2016 Non Crows AFL Discussion thread Part 2

[Ramify]

Well that's going to be shit

Well, you gotta hand it to the boy.
He sure has done very well at getting his ugly head out there and everywhere.

 

[Elite Crow]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-2017-the-case-for-the-top-eight-20161208-gt79zh.html

2017 has the potential of being a belter of a season, lots of teams outside the 8 with claims of improved seasons.

Some teams have recruited well. If Freo's come off they will be in for a big improvement.

 

[Mike Smyth]

Well that's going to be shit

Crows fans will still flock to it like blow flies to shit.

 

[Mike Smyth]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-2017-the-case-for-the-top-eight-20161208-gt79zh.html

2017 has the potential of being a belter of a season, lots of teams outside the 8 with claims of improved seasons.

Some teams have recruited well. If Freo's come off they will be in for a big improvement.

not all teams - "improvement from within"

 

[jackster83]

Careful. I've probably urinated in those same places while out drinking.

Just like the walk/stumble down Rundle Mall on a late night on the town - no public toilets to be found.

"Infringement notice for being drunk in a public place" - what a crock of shit. He wasn't hurting anyone. Meanwhile you can load up on enough sleeping pills to knock out a clydesdale and get behind the wheel of a car and that's just fine.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

And so the South Australian tradition off-season continues

 

[GreyCrow]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...g/news-story/6f2afb3c6607aad4a11703e7515389ff



Waiting for port supporters to complain that this issue gets treated differently to Impey.

And so the South Australian tradition off-season continues

Good to see you breaking the news WW. Go Hutchy

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has defended the club’s ruthless decisions during trade period

SAM EDMUND, Herald Sun
December 10, 2016 8:00pm
Subscriber only

ALASTAIR Clarkson has delivered a stirring defence of Hawthorn’s controversial trade period, insisting the club needed to ruthlessly fight to stay at the top.

In a string of October trade bombs, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Bradley Hill were shipped off to West Coast, Melbourne and Fremantle respectively.

But it was the departures of favourite son Mitchell for pick 88 and fellow four-time premiership player Lewis for a swap of late picks that most shocked the football world.


In his most insightful explanation yet, Clarkson used a 20-minute speech at the club’s annual meeting to argue they were the agonising decisions the Hawks had to make.

Clarkson also revealed he had come up with a new game plan in a bid to continue the Hawks’ golden run, declaring the attitude was “if it ain’t broke, fix it anyway”.
“In every period of success I’ve identified with other clubs, but particularly this club, you need to be really, really bold. You need to be really, really resilient and you need to be really, really strong on values,” Clarkson said.

“Examples of bold? Managing the exits of decorated servants. Sam Mitchell; it’s hard to find a more decorated servant of this football club in the last century.

“(It has been) really, really hard for me, the captain of our footy club (Luke Hodge), who is one of his best mates, and for all our supporters and members to sit there (and ask), ‘How can you possibly have a conversation with one of the most decorated servants of your club about him possibly playing anywhere else other than a club wearing brown and gold?’

“I can remember speaking to (Mitchell’s) father about two days after I first spoke to Sam and even Wayne said: ‘I hope you blokes know what you’re doing, Clarko.’

“We didn’t want those guys playing for another club. Nor did we want Buddy Franklin to play for another club either ... but that’s the harsh reality of the game.

“What we did understand, particularly with Sam and Jordan, is that if they’ve been so decorated for our club and if we can’t guarantee what their futures look like beyond 2017 then surely they deserve to have a say in how their career might be shaped after 2017.

“Even though we hate seeing it happen, part of it is about Sam and Jordan and how we can help them with the security and the next phase of their lives, and there’s also in the back of our minds the need for our footy club to continue to progress, to continue to look at new ways, to continue to offer opportunities for our younger players and the next wave of players.”

 

[Sanders]

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has defended the club’s ruthless decisions during trade period

SAM EDMUND, Herald Sun
December 10, 2016 8:00pm
Subscriber only

ALASTAIR Clarkson has delivered a stirring defence of Hawthorn’s controversial trade period, insisting the club needed to ruthlessly fight to stay at the top.

