Earl Hood

I watched it several times I think a Geelong player comes in from the side just at the last second that moves Clark into direct contact with Brown. It doesn't look good I admit but these things happen so quickly with bodies going everywhere, who knows what Clark was thinking. Brown had too much courage, to the point of recklessness. He should have pulled out as soon as he sensed Clark coming at the ball.

I am seeking advice from my fellow Dlanders. It has recently come to my attention an accusation that my favourite scullery maid, Conchita has been stealing from my wine collection! I have checked the cellar and yes there are bottles of Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Merlot missing ( could be BBO though) but then again my bookkeeping on these matters can be a bit erratic at times. I however feel betrayed, I brought my helper over from Columbia for her unique cleaning skills on a 457 Visa. I offered her the median wage of $55K per year and the usual requirement that she accompany my main Man, Hudson to the ATM to withdraw $500 every week to put back to our housekeeping fund. What more can I do?

He is a great talent, it is sad that he will always struggle to get on the park now. Without the insidious injury he suffered with us he could have been anything. What a 200 cm mobile pack marking forward, come ruckman or ruck rover whatever you want really. A loss to the game. Still if he gets fit at the pointy end of the season he could be valuable for the Cats.

Agree BB I posted earlier that I saw Hartlett jump and put his full body weight onto Brayshaw's knee, thus the injury. Forget slings, jumps etc just move to duty of care on the tackler, if the guy tackled get injured then you wear the consequences. That said if you are Trengove and you sling tackle Dangermouse and he plays the next week you should be safe, especially if he kicks 6 the next week!

No he is no Robbie Uncle, just thinking a la The Cats, Mark Biclavs, the 198 cm running player of last season, who won their B&F and I believe he spent some considerable time on the wing and only took ruck duties when there were no other options.

I wonder how Frost would go on a wing, he is big and quick, not sure on his tank though and how creative he can be. He is a better option down back but we have the spots covered, he is not a natural forward and Pedo is a better option. Just a thought.

I will let that one through to the keeper, Bobby. NFI!

Should the AFL drop the mandatory rule that requires every club to take a minimum three picks in the national draft so that Hawthorn can fit in all these players holding out on contract renewals so they can get to a premiership contender club? We we may have to increase their player list numbers as well, why should Gen Z players be denied ultimate success?

The only problem is his putting talks on hold does not help him focus on his footy, exactly the opposite actually I would have thought. When we look at the recent history of free agents and other players out of contract we know some can handle the distractions better than others. But having to outright lie to the public via the media must be a tough gig for young men hell bent on maximising their income. I hope Hogan is not like he who cannot be named!

I wish the rules allowed the AFL to look at Hartlett's tackle. On seeing it again he jumps off the ground to make sure Brayshaw's knee has to take the full load of his weight on contact. No wonder it buckled. This type of tackle will always be potentially dangerous.

What I don't understand is why the Feds took so long to look into Brough's access to The Speaker's diary? When the whole Slipper affair blew up, what 4 years ago, it was obvious someone had breached the law to get access to his official diary.

Yes in the top clubs the players keep resigning for unders as they chase success. And that undermines the so called equalisation effect of the salary cap. I assume this is why Hogan is delaying talks, as he weighs up whether we have the right playing group to go to the next step. Fair enough I suppose but the old school would not be impressed one bit. This is Gen Y or Z or whatever he is I suppose. One frustration is we never hear from Hoges himself, he seems very media shy.

The Ox in the Age today says he thinks he has been offered an option of a 3 or 5 year contract for roughly a million a year and yet he has asked for more time and they have thrown up the new TV rights agreement whatever it is called as playing a part in their thoughts. Yes this may increase total salary caps at clubs but really what game are they playing? I don't think it is about money. Either he is off to WA or he is waiting to gauge our improvement as a side before comitting. Either way modern footy shytes me, as a minnow club you know if you uncover a talent, it will now be a battle to keep them.

Totally agree. After so many wasted drafts it seems the penny has dropped, you pick the kids with an appetite for a contest and with skills of course. I used to say we needed kids with some mongrel, aggressive, physical, dare I say intimidating types but we kept picking nice, skilled, Outside types and it cost us. I now have some confidence that we can be nasty and I think we have a group of kids who can play. We just need a good run with injuries.

