ignition.

Had Frawley had enough of Sylvia's drunken attitude or enough of the club?

Absolutely, think of going on a long hike and finding yourself at a magnificent breath taking destination - it's peaceful, calm and relaxing. In one way that is what it's like, you paddle out the back of the crashing waves, you sit and wait - no technology like phones or internet to distract you just the feeling of the ocean and wind with the crashing dull whitewash behind you. For a good 85-95% of that session you sit and wait doing nothing more than thinking. Sure if with mates you crack the odd joke and odd smile but majority of that time you sit, wait and think and there is no shrink in the world that can equal that thought process. Between this time you see waves coming, slightly prompted distractions and you paddle like crazy, release energy and get your mind off your thoughts for just a short period of time - whilst getting a joy or rush out of that wave. Once done back to that thinking process, slightly more relieved to realistically think and deal with the issue at hand, and so the process repeats for a couple to a several hours. Many people remain to have the old fashioned views of surfing and surfers, although majority of these people haven't tried it on their own let alone beyond the learn to surf classes held at your local beach. I would consider the remedy in the same class as playing or listening to music, or creating a piece of art although incorporating intensive burst exercise.

I hope the boys did go for a surf! I am a surfer myself (although I don't get to surf no where near as much as I would like) and I think it is one the best possible remedies to put yourself in the correct mindset to deal with and/or clear any problems I am currently facing. That time spent out the back sitting on the board whilst waiting for a wave is priceless - let the boys have a fu**ing surf!

NSC, please who is this player? I understand if you don't mention their name but it's players like this that must go. Their attitude and any bitchy attitude will spread like poison. As for the AFL video posted, what's with Rory Taggert smiling as he walks in? Does he think he'll get a game vs. Essendon?

Prior to Trenners injuring himself and having an interupted preseason, he would of been in there for me amongst Watts and Sylvia. I think we may see improvement or him take it to another level from mid-season.

LOL you are delusional, if I was a Carlton supporter should I say the same about Matthew Kreuzer? It's alright to put faith and positive belief in players, but geez don't blow smoke out of their ar*e before they kick a few goals and get on the board.

I hope we poach him during the year. I would rather pick this guy up over Franklin (mind you wouldn't mind either). But it's obvious we need a good midfield, a team can win a premiership with a fantastic midfield and average forward line (Sydney 2012 is a prime example), however a team with an average midfield and fantastic forward line can not. So far we have a decent forward line taking shape we NEED an incredible midfield to efficiently deliver it and keep it in our forward 50. By seasons end we will have the money for Thomas.

You lost me as soon as you said Barry, he is no where near the AFL level yet.

You win some, you lose some. From our past we have lost some decent names like Scott Thompson and Darren Jolly. In relation to Beamer, It doesn't matter how well he performs this year or the next at BL one reason why he was discarded was for the lazy party-going culture instilled in the young blokes, his sense of "authority" towards the younger guys needed to go. In regards to recently dropped players I think the only one I will potentially miss will be Ricky Petterd, he also left on a good note without blaming anyone else, I truly wish him all the best at the Tigers. As for the others I think Martin is the only one that may potentially come good, Bennell not bad but can never see him in the light of a Lewis Jetta or his younger cousin. As for us, we won on the under-performing Brisbane Lion named Mitch Clark, I truly hope this year Dawes AND/OR Pedersen proves their worth (for the long run), and from what I read and hear it sounds like Byrnes and Rodan's experience and attitude as already paid dividends. Like I said you win some, you lose some, and often a new club, culture and change is all a player needs to take it to the next level.

I agree, I do the same thing too. I think who will match up against your Swan, Pendles, Thomas, Ball, Beams, and Sidebottom. OR Your Cotchin, Tuck, Martin and Deledio. Give it time, I really hope Neeld can develop the young players so one day I'm saying the likes of Jones, Grimes, Viney, Toumpas, and potentially an ousider draft pick like a Kent in the same light.

May I just say boys and girls I am super impressed with Dean Kent so far. Especially for where we selected him.

I thought I was done sh** canning this bloke but I'll give it one more crack. If you can bothered watching this ~30 min vid, the end is obviously worth it. You will notice every time Cale has it, or is close to having it he stuffs it up... EVERY TIME! Yes it was wet and slippery, but some were just unacceptable... I'm glad he's gone.

If Jobe is stripped of his Brownlow, do you think Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin will be awarded charlie?

This is exactly why of all the other 17 clubs I hate Essendon the most. They are a bunch of arrogant knobs, best way to put it. At least Collingwood fans know they're feral and run with it, whereas these turtles only come out when their score is higher than the rest. I truly hope we smash them!