In a string of October trade bombs, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Bradley Hill were shipped off to West Coast, Melbourne and Fremantle respectively.

But it was the departures of favourite son Mitchell for pick 88 and fellow four-time premiership player Lewis for a swap of late picks that most shocked the football world.


In his most insightful explanation yet, Clarkson used a 20-minute speech at the club’s annual meeting to argue they were the agonising decisions the Hawks had to make.

Clarkson also revealed he had come up with a new game plan in a bid to continue the Hawks’ golden run, declaring the attitude was “if it ain’t broke, fix it anyway”.
“In every period of success I’ve identified with other clubs, but particularly this club, you need to be really, really bold. You need to be really, really resilient and you need to be really, really strong on values,” Clarkson said.

“Examples of bold? Managing the exits of decorated servants. Sam Mitchell; it’s hard to find a more decorated servant of this football club in the last century.

“(It has been) really, really hard for me, the captain of our footy club (Luke Hodge), who is one of his best mates, and for all our supporters and members to sit there (and ask), ‘How can you possibly have a conversation with one of the most decorated servants of your club about him possibly playing anywhere else other than a club wearing brown and gold?’

“I can remember speaking to (Mitchell’s) father about two days after I first spoke to Sam and even Wayne said: ‘I hope you blokes know what you’re doing, Clarko.’

“We didn’t want those guys playing for another club. Nor did we want Buddy Franklin to play for another club either ... but that’s the harsh reality of the game.

“What we did understand, particularly with Sam and Jordan, is that if they’ve been so decorated for our club and if we can’t guarantee what their futures look like beyond 2017 then surely they deserve to have a say in how their career might be shaped after 2017.

“Even though we hate seeing it happen, part of it is about Sam and Jordan and how we can help them with the security and the next phase of their lives, and there’s also in the back of our minds the need for our footy club to continue to progress, to continue to look at new ways, to continue to offer opportunities for our younger players and the next wave of players.”

That's such bullshit. Successful clubs know there is no way you tell guys that they're not playing

Your champions when they get to the end of the line, they know better than anyone when it's time.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Ben Cousins to knock back AFL’s offer to pay for drug rehabilitation, friends say

STEPHEN DRILL, Herald Sun
December 10, 2016 8:25pm
Subscriber only

• Troubled Ben Cousins arrested again in Perth
• Cousins concedes he’s ‘really lucky’ to be granted bail
• AFL makes pledge to fund drug rehabilitation for Ben Cousins
• ‘We’re all here to help him’: Ben Cousins receiving plenty of support

BEN Cousins will knock back the AFL’s offer to pay for drug rehabilitation, friends say.

The Brownlow medallist hit rock bottom this week, revealing that he was living out of a backpack after spending two nights in jail for breaching a court order.

But friends have told the Sunday Herald Sun the former star has been trying to get some help for his two children.

A friend said that Cousins was not ready to go accept any help to kick his habit.

“He won’t go to rehab,” a friend said.

“He’s not capable of going to rehab at this stage. If you’re so damaged mentally from the drug use, it won’t work.”

Cousins, who has previously said he has used ice, cocaine and pills, was still in the grip of addiction, a friend said.

“He’ll smash through a glass door to get stuff, it’s just shocking,” the source said.

“Ben’s just at the top of the pyramid, underneath there’s a lot of people suffering. The mother of his kids deserve the attention, they will be getting the attention, not him.

 

[GROTTO]

Well, I certainly don't think the AFL should just stand back and do nothing. If they can help prevent this ending in the way it seems most likely to, then they should.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

The AFL knows how this will end for Cousins. By making the offer at least publicly they are seen as being proactive in ending his addiction before the addiction ends him.

 

[Mike Smyth]

We all want our clubs to be aggressive in list mgmt - see McKay, Thompson and to lesser extent Douglas, but Clarkson went to far, way to far.

 

[Sanders]

We all want our clubs to be aggressive in list mgmt - see McKay, Thompson and to lesser extent Douglas, but Clarkson went to far, way to far.

Reckon he's earnt a little Trust don't you?

