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dane's trolling again

+1

He is our version of Harry O'Brien. Runs and carries at every opportunity. Harry wasn't always they Harry of this year. He's come from well below that standard and Bower will just as surely get better.

Speaking of Harry, how is it that he can tackle the player on the mark as soon as the umpire calls 'play on'? A shepherd is one thing but he tackles and holds sometimes. Got to be looked at. On one occasion, another player jumped into the back of the player on the mark when the umpire called 'play on'. We need to come up with something bordering on the illegal to counter some of these tactics.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Just heard from a good source that Bower wants to go home and wants to be traded? This cant be true???? Can it???

I really hope this one isn't true

It is perfectly fine to have 2 of your better young players want to leave the club

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

One possibility is that Ratts is unable to communicate effectively with them and they feel either alienated or simply that they will get the best out of themselves elsewhere.

Another possibility is that Ratts (amongst others) is demanding a certain attitude to build a strong culture capable of winning premierships and representing a once enviable club. Some of those wishing to leave may not have the mettle to be a part of that culture. (I definitely don't put Jacobs in that category - he has a legitimate reason to ask for a trade. I can also understand Walker looking at other options, although less legitimate than Jacobs...)

Whow thought that Collingwood would be anywhere near Premiership material once Bucks left? I remember the Captaincy discussion at the time was about their lack of leadership.

No Buckley. They didn't get Judd. They lost their highly regarded CEO to us. They had no leadership. They had a forward line full of slackers and shitty little goal sneaks who would kick soft, non-percentage goals here and there but rarely in big games. Their ruckman was weak. Their midfield lacked plenty. And they had several badly behaved players.
They had Malthouse. And McGuire. They have always been fiercely loyal to their players (think Didak v Stevens...). And they banned 2 of their best players for an entire finals series. They set a standard. They put character and commitment ahead of all else.

Now: Strong leadership all over the ground. The young boys have pretty much all stood up. Their goalsneaks have either lifted their games (Didak, Thomas) or have been shipped out of the team (Medhurst, Davis). They recruited Ball & Jolly - both proven players with undeniably strong character - to fill their holes. (ie. NOT Fev, NOT Lovett, NOT an ageing Tarrant) and their whole team has lifted in every department. Premiership. (And the team is still young... time for us to stop comlaining about our 'youth' and rather embrace it!)

(Aside: StK, Geelong, Sydney have also gone this route of 'character & commitment'...)

So, whilst it is potentially concerning that players want to leave, we may be on the right track. Much will be revealed when we discover WHO we bring in through trading week and the draft.

That is a big call to make.
Hope this is false

Bower for Mitch Brown?

I have no problem with that deal, although I can't see why Bower wants leave, he gets given games even when completely out of form?

Only one stat matters...and yes it can sometimes be a subjective intangible.....impact on a game. Bower does not impact on a game. Maybe he will in the future but right now he is just a serviceable player at the club. Happy to agree to disagree J

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

Bower impacted games last year. We made the finals with only he and Thornton as key defenders for the last 7 weeks. His 2010 was devastated by injuries. I'm sure he will be better next year.
It is worth noting though that he is not a true CHB. He has played well on Riewoldt/Franklin etc., but clearly struggles against big bodied CHFs Brown/Cloke etc. Ideally we will get a CHB and play Bower on the flank.