Ted Lasso

for sure, but i can't see how they wouldn't have told Jobe that if the appeals failed they'd have to strip the medal, why they're letting him plead a case baffles me, he's now a convicted cheat. Rory Sloane could have missed out on a Brownlow for a slightly late bump this year...

I've heard Bombers supporters claim that because the "AFL" tribunal found them "not guilty" the WADA ruling is irrelevant and he should keep it. clearly they're delusional beyond words, but it seems the AFL may be just as bad simply because he still holds that medal.

I reckon that's what will happen, i just think it would be nothing short of embarrassing

I reckon we all do that though don't we? plenty were talking Jesse Hogan down before he re-signed, it seems once a player looks like leaving a club suddenly that club doesn't rate the player nearly as highly. he passed a medical and is expected to start pre-season right away so there can't be any huge issues.

I am amazed that it wasn't clear to Jobe and all involved that if the appeal failed he'd have to hand it back, there is no reason to hear from Jobe and even less to hear from Cotchin or Mitchell. a convicted drug cheat in 2012 cannot also be the "fairest" and best player in the very same year. the AFL just seems to lack the backbone to make the decision

a player who bumps someone slightly to high doesn't qualify for the Brownlow, but players guilty of systematic cheating and use of performance enhancing substances do. the sporting world will treat the AFL as more of a joke if they allow him to keep it.

Oops forgot billy! Out milkshake

Wow.

Definitely, but i think the line can be a bit blurry between the two sometimes, every poster rates players differently and i reckon every coach would rate players slightly differently so it really comes down to the individuals delivery, if they are respectful, i am not so concerned with the content. a good example in my opinion is the debate on the Wagner thread, i felt you, i and others had a spirited debate without resorting to name calling towards posters or players

Absolutely, he didn't deliver on field, for a number of reasons, so it's definitely the right time to part company, but in a respectful way, he's had a crack and not quite been up to the challenge.

This is true, and i agree it should mean he demands enough respect to stop name calling and other immature rubbish, Dawes has done a lot for our club.

In my opinion.. Red are players who i believe if fit, will play round 1 black are the players i think are fighting for their spot I think Garlett and Clarry are very likely to play also but not 100% certain for either, all depends on form and team balance Jetta T McDonald Frost Hibberd O McDonald Hunt Vince Tyson Lewis Petracca Hogan Kent Garlett Weideman Watts Gawn N.Jones Viney Salem Brayshaw Oliver Melksham

Agreed Nut, i don't think there is much doubt that Dawes has probably not delivered quite as much on field as he would have liked given the deal he came to the club on, but i think he has contributed a huge amount off the field and played a huge role in the young players development at the club, if anyone on here has the pleasure of meeting Jesse Hogan, ask him what he thinks of Dawesy and that will give you a good idea of the impact he's had, some players are recruited for more than just what they offer on field and Dawes was recruited at a time when noone wanted anything to do with the MFC it's totally unproductive to call a player names at any time, but when that player has left the club it's totally pointless, there is no doubt many people will have different opinions on his form and i am fine with that, but name calling achieves nothing. one thing i disagree with is the assertion that you have to have played AFL footy to be critical of a players form or have general discussion around that players place in the team/on the list, there are people at basically every AFL club in critical roles of the footy departments that have never played AFL footy but make these decisions. ( not that you made this assertion, i have seen it from other posters. )

Trenners will be very interesting to watch, i really think he is good enough to make it as a good role player, but this pre season will decide that, he needs to come back in ripping shape and move freely, his lack of speed/power is a concern especially in the modern game but slow players can still be good players i believe so time will tell. I am super excited by Smith, i watched him play three times this year and every time he really caught my eye, not so much for rackin the ball up, but just things he did that just really made you take notice, i reckon ProDee might agree with me here, but he's very strong in the air, but also has real speed and the combination of the two is what most excites me, plus he's very hard at it.

I think Salem will end up being like a Daniel Kerr type, 15-16 touches from him will nearly be worth 30 from someone else because of how damaging he can be. I think Frost will come good down back in time, but as you say a bit like Tom McDonald, probably just needs to know his limitations really well in order to minimize the mistakes. if you want a bloke who can just run all day and be an outside link player Jack Trengove is an aerobic animal, but he needs to add a bit more leg speed to really impact at AFL level consistently imo, from all reports he's working on it, so i look forward to seeing how his year goes. Alex i see as a pure inside midfielder.

