Dees2014

Disagree. If you had have read my thread more carefully I doubt whether you would have written this. I said Wilson is an elite investigative journalist specializing in the AFL. Mckenzie and Baker make up the Age investigative team who cover many topics, including the AFL accasionally, and are easily the best at it in Australian journalism. I can tell you from personal experience they admit that they have nothing like the in depth knowledge that Wilson has of the AFL, but what they do have are elite investigative journalist skills which they sometimes apply to the AFL. Both of them are in awe of Wilson's knowledge, skill, tenacity and courage in the face of often hostility of her targets and even attempted intimidation (which they all say comes with the territory).To make criticisms of Wilson "because she relies on leaks" is absurd. What do you think good journalism is all about? It is all about leaks in one form or another. Investigating "rumours" though a number of different sources until they become facts ( or not). What makes Wilson so good, is she can pick up the phone and talk to anyone in the AFL, any club or anyone in the sporting establishment because she is so well respected, and sometimes feared. She checks her facts, often three or four times over, and people tell her stuff because they know she does this. It is in stark contrast to Mark Robinson who seems to make it up as he goes along, and it all seems to be unfounded opinion from him. The worst sort of lazy journalism. Where I think Wilson comes unstuck is she is very one dimensional. She was frankly embarrassing at the London Olympics when her lack of knowledge of sport outside the AFL was exposed for all to see. Also, for officionados of "the Offsiders" on Sunday mornings on the ABC, she always seems to bring the discussion of other sports back to the AFL, even when it has little to do with the topic. Her general knowledge of sport in general is seriously lacking, but of the AFL it is second to none.

Get used to it! Caroline Wilson is an elite investigative journalist. She happen to specialize in the AFL. She is first to break all the big stories, and her insights into the news like Essendon, Justin Martin, Collingwood, and the Lions leaves all other media outlets for dead. If you want to know what is going on in the AFL she is compulsory reading, no matter what your team. I might add though, outside the AFL she really struggles. Her reporting from the London Olympics was very superficial and showed her up as having very little sporting knowledge outside the AFL.

The next Neitz in the sense he is a commanding physical presence, is a smart footballer, and smart bloke, and he has great leadership potential. The comment was made in response to a poster who said only mid fielders should be captain. I don't agree and used Neitz as the exception to the rule and cited his physical intimidation as being important, something we don't have but Dawes has the size and physique to maybe develop it (under the tutor ledge of DN hImself of course).

You guys have much less faith in Roos than I do. This guy is seriously competent.. He will get the best outcomes...

I think these sorts of comments really miss the point about where we are actually at. It is fact our club has been appallingly badly managed where we have wasted raw talent through our own stupidity and incompetence. It stands to reason then if we have a regime and coaches who know what they are doing, and are highly competent. The improvement could be anything - 30%?, 50% ? 100%. Personally I think it will closer to100% than 50%. The upside is enormous JUST BY THE IMPROVEMENT IN OUR CURRENT PLAYING GROUP. We should look at our midfield in that light, not in the light of their competence of 2013 - it will be like chalk and cheese.

He's a drop kick!

Unfortunately, you maybe right, but Roos has a history of making decisions from "left field" on these sorts of issues. He may want to leave the entire episode from last year behind and allow the two jacks to concentrate on becoming elite players. Both are young enough to step up at a later date if it is appropriate. In any case, I don't think co-captains ever really work. Much prefer strong, defined leadership, like a Neitz, Lyon, or even Barassi.

Sorry to persist, but I think that is in the way he is coached and lead. If he is a first rounder , then he already has outstanding natural ability, which means his inability to play that way is in the head. That can be coached and that is the upside for the whole list.

Why wouldn't GWS just take Martin for nothing in the PSD. They don't have to trade for him.

I don't think it is the AFL. they have a history of making tough decisions for the good of the game. I think it is the clubs who are trying to protect their entrentched powerful positions via the "court of public opinion". Nothing in this is new. It is meat and drink to the AFL Commission. PJ must be really enjoying this, being the consummate politician he is.

He is a convenient mouthpiece for other clubs, and particularly for people like Eddie and Malthouse who would not want to vent their spleen at the demons in that way publicly, but if they can get someone like Barrett to do it for them in the highest rating, and most inane football show in the country, then of course they will. Barrett is a stooge. I'm surprised you're surprised!It is about putting public pressure on the decision makers to ensure the powerful remain powerful, and the also rans remain also ran . quite simple really. Fortunately we have an independent commission which is set up to make these sorts of decisions, and in my view the AFL makes these sorts of decisions pretty objectively. We also have someone like Peter Jackson on our side who has huge credibility with the AFL commission and knows his way around the politics of it better than almost anyone. Yet another reason for being optimistic.

Every player who is drafted has gone through extensive testing by sports scientists from the AIS (regarded by many internationally as the best in the world - that's why the Poms keep pinching them) - as a group these 200 plus potential AFL players are regarded as the elite sports people in Australia, and Organisations like the AOC seek to convert those not drafted into Olympic sports for those reasons. It is simply not possible to be drafted IN THE FIRST ROUND of the AFL draft without being the best of the best in terms of athletic ability. I am not necessarily talking about football ability, but in pure athletic ability they are the cream. Every one of our first round picks are in that category, including Gysberts is an outstanding athlete. That is why it is such a tragedy that we have been so incompetent in getting the best out of them, and in my view, with someone like Roos at the helm, who clearly knows what he is doing, there is just SO MUCH upside.

