The Method In Rodney Eade's Madness

[Doc26]

Aker at it again. I'm guessing this one would'nt have had Club approval. Talk about feint praise although an interesting perspective if nothing else. Ooh I almost forgot it must be close to book release time as it would appear it's now name and shame time.


The Method In Rodney Eade's Madness
Jason Akermanis - Herald Sun - September 07

RODNEY Eade is like every coach I have had since age seven. He has left an impact on me and is someone for whom I have the utmost respect.

The hard work involved in coaching and delivering the same messages should never be underestimated.

My coach at Brisbane for seven years, Leigh Matthews, said he hoped one day we would be up there talking to a group about how to "dress up the sausages".

In other words, repeat the same thing all the time and make it sound interesting.

My next coach was Eade at the Western Bulldogs.

For more of Akermanis's vitriol Read Article In Full ..... (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-method-in-rodney-eades-madness/story-e6frf9ox-1225915562971)

[LostDoggy]

I don't think I've ever read a more loaded article in my life so full of drivel.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Obviously he has his own motives, but I agree with most of it. It's pretty clear Rocket has favourites (Eagle, Hahn included) whilst others are marked harder (Everitt, Hill included). Despite his solid record, the fact is - Eade's without a premiership to his name.

The lack of a second game plan and the blind faith in failed senior players means Eade should be questioned at the end of this season. His constant need for 'sprays' aren't great, either. He might well serve out his contract but I don't see him going beyond that.

An interesting comment I read on another site was that perhaps Eade may pull the plug at the end of this season. It's a bold statement based on assumption, but his recent interviews and demeanor have been interesting to say the least. It's certainly some food for thought.

[Doc26]

Obviously he has his own motives, but I agree with most of it. It's pretty clear Rocket has favourites (Eagle, Hahn included) whilst others are marked harder (Everitt, Hill included). Despite his solid record, the fact is - Eade's without a premiership to his name.

The lack of a second game plan and the blind faith in failed senior players means Eade should be questioned at the end of this season. His constant need for 'sprays' aren't great, either. He might well serve out his contract but I don't see him going beyond that.

An interesting comment I read on another site was that perhaps Eade may pull the plug at the end of this season. It's a bold statement based on assumption, but his recent interviews and demeanor have been interesting to say the least. It's certainly some food for thought.

Assuming Rodney does stay there needs to be a shake up of this MC and its structure for 2011 as the players are simply not responding to their message OR if they are it's the wrong message.

[The Pie Man]

Obviously he has his own motives, but I agree with most of it. It's pretty clear Rocket has favourites (Eagle, Hahn included) whilst others are marked harder (Everitt, Hill included). Despite his solid record, the fact is - Eade's without a premiership to his name.

The lack of a second game plan and the blind faith in failed senior players means Eade should be questioned at the end of this season. His constant need for 'sprays' aren't great, either. He might well serve out his contract but I don't see him going beyond that.

An interesting comment I read on another site was that perhaps Eade may pull the plug at the end of this season. It's a bold statement based on assumption, but his recent interviews and demeanor have been interesting to say the least. It's certainly some food for thought.

Mark Robinson has pushed this a few times already this week (SEN & The Bar on HS) Does he know something about a possible Essendon move or is he just speaking sh__. Pretty annoying either way (though I would clearly rather he just be full of it)

This much maybe obvious, but Eade will not enjoy reading that article

[BulldogBelle]

Aker you are so insecure.

Please just piss off for good. He is starting to become one of our biggest mistakes.

Eade certainly isnt.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Mark Robinson has pushed this a few times already this week (SEN & The Bar on HS) Does he know something about a possible Essendon move or is he just speaking sh__. Pretty annoying either way (though I would clearly rather he just be full of it)

This much maybe obvious, but Eade will not enjoy reading that article

Didn't know that, adds to the intrigue.

[hujsh]

Obviously he has his own motives, but I agree with most of it. It's pretty clear Rocket has favourites (Eagle, Hahn included) whilst others are marked harder (Everitt, Hill included). Despite his solid record, the fact is - Eade's without a premiership to his name.

This. While Aker has motive to stick the boot in I think a fair bit of it is true and pretty much goes with what people say on this site.

[Before I Die]

Obviously he has his own motives, but I agree with most of it. It's pretty clear Rocket has favourites (Eagle, Hahn included) whilst others are marked harder (Everitt, Hill included). Despite his solid record, the fact is - Eade's without a premiership to his name.

