Earl Hood

Could be off to the Swans, family issues, father passed away during the year, and AVB has been trying to run the family business in Canberra from here. Hope he stays.

I believe he could be anything with an injury free run over the next 3 years. He has all the athletic tools needed at AFL level but also the footy smarts and pedigree to be more than just an athlete playing footy. In the future he could go forward or he could play wing as well although not sure of his tank at the moment. Could he develop into an Isaac Smith type running player? I am very positive.

Now that the Eagles have won the 2018 flag we know all other 17 clubs will be analysing their list, their game plan and just how they won on the day. The AFL is full of copycats as we know. It now seems to me that chaos footy and small defensive forwards, small running halfbacks with intercept marking backs may not be so much in vogue next year. Today’s win for the Eagles was also a victory for 2 legitimate ruckman, two key marking forwards and at least two big marking/spoiling key position backman. It’s like 1990’s footy reborn. Yes there are still running halfbacks, inside mids and small, crumbing forwards but there always were I think. The ramifications are I think that the value of secondary ruckman (Pruest), key position backman who can handle the gorillas (May) has now gone up but so has Hogan’s value as a key forward to offset that for us. The WC structure wants the ball played predominately in the air and this would also help alleviate some of the AFL’s worries about congestion. Interesting to see how the recruiters react to the WC blueprint.

Well yes if he stood on the grassy knoll I suppose. But then that knoll was chock full of Mafia, FBI, CIA, KKK and Cuban Operatives as I remember. Very crowded at the time.

Maybe but today’s GF result has just improved his stocks in the competition. West Coast have won a cup with traditional big bodied defenders who could hold the line early. Intercept marking forwards are great and so are receiving half back runners but old fashioned big bodied marking KPB will now be well sort after.

Cut down in his prime, could have been anything really. We will never know.

Yes taking your advice. I live in Fitzroy but just 100m from the Collingwood border and the Police Helicopter has been circling around my battened down warehouse for the past 30 minutes, just assuming the filth are on the rampage down Smith Street!

Yes, somehow. Finished 4th in his heat.

Early Channel 7 coverage has Oscar MacDonald winning the final of the longest drive off the tee competition they have been running during the season. 292 meters, that’s up there with the tour guys! I think he plays off 1. You wouldn’t pick him as having exceptional hand/eye coordination sometimes on the footy field. Well done, won a set of Taylor Mades and the gold jacket.

Yes the way things are unfolding you would think we had a bad year. We will have to get into trading picks for experienced players big time. No use going to the draft with 7 or 8 picks for 18 year olds.

Wow!

No fair enough as we have a no hillbilly/bogan policy here in Fitzroy. By the way Bistro Sou Sou has finally opened for business in Gertrude Street. As you know the former Madame Sou Sou bistro in Brunswick Street never really recovered from your visit some 2 or 3 years ago. Sad affair really but now they are fighting their way back. Great to see.

A no hipster policy eh?

Uncle I have had to let Conchita go recently as times are tough here in Fitzroy. I believe she is suitably qualified and is still available.

Extraordinary effort and The Age article today stated that he was first in the competition for contested possessions second for tackles third for clearances You can’t do much better than that as a midfielder; they would be the top 3 KPI’s for most midfield coaches. Mitchell gets 28 votes, Clarrie gets 13 votes?

Yes missed the first 4 games and imagine if our game plan included the rule that every get out of trouble handball is to go to Gus as that seems to be the Dorks rule with Mitchell.

If only Brayshaw had played those first 3 or 4 games!

Gee the kid is a raw 18 year old. What was your take on Harmes a few years ago when he was a rookie? I remember people writing him off as having no kicking skills, no footy IQ, no speed yet he kept getting the odd game and kicking a goal or two, then get dropped but then get another chance in amongst getting elevated to the main list. He kept at it and is now a major part of our midfield. At the moment Petty is raw talent, he could be anything if he works hard enough at it and has a fair slice of luck, e.g. with injuries and how the team travels, that is it is much easier to be a champion defender in a great side, than a bottom side.

Gilligan, it should be but is not I know. I meant to reply to the original questionnaire.

Gilligan?

I wondered too about the slipping, I initially blamed the bootstudders but I now think it is a symptom of nerves, not unlike the fumbling and missed handballs. When you are nervous you tend to rush things, and slip over more. Its Grand Final week I think the MRP went on a sabbatical some time ago.

Couldn’t agree more and it should be no surprise as we saw last week the Essendon ruck Draper totally dominate hit outs and giving their midfield first use. We managed to hang on for a win but it was a glaring weakness. Just how bad was Mitch King or Flipper toward the end of the season? I thought at the time we just need a big body to compete and keep them honest, in King, out Hutchy who has struggled to get a kick for some time.

I have never witnessed such one sided umpiring in my life. It is just extraordinary!

Extraordinary whatever happened to the midfield today. Our strengths this year were contested possession, hit outs to advantages, centre clearances, inside 50’s, scoring more than any other side. Great statistical indicators but everyone of those were smashed today in the first half. Take away our control of the midfield contest and we, similar to most other sides, struggle. But again what the hell happened with our midfield, Max was down but still won the hit outs but the Weagles invariably pounced on the ball and worked it out to their advantage.

Based on today’s game let’s not panic but let’s unload half the list as too old or too slow or lacking poise under pressure. That is assuming we have ready made and improved replacements.