I think this thread is misleading, there has been no in or out we just now have Prime Minister Tony Turnbull in charge or Malcolm Abbott, take your pick, same outcome. Two and half years to do nothing, oh except to axe the tax and stop the boats!

Thanks for you advice Uncle B and sorry for the late reply. I prepared a tasty, nutritious meal on Monday night, a lightly grilled fillet of lean kangaroo leg with a small quinoa salad washed down with two bottles of Paul Osicka Shiraz 2012 as you recommended. Well I seemed to have missed Tuesday somewhere? I remember not feeling well, obviously something dodgey with the salad and decided to go to bed but I woke up face down in the bathroom and a check in on my mobile showed it was Wednesday? I think I need to re-evaluate the fitness advice I have received here on DL. Wellbeing programs need to be individually tailored I suspect.

Managed to rearrange a few work place meetings to sneak down to Goschs paddock at 9.45 am for training. Not impressed that the main group didn't appear until 10.20 as I had to be out of there by 11.00. However that gave me plenty of time to watch Pettracca, Jones and Cross doing extended drills in rehab on the full ground that I assumed were recreating a half forward role where the Trac had to wrestle with Cross before making a lead and requiring Jones to pass to him. In this drill he showed remarkably clean hands, marking the ball out in front every time. In other drills the Trac had to chase and mark a high kick, then pass off to Cross, who would then throw the ball at Trac at full pace and he showed he had very clean hands below his knees every time. Some of his kicking was wayward but gee in nearly 30 minutes of drills I don't think he fumbled a mark or a tumbling ball on the ground. Jones was good but made a number of mis kicks and fumbled a few and let the f word out a number of times in frustration. I can't wait to see a fit Trac playing off the half forward line, he moves well, takes the ball cleanly out in front every time. His set shots at goal were a bit hit and miss but it was very windy. And I wonder if Jones may spend some time at half forward this season. He did that some years ago under Daniher if I remember it accurately.

Did Mahoney really say that? Totally idiotic if so. NAB is for giving your best a bit of a run and getting a good look at your newbies in action to see what they may offer. Why would you just play the same 24 players or so for three practice games?

Yes BBO you may have a point there. I have of recent years strayed away from that old staple shiraz. I have been partaking of your more boutique grape varieties, pinots, malbecs, Merlots etc. Certainly my former Adonis like physique has deteriorated in recent years since I last opened a bottle of Shiraz. That must be the problem, who needs the Man Challenge. Thanks for your advice Uncle B.

DC I wouldn't be paying for your advice, I don't live in quarter acre block Borewood home! I live in a Fitzroy warehouse, I don't have a Hills Hoist to run around. OD I eat quite well, no fat, all ancient grains and salads with some lean protein serves at night, all washed down with a bottle of quality red wine, I mean I don't believe I need dietary advice as I am ticking all the dietry boxes as far as I can see. Still there seems to be a calorie problem somewhere? Maybe Roosey can resolve the problem.

I am thinking of signing up for the Man Challenge 10 week fitness routine to shed some weight but I note Paul Roos is the coach along with other high profile sports people as mentors. My worry is that Roosey gets distracted from our pre season with my exercise routine and he neglects Jonesy and co. its $20 a week to join. What should I do?

I listened to it this morning on a long drive down to the surf coast. They gave Robbo a right going over for his writings and radio comments about The G Lyon Affair, deservedly so in my opinion. That might be behind this revelation? And as has been stated the program struggles without Dr Turf.

Let's hope so re new clubs but who knows they may go for 20 at some stage hoping quantity gets more TV dollars.I put nothing past The Gill in his quest to destroy the game.

My sources are telling me the powers that be are working on a straight swap Viney for Wines, it is all but a done deal. Of course my sources have been highly unreliable in the past.

I thought the coach crucified him at the Hawks. He is a 183 cm back pocket type yet he was often asked to take on the 196 cm forward gorilla if the hawks were undermanned down back. I think I remember him manning up the likes of Hawkins while they had Gibson running around as third man up doing the easy stuff!