 

[rezagun]

Crows fans will still flock to it like blow flies to shit.

To watch kane have meltdowns while port miss the finals again

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Reckon he's earnt a little Trust don't you?

Bold is the word. Whether it works or not time will tell but they aren't sitting back hoping.

The other recent dynasties Brisbane and Geelong have fizzled out. Seeing Geelong frantically clamor for recruits the last two seasons to get it back has flopped and stuffed their future too. They realised too late that they had to do something drastic.

There are two times you can pull the trigger when a tough call is required; now or too late.

Their approach contrasts so strongly with our decision to retain Thompson.

 

[Glenno23]

Bold is the word. Whether it works or not time will tell but they aren't sitting back hoping.

The other recent dynasties Brisbane and Geelong have fizzled out. Seeing Geelong frantically clamor for recruits the last two seasons to get it back has flopped and stuffed their future too. They realised too late that they had to do something drastic.

There are two times you can pull the trigger when a tough call is required; now or too late.

Their approach contrasts so strongly with our decision to retain Thompson.

Mitchell and Lewis were performing better than Thompson too. Well Mitchell certainly was. Lewis probably on par

 

[Elite Crow]

Mitchell and Lewis were performing better than Thompson too. Well Mitchell certainly was. Lewis probably on par

They finished top 2 in their B&F, Lewis way ahead of Thommo.

 

[skoobydoo]

Bold is the word. Whether it works or not time will tell but they aren't sitting back hoping.

The other recent dynasties Brisbane and Geelong have fizzled out. Seeing Geelong frantically clamor for recruits the last two seasons to get it back has flopped and stuffed their future too. They realised too late that they had to do something drastic.

There are two times you can pull the trigger when a tough call is required; now or too late.

Their approach contrasts so strongly with our decision to retain Thompson.

Double like. If you want to get into Grand Finals and maybe even win a premiership, things have to align for you, but it is mostly how you place yourself. Clarkson is right. Fortune favours the proactive bold.
But then again groups of people, coaches, song writers, creative achievers, etc, generally have their one time in life when their message is fresh, original, popular and successful things happen. Just rolling on rarely floats you to the top.

 

[Ramify]

Reckon he's earnt a little Trust don't you?

Absolutely. Cant see how anyone can question his actions at this stage.

May backfire sure, but he has the runs on the board and it is this kind of ruthless inventiveness that has made him one of,if not the greatest coach of the modern era.

If the Crows took the tiniest of leaves from his book Id be a very happy man.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Absolutely. Cant see how anyone can question his actions at this stage.

May backfire sure, but he has the runs on the board and it is this kind of ruthless inventiveness that has made him one of,if not the greatest coach of the modern era.

If the Crows took the tiniest of leaves from his book Id be a very happy man.

If Clarkson has gambled, it's because those players only had 1-2 years left anyway........Lewis has got a longer playing contract than he would have got at Hawthorn ....Sam Mitchell, by his own admission had 1 year left and moves seamlessly into a coaching role

After the initial shock, it seems a win/win for all?

 

[Elite Crow]

Absolutely. Cant see how anyone can question his actions at this stage.

May backfire sure, but he has the runs on the board and it is this kind of ruthless inventiveness that has made him one of,if not the greatest coach of the modern era.

There are two parts of his strategy, one carries little risk the other could be a master stroke or put the club back a few years.

Trading out Mitchell and Lewis if it goes wrong will only really hurt them for 2017 with Mitchell and possibly 2018 with Lewis as both players don't have much time left. Mitchell will strengthen a finals competitor though, would be interesting if West Coast knock out Hawks in a final.

The second part is trading out a number of quality picks to get in Mitchell and O'Meara. Mitchell is a sure thing and you'd do that deal any day of the week.

O'Meara is the key to Clarkson's plan. If he performs and stays fit Clarkson will be in front. If O'Meara turns into an injury flop then they will lose given the quality they have given up.

Has one players recruitment had so much riding on it?

 

[adelaidecrows]

There are two parts of his strategy, one carries little risk the other could be a master stroke or put the club back a few years.

