Your club's big 5 questions

[Pessimistic]

Now the pre-season is upon us, what are the 5 most burning questions for your club. Hopefully by the end of the Ansett cup we can comment on whether the questions have been answered

(Saints fans can have more than 5 questions if they like)

I'll kick off with the Hawks

1. Can Rehn replace Fish enough to give the Hawks midfield the service they have been used to ?(for the whole season of course)

2.Can Crawf regain his best form, Will Chick maintain his form ?

3. Will Thompson be uninjured and step up, as expected ? Kick more goals consistently.

4. Will Young guns such as Johnston come in and provide more drive in the midfield ?

5. can the whole team avoid quite as many 'mistakes' as last year ?

[Daphne]

Pessi if you are looking for your post its here.

[Rooboy 96]

1. how much will we miss Bell...

[Rooboy 96]

2. can Corey return to 1996 form before he retires...

[Rooboy 96]

3. when will Wayne give the game away...

[Rooboy 96]

5. will Shannan Grant be played as an attacking HFF in 2001...

[Rooboy 96]

6. can the not so big Sav kick a ton...

[Rooboy 96]

7. will Ricky make it onto the field...

[Rooboy 96]

8. can Calthorpe defy his knockers and play quality senior football in the 2001...

[Rooboy 96]

9. will Johnny Longmire come out of retirement and play in 2002...

[Rooboy 96]

10. who will be our number one ruck if Burton and Corey get injured...

[Rooboy 96]

will Dylan Smith be the new great white hope... we are all looking for...

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
1. how much will we miss Bell...

We won't cos we have Stevo!

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
2. can Corey return to 1996 form before he retires...

Yes he can. But he's probably got only this one season to do it before he becomes potential trade bait.

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
3. when will Wayne give the game away...

If the Gods of Football smile on him and he and the club can manage his injuries, then maybe we could get three or four more seasons out of him. But only if they move him away from centre half forward and Wayne changes his game from crashing through packs to getting marks on the lead.

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
5. will Shannan Grant be played as an attacking HFF in 2001...

With a new bunch of midfielders, I reckon there will be plenty of rotation between the forward flanks and the centre for our running/small players. Grant in the forward line like in '98 and getting 30 to 40 goals with his deadly left foot will be a huge bonus. Just don't ever let him stray to the backline.

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
6. can the not so big Sav kick a ton...


He can, but it's not likely. He's there to be an alternative forward option to Carey and hopefully our midfielders will stop being so Carey-conscious. I think Pagan will be happy with 60-70 goals from each of Sav and Carey.

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
7. will Ricky make it onto the field...

Better Ricky than Calthorpe. We sincerely hope so, but with his chronic injuries, we just won't know. I hope he does well and can play a full season in the seniors for us. Oddly enough, I reckon that plenty of Essendon fans will be pleased to see him do well as well.

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
8. can Calthorpe defy his knockers and play quality senior football in the 2001...

AS much as I'd love to eat humble pie (and that's a bakers dozen pies for Calthorpe http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/wink.gif ), I don't think I'll have to look for my nearest bakery.

If he does though, I will be contacting Dim24 for advice on how to do backflips.

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
9. will Johnny Longmire come out of retirement and play in 2002...

Depends on how much commission he's getting from the contracts of the players he manages. http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/wink.gif I'd love to see the Horse running around the field for us again, but will that mean that Troy Makepeace will have to give up his number? But the answer is no.

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
10. who will be our number one ruck if Burton and Corey get injured...

Well Calthorpe, that diet of yours will not turn you into a Mick Nolan type simply because you're too much of a short arse. So, will Lindsay Smith or Shannon Watt be taking the next step should the opening arise?

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
will Dylan Smith be the new great white hope... we are all looking for...

As Pagan will tell everyone within the club, and this was emphasised by Carey in his victory speech after the '99 Grand Final, premierships are a team effort. Dylan Smith will do well for us, as should all our new recruits. With the focus on the top 3 draft picks taken by St. Kilda and Collingwood, we should be able to ease these kids into the team and hopefully catch everyone else unawares just like the Melbourne kids did under Daniher last season.

[choppyhard]

Rooboy 96
1) We will not miss Belly much with Stevo returning. We may gain a new dimension if Sinclair & McLaren can give some pace through the centre
2)Corey needs to lift, I think he can. North are a much better side when he is.
3)Hopefully Wayne can stand in a pocket for the next 10 years.
4) What happened to no 4 rooboy 96.
5)Grant was a bit ordinary last year, he should keep out of the centre and play on a half forward flank. He is a deadly accurate kick from 40m.
6)If Savs knee holds up he could but 60 to 70 is more realistic.
7)Ricky has played stuff-all in the last 4 years. How can that change? It would be good to see him get on the paddock.
8)Where do you play Calthorpe. He's to fat and slow to play in the centre or on the wing, he doesn't have enough class to play in a forward pocket and is to short to play down back. He seems like a good bloke though, hopefully he can prove me wrong.
9)Johny retired to soon.
10)Good question, don't know the answer hopefully not Rocca.
11)Everyone is giving Lindsay Smith wraps, I hope thier right!