The lack of a second game plan and the blind faith in failed senior players means Eade should be questioned at the end of this season. His constant need for 'sprays' aren't great, either. He might well serve out his contract but I don't see him going beyond that.

An interesting comment I read on another site was that perhaps Eade may pull the plug at the end of this season. It's a bold statement based on assumption, but his recent interviews and demeanor have been interesting to say the least. It's certainly some food for thought.

Whenever Hill gets a game, this board goes into meltdown. The article from Aker is crap. It is simply an opinion piece written by a very bitter man. It has as much credibility as an Andrew Bolt article on Climate Change or a BF post by some 12 year old.

[Curly5]

My jaw dropped when I read this article. It is so loaded with hate and the intention to hurt and undermine as many Bulldogs people as possible as we head towards another crucial game. Akrimonious is getting his revenge BIG time. Vindictive, destructive, cancerous little man.

[Desipura]

What would Aker know how Goodes was treated by Eade at Sydney.
How would Aker know that Hill & Stack would be regular senior players at another club? He said the same thing about Marty Pask, enough said!

[The Pie Man]

Didn't know that, adds to the intrigue.

Robinson is an Essendon fan too, which adds to my annoyance that he'd push an Essendon line re: Eade after doing all he can to influence Knights' departure (not that I'm saying they wouldn't have come to that decision anyway)

There's reporting fact, there's opionion, and then there's BS.

[The Pie Man]

Whenever Hill gets a game, this board goes into meltdown. The article from Aker is crap. It is simply an opinion piece written by a very bitter man. It has as much credibility as an Andrew Bolt article on Climate Change or a BF post by some 12 year old.

teehee :D

[Mantis]

The lack of a second game plan and the blind faith in failed senior players means Eade should be questioned at the end of this season. His constant need for 'sprays' aren't great, either. He might well serve out his contract but I don't see him going beyond that.



Which other teams have a '2nd game plan'?

[firstdogonthemoon]

This is nasty. He's not just having a crack at Eade but he is dragging all the players through the mud, young and old, anyone he can think of, just to make his point and to satisfy his mean little spirit and desire for revenge.

If Aker doesn't want to respect the confidences, the private discussions and all that entails, all of those confidential things that inevitably arise from being part of a football team he doesn't have to. But it is poor form and it means he is a sad and unlikable weasel. Untrustworthy and despicable.

Surely by now his only friends on earth are the infamous racist Sam Newman and the failed radio station overlord Steve Price? Surely.

[Flamethrower]

The haters on Big Footy should sue Akermanis for plagiarism.

His "opinions" of Johnno, Dre, Wilbur, Josh, Gia, Molesy, and Murph are straight out of Bay 13. :rolleyes:

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Obviously he has his own motives, but I agree with most of it. It's pretty clear Rocket has favourites (Eagle, Hahn included) whilst others are marked harder (Everitt, Hill included). Despite his solid record, the fact is - Eade's without a premiership to his name.

The lack of a second game plan and the blind faith in failed senior players means Eade should be questioned at the end of this season. His constant need for 'sprays' aren't great, either. He might well serve out his contract but I don't see him going beyond that.

An interesting comment I read on another site was that perhaps Eade may pull the plug at the end of this season. It's a bold statement based on assumption, but his recent interviews and demeanor have been interesting to say the least. It's certainly some food for thought.

Aker is simply echoing the sentiments of how Bulldog members are feeling about the MC's performance this year. This is one of the more honest feedback comments from 'The Bulldogs Bite' that I have seen on Woof this year. Whilst injuries have played a major part in our performances this year, compared to the past two years, there is little doubt that poor team selection has been a major factor.

[Doc26]

" I think he deserves a premiership, but deserving one and earning one are two completely different things. "

Reading the article I'm not left feeling Aker believes Eade deserves success, to the contrary, it reads as disingenuous.

[Desipura]

The article is all over the place, one moment he is complimentary then the next he bags him. A bit all over the shop just like Aker.

[The Pie Man]

Reading the article I'm not left feeling Aker believes Eade deserves success, to the contrary, it reads as disingenuous.

