Docker Debacle

[ShortHalfHead]

Don't know what you blokes are worried about. I have a mate over the mountains and Bathurst beat Dubbo 304 to 19 on Saturday. Now that is a flogging for a team that were premiers 3 years ago.

In all fairness, Dubbo had the better accuracy kicking 3.1 against the Bushrangers 47.22, so there are some positives.

And Town will be fine in the future and paying their players well.....as long as the crowd keeps buying pies, that is.

[Inside Docker]

Given there appears to be so much "interest" in the Dockers, I thought I might intervene with some facts... now I know this will be hard to hear for some of you that seem to generate so much enjoyment from enacting the cliche Aussie "tall poppy" syndrome, but just a couple of insights and observations:
1. The Dockers are struggling with injuries - on Sat 13 of our best 18 did not play, names that include Fletcher, Fosdike, Saddington, Sundqvist, Blums, Sam Schmidt, Nick Todd, Dusty Miller, Julian Black (ex Collingwood rookie), Skinny Randell, plus a number of very talented juniors. Add to this Tim Schmidt from half time with a shoulder and I challenge any team in the country to cover a list of injuries this long and be competitive with one of the top sides. Obviously a slow preseason will result in a number of soft tissues, but over half of these injuries had nothing to do with preparation - just a little bit of bad luck! This list of injuries takes its toll on all levels of the football club and is the major contributor to the results in other grades.
2. Mug Punter - you "forgot" to mention the input of our "mercenaries". If you looked over at the bench you would have noticed that Fosdike and Saddington were coaching, Sundqvist was the runner and Fletcher was taking stats. Being as "knowledgable" as you are, you will also know that players only get paid for playing and their contributions on Sat were for the betterment of the team - probono. Also, to be noted that they were all back at the club on Sat night as well. BTW, you must have rushed off for a couple of pies on Sat during half time because Fosi addressed the boys out in the middle of the ground for over 5 mins. Then Sado spoke to them in the rooms. And the "theft" reference - is your brain so small that you cant comprehend the workings of a sports club. Revenue generated is invested back into the sports operating from the club!! Really not that difficult to understand. To make a public reference to theft is very dangerous ground...
3. Nick Davis - I will agree that at times his body language doesnt look great, but this was no different to his AFL playing days. For those ilinformed bloggers, Nick is currently living in Melb until he relocates. He flies to Syd every weekend, AT HIS OWN COST and does train with the group. For those astute amongst you - even if he is on the ludicrous figures you are claiming, once he is taxed (his payments are going through the books), pays for flights, taxis to and from airports, plus the inconvenience, he is clearly not paying for money, but because he is committed to the vision of the footy club and the direction it is heading! He could easily be earning this money in Melb!!
4. Bustamove - Some feedback on your keen observations:
"Shmidt - delisted because of injury" - has played every game
"Fosdike - retired because of injury" - was never going to play in the first half of the season, injuries to playing list forced his hand.
"Davis - Lazy, injured and delisted because hes a goose" - has played every game
"Fletcher - delisted and injured" - suffered a back related hamstring after flying 6 hours (also at his own cost) from Perth via Bris, but will play in the next 2 weeks.
5. Recruitment - This is the funniest of all your "champagne comedy" in this blog.... I cant believe you blokes are suggesting that a better option would have been to pillage the SFL stocks!!! Unbelievable!!! We do a fantatsic job in attracting talent to the competition who would have well and truly been lost to Syd, resulting in mainstream media coverage for the competition in both Syd and Melb, and you still arent happy! Be VERY CAREFUL what you wish for because if the numbers that are spoken about are true, and Balmain have a change of strategy and target the SFL for recruitment, we all know that they will attract a number of your star players....

I appreciate that the facts make for pretty boring reading, but hopefully you can all recognise that the club is heading in the right direction and are definitely thinking long term, this will just take time.
Hopefully Mug Punter we can get a full list out on the paddock later in the year and provide you with some better entertainment than you have witnessed so far...

[SecondHalf]

Inside Docker...