I really like the selections. I would of preferred to see Jamar in there over McKenzie (nothing against him, I like him), only because we already have 3 existing MIDS being Grimes (also DEF), Trengove and Jones. It would of been nice to see the Russian as coverage for the rucks. All in all very pleased to see Byrnes and Dawes.

Adrian Hyland has just gained an enormous amount of my respect. Along with Emma Quale the people at The Age do a great job, far better than those silly TWATS of the HUN.

This is somewhat a continuation Srjennings "2013 realistic expectation" thread. I have been sitting on these thoughts for a few weeks and I think we can break it up into a few key questions: (Bump the thread and please PM me if you want to incorperate others into the first post). 1. What are your realistic expectations for Viney and Toumpas, or even Hogan in the VFL? Keep in mind it's their first year. 2. Who do you think will take it to another level? 3. New mature aged recruits, who needs to prove their worth? 4. Last chance, who has flown under the radar for far too long? 5. Combination (as discussed previously) where should all this lead us on the ladder, who the the key clubs we should be beat in order to climb the ladder? MY ANSWERS: 1. Over the last decade and a bit we have always seen huge amounts of media hype linked to the high end draft picks and gun father-son selections. We often see links to the games current stars like Judd, Ablett, Cotchin etc. Although as history shows time and time again their first seasons are usually quite short of spectacular (AFL top end star) but nothing more than the odd signs of stardom. So in regards to Viney or Toumpas I will be very pleased if they average/ game ~ 20 disposals and ~ 3 tackles. I hope to see Toumpas run and carry whilst burning off his opposition, and Viney obtain some of those incredibly hard gets. Anything above those stats and signs I will be over the moon. AS for Hogan I just hope he can take enough marks, split packs whilst with the big lads and kicks straight. 2. I think it's time Trengove takes it to another level. So far I'm pleased with his progress unlike many others but I hope he follows in the footsteps of Nathan Jones's 2012 season. I think his start to the season will be slow due to his injury interrupted pre-season although I hope he gets up to ~ 24-25 disposal mark for at least the second half. As for Jones I hope he steps it up another notch again. Furthermore I would love to see Grimes spend more time in the mid, and not have to go back as much on the basis the backs are holding up and don't need him. I also look forward to seeing Clark again, hopefully he can get a full season out of 2013 and maintain that excellent for we saw for the first part of 2012. 3. One key name comes to mind here and that is Chris Dawes. At first I was completely against getting him in but as time persists I'm seeing the positives of the recruitment. With that said he's on a pretty penny. It's been stated he'll be a permanent full forward I expect ~ 45 goals form him (far beyond his 32 career best). Now I think this is a reasonable ask, it's ~ 2 goals a game if he gets a full injury free season, and that the midfield can deliver. I'll leave D-Rod, Byrnes, and Gillies for you guys to start 4. Two people come to mind here and that's Sylvia and Davey. As we know Sylvia is highly talented but does not apply it on a consistent basis. The training and frame work is in place, the expectations from Neeld and co. are there, the Party Boy mob is split (Moloney gone, Russian tied the knot)and he is now one of the more mature team members. It's time he pulls his finger out and show why is was a No.3 draft pick. (With all that said he is still one of my favorite players). 5. Summary: If things fall into place and we stay relatively injury free, I hope to see Sylvia and Grimes spend most of their season through the mid. I hope to see the big forwards hold up well (Clark & Dawes) with the likes of Byrnes, Blease, Howe and Pedersen within a close proximity. If two of the new mature recruits explode like Mitch Clark last year I will be STOKED. So where do we finish, as long as we beat GWS, GC, WB, BL, PORT, ESS and St.K (on their way down), and give RICH, NM, FRE a run for their money I'll be very happy. CHEERS! ESSAY WRITE AWAY ignition.

Dayle who... I think this will be the last we hear of him. After 1 more year in the WAFL colts U19, he will be mixing it with the big boys. From there he will have to lift his game and have drastically improved his attitude which I doubt both will happen. I'm glad someone out there with a good if not better attitude got this guys spot in a draft.

Nicknamed Quinn

In my industry we call that "scooped"

Who is this Robbie Chancellor training up in Darwin with the boys? Presumably training. https://twitter.com/bobbyjchance

Hahaha don't worry Ill be trying too, although don't worry what others think. Why do you think Collingwood fans are so loud... because their feral. They don't care (give a s**t) what others think and with that mindset has made them the loudest supporter base around (Richmond fans are similar), I sure as hell would hate to see Dee fans that feral but the atmosphere lifts their players. Point being don't worry just yell it (^^,)

I am thinking along the lines as "TOOUUMMP...PASSssssssss...."

I think rpfc finished with a nice concluding post. Can we now please close this ludicrous thread.

Btw the new banner looks fantastic, great job.