Footy Tragic

17 Comments on Round 21

• 
  By Chad on August 21st, 2009 at 11:08:27

  Why has Salopek played his last game for Port? he is simply out of form and had a very limited pre season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play on Saturday night, he could easily be a “late in”.

  If he gets traded it could be a great thing for his DT. He could easily get back eligibility based on where he has played this year, and with a pre season more than capable of averaging 100+.

  His only knock is he is injury prone.

• 
  By Chad on August 21st, 2009 at 11:17:07

  how about

  “Dan, watching your kids”

  (for the draft kids section).

• 
  By Ned on August 21st, 2009 at 11:25:39

  Hey boys been hit pretty hard by selection this week with Purgoyne and SJ gone again so previous trade plans are shot to sh*t ☹

  Which group of players do you think will score more points:
  1) Rok, Beams, Gram
  2) Le Cras, Swan, Hill
  3) Rok, Hayes, Hill

  Thanks for the advice this year love the site.

• 
  By Chad on August 21st, 2009 at 12:22:45

  3

• 
  By Dan on August 21st, 2009 at 12:50:31

  Chad, I’m astounded at how Choco has treated Sal. I think he’s under appreciated there given they’ve been trying him a bit across half back. If I were Sal I’d be asking for a trade, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Port floated him anyway. I find it a bit similar to the Luke Ball situation. Good player, out of form, but probably to do with the circumstances at his current club.

  Ned, I think Group 3 but think Group 2 would give it a nudge. Not sure about Beams vs. Sydney and who knows what Gram could come up with (so up and down).

• 
  By Chad on August 21st, 2009 at 13:10:08

  That is it though Dan, he is sadly out of form, poor disposal and fumbling the ball too much. How is a trade going to solve that? a pre season and some confidence will solve it.

  Being moved to half back, he did that towards the end of 2008 and was quite good at it. I don’t blame the poor form on the move, and even if it is, you can’t have blokes in your side that are midfielders only. Everyone needs to have some versatility to their game.

  regardless, will be interesting to watch how he goes over the off season and if he gets traded. Was pick 6, quality player wouldn’t give him away for nothing.

• 
  By Ben on August 21st, 2009 at 14:43:09

  Chad,

  It’s funny you mention that because I’m a massive Salopek fan and I’d be surprised if he is not at Port Adelaide next year. If Port Adealide don’t want him, I’d love to see him in a Hawthorn jumper!

  You don’t put 7 years hard work into a player and them dump him or trade him for nothing just because he has a few bad games (after a limited pre season and injury interrupted season). Come on Dan, cut the guy some slack. I’d hate to have you as my boss!

  I’m seriously looking at Salopek for 2010. I had him in 2008 and he was fantastic until he got injured.

  It’s something Dan and I disagree about reguarly. I think Dan writes off some players far too quickly and we have had some heated discussions behind the scenes about this (e.g. Mitch Thorp, Beau Dowler, Steve Salopek just to name a few).

  I prefer to be patient, especially when talking about players who were top 10 draftees.

  Some players take longer to develop than others, it’s just the way it is.

  Good things come to those who wait.

• 
  By Chad on August 21st, 2009 at 16:02:53

  Problem with Salo in DT is he does get injured. I’m hoping he gets back eligibility because he has played half back all year. Would be around the 390k mark though because he has still averaged 85 (i guess it is good that even in poor form, and missing most of a game through injury you can still average 85).

  oh, and i will still stick by my: “I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play on Saturday night, he could easily be a “late in” for someone like Surjan.

• 
  By Dan on August 21st, 2009 at 16:20:05

  I’d like to clear up that I’m not writing Salopek off. Quite the opposite. If I were him I’d be looking for a trade because he’s a gun player who would be doing elsewhere in a new environment and more importantly with a new coach.

• 
  By Chad on August 21st, 2009 at 17:10:43

  Choco’s fault that he is out of form and got injured?

• 
  By Ben on August 21st, 2009 at 18:12:01

  If Salopek is listed as a back in 2010, I’m locking him in right now.

  He’s in the mix for a midfield role for me, but a certainty if he becomes a back.

• 
  By Toby on August 21st, 2009 at 18:28:58

  I’ve loved Salopek for a while now, and back eligibility would definately make him a lock for me too! Mark Williams has always rated him and spoken highly of him – thats where the trouble now lies with him being out of the squad.
  Can understand ur point of view Dan, and to be honest, i wouldnt be surprised if he wasnt at least ‘floated’ over the trade period – this always happens to good players who have a poor year – Same will happen with Luke Ball, Brett Ebert and half of the Richmond list… Doesnt necessarily mean they are bad players, nor definitely going to leave. But all clubs like to test the water with players they reckon they could replace. I as a Saints fan am worried about losing Ball and Goose Maguire – And Chad, as a Port fan, surely you havent worried a little bit about losing Sal? I guess it plays on ur mind with thoughts of, “Will he leave because he is angry at the club for being dropped??” But in the end, it mainly comes down to contrived bullsh*t by the media.
  Whether u are aware or Not Chad, being a south australian, the melbourne media have made a few comments about Sal ‘coming home’ as they tend to with just about every victorian born player who is playing interstate…

• 
  By Toby on August 21st, 2009 at 18:30:53

  Btw, we discussed in the video about some new ideas for the footy off-season.
  Wat does everyone think about these ideas?
  Btw, loved ur name for Dan’s article, Chad! lol ;-)

• 
  By I_Love_Lenny on August 21st, 2009 at 19:29:03

  Another good show guys, thanks. My favourite part: 1:37 – 1:46. Dan… what on earth are you doing?!? Haha!

  Anyways, sounds like heaps will be happening on the site next pre-season. Looking forward to it.

• 
  By willpies on August 21st, 2009 at 19:32:00

  What do you guys think will happen with where Chris Knights plays next year? More midfield time?

• 
  By rembrandt on August 21st, 2009 at 20:30:20

  haha nice one lenny, i loved that portion of the show too.

  You boys looked like you had a great time recording this one, keep it up and good luck for the last 2 rounds everybody.

  btw lenny, can you please be sure to knock up a good 140 or so this week, im in a semi and kind of relying on you….if you could pass the message on to roo, goddard and gilbert also, that’d be great. oh and don’t give hmac or liam anthony too much of a hard time.

• 
  By Dan on August 22nd, 2009 at 02:20:04

  Haha, I was making it look like I was thinking really hard of a snappy name for my article, but I was kinda waiting for a segue to make a joke about trying hard to think of that joke. It didn’t work because I didn’t get the chance to butt in.

  As for Sal, I just don’t think he’s suited to playing across half back. It’s especially annoying because his best footy is played around the middle and I think his form is being messed around by his role, rather than his form dictating what his current role is.