Absolutely - he had a crack at Josh Hill himself for not playing like an A grader

Hypocritical moron

[Curly5]

All this dissent, while quite justified to some degree, has become hysterical and just feeds the opposition while dragging down morale in the team. Many "supporters" will feel justified in booing and jeering our players, and our captain, just encouraging gleeful oppo fans. Then they'll get upset if we don't play well and lose. Can't we just support the boys on the day, no matter who they are, rather than take personal high dudgeon at who is there and who is not?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Which other teams have a '2nd game plan'?

We are the only top four side that can't consistently stop a run on from the opposition. If things aren't going our way, we're stuffed. Simple.

Geelong, St. Kilda, Collingwood and Hawthorn over the past three seasons have each been able to adapt different game plans. Geelong use the corridor and flick the ball around, but they do have defensive structures in place for when things aren't going as well as they'd like. St. Kilda play a defensive game, but they can really lock games down to an even greater extent. They attacked Geelong in the first half of the QF, then set-up very defensively in the second half. Particularly the last quarter - I didn't agree with it (almost lost them the game) but it worked.

Out of all these top sides in recent years, we've always been the side most susceptible to a belting and it's because Eade hasn't implemented a gameplan in the event of a crisis. He hasn't been able to teach/find a way to break down zones (See Collingwood's on the weekend). We've stuck with the same gameplan for over 3 years and we're not good enough to implement it week in and week out, particularly against the good sides - so why do we stick with it? Seeing Geelong hammer us in Round 20 and witness very little changes made me cringe. We 'bleed' way too easily.

Even Sydney have developed two gameplans this year. Their attacking style combined with their much lauded defensive game has seen them develop into a good side when many expected they'd bottom out.

[Ghost Dog]

If he didn't make things so personal, he might have something to say. He is a bit of a hypocrite as he makes the point that he dislikes people being singled out in a team meeting. Well, what about in the media? What's the difference? I am sure players don't enjoy seeing their names in his articles. Some empathy and self awareness would be too much to expect from Aker. That being said, I am very frustrated with the favoritism shown to certain underperformers this year. Give me Moles or Everitt for Eagle or Hahn any day.

[Mantis]

We are the only top four side that can't consistently stop a run on from the opposition. If things aren't going our way, we're stuffed. Simple.

Geelong, St. Kilda, Collingwood and Hawthorn over the past three seasons have each been able to adapt different game plans. Geelong use the corridor and flick the ball around, but they do have defensive structures in place for when things aren't going as well as they'd like. St. Kilda play a defensive game, but they can really lock games down to an even greater extent. They attacked Geelong in the first half of the QF, then set-up very defensively in the second half. Particularly the last quarter - I didn't agree with it (almost lost them the game) but it worked.

Geelong - They play the same way regardless. They back in the fact that they are better than the opposition and play with flair & risk. When the opposing team can create turnovers they are vulnerable as their defence is often caught out of position and doesn't have the leg speed to get back into position.

St.Kilda - They play the same way regardless. They open up the forwardline to create space for Riewoldt and the smalls to go to work. They also try to get the ball into their designated kickers at all times, when this doesn't happen they struggle. Their zoning is the same whether they are 10 goals in front or in a close battle.


Out of all these top sides in recent years, we've always been the side most susceptible to a belting and it's because Eade hasn't implemented a gameplan in the event of a crisis. He hasn't been able to teach/find a way to break down zones (See Collingwood's on the weekend). We've stuck with the same gameplan for over 3 years and we're not good enough to implement it week in and week out, particularly against the good sides - so why do we stick with it? Seeing Geelong hammer us in Round 20 and witness very little changes made me cringe. We 'bleed' way too easily.

In the Geelong game I got the feeling that we made very little positional changes as a test to see how certain players would perform under pressure. Obviously this test back-fired.

As far as being suspectible to a belting goes I disagree. Over the past 2 or 3 years we have copped very few beltings with most of these coming in the past 3 to 4 weeks. What has been proven over the past few weeks is that we do rely on having a fit and healthy list which obviously isn't the case at present.


Even Sydney have developed two gameplans this year. Their attacking style combined with their much lauded defensive game has seen them develop into a good side when many expected they'd bottom out.

Sydeny were playing shit footy just 6 weeks ago. They are now riding a wave of confidence and emotions and letting it all hang out. Before their winning streak kicked off they looked likely to miss the finals, but now that their list is healthy they are playing well.