[Carey_is_King]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
2. can Corey return to 1996 form before he retires...

What we all need to understand is that the "form" we have seen in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 is his real form. What we saw in 1996 was a fluke. There is no return to be had.


------------------
Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.

[Carey_is_King]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
5. will Shannan Grant be played as an attacking HFF in 2001...

He has never attacked anything in his life ...least of all the ball.


------------------
Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.

[Carey_is_King]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
7. will Ricky make it onto the field...

He has managed 85 games in 8 years - work it out!



------------------
Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.

[Carey_is_King]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
6. can the not so big Sav kick a ton...


Maybe not a tonne, but certainly a few kilos, and he will help to take some focus away from the King.



------------------
Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.

[choppyhard]

Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

1) Has Picket got the stamina to play in the centre.
2) Can Colbert deliver what he promises.
3) Will Carey shift to fullforward.
4) Which of the new rookies, Smith & Smith, Motlop, Harris will play the most games.
5) Can Archer return to his 96 form.
6) Can Blakey play next year.
7) Will Pagan alter the 'long bomb'game plan.
8) Will Choppy deliver more shirtfronts in the centre.
9) Can McKernan get his timing right at the centre bounce.
10) Who is going to replace Doc Sholl.
11) Has brady Rawlings heard of weight training.
12) Who is going to provide the run of half back if Choppy moves to the centre.
13) Will Kingy spend more time on a half forward flank.

[35eye]

Originally posted by Shinboners:
Depends on how much commission he's getting from the contracts of the players he manages. http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/wink.gif I'd love to see the Horse running around the field for us again, but will that mean that Troy Makepeace will have to give up his number? But the answer is no.



Shoot, that'd mean I'd have to change my number too. 53eye just doesn't have the same ring to it!

[hotham]

. Could Wayne play for another ten years ?

. If Wayne does not play for another ten years, will the club provide ,me with inpatient psychiatric treatment ?

. Can we play four quarters of winning football ?

. Will Glenn Archer learn to do his dirty deeds behind the play (not infront of the umpires) ?

. What plans does Stevo have for Woewandin ?

[Darky]

Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
8. can Calthorpe defy his knockers and play quality senior football in the 2001...

Based on what I saw at the practice game yesterday, he would struggle playing club footy in one of the local shitkicker leagues.

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

1) Has Picket got the stamina to play in the centre.


he may have the stamina to rotate through the midfield... but in all honesty I don't think the midfield will be a major concern for us this year... if a few of our recruits can perform...

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

2) Can Colbert deliver what he promises.


I have not heard any reports of his training so far... but if he can get out on the field he will be an outright SUPERSTAR for our club...

[Darky]

Originally posted by choppyhard:

2) Can Colbert deliver what he promises.


30 minutes or your pizza is free? http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

3) Will Carey shift to fullforward.


It would be nice to have the luxury to move Wayne to FF... but then I would prefer to leave him at CHF and win the flag in 2001... 2002... and only get another 2 to 3 years out of him...

Then move him to FF and get 5 years out of him but not win a flag... the more important question is... who can stand up and play CHF???

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

4) Which of the new rookies, Smith & Smith, Motlop, Harris will play the most games.


Dylon Smith followed by Harris... but wouldn't it be great to get 15 games from our first three picks... I mean 15 games each...

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
[B]Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

5) Can Archer return to his 96 form.


Love the way he can play the game... but Glenn frustrate me more then any other North player... even Corey... we all know Glenn can play... it's just if he gets fit and motivated...

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

6) Can Blakey play next year.


I take it you mean season 2002... of course he can... Blakey will probably be playing when Dylon Smith is on the veterans list...

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

7) Will Pagan alter the 'long bomb'game plan.


I for one would never pre-empt what Denis was planning as he is a far better Coach then I could ever be... and he has the score on the board...

If it ain't broken don't fix it I say... and if it is broken... Denis will work it out...

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

8) Will Choppy deliver more shirtfronts in the centre.


no.. he is scared of getting reported...

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

9) Can McKernan get his timing right at the centre bounce.


now wouldn't that be great... hopefully yes... but...

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

10) Who is going to replace Doc Sholl.


Does he need replacing... he only played one good game last year... his last... don't get me wrong I think Doc has been agreat North Melbourne footballer but probably hung around one year too many...

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

11) Has brady Rawlings heard of weight training.


ummmmmm what can I say... He has plenty of class and will be good... but we may have to ask Calthorpe for some left over weight...

[Rooboy 96]

Originally posted by choppyhard:
Rooboy 96 heres some questions for you.

12) Who is going to provide the run of half back if Choppy moves to the centre.
13) Will Kingy spend more time on a half forward flank.

I would leave both these guys onthe hb line as they create a hell of a lot of play from there...

[choppyhard]

Rooboy 96

Thanks for the reply. You are right about DOC he used to fustrate the hell out me on occassions but when he did fire he gave us a further option.