Bombay Airconditioning

(Not being smart) I'm not on the same page, all players being available how does your forwards and backs line up?

Nong as in Ning Nong?

Bloody hoping so, need some class back there.

You've lost me, no injuries how do we look up forward, how many talls? I think we should only have Hogan/Watts and one other.

The AFL should invoke a two year rule, will make players think twice.

What I don't get is I'm assuming he'll have to sit the year out. The AFL needs to step in, as in Freo must trade for him next year. Not a good precedent.

Cam. McCarthey just granted indefinite leave for personal reasons.

All good, appreciate your efforts.

No I don't, but if manages to turn his form around and forge out a career at Port I wish him well. As with Grimes and Watts who I've done to death over the years, I have nothing personal against them, my comments are based purely on their ability as a footballer.

WJ, if they do any full/half ground drills could you please identify who we are getting the ball to across half back, obviously there will be the usual suspects but I'm curious to see if anyone else is in the mix. cheers in advance.

Jimmy would only be 21/22? It's not too late for him, he's with a great team/club and if he can reignite his career all the best to him. I think we all agree the move had to happen. Cant remember what we got for him, was it the Melksham pick?

I don't agree. I think when McCartney arrived Roos told him he's got 12 months to work out whether Jimmy was worth persisting with and the answer was no. This isn't just about Wines/Toumpas there were a number of other great kids that were drafted that year. And for those that say all the recruiters had him at three, I would say you don't simply loose your ability in one year. One year under Neeld, two under Roos. If he couldn't regain his confidence under Roos then I'm glad we've cut ties. Jones isn't the most talented player on the list but one thing he is, is mentally tough. I do agree that some (a lot) of our senior players have been disappointing in recent years but in Jimmys case I think (and yes I could be wrong) it's another Morton, could dominate junior level but couldn't make the transition. Look at the impact some of the young Saints had last year or the Bulldogs. One thing most AFL coaches say at the coaching conferences when asked about what they look for when drafting players "natural competitors/players who hunt the footy has overtaken elite skills and basketball background (I threw that last one in). Decision making you can train for to a certain degree if you have good structures.

How was Toumps confidence shot? And why couldn't he get over that if that was the case?

Watts has to take ownership of 3rd tall forward this season. Just as we can't have Frost/Garland/Tmac/Dunn all down back we can't have Watts/Dawes/Hogan/Pedo all up forward. If Frost is up fwd then Dawes/Pedo miss out. Hogan won't be suffering from second year blues and with an improved midfield the stage is set, it's now or never. He has all the tools and I'm hoping he proves me wrong. As a permanent fwd he should be setting himself for 2-3 goals a game. Hogan should be looking for 1goal a qtr (please don't anyone produce the stats of probability) that should be the mindset he takes in, break it down to 1 goal every 20 minutes. (this is not criticism) If Grimes plays he must start as a defender, not come off the bench as part of midfield rotations. The inclusion of Bugg/Kennedy keep things interesting for those players that are thereabouts and yet to cement their spot. im actually looking forward to our pre season games, I know for some clubs thru mean little but for some of our players this will be a chance to impress.

MMM Sydney said league was hoping to get through its first off season without incident in years, then this.... bafoonery at its greatest.

To be honest I didn't read the whole article, wasn't aware it was that old. Macca I hope the answer would be an overwhelming yes.

Should we have gone after Carilse too?

- players/AFLPA wouldn't agree - we can't even turn up for 22 games - the comp is still getting over the expansion clubs, talent pool already stretched - footy seven days a week is too much, fri-sun with the odd Thursday game is enough

In the "compromised draw" thread (it's now on page 2) I posted my suggestion for a rotating draw, and yes it takes 4 years to complete a cycle. If you can be bothered have a look, it will never happen because of the need for certain teams to play each other twice for revenue ie pies/bombers pies/carlton carlton/tigers swans/Giants etc.

It's not just the wins but the size of the losses when we lose.

Burning question - what mindset will Melbourne bring in round two when we play Essendon?

I can only dream....

23 players out of contract this year, that's just about half the list. No particular order of re-signing, this is what I would do. Vince 29 (2 years) Tmac 22 (3-4 lock him away) Tyson 21 (3 years) Kent 21 (3 years) Garlett 25 (2-3 years) Frost 21 (2 years) Jetta 25 (2 years) Harmes 19 (2 years) Oscar 19 (2 years) White 19 (2 years) Pedo 28 (1 year) Spencer 25 (1 year) Playing for their careers, trade/delisting awaits. Watts 24 Dawes 26 (injury concerns) Grimes 25 Trengove 24 (Injury concerns) M Jones 27 Terlich 25 Newton 22 Michie 23 Rookies ?? King 19 Smith 20 Hunt 19

I understand the players wanting to sue (I think they knew what they were doing but suing equates to money) but surely that makes the relationship with the club untenable. Very hard for players to return, well it would be in any other workplace.

Loyalty? Talented player, ex captain and was shown the door at a time when our culture was at possibly its lowest point. A one year contract is an each way bet.