Trading out Mitchell and Lewis if it goes wrong will only really hurt them for 2017 with Mitchell and possibly 2018 with Lewis as both players don't have much time left. Mitchell will strengthen a finals competitor though, would be interesting if West Coast knock out Hawks in a final.

The second part is trading out a number of quality picks to get in Mitchell and O'Meara. Mitchell is a sure thing and you'd do that deal any day of the week.

O'Meara is the key to Clarkson's plan. If he performs and stays fit Clarkson will be in front. If O'Meara turns into an injury flop then they will lose given the quality they have given up.

Has one players recruitment had so much riding on it?

Mitchell and O'Meara are good players but its a bit expectation to think they will reproduce the same sort of results from a Hawks supporters point of view. The only good thing about those trades is the players they replaced were in their golden years anyway and they have managed to snare some good young players for the future. But Hawks fans will be kidding themselves if they think premierships are around the corner with those two.

 

[BRL121]

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has defended the club’s ruthless decisions during trade period

SAM EDMUND, Herald Sun
December 10, 2016 8:00pm
Subscriber only

ALASTAIR Clarkson has delivered a stirring defence of Hawthorn’s controversial trade period, insisting the club needed to ruthlessly fight to stay at the top.

In a string of October trade bombs, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Bradley Hill were shipped off to West Coast, Melbourne and Fremantle respectively.

But it was the departures of favourite son Mitchell for pick 88 and fellow four-time premiership player Lewis for a swap of late picks that most shocked the football world.


In his most insightful explanation yet, Clarkson used a 20-minute speech at the club’s annual meeting to argue they were the agonising decisions the Hawks had to make.

Clarkson also revealed he had come up with a new game plan in a bid to continue the Hawks’ golden run, declaring the attitude was “if it ain’t broke, fix it anyway”.
“In every period of success I’ve identified with other clubs, but particularly this club, you need to be really, really bold. You need to be really, really resilient and you need to be really, really strong on values,” Clarkson said.

“Examples of bold? Managing the exits of decorated servants. Sam Mitchell; it’s hard to find a more decorated servant of this football club in the last century.

“(It has been) really, really hard for me, the captain of our footy club (Luke Hodge), who is one of his best mates, and for all our supporters and members to sit there (and ask), ‘How can you possibly have a conversation with one of the most decorated servants of your club about him possibly playing anywhere else other than a club wearing brown and gold?’

“I can remember speaking to (Mitchell’s) father about two days after I first spoke to Sam and even Wayne said: ‘I hope you blokes know what you’re doing, Clarko.’

“We didn’t want those guys playing for another club. Nor did we want Buddy Franklin to play for another club either ... but that’s the harsh reality of the game.

“What we did understand, particularly with Sam and Jordan, is that if they’ve been so decorated for our club and if we can’t guarantee what their futures look like beyond 2017 then surely they deserve to have a say in how their career might be shaped after 2017.

“Even though we hate seeing it happen, part of it is about Sam and Jordan and how we can help them with the security and the next phase of their lives, and there’s also in the back of our minds the need for our footy club to continue to progress, to continue to look at new ways, to continue to offer opportunities for our younger players and the next wave of players.”

I think this is a bit of a rewriting of history. During the saga, I got the distinct impression that Clarkson had floated the idea to Mitchell and Lewis, hoping that he might be able to convince one of them to go. Once Mitchell went, then Hawthorn seemed keen to hang onto Lewis, rightly, but the seed had been planted and things went a little out of control. Now, he is trying to claim it was all part of his grand plan. If you read a little further, one might almost think that Buddy going was Clarkson's great idea, too!

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Geesus what an off season full of incidents that you'd have to say are questionable due to .....

 

[GreyCrow]

Absolutely. Cant see how anyone can question his actions at this stage.

May backfire sure, but he has the runs on the board and it is this kind of ruthless inventiveness that has made him one of,if not the greatest coach of the modern era.

If the Crows took the tiniest of leaves from his book Id be a very happy man.

Hawthorn/Clarkson have enough Golden Tickets they could drop to 15th and it would get sold as a Golden Nugget of Steaming Yum-Yum-Yummo. ''but we are in a good Draft Position'' Yummo.