Bail 2015 Max Gawn 2015 Mark Jamar 2015 Jack Fitzpatrick 2015 Jeremy Howe 2015 Jack Watts 2016 Jack Grimes 2016 Jake Spencer 2016 Safe: Colin Garland 2015 Jack Trengove 2016 Tom McDonald 2017 Lynden Dunn 2017 Nathan Jones 2019 Of those the last 5 I think are safe. -Jones and McDonald have overcome their 'mental demons' -Garland plays his heart out but when the backs are bombarded it gets to him. If he wants to stay he would be safe -Dunn seems to have overcome his demons but seems to not care too much. But being VC and contract length keeps him sort of safe. -Trengove safe due to injury Grimes plays his heart out but seems heavily burdened by past demons; not safe. Some of the others may stay but only because they are needed for depth (eg Spencer if we can't trade in a ruckman). The Neeld era 'mental demons' players: - Terlich, M Jones, Dawes, Pedersen are contracted till 2016 and probably 'less scarred' than the 186 players. They will be needed as depth players so are probably safe till the end of their contracts. - Jimmy Toumpas 2015, Dean Kent 2016, Jack Viney 2017, Jesse Hogan 2017. They are all safe. Yes, even Jimmy! All other players have been recruited by Roos BTW the above does not reflect who I would like to see go or stay, it is my assessment of who carries the most 'mental demons' and therefore in the gun.

No RS but he is in the AFL 'team of the week'! And he got AFLCA votes from both coaches. Far better. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-26/team-of-the-week-round-eight?utm_medium=RSS

Thanks OD...I wait with baited breath and hope and pray that he stays. Cheers.

Phew! Yes, I was aware he is an OOC RFA this year. I thought your post said he had put off talks to the end of the year and that worried me.

Can you provide a bit more info or a link please OD. I have been following him closely as I think he is a real asset in our back line so would like to read more. Cheers.

Really? Are you thinking Howe?