I tend to agree with Demonstrative, at least in part. Gysberts demonstrated he could play, particularly in his early games. We cruelled him in the way we coached him. His confidence collapsed, and he became an ordinary player. One of the really big things I am looking forward to from Roos is him getting the absolute best out of the first round draft picks, of which we have many, and who are all elite athletes, including Gysberts. That to me is our huge upside, more so than whichever players we draft. Our coaching and mentoring of young talent has been hopeless since Neil Daniher left. A huge upside is before us, and with someone like Roos, based on what he did with Sydney, you would expect him to ruthlessly exploit that opportunity. Why wouldn't we bring back undeveloped talent, particularly if we know him, and we can see unexploited potential in him. Gysberts is such an opportunity, and we would get him in the third or fourth round anyway. He would have to be better than a Tynan or a Crouch, and I think he is only about 21 or 22, just the right age.

"behind the scenes" won't wash with ASADA. If ASADA squib it, WADA will appeal and impose the harsher penalty anyway. There is no way out for EFC (or the AFL if it comes to that)

They won't get 6 months. That only applies if they cooperate and there are special circumstances.there are none here, in fact Essendon has resisted ASADA every step of the way. They will throw the book at them, a d they will all go for at least two years. The current proposals in front of WADA call for 4 year bans, retrospectively. ASADA had better hurry up..

I agree about Whateley. For such a well credentialed journalist, and one of the best, he has got the Essendon thing totally wrong. It is not helped by having that [censored] Robinson beside him on 360, who is just so biased and I suspect his lack of breaking real stories on the Essendon situation (unlike Wilson and Smith) could lead to Robinson being dismissed by the Herald Sun. He is a complete light weight, and Whateley is clearly very uncomfortable about much of his behavior. Whateley though needs to get his understanding to the point of the rest of the sophistication of his commentary. As it stands now, he is starting to erode his credibility.

There is every chance via the PSD if we make him the right offer and he buys into our narrative. Roos is a great salesman -have every confidence we can geta this done. We start in front anyway - no salary cap pressure, great coach, pick two in PSD and ND. We have a lot going for us, but there are many on this site yet to be convinced, perhaps understandably. Fortunately Roos and PJ lack neither confidence nor a clear direction, and can see enough positives to get the job done. I reckon there is a 90% chance we will land Adams in the PSD without having to trade for him. Ride on PR & PJ, the best things that have happened to the club in 7 years, maybe since 1964. We should all rejoice!

Yes, gysberts may well prosper under Roos. I always remember his first game down at Geelong where he had 26 touches. Another one of Neeld's wasted talent. Maybe worth another try as a late draft pick.Is Maloney out of contract? Why would he leave? The old team with the Russian might be interesting, but I doubt whether it will happen somehow.

Roos, and we have pick 2, in both the ND and PSD. Richmond have salary cap issues, although that will be relieved by losing Martin, but they are unlikely to get any trades for him should he go through the pick 1 in the PSD. We have much more room to maneuver than Carlton, Richmond or Geelong. And further, we now have a credible narrative, delivered by the master strategist Paul Roos, and his hard nosed partner in crime Peter Jackson. They will achieve a huge amount this trade period

Yes WJ, there seems to be an unlimited capacity by some on this site to make it up as they go along. Post a well written, tightly argued case on here, particularly on controversial issues, and you can guarantee to get back some truly bizarre partisan responses, as I have found out over the last couple of months.. Sometimes I wonder whether some of these posters actually read, or if they do, understand, what is being written half the time. Keep up the good work, WJ, you inform and entertain many of us on here, and bring a civilizing and sophisticated perspective to the complicated and difficult issues the AFL in general, and the MFC, in particular, face. We are entering exciting times, and having a voice of reason will help us all along.

Very, very glad to see. http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/dees-wont-chase-martin-20130918-2tzsp.html Roos is too smart to send the wrong signals. With this though comes the news we are after Adams from GWS - even better news, and in a very good position to get him for nothing (except his salary cost) via pick 2 in the PSD, but no trade necessary. A great start to trading under Roos. Our mid field is looking better already.

Yes, they don't need a trade as they will,get him through their first pick in the PSD for nothing ( except what they need to pay him of course). Remember, the player has to nominate financial terms when he goes into the PSD and this usually reflects already negotiated deals. Remember the Pies manipulation of the PSD a couple of years ago to get Luke Ball before us? This is how Martin will get to GWS this time but will still put pressure on the GWS Salary cap which may open up the possibility of our obtaining Adams from them for nothing (in terms of having to put up trades) via pick 2 in the PSD. A deal nearly as good as the Viney deal last year in my view. A great start to building a great engine room for next year. Needless to say, this arrangement would be far far preferable to our acquiring Martin either through the PSD, or ( heaven forbid) via pick two at the national draft.It is very interesting seeing the way Roos is playing this. He is keeping everyone guessing. My guess is he is not saying no to Martin to bid up GWS's asking price for him and to keep him away from the likes of Carlton and Brisbane, but I bet he has no intention of actually doing a deal for him. Would send all the wrong signals to do with culture. He (Roos) nevertheless is a master tactician. It is wonderful to behold!

Everyone can be traded for the right price.

I've suggested before on this site that given Fitzy's incredible speed over about 30 meters (one of the top 6 at the club), and a credible and improving engine, I would play him as a midfielder on the wing and Watts on the other. They would be an impossible match up for opposition sides. Both would have to improve their in and under work,and defensive skills (which they will need to under Roos anyway no matter where they play) but would certainly give our midfield a unique look. I think this is just the sort of lateral thinking Roos so often applied at the Swans to great effect. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it here. Otherwise, I fear we may trade trade Fitzy, just when he is starting to hit his straps as a dominant figure. he is potentially one of the really really big improvers at the club.