We had no problems with our gameplan when we were at our best, but now that we have a compromised team with regards to it's health we look poor against the very best teams, which would happen with most other teams if they had 3 or 4 players missing and another 3 or 4 playing under duress.... And yes I agree that we shouldn't be putting these guys in that position, but we don't have many other options.

[bornadog]

As far as being suspectible to a belting goes I disagree. Over the past 2 or 3 years we have copped very few beltings with most of these coming in the past 3 to 4 weeks. .

2007 we copped the mother of beltings in the last 7 rounds (except for 1 draw). I just hope this same mental breakdown has not happened again.

[Mantis]

2007 we copped the mother of beltings in the last 7 rounds (except for 1 draw). I just hope this same mental breakdown has not happened again.

Which is why I said 2 or 3 years (seasons) and NOT 4 which would have included the abortion that was the final 7 games of 2007.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Geelong - They play the same way regardless. They back in the fact that they are better than the opposition and play with flair & risk. When the opposing team can create turnovers they are vulnerable as their defence is often caught out of position and doesn't have the leg speed to get back into position.

St.Kilda - They play the same way regardless. They open up the forwardline to create space for Riewoldt and the smalls to go to work. They also try to get the ball into their designated kickers at all times, when this doesn't happen they struggle. Their zoning is the same whether they are 10 goals in front or in a close battle.



In the Geelong game I got the feeling that we made very little positional changes as a test to see how certain players would perform under pressure. Obviously this test back-fired.

As far as being suspectible to a belting goes I disagree. Over the past 2 or 3 years we have copped very few beltings with most of these coming in the past 3 to 4 weeks. What has been proven over the past few weeks is that we do rely on having a fit and healthy list which obviously isn't the case at present.



Sydeny were playing shit footy just 6 weeks ago. They are now riding a wave of confidence and emotions and letting it all hang out. Before their winning streak kicked off they looked likely to miss the finals, but now that their list is healthy they are playing well.

We had no problems with our gameplan when we were at our best, but now that we have a compromised team with regards to it's health we look poor against the very best teams, which would happen with most other teams if they had 3 or 4 players missing and another 3 or 4 playing under duress.... And yes I agree that we shouldn't be putting these guys in that position, but we don't have many other options.

The truth of the matter is that we have had far too many under performing players, this year including Gilbee, Hahn, Hargrave, Gia, Johnson, Higgins and Ward. It isn't rocket science that when you have so many performing poorly how good sides find you out. Apart from Johnson who has retired and Ward who when properly fit is good value, the other five mentioned are all tradeable, if we are going to be a serious flag contender in the future. The Club has put up with mediocrity for too long.

[Desipura]

The truth of the matter is that we have had far too many under performing players, this year including Gilbee, Hahn, Hargrave, Gia, Johnson, Higgins and Ward. It isn't rocket science that when you have so many performing poorly how good sides find you out. Apart from Johnson who has retired and Ward who when properly fit is good value, the other five mentioned are all tradeable, if we are going to be a serious flag contender in the future. The Club has put up with mediocrity for too long.
Hahn, Hargrave and Gia would not get us much in return if we were to trade. Why would other clubs want our underperforming players when you dont?
Talk about kicking Higgins when he is down, the guy is still young enough to reach his full potential.

[bornadog]

The truth of the matter is that we have had far too many under performing players, this year including Gilbee, Hahn, Hargrave, Gia, Johnson, Higgins and Ward. It isn't rocket science that when you have so many performing poorly how good sides find you out. Apart from Johnson who has retired and Ward who when properly fit is good value, the other five mentioned are all tradeable, if we are going to be a serious flag contender in the future. The Club has put up with mediocrity for too long.

Disagree about Gia, he has been pretty consistent this year except for a couple of games. Hargrave had a purple patch during mid year but has tapered off the last 4 weeks.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

St.Kilda - They play the same way regardless. They open up the forwardline to create space for Riewoldt and the smalls to go to work. They also try to get the ball into their designated kickers at all times, when this doesn't happen they struggle. Their zoning is the same whether they are 10 goals in front or in a close battle.

Disagree on this one especially. I can't remember which show it was but they reviewed the game on the weekend and showed that St. Kilda had pushed numbers up the ground in the last quarter, meaning they had hardly any targets up forward when they won the ball. This reflects the inside 50 count - Geelong got well on top after half time. There's no doubt St. Kilda changed their strategy.

Geelong tinker a bit too, although probably more positional changes with the likes of Hawkins, Ottens, Chapman and Ablett playing where they're most needed.

