A.F.L. Thread II

[Mr Casson]

True, I just don't rate him as a key forward where you can bang it in long and then expect him to domintate the 50/50 physical battles, will need to be more of a Riewoldt type lead up player, thus he won't be kicking 70 goals a year based on what I have seen so far. He's got good speed, made two great chases in the 1st quarter. The kid Darling at 18 looks ready to play against men which makes the results of 2-3 years of development down the track look very exciting.

Yes I don't disagree with this, I was just responding to you saying they 'finally have a key forward in the pipeline'. Even the role you're talking about there is that of a key forward. It also goes without saying that you don't need two guys in the same team playing the same role anyway, so Kennedy as a CHF and Romperstomper playing closer to home is ideal.

It's easy to forget that Kennedy used to get double-teamed (when it wasn't LeCras the focus of it). In that sense it's timely that they played Port Adelaide yesterday because Chaplin and Carlisle were two that did it when they played last year and JK did squat. It's great that Darling has come along because he really does look like a player, but I see it having a positive externality on Kennedy's game too.

And it wouldn't be right for me not to mention that it takes 10 years to de-Carltonify a player.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Top scorer in the Clubshub Trophy for the week.

Meanwhile, are new franchises usually as awful early doors as the Gold Coast? They're the first team to be introduced since I started paying attention.

 

[benchmark00]

Top scorer in the Clubshub Trophy for the week.

Meanwhile, are new franchises usually as awful early doors as the Gold Coast? They're the first team to be introduced since I started paying attention.

Prior to GC, there had been two teams (freo and Port) introduced under the general draft rules that we see today. They struggled also, although the AFL has given the GC the best possible chance to succeed quicker.

I can see GC winning around 3 games this year (depending on whether they play Richmond twice), however in about three years time they will be genuinely decent, Port (est 1996) took the best part of a decade and Freo (est 1995) are still attempting to become decent.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

When did Adelaide join the comp? Didn't they go pretty well soon after joining?

 

[benchmark00]

When did Adelaide join the comp? Didn't they go pretty well soon after joining?

1991 - Different draft rules.

 

[Burgey]

How did North go on the weekend, Murphy?

 

[benchmark00]

Jeez I hope a giant lizard eats you and your loved ones.

 

[howardj]

Some observations out of the weekend:

- The Swans will make the eight

- The Bulldogs and Hawks loom as Collingwood's main challengers

- North and Demons may not be as far progressed as thought

- Brisbane's season is already long

- Folau's a dope

- Tigers are stirring!

 

[Jono]

Geelong still > Hawthorn and Bulldogs.

 

[benchmark00]

Some observations out of the weekend:

- The Swans will make the eight

- The Bulldogs and Hawks loom as Collingwood's main challengers

- North and Demons may not be as far progressed as thought

- Brisbane's season is already long

- Folau's a dope

- Tigers are stirring!

1) Swans are not a particularly good team, and if they make the eight it will be as a result of the gulf between the top 3 or 4 and the rest.

2) Noone will challenge Collingwood, but if I had to pick a team which matches up best again them it's still St Kilda, providing they can find another good inside mid to replace Lenny. Hawthorn are an outside shot because they play well in big games, but meh.

3) North Melbourne will make the eight, or perhaps only just miss out. They could have been much closer at half time if they had kicked several easy chances, by then, the horse had bolted. They are better than Melbourne.

4) Brisbane are dead in the water. Brown is close to the MVP any team has. Staker has been good too, but without Brennan being able to play key forward they're gone.

5) As I've said all along, Folau has a better chance of making it than Hunt.

6) Tigers are still no good as long as Jake King still plays.

Geelong still > Hawthorn and Bulldogs.

Not really. They beat Freo who have had the worst pre season of anyone, and although it was in Perth, they're definitely not as advanced as they should be at this point in the season.

 

[Jono]

Cats were missing a fair few players too. Obviously no way of winning this argument so early in the season. We will see.

Anyway, Benchy what are your thoughts on Brent Harvey's comments?

