That's far too harsh IMO. Byrnes is still a developing player, and he's come on leaps and bounds this season. As for Jones, I don't think we've seen him play with full fitness for several seasons. He now seems to be fully-fit once more and he is reminding us of how good he can be. If I were in charge of the club I'd keep them both, and Membrey, and I'd be moving heaven and earth to hold on to Battle.WellardSaint wrote: ↑Sat 17 Aug 2024 2:28am
I would keep Sharman, but wouldn't miss Byrnes or Jones.
Too little, too late for them. If they were serious, they would've pulled their fingers out earlier.
It reminds me of my current workplace- there's 4 or 5 people who usually ring up sick on days that are forecast to be our busiest.
You aren't a bloody team player if you pick and choose when you'll do the heavy lifting, because you'd rather others do all the damn work.
Makes me really angry
The only long-serving players I'd be reasonably happy to see go are Ross and Crouch (although doesn't Crouch get another year regardless?) And perhaps Bonner. I'd hang on to Webster if he wants to go around again. I'd even be happy to keep Campbell if he's up for another season: he's the best backup ruckman in the league.
There are enough so-so players running around at Sandringham to give us all the vacant spots on our list that we could possibly need. In the absence of any free agents, and with few players who we would be able to trade for anyone significantly better, how many vacant spots do we truly need? Not a bucketload.
I realise I am swimming against the tide here, as most posters on this forum seem to see getting rid of lots of ok players from our list is the key to success. I'd be with them if I were confident that, if we got rid of a dozen, we could find another dozen who were far better. But it seems to me that, below a certain level in the draft (say pick 30 most years), you are likely to end up replacing the ok players you have let go not with stars, but with more ok players. your Angus Hasties, Ollie Hottons, Angus McLennans and Ben Patons. Skilled players who are quite possibly of AFL standard, but lack the size, speed, strength and bag of tricks ever to develop into A-graders.
and despise the Pies, the Blues, and the Injectors.