Bombay Airconditioning

It's his up and under style.

Come on Sue, you're better than that.

Dawes took a mark?? I want photos.

Game over for this thread.

In short Ron every player is flat out of excuses. We are entering our third season under competent coaches, players don't simply loose their talent. We have 23 players out of contract this year.

Jack Martin v Jesse Hogan

My sportsbet account.

Voodoo?

I'm not disputing he is suffering from anything, but if he is it certainly didn't affect his ability to play last year.

Your posts are hurting my eyes Luded.

Effectively 1 goal per half as a permanent forward.

Yes we all know I don't think Grimes is an option and we've all heard my reasons as to why. We seem to have a number of players that have a great defensive side to their game but offer little going the other way, and that has killed us. Yes, in previous years our midfield hasn't been of a high standard and subsequently put added pressure on the backline, but I don't think we can put it all down to that, some of our defenders have also contributed to the problem through their lack of skill. As a team we have lacked options all over the ground so players have been gifted games. If you think Grimes can offer both than I must be watching a different game to you, please don't forget he was dropped three times last year, the first being for round 1. No White hasn't been elevated yet, but until all spots are filled anyone can be discussed as a possible option. Hence I've repeatedly asking in the training reports threads as to who is being used off half back during half/full ground drills. You reference "the need for an experienced head down there" and "not punting on kids", experience doesn't always equal quality. Grimes and H have both played roughly for 8 years, plenty of experience but how much quality? Nathan Ablett is a premiership player. In today's game back flankers need to do more than just defend, they need to be able to hurt the opposition with the ball in their hand and ideally rotate through the midfield. As for "not punting on kids" is just for the position of back flank or the team as a whole? Because 80% of our future/potential talent is 23 & under, so essentially kids. But if we are going to get technical and say first year players, we are then talking about players Brayshaw, Stretch, ANB and White last year, and Pereacca, Hulett and Oliver this year....all kids. I would like to think the whole "punting" thing has gone out the window as most of our recent draftees look to be the goods. If we can agree that our backline could look something like Garland (26) Dunn (27) Jetta (25) Salem (19) Tmac (22) ???? That would mean if a kid plays on the other flank he is surrounded by experienced players. Salem might only be 19 but we all know he can hold his own and is poised to explode this year. This is not a case of loading the whole backline with kids. As for who can play that position, I would think White or Stretch but we could also try ANB or as you suggested Bugg. And next year when Melsham returns I'd have Jetta's position in danger. We could look something like White Dunn Garland Salem Tmac Melksham People doubt ANB's speed and disposal, you can break lines by run and carry just as you can break lines with precision kicking. ANB is no mug he has the makings of a decent player. We can't just rely on Salem, what happens if he gets injured or shutdown, it's about multiple options.

Watts should be aiming for at least 2 goals a game.

Look at Gibson, what's his game centred around? - reading the play - dropping off his man to be third man up and spoil the ball -take the occasional intercept mark - his disposal is serviceable not elite Frosts highlight package shows he has the ability to do those things. Lake/Frawley/Gibson don't have elite disposal, it's the three players around them that do.

I can't buy that. The defence of H/Garland/Grimes is that they can do a job defensively. People often refer to Garlands ability to play on talls and smalls, but he doesn't play small with the ball in hand. We have been getting bogged down in our back 50 for years because we lack players with elite kicking to get the ball out. Melksham we assume was picked up for that reason, we must try someone on the other flank that can kick the footy, if that means playing a kid so be it.

What's a third man up have to do? Spoil, take the occasional intercept mark. Frost's highlight package was impressive and that seems to be the currency about now.

If they make the finals this year I will walk away from the game.

Was a massive fan of Cross but it's time to move on.

The Essendon game needs to be 10-12 goals minimum. We are talking about a team full of kids and players brought out of retirement who have had limited time to prepare and gel as a side. We get them round 2, I want six goals from Hogan, at least 4 from Watts and I want 6 mids getting numbers in the high 20's.

The best excuse (by excuse I mean excuse, I'm not commenting on mental health issues) for getting out of work would have to go to a bloke I work with. He told the boss he couldn't work the following day because he had to marinate meat. I managed to keep a straight face right up to the bit where he said he had all the bags laid out ready to go, it was at that point I lost my [censored].

Cheers, If we can safely assume Melksham was brought in to play opposite Salem at least the club has identified the need for another good user of the footy of half back. Last year showed we have moved on from Grimes (I know many on here think he will make it back and become a regular contributor in the side, that's great I don't). I hope White can rip it up in the pre season games and get into the team. Two quality users of the footy coming out of the back half....I can only dream.

Is White of the rookie list ??

If I had my way I'd have Frost FB, Dunn FB and Frost playing third man up. Tall, athletic, can take a mark and would make a lot of contests to punch the ball. His disposal isn't great but neither is Garlands. Put Salem and White down there with Jetta.

If we have 4 talls (I include Col in that) down back then Hogan/Dawes/Frost/Watts up forward we will get pummelled. Anyone remember round 20 against the Bulldogs? The win against them earlier meant little after that game. Garland might be able to defend against talls and smalls but he doesn't play small with the ball in his hand. If Col plays down back then only one of Dawes/Pedo/Frost plays up forward with Hogan and Watts.

Isn't a backline consisting of Dunn/Garland/Tmac/Frost asking for trouble? Surely only three of the four at once.