I see you have felt it necessary to join up to RWO so you can write a post in defence of your club - and fair enough too as everyone should have their say.

But I think the attitude of the posters is pretty understandable given the huge recruitment drive of ex-AFL players vs the results... To be diplomatic, we shall say "time will tell" with regards to the long term plans.

[tara]

3. Nick Davis - I will agree that at times his body language doesnt look great, but this was no different to his AFL playing days. For those ilinformed bloggers, Nick is currently living in Melb until he relocates. He flies to Syd every weekend, AT HIS OWN COST and does train with the group. For those astute amongst you - even if he is on the ludicrous figures you are claiming, once he is taxed (his payments are going through the books), pays for flights, taxis to and from airports, plus the inconvenience, he is clearly not paying for money, but because he is committed to the vision of the footy club and the direction it is heading! He could easily be earning this money in Melb!!

Just a little tip - all of those expenses you have mentioned would are 100% tax deductable and if the alledged salary is true I suspect he would still be clearing $500 a game post tax and expenses. Not a bad little earner for a few hours work and the incovenience.

[ShortHalfHead]

"Davis - Lazy, injured and delisted because hes a goose" - has played every game
..

What name did he play under when he was suspended then?

[SecondHalf]

What name did he play under when he was suspended then?

SHH - touche. Nice pickup.

[sam]

Inside, can you please tell us all if Fosdike will be coaching next year (i hope he got a 3 year deal ) I think if and a BIG IF you keep Fosdike,Fletcher and Saddington for the next 2 to 3 year and build with sum 20 to 26 year old players you can start to win sum games.

[bustamove]

Jeez! Inside docker nice reply..
Tell me this..
Did Nick come up while he was suspended? He is a money chasing has been..And I gaurentee he wasn't running water or taking stats that day. And you telling me that all those injuries are ' a bit of bad luck' come on mate! We all know that if u put in the hard yards early than that readies your body for the season ahead.. If your not fit enough then your game plan goes out the window, plus having 2nd graders lining up in the backline doesn't do u any justice..
If you targeted players such as Adam mcohnnie who now plays for syd uni. An absolute star in sydney comp and possibly winner of this years phelan medalist, you could build a good midfield and start looking half decent.
Im sure No other clubs in prem div are worried about playing you witches hats on weekends.

[Barney22]

Couldn't rustle up any boundaries or runners/water boys when you blokes played Penrith at Monarch a few weeks back....or maybe you missed that week?? You blokes are in trouble mate, and it's going to take a huge effort to get back to where you belong and have been in the past

Bold comment... I couldn't help but notice Penrith failed to supply boundaries at their one and only home game at Blacktown Olympic Park... The guys out there distinctly looked like ECE boys that where unlucky enough to miss out that week...

It's pretty ordinary when you rock up at a venue like BOP and get told by the umpires to "Throw Your Own"... Regardless of the result...

[ShortHalfHead]

And a kind gesture indeed for East Coast to give back a couple of players (for an hour or two) to the club that they have had pleasure in plundering for all these years. The players in question may have even been Penrith lads, paying penance for their mortal sins.

[shearer]

Be VERY CAREFUL what you wish for because if the numbers that are spoken about are true, and Balmain have a change of strategy and target the SFL for recruitment, we all know that they will attract a number of your star players....

Have to laugh at this bit of champagne comedy, for the last few years Balmain have tried with mixed success to get players from other sydney clubs over to them.You cant have a holier than thou attitude that you dont target sydney players.

My point was, with your untold wealth you should of gone about it like ECE and target the best players in the comp and get them across and build from there. You would get greater return for your money than a few busted ex AFL types who couldnt give a rats.

[Mug Punter]

Be VERY CAREFUL what you wish for because if the numbers that are spoken about are true, and Balmain have a change of strategy and target the SFL for recruitment, we all know that they will attract a number of your star players....

Have to laugh at this bit of champagne comedy, for the last few years Balmain have tried with mixed success to get players from other sydney clubs over to them.You cant have a holier than thou attitude that you dont target sydney players.