Also heard that Goddard is encouraged to send himself down back to help out when they are under pump.

These are all strategies to combat a swing of momentum. What do we do? Nothing.


In the Geelong game I got the feeling that we made very little positional changes as a test to see how certain players would perform under pressure. Obviously this test back-fired.

Eade mentioned doing this in 05-06 which is fair enough. He wanted our defenders to learn for themselves, so to speak. Why the hell would you do it when you're supposed to be challenging for a Premiership and you're getting absolutely slaughtered in Round 20?

We all know how mentally fragile we are to begin with, to sit back and watch our team be humiliated would be idiotic.


As far as being suspectible to a belting goes I disagree. Over the past 2 or 3 years we have copped very few beltings with most of these coming in the past 3 to 4 weeks. What has been proven over the past few weeks is that we do rely on having a fit and healthy list which obviously isn't the case at present.

Geelong hammered us at Skilled in 08, Hawthorn mauled us in the QF, Collingwood have won three of our last four games in the first quarter and by memory St. Kilda defeated us with ease in the 2009 H&A series. That's just off the top of my head, there may (or may not) be a few more. IMO Geelong, Hawks (08) Saints and Pies haven't had as many poor performances as us.



Sydeny were playing shit footy just 6 weeks ago. They are now riding a wave of confidence and emotions and letting it all hang out. Before their winning streak kicked off they looked likely to miss the finals, but now that their list is healthy they are playing well.

Sydney started the year very well, got injuries, but have bounced back strongly with five in a row. They're a pretty young side and have achieved far beyond anyone's expectation. During their streaks, they've played some good attacking footy and have kept their defensive edge. This isn't based purely on emotion for Kirk/Roos - that lasts a week, max.


We had no problems with our gameplan when we were at our best, but now that we have a compromised team with regards to it's health we look poor against the very best teams, which would happen with most other teams if they had 3 or 4 players missing and another 3 or 4 playing under duress.... And yes I agree that we shouldn't be putting these guys in that position, but we don't have many other options.

We did though. Even at our best we couldn't beat the top sides. To go into the Collingwood QF with the plan we had is another example of stupidity. Why wouldn't we employ a gameplan ala the match v St. Kilda earlier in the year? I can't understand why we did the same thing as always IE. Allow Maxwell to roam free as a sweeper/third man and Swan/Pendlebury to pick up possessions at will.

We keep applying the same techniques, thinking they're going to work, when they haven't and won't.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Hahn, Hargrave and Gia would not get us much in return if we were to trade. Why would other clubs want our underperforming players when you dont?
Talk about kicking Higgins when he is down, the guy is still young enough to reach his full potential.

I understand your thinking on Higgins but he still needs to show that he can perform under pressure for 100 minutes. We need more of the Cross, Morris, Picken, Hudson and Harbrow types. We have too many players who drift in and out of play on a regular basis.

[Mantis]

Disagree on this one especially. I can't remember which show it was but they reviewed the game on the weekend and showed that St. Kilda had pushed numbers up the ground in the last quarter, meaning they had hardly any targets up forward when they won the ball. This reflects the inside 50 count - Geelong got well on top after half time. There's no doubt St. Kilda changed their strategy.

Geelong tinker a bit too, although probably more positional changes with the likes of Hawkins, Ottens, Chapman and Ablett playing where they're most needed.

Also heard that Goddard is encouraged to send himself down back to help out when they are under pump.

These are all strategies to combat a swing of momentum. What do we do? Nothing..

St.Kilda got absolutely smashed in the clearances & contested ball in the 2nd half and as they couldn't their hands on the ball they couldn't get the ball inside 50. At the 25min mark of the last qtr the I50's were 17-1 in Geelongs favour. I would argue that this was due to Geelong's dominance rather than as a result of a change in structure or game plan. Sure St.Kilda had to change things as a result, but only Geelongs's poor finishing saved St.Kilda from a demoralising loss.


Eade mentioned doing this in 05-06 which is fair enough. He wanted our defenders to learn for themselves, so to speak. Why the hell would you do it when you're supposed to be challenging for a Premiership and you're getting absolutely slaughtered in Round 20?

We all know how mentally fragile we are to begin with, to sit back and watch our team be humiliated would be idiotic.

