Ted Lasso

And those are two massive errors that have cost the players a year and smashed their reputations as players and people within the footy world.

I've said it before the players are 100% responsible for what they put in their bodies, and responsible for keeping records which they have failed to do, if 1 player could produce records suggesting they didn't cheat, the balance of probabilities would shift drastically and i suspect they wouldn't have missed a year, your opinions of the agencies involved is irrelevant, the players are 100% culpable because they failed to do something very simple, and or didn't ask questions around what they were taking to be able to keep these sorts of records.

at the end of the day Jake has been labeled a drug cheat because he is a professional athlete who took some substances and he cannot prove what they were, he is 100% responsible for what goes into his body, he didn't ask questions of the right people or make enough noise and he's bought this on himself. there are people who give talks about this stuff before players even get drafted, there is no excuse, regardless of political agendas or how badly run people think ASADA might be, you're responsible for what you take, if you can't prove it you wear whatever comes your way. having said that Jakes ban is over and i look forward to seeing him in the red and blue in 2017

I had a chat with Jack Trengove in about Febuary this year and he definitely described it as a very tough time, you just want to be part of it especially with how exciting it is at our club right now, but i still think that is much much better than being out of the club and AFL system totally for 12 months, it might take Melksham a little bit longer to get back into it, again not saying it 100% will but i would understand if it did.

The big difference being that a year out within an AFL club means a rehab program within the four walls of the club with day to day coaching by some of the best fitness staff around, he's missed that for the better part of 12 months, while i'm sure Mission has given him his program ect it's definitely not going to be the same as actually working with him every day. Time will tell, i was against the recruitment of Melksham at the time and still very unsure it was the right move, especially given what we gave up but time will tell.

It's a whole different challenge but we clearly recruited Jake with the idea in mind that he'd play off half back and essentially play the role Jayden Hunt is playing, now with Hibberd likely coming on board, Salem mostly playing that role and Hunt playing great footy we have to re-think where he's going to play. I personally think he has the attributes to be a pressure forward, he's quick, creative and a good tackler and i really think that high half forward role is one he could really do well, but obviously it'll be interesting. I personally have my concerns about all these Essendon guys, not only have they had a year off, they've had a year off the AFL system totally and it's not something that they will move forward from overnight, very difficult to replicate the AFL enviornment and everything training wise, so the transition back into the side may take a little longer than some are expecting

It's a prediction, they will ask for our 2017 first rounder, we will offer our second rounder, it on it's own won't get the deal done because it's Essendon and we'll cough up a little more coz Goodwin absolutely loves Hibberd It may not happen, and it's not what i'd do but it's what i think will happen.

Predicting the trade to be #27, #45 for Michael Hibberd, #55 an early second rounder and a 10 pick upgrade should get it over the line.

not disputing the idea that we are more attractive with more wins, simply stating that it's not a clear rule for every side,

Essendon won 3 @60% and Richmond won 8 @80% and i reckon most would much rather go to the Bombers

Last thing they'll want is a very public reminder about what they did given all the positive press they have somehow been given recently, i reckon they should take pick 27 and run to be honest.

27 & 45 for Hibberd and 55? solid second round pick and a good upgrade for their third rounder

The bombers need to realise he's been out of the AFL system for 12 months, there is no way of knowing how long it will take these players to re-adjust to that lifestyle, and training and if they'll be able to deliver right away, i have no doubt these players will be a long way below their best. personally think pick 27 is a little generous if anything.

That's exactly why that decision was made last year, clearly it was felt that We needed a young foil for Hogan and Weideman was more talented than any of the key talls in this years draft, personally very happy with the outcome there.

I think he has some ability but it really depends what we'd have to give up, if it were a swap for a third round pick i'd probably look at it.

Guess it would depend on the crowd they think they're gunna get if it's at the G i'd back us to beat them in a final

If we beat the Cats and book 8th spot, very strong chance our first final would be at Skilled against Geelong again

I really think Jack doesn't get talked up as much as he deserved, i personally think he's every bit as good as the Bont, Cripps or any young mid in the comp,

Will recieve 17 large offers

Just does exactly what the coaches tell him to do, doesn't sook if he gets dropped just goes back, works on what he's told and it reflects in his game. he's our Issac Smith

I think we'll see Goody turn over the coaching group a little bit when he comes in, personally think Rawlings might well move on anyway, he's been around a while and wants a senior role. Maybe Goody could get someone like his old mate Bassett in as a backline coach? I also think they'll target another experienced coach to replace Roosy, with Macca going to keep focusing on the development programs and so on.

James Frawley said if you cut his wrists he'd bleed red and blue in his final year, until he puts pen to paper everyone will be uneasy about it.

If we can offer Danger the sort of money we apparently did then surely we can pay Jesse whatever he's asking for. I understand the importance of not selling out our future for one player but surely the club has been expecting Jesse to demand a huge contract for a long time and has been planning accordingly to allow us to keep him.

He's definitely got a bit to work on with his attitude, i'm really confident Sam Weiderman holds the key to this not happening anymore, when he comes in and shows how talented he is the three pronged attack of Watts, Hogan, Weiderman will be far to dangerous for Hogan to be double and triple teamed and he'll be able to build that confidence in game much easier on a week to week basis.

One of the best posts i've seen on this site in a long time Jesse isn't perfect, and we probably rely on him far more than we'd like considering his age/experience, i do believe Jesse is just starting to understand we can win games if he doesn't dominate so the pressure to destroy opposition has lifted a little and he does seem to be enjoying things a little more. He isn't great defensively but he works bloody hard, so i'm sure over time that will improve, he leads right up the ground and goes behind the ball and he's really becoming a very good all round player for us.