Presumably that means it's Smorgan's fault, as he is the leader of the club.

Then again, maybe it's Demetriou's fault, as he's leader of the competition.

But that's silly, as Demetriou's not in charge; that would be Kemp, the federal minister for sport.

But his boss is John Howard, so it must be his fault, as he is ultimately in charge around here.

But Howard's busy on his knees with George Bush, so let's blame it all on the Texas brain surgeon.


Now, if all that seems silly, it's because the notion that only one person is responsible is of the same intellectual standard.

The reality is that Pagan bears some of the responsibility for where our club is at present, but not all. Our senior players, especially our captain, need to face up to some accountability as well. It was notable that our most errant performers yesterday were Lappin and Stevens when it came to turnovers. Koutoufides was his usual lamentable self on the rare occasions he got near the ball. Pagan made some coaching moves that were curious, such as the Walker match-up previously mentioned by GWS.

On the other hand, Walker is a far better player now than ever before, which is being recognised by several commentators, and some of the credit has to go to Pagan for that.

The game was much better than the critics suggest. The first quarter was ordinary, but improved dramatically thereafter. The goals Carlton scored were not 'junk time' variety, as we were in with a real chance of winning, as the magic atmosphere at the ground would suggest.

Is Pagan the answer for game plans? Maybe not, but he has achieved excellent results with our young blokes, and we will see the benefits continue to emerge.

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"The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, and the young know everything." Oscar Wilde

Walker had plenty of time in the guts last year,and the truth is,he couldnt cut it.Could not find the aggott,and thats a fact.Go check his stats.Parkin recognised this,and put him on the guns in the hope he would get the gist of where to run.And it has worked.Far better player now than last year.Criticize Pagan if you will,but not his handling of Walker.And Pagans coaching ? well he is actually coaching the best since he has been at the club.Its taken him three years,but the penny has dropped that 'The Paddock' belongs to a bygone era.He has at last adopted a more contemporary game plan.And blaming Denis Pagan for the ills of the CFC is ridiculous.............But it has come all too late for mine,and if anyone believes Denis Pagan can lead us out of this mire and is the man for the future,then they believe in fairies in the bottom of the garden.

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All my dangerous friends

I would play AW on the wing and leave him there....

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

I haven't seen the game from the weekend. But that's irrelevant unless you're basing this solely on the one game. Hawthorn have played some of the most abysmal football this year. They're not alone, we've been right there with them at times, but don't think that on the basis of one game that they're somehow miles in front of us.

They're a young side, and have had many of the same problems we've had. Half the blokes not turn up for a few quarters, skills going missing where they can't get the ball within 10 meters of someone 20 meters away. All that stuff. They've done a bit better than us, but they've got a better core of older players, and are a year or two ahead in the development of some of their kids.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

Sack Parkin too.!!!

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Give Pagan credit for developing the 2nd most talented player in his draft?
I've heard it all now. He's playing as well as he should be for the 2nd best kid of his age. There is a thing called natural progression.

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

Isnt it amazing when some people apply the blow torch on a kid like AW????

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Ok then. At what pick do the kids start to need coaching? Are all first rounders automatic AFL players given a few games?

Is there some scale where we can work out after which game a player should become elite according to where they were drafted? Pick 1 from game 1. Pick 2 needs 5 games? Pick 3, 9 games? Does it keep going like that?

I don't know Mordan but I have no doubt Walker would be just as good at any club under any coach.

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

Who applied what blow torch no one has criticised him just some of think he would be better playing a different role.

I do believe you said the same thing yourself some time back

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Walker as far as i understand will be used through the midfield next year.
I also want to see him play in the forward line.. on the wing... across half back as an attacking hbf not just tagging...

But the criticism he gets for a 20 year old on here about different aspects of his developing game are ridiculous.
His kicking is not the best but its not the worst either.. and the good thing about AW is he is focussed on improving himself and becoming the best footballer he can be.
Part of all of our players disposal worries is the fact there is little structure.

Aw is abit different again because he tries too hard. He often tries to drill a pass to someone who is 50 meters away instead of passing it accurately to somebody say 30 meters away (like Murph does). Its just his competitive temeprament and he will settle down as he continues playing.

all i want for him is to play a more attacking role for the club sometimes. Which includes hff so he can play that Gary Ablett role to fly for marks and just be mercurial.

I dont like to see him leaping like superman to just only punch the ball over the line and playing the %ers every game.
I want him to show the world and himself the X factor stuff i know he can do.. and that is the reason why we drafted AW.. and not someone like Brock McLean.. who is steady and does all the blue collar stuff well.

Walker is a freak and he should be allowed to be himself... i think his defensive side is very good now. He can learn no more doing what he is doing.
He must be encouraged to mix it up with his other side. The side we drafted him for.The X factor!!

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Well said Synners.

as i said in a different thread I'd like Tex to play CHF for fun - go for the marks, kick a goal or two, relax and enjoy the last few games

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

Looks like we all agree on something

So lets go do it hey

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

I love it when Walks has the ball tucked in and is streaming through the midfield. No one can stop him when he is in full flight.

and then he disposes of the ball.
oh the humanity!!!
its painful to watch

I tend to agree, but if you're going to hold Pagan responsable for all the things that go wrong while he's in charge, then equally you must give him credit for the things that go right. Otherwise you're not holding an oppinion, you're holding a prejudice.

Andrew Walker is playing better and more consistent football than Adam Cooney. Is that Rodney Eade's fault?

Those who play football will know this is called vision/footy smarts. This can not be taught to players, it is an awareness that divides the athletes from the footballers. Murphy obviously can see his options available to him a lot quicker than Walker. This may be the reason Walker blazes away and kicks the footy 50 metres because that is the only option he sees in the split second he has time to think about it.

Walker is a great athlete but lacks the footy smarts Murphy has. This is why he is being used as a tagger. Tagging a player means you are lead to the ball which is a lot easier than trying to find the pill yourself.

Walker is only 20 years old so he will get better no doubt. He is just not as gifted as Murphy in the football brain department (not many are).

Walker will be a great player for us and has showed excellent improvement this year. What Walker lacks in footy smarts, he will be compensated with his hard work, dedication and athleticism just like our very own Kouta.

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Delulio is a member of TISM