TOPIC:

This is the time of the year when I start to get excited about the footy season. I'm tired of not having footy by now. God, I'll even look forward to the AFL pre-season matches at this time of the year! But truly, I couldn't give a stuff about the AFL, and it's that first match at Lathlain that gets my red and black blood flowing.

I think the season ahead should be interesting. A new coach for a start. Some new faces among the playing group. A new fitness regime. Of course, I have a short memory - we've had all this before to little result. But stuff it, I need my illusions like everyone else. I'm going to be optimistic about the season ahead, and in the case of where we're at, I think optimism would mean 7-8 wins, with an outside chance - if things fall our way - of making the top four (or is that five now). This was the team someone posted on another thread:

B Sinclair Latch Billings
HB Browne J Morton O'Sullivan
C Tropiano White Wolfenden
HF Leeson Power Manuel
FF Stack M Morton Collard

R Eyres Bateman Hodge

Int (from) Boyle Leggett Hug Hunt Garstone Arangio Ransted Payne Luff Dennis

Here's my team:

B. C.Jones Billings Gianatti
HB. Boyle Latch Sinclair
C Wolfenden White O'Sullivan
HF Lawrence J. Morton Leeson
F M.Morton Stack Collard

R. Eyres, Hodge, Tropiano

IC: Bateman, Payne, Power, Hug.

The rest: Ransted, Dennis, Hunt, Leggett, Arangio, Lynch, Keast, Manuel, McKenna, Garlett, Brookes, Kalajzic, Browne, Edmonds, Wellburn, Dick, Walley, Borrett.

Questions: who will play CHF? We can't expect Power to back up for Eyres, and hold down CHF. I put Morton there because he's versatile, not because I think he could manage it consistently. Midfield looks OK - plenty to run through there, think most would agree that Bateman will be used sparingly. Our tall backs, I'd rather see as getting an opposition teams third tall rather than first and second. All depends on where Billings is at; how good Latch is; and whether Dick gets himself fit. There's goals in our forward line, but it is small. I think we all agree that we will miss Dekkers. Also, we have to hope that ES has addressed some of the lacks among our tall options (there's whispers he has).

All in all, I think there is cause for some limited optimism (I mean in relation to last season). And in any case I'm looking forward to the season.

Just read that Quentin Lynch is now playing coach at T-A in the Ammo's. I wonder whether he could have withstood a WAFL season. Not saying we should have gone after him - that would have been 10 points or so.

What whispers are they PD? I have seen a couple of faces down at training that I didn't recognise.

What positions do these 'whispers' play? i.e. forward, back or ruck?

I watched Wolfy play a game or 3 in the Avon last year it would seem to be a long shot that that mediocre form in a country league would morph into much at WAFL level, however I hope it does prove a success for the former High Wycombe boy

Apparently Dene White injured his ankle at training Monday. Out for as long as 3 months from what I've heard. Dean Dick also struggling with injury

geez that's rough for you guys if true, considering White had a break out year for you boys last year.....touch wood that SAS man doesn't take more bodies with his regime......didn't Dick have a history of injuries?.....thought that impeded his progress at Essendon....pretty hard to come back from a few years out and up the ante with a training regime.....

Howz Troppo going?....looks like he will be an important inside midfielder for you boys.....great to see him get a go, would still love him at EF, but sadly he is way back in the inside midfielder queue at Moss St.....

Dene White is only out for six weeks so with any luck he shouldn't miss too much footy and be back by round three or four.

We have two intraclub games on Friday February 20th and Friday February 27th. Then we have a scratch match on Saturday March 7th against Subiaco at Lathlain and Saturday March 14th against East Fremantle at Shark Park. Then the real stuff starts against Swan Districts at Bassendean on March 21st.

I for one can't wait for the season to start. Whatever happens I'm looking forward to be able to go to the footy on a regular basis again

PD what are those whispers you alluded to?

Does anyone know if the "duke" was able to possibly find some diamonds out of the amateurs. There are some extremely good kids running around the amateurs would be interesting to see if Earl had made some phone calls to some players he thought could take the next step.

Long time 97 thats against perths policy mate they haven't looked in there own backyard for the last 18 yrs i been involved in footy unlike other clubs ive never seen a perth scout/official at an A grade or B grade game of footy ever before they expect players to come to perth as a club i dont think they put any effort in ringing or meeting young players and inviting them down for pre season i know at my amateur club theyve never contacted us or shown any interest in our players or asked for any feedback about players i think its very dissapointing