Before 1/2 time you could see both Everitt & Johnson sneak down into defence to create extra numbers, but were sent back such to see how players would react. I learnt a fair bit thru this period, if the MC did they are yet to act upon it.

After 1/2 you could see a number of positional changes take place, but unfortunately Geelong were on a roll and we were powerless (didn't know how to) to stop them.


Geelong hammered us at Skilled in 08, Hawthorn mauled us in the QF, Collingwood have won three of our last four games in the first quarter and by memory St. Kilda defeated us with ease in the 2009 H&A series. That's just off the top of my head, there may (or may not) be a few more. IMO Geelong, Hawks (08) Saints and Pies haven't had as many poor performances as us.

Losses by 36+ since the beginning of the 2008 season:

Geelong - 3
St.Kilda - 7
Collingwood - 8
Western Bulldogs - 8 ( 3 of these have come in the past 4 games)


Sydney started the year very well, got injuries, but have bounced back strongly with five in a row. They're a pretty young side and have achieved far beyond anyone's expectation. During their streaks, they've played some good attacking footy and have kept their defensive edge. This isn't based purely on emotion for Kirk/Roos - that lasts a week, max.

Making the top 8 and winning a close fought home final against an inferior opponent is no great feather in one's cap. Sydney's season will be judged on their performance on Saturday night.

And it isn't like everyone expected a bottom 4 finish from Sydney, that just doesn't happen.


We did though. Even at our best we couldn't beat the top sides. To go into the Collingwood QF with the plan we had is another example of stupidity. Why wouldn't we employ a gameplan ala the match v St. Kilda earlier in the year? I can't understand why we did the same thing as always IE. Allow Maxwell to roam free as a sweeper/third man and Swan/Pendlebury to pick up possessions at will.

We keep applying the same techniques, thinking they're going to work, when they haven't and won't.

How exactly could we have made Maxwell accountable?

Agree that Swan & Pendlebury should have been closely watched, but you must realise that I have been beating this drum for a number of years now.

[Desipura]

Is it just me or has Rocket got a look of resignation when he speaks to the media? Listening and watching his body language when talking about the teams chances this weekend, he says things like "Im hopeful, Im fairly confident".
He just does not have that same surety that he used to have. Perhaps it is due to the number of injuries or perhaps the Aker issue has taken its toll.
Either way, Rocket does not seem his usual self. Thoughts??

[comrade]

Is it just me or has Rocket got a look of resignation when he speaks to the media? Listening and watching his body language when talking about the teams chances this weekend, he says things like "Im hopeful, Im fairly confident".
He just does not have that same surety that he used to have. Perhaps it is due to the number of injuries or perhpas the Aker issue has taken its toll.
Either way, Rocket does not seem his usual self. Thoughts??

I saw his presser after the training session yesterday and thought the same thing.

I doubt the Aker thing would bother him at all, but the form of the team and the fact we're on the edge of another wasted season would probably be causing him huge angst (as it should).

[LostDoggy]

Is it just me or has Rocket got a look of resignation when he speaks to the media? Listening and watching his body language when talking about the teams chances this weekend, he says things like "Im hopeful, Im fairly confident".
He just does not have that same surety that he used to have. Perhaps it is due to the number of injuries or perhpas the Aker issue has taken its toll.
Either way, Rocket does not seem his usual self. Thoughts??

I agree - he sounded flat at the last press conference. Such a high pressured job at the best of times, let alone going into finals with some of your core players out. Eade is a pretty savvy media performer though. As for Aker, surely they are not surprised within the club that he has waffled on like he has.

[Mofra]

The truth of the matter is that we have had far too many under performing players, this year including Gilbee, Hahn, Hargrave, Gia, Johnson, Higgins and Ward.
Gia? 8th in the comp for assists? I think he's been one opf our best, despite his annointment as the new scapegoat in preparation of Eagleton's departure.

[bornadog]

I saw his presser after the training session yesterday and thought the same thing.

I doubt the Aker thing would bother him at all, but the form of the team and the fact we're on the edge of another wasted season would probably be causing him huge angst (as it should).

He is feeling like all of us - pissed that we got ourselves into a great position by finishing top 4 again, but the performance since the Geelong game makes us look like a bottom 4.

[Topdog]

Gia? 8th in the comp for assists? I think he's been one opf our best, despite his annointment as the new scapegoat in preparation of Eagleton's departure.

To be fair Gia has been a scapegoat since he started playing AFL.