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TF, I suspect that if the truth be known Freezin would answer "no", "guessing", "don't know", "no", and "no" to those 5 questions.

Chance Bateman has been great throughout pre season, been a leader on the track encouraging all the young players and leading by example. More importantly, he is very fit.
Sadly, Leon did none of that last year and certainly was not fit.
As far as recruits go there was a bit to be pleased with in the scratchie.
Daniel Murray looks superbly fit, a very big man who not only rucked well but moved around the ground well and his skills by hand and foot were very good.
Risol is another big man who held down CHB and went forward as well at stages. He is also very fit and has a big tank - he lead all the pre season time trials by a street. Showed that he can kick and mark and also showed leadership in play and in the huddles.
Jackson Sketcher was a little slow to get going I thought but got a lot better as the game progressed. General comment on him was very positive. He looks like he can play and has a toughness about him. Seems to like to run hard and break the lines.
David Johnston did not look out of place and adds height to the backline.
I hope that we get to see how Leyendekers, Reimers and Irons go this week.

Very early days yet but a positive start. The challenge will be to increase the momentum and sustain it into the early rounds and beyond.

TF....I think you have convienently left out other words I used in that sentence like....'when the chips were down'......'compared to a legend like Malthouse'.....by 'respect' ,I mean in a football sense TF, since this is a footy forum. I am talking about Malthouse's footy aura, footy knowledge, footy experience and nous in a tight game, losing situation, to motivate/fire up his troops and instill in them a belief to win the game.

DM has no elite level playing experience nor elite coaching experience that I know of....to the average WAFL player, DM maybe able to command that sort of playing respect, but to the likes of Neon....200 games of AFL under the tutelage of one of the games legends. YEAH I do reckon Neon would of found it hard to respect a fella like DM when the pressure was on!....didn't say Neon would tell DM to piss off in front of the other players, drop his head and not try. I just reckon it's a big step down for a player of Neons ilk, who thrives on the big stage, in front of a large audience, under the best of the best to come back and play, for any club in the WAFL, let alone the PFC who are in a 35 yr losing drought...under a relatively inexperienced senior coach like DM.

I'm not slagging off DM or staining his character, just don't envy his situation of trying to coach a player like Neon, who has spent over a decade under the tutelage of one of the elites greats.....and ditto to Neon.....the WAFL needs players like Neon in it's comp....brings in the punters no doubt....but it does take a special sort of character to be able over come all this, Neon is a match winner, to be one, requires an ego, just don't think DM or the WAFL was big enough to massage Neons ego....aint a crime on anyones behalf....just a fact of life.

Just like it's a fact of life, someone of Smokeys ilk, wouldn't understand any of the above....Smokey is a subjective sort of guy, who's been riding on 35 years of emotion with devastating effect.....just thought you would of understood better TF, considering your nous and intellect for the banter, got no probs in explaining my point, sorry if it wasn't clear enough.....

but it does take a special sort of character to be able over come all this, Neon is a match winner, to be one, requires an ego, just don't think DM or the WAFL was big enough to massage Neons ego....aint a crime on anyones behalf....just a fact of life.


I think the point is that you shouldnt have to massage anyones ego in order to keep them at the club. If Leon had/has family issues and doesnt want to be there, then so be it. Good luck to him in whatever he does.

Plenty of other players return from AFL to WAFL and seem to be able to "overcome" the supposed trauma involved in stepping down from crowds and adulation and responding to less experienced coaches. Paul Bevan for one, so I tend to agree this says more about the player and his personal circumstances than the coach.

Baseline can you tell me of many 200 plus AFL gamers/All Australian players who have come back to the WAFL of late?.....

Paul Bevan and Neon are like chalk and cheese....Bevan at the AFL level was NOT a match winner, didn't have the ability to turn a game on it's head, he was a good honest team player for Sydney.....Neon was all about individual flair and instinct

anyway I agree it's Neon personality at fault here, just don't think DM had a big enough personality/CV to deal with Neon properly, especially at a lower level comp, like the WAFL.....players who are team orientated/level headed, no matter which sport you follow, are far easier to handle, than players who rely on flair and their outrageous talent/skills....don't you agree?

Bateman to me looks like a level headed sort of guy, not outrageously talented like Neon, but hard working with more flair than a Paul Bevan.

Freezin wrote: Baseline can you tell me of many 200 plus AFL gamers/All Australian players who have come back to the WAFL of late?.....

Paul Bevan and Neon are like chalk and cheese....Bevan at the AFL level was NOT a match winner, didn't have the ability to turn a game on it's head, he was a good honest team player for Sydney.....Neon was all about individual flair and instinct

anyway I agree it's Neon personality at fault here, just don't think DM had a big enough personality/CV to deal with Neon properly, especially at a lower level comp, like the WAFL.....players who are team orientated/level headed, no matter which sport you follow, are far easier to handle, than players who rely on flair and their outrageous talent/skills....don't you agree?

Bateman to me looks like a level headed sort of guy, not outrageously talented like Neon, but hard working with more flair than a Paul Bevan.

Have you always been an idiot or is this something that's just developing.

You would be better off butting out and following the Dunedin deadheads.

There you go again DF ....getting all subjective and emotional AGAIN....you and Smokey aint connected at the hip by chance?

Bit rough on the Dunedin crowd there DF, personally the Invercargill crowd are more to my liking.....

DF, since you consider yourself in the know at PFC, simply because you are a fan of the club, tell me about young Karl Merson....apparently ex GWS academy kid from NSW....comes over with big wraps, not sure how he ended up with you boys, but kudos to you boys for snaffling him. Try not to go overboard tho mate and say he's the next Max Duffy....we know how that scenario panned out eh?

Since you asked so nicely.

I have not heard of the kid, and he does not appear on our lists.

Unless of course it is a very recent happening.

Ex GWS acadamy? Does that make him a colt or a senior player? I am assuming he would be too old for colts.

apparently the kid played in that recent state academy game...available for this years draft......one to keep an eye out for from all reports!

Freezin you can add about another half a dozen names to Leon's who Damo couldn't handle, manage, get the best out of.........., who could all play a bit. Games against SD and Subi will be interesting to say the least for Damo and company who showed them the door.