140 games, 26yo ... finally starting play some good, consistent footy.

Quick, precise user of the footy and can kick goals. Looks to have shed the downhill skiier tag too and developed some aggro.

Worth a look?

I'd prefer Montagna. Pearce could be the flash in a pan, Montagna is more consistent (and is more likely to leave with the Saints' salary cap problems)

pass

Pearce is a downhill skiier who would have fit in perfectly with the Dees of the past few years. Not really what we're looking for going forward, IMO.

140 games, 26yo ... finally starting play some good, consistent footy.

Quick, precise user of the footy and can kick goals. Looks to have shed the downhill skiier tag too and developed some aggro.

Worth a look?

Not for me - doesn't really impact games.

Not for me. The last thing we need is another player with no physical presence and continual inconsistency.

Thats funny..........

Too similar to Aaron Davey for mine. That particular niche on our list is already filled...

Nope. Too soft and I think does not excell in big games.

At first i think not.

Then i give it more consideration and think maybe.

Would Neeld and Co back themselves in to make him better. Will he fill a need. Will he make us better? is he a realistic target?

All questions that need to be considered.

I'm in the maybe camp.

I would rather Matt Rosa. Victorian boy, 26 in Nov this year.

In the form of his career this year, averages 25 disposals per game but doesnt get the accolades he deserves in a strong Eagles midfield. He would be a walk up start into our midfield and probably be our best.

I would rather Matt Rosa. Victorian boy, 26 in Nov this year.

In the form of his career this year, averages 25 disposals per game but doesnt get the accolades he deserves in a strong Eagles midfield. He would be a walk up start into our midfield and probably be our best.

Fairly certain Rosa re-singed for the Weagles earlier this year. Unfortunately...

140 games, 26yo ... finally starting play some good, consistent footy.

Quick, precise user of the footy and can kick goals. Looks to have shed the downhill skiier tag too and developed some aggro.

Worth a look?

Last thing we need is a light bodied inconsistent little bloke, we have too many now

I agree he is inconsistent. And he does not cope when he has a defensive forward sent down to watch him. But on his day he can be very damaging and cuts opposition up with his run and penetrating left foot. Look no further than our round 24 encounter last year, or the 3-4 games he has received votes for this year in the various media outlets. When Port play well he is generally leading the charge.

For me, if he was consistent and hard working he would be a top 20 player in the competition. But the fact is he isn't, so we need to ask ourselves do we have the culture to get the best out of him. He has some attributes we sorely lack at the moment such as pace and he is a beautiful kick, so if Neeld and co reckon they could get him playing consistently and get him at the right price than I wouldn't be against it.

The other thing I notice is I think he is a 'restricted' free agent, which must mean he is in the top few earners at the club, meaning it would take a pretty big offer to get him, and I don't think I would be overly happy outlaying a huge amount on him.

Fairly certain Rosa re-singed for the Weagles earlier this year. Unfortunately...

Looks like you are right unfortunately, I was going off the original list of free agents I could find.

For me, if he was consistent and hard working he would be a top 20 player in the competition. But the fact is he isn't, so we need to ask ourselves do we have the culture to get the best out of him. He has some attributes we sorely lack at the moment such as pace and he is a beautiful kick, so if Neeld and co reckon they could get him playing consistently and get him at the right price than I wouldn't be against it.

The other thing I notice is I think he is a 'restricted' free agent, which must mean he is in the top few earners at the club, meaning it would take a pretty big offer to get him, and I don't think I would be overly happy outlaying a huge amount on him.

Restricted free agents are players who can be kept by their existing club if they match a contract offer from rival clubs. It has no bearing on what he is being paid at the moment.

Restricted free agents are players who can be kept by their existing club if they match a contract offer from rival clubs. It has no bearing on what he is being paid at the moment.

I looked into this as I was sure whether they were in the top certain percent of earners at a club had a bearing on whether they were unrestricted/restricted free agents. I am aware that restricted free agents means that Port would have the ability to match the offer, but was referring to what calssifies them as either restricted or unrestricted.

Restricted free agents are players who have been at the club for 8+ years and are in the top 25% of earners at the club, while unrestricted are those who have been at the club 8+ years and are not in the top 25%.

So this means Pearce is in the top 25% of earners at Port, meaning he is on a decent packet, while most other free agents from Port are unrestricted.

Link to FA Rules:

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=130820

I looked into this as I was sure whether they were in the top certain percent of earners at a club had a bearing on whether they were unrestricted/restricted free agents. I am aware that restricted free agents means that Port would have the ability to match the offer, but was referring to what calssifies them as either restricted or unrestricted.

Restricted free agents are players who have been at the club for 8+ years and are in the top 25% of earners at the club, while unrestricted are those who have been at the club 8+ years and are not in the top 25%.

So this means Pearce is in the top 25% of earners at Port, meaning he is on a decent packet, while most other free agents from Port are unrestricted.

Link to FA Rules:

http://www.afl.com.a...x?newsid=130820

Thanks for that FD. I didn't realise that 8year OOC players had a top 25% earnings clause to determine whether RFA or UFA

Haven't we got enough outside runners who go missing when the heat is on?

I looked into this as I was sure whether they were in the top certain percent of earners at a club had a bearing on whether they were unrestricted/restricted free agents. I am aware that restricted free agents means that Port would have the ability to match the offer, but was referring to what calssifies them as either restricted or unrestricted.

Restricted free agents are players who have been at the club for 8+ years and are in the top 25% of earners at the club, while unrestricted are those who have been at the club 8+ years and are not in the top 25%.

So this means Pearce is in the top 25% of earners at Port, meaning he is on a decent packet, while most other free agents from Port are unrestricted.

Link to FA Rules:

http://www.afl.com.a...x?newsid=130820

That's a good find & apologies. I was under the assumption that 8 year players were restricted & 10 year players were unrestricted. Thanks for the link.