I wonder if Weid will be seen as best 22 just yet or if the club feels he needs a bit more time to play regular senior footy. I think he's capable of contributing but we don't want to burn him out so i'd be surprised if he plays more than 60% of the games next year, unless his form is outstanding. Alex Neal-Bullen is going to have to change something to get a run in my opinion, he's behind a large group of quality young mids who are only going to get better and doesn't seem to offer any real x-factor. perhaps he needs to try and re-invent himself in a new position, though i wonder if he has the tools as a player to play many roles, not sure he's skillful enough to play off half back, so maybe defensive forward. Jeffy needs to get back to his best or he will find himself fighting for his spot, i thought last year he had a bit of a form slump, and he stopped getting the goals out the back, which to mean was an indication his work rate dropped off slightly, perhaps he was carrying an injury, but if he can get back to his best and Watts and Hogan get better again we'll be in a great place to make finals next year. Frost is one i think needs to improve to hold his place, he is fortunate though we don't have a lot putting pressure on as the third defender, with Dunn off to the filth and Garland seemingly out of form totally with some luck Garlo can hit back strongly and we'll be a better side for it, if not i'd be open to playing Jetta as an undersized third defender and having an extra attacking option down back. Vince is interesting because he's getting a bit older, i think he will still do stints through the midfield but may also spend a good amount of time off half back, despite averaging 26 disposals this year i am not sure he was nearly as damaging as when he won the bluey, would be very handy if he found his best form in 2017 really think Brayshaw and Salem are ready to have break out years, both have obvious talent but last year just coiuldn't get a run at it, when they did play they showed some great signs, especially at the back end of the season, with any luck they'll complete a full pre season and both will make big strides in 2017

Seems like the young man is clearly struggling and feel it's in bad taste discussing it on an opposition teams fan forum.

alright Deespicable, if Wagner plays say 7 or more games i will publicly admit i am wrong on this and change my picture to Josh Wagner for 2018 by the way i do rate Wagner as a player, i just don't rate this particular decision, and can't with my limited knowledge of the motivations behind it, fully see the value of it, given he'd have been on the list and able to play if required, either way.

I reckon Jetta spent plenty of time on key forwards this year with the zone set up, but i see your point, even having this conversation is a great sign of how far the club has come.

I would argue that Stratton who is extremly highly rated within the Hawks is quite similar to Jetta, he's steady, shuts down his opponent and plays within his limitations offensively. they have some real run off half back through other players but have a great balance of offense and defense in the backline, but as you say, if Wagner or Smith was close to as good as Jetta defensively they become a much better option. other examples being Nick Smith at the Swans, Dale Morris at the dogs, they're really strong defenders and steady players who don't try and do things they aren't capable offensively, and having this balance allows others to be a little bit more attacking at times. So we definitely should be aiming to improve all the time, but i think Jetta offers something the others just don't, and something that seems to be present in very good teams that go deep into finals.

I think the biggest factor with regards to selection is going to be who fits into the zone the best of the players on the list, i am not sold on Frost just yet, i think he has some tools but i am not convinced he's going to make it right at this point. I think we rate both Jetta and Wagner a bit differently, i quite like that Jetta is steady and plays within his limits, i think you need those players in the modern game and his experience and composure in the backline may be important in big finals games moving forward, i liken him a bit to Matty Boyd and Dale Morris at the Dogs who can be attacking weapons but they're very steady and play within their limits and do that extremely well. I think you're right in your point that if either can defend as well as Jetta they will play ahead of him, but given i see Jetta as our best pure defender it would be a huge effort, if either can jump that much in their development this off season they absolutely deserve a place in the side, regardless of who goes out for them. I reckon the player most at risk from Wagner is Melksham, i really don't rate him as highly as some others and if the plan is still to rotate him off half back/the wing i think Wagner will be keeping the pressure right on his spot.

Offensively he plays within his limits, but i still think he's an effective user of the ball, but he's also potentially one of our best 1 on 1 defenders so in terms of being a two way player he's a real asset down back, especially given next year we'll have Hunt and Hibberd there who do have serious weapons off half back, it's important to have steady players as well.

I reckon that's a pretty big call with regards to Jetta, he's one of our most reliable players down back, any particular reason you feel he might be overtaken or his spot might be at risk?

Random, but was Jordan Lewis a Dees fan growing up? i seem to recall hearing that somewhere.

Given Wagner has been upgraded, does that mean we will now have a rookie spot to fill?