Bombay Airconditioning

If we loose to Essendon this year the leadership group as a whole should be removed along with Jones as captain. No this is not an exaggeration, again they are kids and players dragged out of retirement.

Without doubt Ralph has said one of the most bafonic things in recent memory. On top of losing 10 (??) of their best 22 they have also traded out Melksham/Carlisle/Ryder over the past two seasons. They are a team of kids and retirees.

He needs to be drug tested.

Bizarre....

Morning Stu.

Do you work out of Sydney BBO?

Waiting for Stu to log on for the day.

So Dawes took one mark and Pedo took a number of excellent marks.... selection dramas await....

Salem only played 10 games last year, that hurt us. We need him to play a full season and another quality user of the footy on the other flank. We aren't confident to use the corridor as much as we would like because our midfield hasn't been up to it, this will hopefully improve this year. As much as Watts is one of our best users of the footy he needs to play as a permanent forward. He is quick of the mark, try and get him in space close to goals.

Was just reading that. "Kia is a major sponsor of Essendon" next paragrah "The banned players are not permitted to take part in any official club activities while serving their suspensions"

An extension of that is forwards who defend and defenders who have the ability to attack.

I have no issue with mixing up training.

The "figure them out" I was being half smart but in all seriousness I'm going early and tipping for Port for the flag. Ryder wasn't there for their prelim loss to the Hawks in 2014. So they've effectively only lost Angus, (and yes a player on the list). I think Hinkley is a terrific coach and now knows what works and what doesnt.

Farmer wants a wife....Celebrity get me out of here....send help..... anyone....

With capped rotations can we afford a defensive rotation that isn't a midfielder?

Most players played rep footy as juniors. Each year brought a new coach and a new game plan. There's only so many ways you can play the game. For the first year players yes there's an element of learning for them as they take the next step to play AFL standard footy, but they are there because they have already pushed themselves this far, high standards must be set. Some of our senior players have the talent but still don't get it.

I thought part of their problem last year was they overtrained their players and cooked them. I've always been interested in the concept of one team figuring another team out. 17 other clubs seemingly can't figure Hawthorn out.

We can only hope it's a one off. Would of liked to have read that the match simulation started off scrappy before the so called leaders/experienced players stopped the drill and called in all the players, then told them in no uncertain terms that the crap they are currently serving up is not even close to good enough, that we're 9 weeks away from GWS at the G and everybody needs to lift. Its not the fact it was scrappy, it's the fact it was tolerated by the players. Didn't Vince just do a piece on the MFC website about the players starting to take ownership of the team, that would of been the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that. It's not always up to the coaches, the St.Kilda game last year being the perfect example. It's called accountability. Players are or should be taught to train how they expect to play. The last two seasons I keep hearing/reading that the Hawthorn leadership took training on a particular day whilst some coaches watched on from the stands and some weren't even there. Imagine us trying to do that.

If they're funny keep them coming.

It has to be a major concern that the match simulation was scrappy. I don't buy into "takes time to learn a new game plan", Port Adelaide put that to bed in Hinkleys first year.

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.