 

[Spikey]

WC and ADL ended up with many more mature aged players didn't they? either through other vfl clubs or through their leagues. PA and Freo too...? GC pretty much haven't picked up anyone over 21 that wasn't already on a list apart from Harris right? so like 10 people over 21....

 

[Jono]

Round 2:

Congrats to Heath on getting 8 tips this week! He'd be shattered that he got default 3 tips last week otherwise he'd probably have a substantial lead.

SBI also joins the comp this week, and gets default lowest score (3) from last week.

Superkingdave said he was aiming for 0, but got 3 nevertheless.

No tips from cameel and alternative. They get the default lowest score (3 tips this week)

heath 8
brumby 7
Jono 7
sbi 6
morgie 6
howardj 6
********** 5
clapo 5
samuel vimes 5
superkingdave 3

Overall:

Brumby 13
clapo 12
howardj 12
Jono 12
heath 11
Samuel Vimes 11
morgie 10
sirbloodyidiot 9
superkingdave 8
********** 8
alternative 8
cameel 6

 

[benchmark00]

Cats were missing a fair few players too. Obviously no way of winning this argument so early in the season. We will see.

Anyway, Benchy what are your thoughts on Brent Harvey's comments?

Hard to say.

I agree 100% with what he is saying. We have one of the best young lists in the league. That is, our young players are in the top level of youngsters in the league, however they're not performing to the level required so far this year.

The only thing that makes me a bit sheepish about it is the fact that I don't know how these two players, Wright in particular, will handle the public pressure so early. It will probably do Hansen a **** load of good, he's outgoing and this will probably serve as the kick in the arse he needs, but Wright seems a bit more introverted, I hope it doesn't hurt any of their confidence.

At the end of the day, Harvey can say what he wants, WAG. It's actually refreshing to see a leader speak their mind and not hide behind clishes. Hopefully it's a catalyst.

 

[benchmark00]

WC and ADL ended up with many more mature aged players didn't they? either through other vfl clubs or through their leagues. PA and Freo too...? GC pretty much haven't picked up anyone over 21 that wasn't already on a list apart from Harris right? so like 10 people over 21....

Yeah thats the thing. It should bear fruit quicker than Freo and Port, because if (big if) the recruiters have picked well, they'll have such a high number of the best players in the league on their list.

Long way to go, because not all top draft picks turn out to be super stars, but fast forward three years and they'll be ok.

 

[Jono]

Hard to say.

I agree 100% with what he is saying. We have one of the best young lists in the league. That is, our young players are in the top level of youngsters in the league, however they're not performing to the level required so far this year.

The only thing that makes me a bit sheepish about it is the fact that I don't know how these two players, Wright in particular, will handle the public pressure so early. It will probably do Hansen a **** load of good, he's outgoing and this will probably serve as the kick in the arse he needs, but Wright seems a bit more introverted, I hope it doesn't hurt any of their confidence.

At the end of the day, Harvey can say what he wants, WAG. It's actually refreshing to see a leader speak their mind and not hide behind clishes. Hopefully it's a catalyst.

cliches*

I agree with you though. If it came from anyone else you'd be a little concerned. But if Harvey is saying it you have to just let it be and imagine he knows what he's doing. Such is his legendary status at the club.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Round 2:

Congrats to Heath on getting 8 tips this week! He'd be shattered that he got default 3 tips last week otherwise he'd probably have a substantial lead.

Nice. Thought that all the favourites won this week; though Sydney/Essendon could have gone either way. Needed a big week having had Jono ruin the 1st week for me.

Just need them to show some games on Keewee Teevee now. Didn't seem to have been any shown on either of the first two weekends, but I could well have been out at the time.

 

[benchmark00]

cliches*

I agree with you though. If it came from anyone else you'd be a little concerned. But if Harvey is saying it you have to just let it be and imagine he knows what he's doing. Such is his legendary status at the club.

Was a typo you melon head.

 

[Jono]

... and I get the reaction I wanted.

 

[Mr Casson]

Sh00eeeeey.