Strafford

I don't totally agree as money does talk, but I did chuckle.

But they could be Journos.

How do you do what you profess to do if you put people on ignore. Just think about that for a sec.

Things not looking good with negotiations with Harrison, so linebacker could be back on the table with an early pick. Anything going on with your negotiations with Aaron and Clay Macca?

A bit of stirring by the Storm boys facilitated by Dermie being....

That I think is where many of us have similar views despite differing on roles, definitions etc.

Yep I'm the same as MH. In that I Iived through the 70s. My earliest memories as a supporter was of us being pretty bad. To make it worse most of my family are Carlton supporters. Although I have had the opportunity for a few payback moments lol Just to add Wells moving didn't help damn them.

That is the irony here. You suggested people get one post to vent after a game, or Mondays along those lines in another thread. Yet you vent against the people venting lol. You just wrote that journos will not present a balanced view so you are merely justifying your actions there. Football is an emotional game and when you couple that with the internet you do get some irrationality. I'm not immune to it neither are you.

Satyriconhome. Our footy department has already decided we need experience thus what they have already done. Pointing out why players would not want to come to us in my view is also legitimate. I am not I want it and I want it now, but I do see the benefit of bringing in players who can set good examples. They may not be the best players in the world, but they add something, which is why I disagreed with the decision to cut junior. In my view this was merely a thread kicking around a few ideas. As you rightly point out we don't know who we will cut, or who may emerge during the rest of the season so needs change, nor do we know who will be available at seasons end, injuries and all sorts of things are other variables. Having said all that I really don't see the problem in talking about it. You like to debate, thats fine, you have your views, thats fine, but I'm not sure that you should be teling people what they can and cannot talk about. That is the role of the mods.

Some mids can't play the role.

Where is the player bashing? Did I say get rid of Jordie I rate Jordie. I like Carrazzo as a player so shoot me lol

Of course it's pipe dreaming.

I agree building through the draft and improving the guys we have is vital, but a number of the guys we do have will be gone at seasons end. One or two good players in my view would certainly help us, but only if they don't hinder us re-signing our good kids in the future. That is the big if as it will take a fair bit of coin to lure them to us and you would imagine Clark and Dawes are on a fair bit already with long term deals. That is where list management comes in I guess. I see this thread as a bit of fun, because there are far too many variables.

There goes that idea then lol I thought they were girls?

I agree that the AFL and Essendon are lock step in this together, forever as mutual interests intersect. I also agree that the relevant drug agencies are very unlikely to be influenced by the AFL. I believe the bombers have been major dodgey, but how do you prove it. Tests on samples that they have stored from that time period aren't going to tell us much because the technology hasn't quite caught up yet. Once they have perfected the tests down the track, perhaps we will have a better idea, but until then it all really comes down to Dank. He knows exactly what he gave them, but is unlikely to squeal and incriminate himself. The drug authorities are unlikely to do a deal with him as he is actually the guy they are after. The AFL is the key here as they took action on Cousins without a positive drug test or criminal conviction. The chances of any penalty that is more than a slap on the rest in my view is very unlikely though, due to as I wrote the intersecting interests.

Rjay have you seen Betts mark. For a tiny bloke he is actually very good. As crazy as it sounds. In a previous post I have covered Garlett. Milne is the guy you have a point with, but I don't think anyone is after him.

As Stuie said, small forward has now become a role. Take the three guys from Carlton. Betts spends some time in the midfield, but mainly forward. Garlett rotates wing and forward just as Jetta does and the other main guy who fills the role and I've forgotten his name(early onset dementia) plays back and forward where needed. I totally agree that we don't want a player who can only play the small forward role, but in reality how many of those are there?

Jetta?

My reasoning with Carrazzo is that we need some bridge players with leadership who are still decent and who can set an example to the kids already here and those to come. We are about to lose more of our experienced guys rightly or wrongly at the end of the season so the age profile of our list is going to be totally out of whack. The guy just put his hand up to captain Carlton so he doesn't seem against the extra responsibility. A guy nearer the end of his career than the beginning with young triplets is probably not thst adverse to the extra coin. He will be leaving just as some of our youngsters will be wanting the big bucks. Unlikely to happen I know, as he was a Blue supporter as a kid as well, but I did put some thought into the idea lol.

What about Carrazzo? Just got passed over for the Captaincy after making the final two. Probably was only passed over due to not wanting to upset Murphy. Talks well, has a go and is a very hard worker on the track. Great shutdown guy, but can spray the ball a bit.

If he does leave the Hawks, GWS might price us out with some sort of concessional promotion bonus from the AFL.

I don't think he has leg speed to be honest, but he does have agro and does seem to lack fear. Not the best trooper off-field.

Blues have 3 and on decent contracts.

We might have a real shot with some of the Blues if things don't work out with Malthouse, especially as they are so close to the cap. Although they may not want come to us due to Neeld coming through the Malthouse system. That is not having a go at Neeld just the association.

Unfortunately I don't think any of the journos have an agenda against us per se, we are just the team on struggle street at the moment and they just love a good kicking. They have variously trashed Port, the Tigers, Carlton etc etc We just have to rip the sign off of our back saying kick me.