My point was, with your untold wealth you should of gone about it like ECE and target the best players in the comp and get them across and build from there. You would get greater return for your money than a few busted ex AFL types who couldnt give a rats.

I hate to think what they are paying all up in wages to get flogged week in, week out.

They are almost beyond the stage of luring local players I feel. Sure they might get a couple of hundred extra a week but my bet is that most of these players wouldn't go near that joint.

Would be a lot better to go down a division. Sure, employ a "name " coach like Fosdike but give him a development agenda, not a quick fix. Give him some money to get a couple of guns so they can at least make the Division 1 GF and build the club from the ground up.

When, and only when, the off-field stuff is sorted and the culture is sorted then come back up and spend the money in a responsible and structured manner, not the appalling situation we see now. They are a fair dinkum embarrassment to the game....

[The Purse]

Be VERY CAREFUL what you wish for because if the numbers that are spoken about are true, and Balmain have a change of strategy and target the SFL for recruitment, we all know that they will attract a number of your star players....

Have to laugh at this bit of champagne comedy, for the last few years Balmain have tried with mixed success to get players from other sydney clubs over to them.You cant have a holier than thou attitude that you dont target sydney players.

My point was, with your untold wealth you should of gone about it like ECE and target the best players in the comp and get them across and build from there. You would get greater return for your money than a few busted ex AFL types who couldnt give a rats.

How many of these players were actively targeted by ECE?? How many approached ECE could be a question too?? I would say ECE would be silly not to look at any player who wants to play for them.

The difference between a ECE and Balmain is what Mug is saying, I would say a lot more would be inclined to want to play for a ECE where it is evident the club is a lot better run off the field than a Balmain which was clearly evident the other day.

[48 Hour Detox]

I hate to think what they are paying all up in wages to get flogged week in, week out.

They are almost beyond the stage of luring local players I feel. Sure they might get a couple of hundred extra a week but my bet is that most of these players wouldn't go near that joint.

Would be a lot better to go down a division. Sure, employ a "name " coach like Fosdike but give him a development agenda, not a quick fix. Give him some money to get a couple of guns so they can at least make the Division 1 GF and build the club from the ground up.

When, and only when, the off-field stuff is sorted and the culture is sorted then come back up and spend the money in a responsible and structured manner, not the appalling situation we see now. They are a fair dinkum embarrassment to the game....

No one is seeming to mention the amazing number of injuries the Dockers have. They are 13 players in their best 22 down...13!!!! I dare say that any team in the SFL lost 13 of their best 22, they would get beatne, let alone a team that were wooden spooners last season. Take 13 out of ECE and I woulnd be suprised if they would make the finals....maybe scrape in at 5 at VERY BEST. I have never heard of such a huge injury list and considering that list includes some of their best players, I am not sure what else could be done.

None of you know what is happening down at Dockerland. None of us are privy to what happens in the board room. You are all taking pot shots at it. Sure, these forums are all about peoples opinions....but they are uninformed opinions.

I think I implored you to make yourself available Mug Punter. You seem to go to the Docker games.....why don;t you go up and ask what the long term plans for the Dockers are? I can promise oyu this, it is a long term plan and considering that until mid Feb, they had very poor numbers at pre-season and were last years wooden spooners and that they have been destroyed by injury, I am not sure whatelse could be done. So next home game MUg Punter, go and grab one of the boys and ask some questions. That way, you can actually post something based on fact about Balmains plan, not pure spectulative opinion.

[Gambler]

48 Hour Detox - I believe that ECE lost 12 from their grand final side from last year and they still managed to beat you by over 200 points (and without one of their leading goal kickers.

One of the main reasons the Dockers are more often than not the target of pot shots is due to the amount of hype that was created by people who claimed to be from your club. Schmidt 60 odd touches in the ACTAFL, a bevy of ex-AFL stars, VFL gun forwards, etc, etc.

If you don't like what is written....log off and find something better to do than read pot shots from anonymous people.