http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/bl...lk0dr.html

Is there a proper sub forum for posting about off field indiscretions ?

"[i]Statistically, 2011 was Port Adelaide's worst season in 141 years, finishing 16th with only three wins from 22 games. Rounds 20 and 21 saw the club lose to Collingwood and Hawthorn by record margins of 138 and 165 respectively. The 2012 season was marginally better but a loss against Greater Western Sydney resulted in senior coach Matthew Primus stepping down. Assistant coach, Garry Hocking, took over for the remaining four games, with a draw in the final round against Richmond the best result.

On 8 October 2012, Ken Hinkley was announced as the new senior coach of the club. This marked the first time that the club had appointed someone not associated with the club before since Fos Williams in 1950. Television personality David Koch was named chairman of the club and numerous board members were replaced. The 2013 preseason also saw Travis Boak succeed Domenic Cassisi as the captain of the club.[62] The club finished the home and away season 7th on the ladder, making it the first time that they had qualified for the finals since 2007. Port travelled to Melbourne to play Collingwood at the MCG in an Elimination final where they won by 24 points; they then lost to Geelong by 16 points the following week."[/i]

There was no bigger basket case in the AFL than Port Adelaide. Not a cent in the bank, no supporters, a distinct lack of on field talent, a playing list that just didn't care and no future.

With the right personnel at the top, a teacher in front of the playing group and an ENJOYABLE work environment, things can very change quickly.

I just hope BB, The Judge and Trigg are up to it, because THAT is where it starts!

What are your scenarios for 2016?

Awesome - Weitering beats his opponents while becoming the backline general, Plowman become that 3rd defender we haven't had since Laider and Cripps goes to a new level and win Brownlow.

Good - Murphy, Gibbs and Thomas all find top form, giving the younger guys genuine leadership.

Bad - We start the season 0-8 with Levi kicking 5 goals 15 behinds and 10 OotF

Ugly - The GWS 6 all end up playing 2s while the seniors have to use players off the rookie list.

Disaster - Murphy again goes into his shell, Kruezer and Thomas break down again and Cripps wants to leave at seasons end.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-30/no...on-captain...

Like a few us BB probably not sold on Murphy as skipper and looking at his options...could be Murphy is the best option but I am happy
we are considering the position....

I'm quite enjoying the boxing on Footy Show Fight Night.  It's a lot more polished than TV Ringside where I spent many Friday nights back in the day.

However, I was a little surprised when Renee Gartner dropped the F-bomb and didn't bat an eyelid  :o

In discussing the steps to be taken to ensure Charlie Curnow doesn't stuff up, Brendon Bolton had this to say:

Quote:"The thing is, we have got some good leaders here ... Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Simmo (Kade Simpson); he's going to be able to learn from those boys as well. It is going to be ongoing education.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2...z3sbNb1M9p

Over the past 10-years, far too many players have been "gifted" games when they (a) have not genuinely earnt selection & (b) are not physically ready to play senior footy.

Based on the premise that we have just embarked on a three-year rebuild and realistically are no chance to win a premiership for some time yet, I'm hoping that the club also implements a selection policy to achieve greater results in the long-term.

There is nothing at all to be gained by dropping Weitering, McKay, Curnow, Cunningham & Silvagni in the deep end from Round 1 and leaving them there.

Let's face the reality of the situation, the gulf between U/18 football and AFL seniors is just too wide a gap for most young players to bridge. Most of these young players do not have the physical armour to protect themselves against players with 4-5 years worth of intense gym-work on their side. There is obviously the risk of injury plus the young players normally struggle to adapt to the tempo of senior footy as well.

We have just traded in Sumner, Lamb, Plowman, Phillips, Gorringe & Kerridge who have been in the AFL system for 3-4 years and are far more developed & ready to play senior football. They are the players that must be persisted with in 2016 on top of others like Jaksch, Graham, Whiley, Buckley, Boekhorst, Dick etc. They all need to be given the opportunity to play senior footy consistently because they are going to be under additional scrutiny going forward.

For the new kids, if they warrant selection, then by all means, give them a game against Melbourne or GWS etc, but make them earn it first. I don't want to see another situation like when Gibbs was placed in the leadership group before he had even played a game at the club.

Nurture these new guys in the seconds for a couple of years (let then play around 50-games in the VFL first) plus we will be adding another 3-4 newbies next year to join them in the seconds too. We also have Smith & Foster in need of some long-term development in the seconds as well.

We are all very excited about the latest draftees, let's not burn them out unnecessarily. Long-term strategy for sustained success, there is no hurry right now.

Who cares if we finish bottom four next year anyway, it opens us up to better draft picks next year as a bonus.

In among the discussion of his increase in height the other day Patrick Cripps had this to say...

Quote:There's a real positive sort of vibe around the joint. I think Bolts is going to be really good for the group.....a new game plan is going to get the best out of a lot of people.

Keep them clean....but this one had me pissing myself )

Anyone having a crack?

I like the romance of Preferment winning, the last true star stayer sired by the now deceased super sire Zabeel. The Zabeels love the 3200m at Flemington and Preferment has had two starts st the track for two Group 1 wins. Can see him bolting up to them around the home bend and putting them away.

Of the others Criterion is probably the best horse in the race but a query at the distance.

The Offer and Excess Knowledge two at odds.

Preferment
Criterion
The Offer
Excess Knowledge