Mcintosh, Rivers and Caddy.

I'm happy with what MFC has done and it's given us a really clear idea of the coaches vision but Geelong have also had a pretty good trade week that fills a couple of quite significant holes for them.

What do others think? Will this give them enough to play finals?

Of course it will. The window is still open.

They will be furious about the way they left the final series this year.

They were mentally unprepared. Took Freo lightly.

We will see.

They got nothing but role players.

How they go will be determined by what it always has - their ageing stars and Selwood.

The Freo result wasn't a good sign but I expect them to be around the mark next year.

We will see.

They got nothing but role players.

How they go will be determined by what it always has - their ageing stars and Selwood.

The Freo result wasn't a good sign but I expect them to be around the mark next year.

I agree with that RPFC, but I do think the roles the new guys fill are pretty important ones, particularly Mcintosh, if his body is up to it.

yeah just goes to show that players want to play at clubs where they can expect success. All 3 pick ups are guys who were wanted in some capacity by their previous club, but chose to leave.

i said it else where but.....i rate Collingwoods trade/free agency period so far.

IN 2 players to cover space/roles

and 2 first round draft picks which are like Gold to the Hines fella.....

i said it else where but.....i rate Collingwoods trade/free agency period so far.

IN 2 players to cover space/roles

and 2 first round draft picks which are like Gold to the Hines fella.....

Agree they've done very well IMO

Out: 24yo KPF - In: 28yo KPF/ruck + 1st rounder

Out: 24yo mid - In: 28yo mid + 1st rounder

By the time the 28yos move on the 1st rounders will be ready to go.

Mcintosh, Rivers and Caddy.

I'm happy with what MFC has done and it's given us a really clear idea of the coaches vision but Geelong have also had a pretty good trade week that fills a couple of quite significant holes for them.

What do others think? Will this give them enough to play finals?

Yep.

i said it else where but.....i rate Collingwoods trade/free agency period so far.

IN 2 players to cover space/roles

and 2 first round draft picks which are like Gold to the Hines fella.....

I'm with you.... I only just realised today what they've managed. They're gonna be strong....

I'm with you.... I only just realised today what they've managed. They're gonna be strong....

They may be strong if .....

Macintosh can stay on the park

Caddy lives up to potential

Rivers still has a couple of good years left.

None of these are guaranteed.

They may be strong if .....

Macintosh can stay on the park

Caddy lives up to potential

Rivers still has a couple of good years left.

None of these are guaranteed.

we started talking about Collingwood i think

They may be strong if .....

Macintosh can stay on the park

Caddy lives up to potential

Rivers still has a couple of good years left.

None of these are guaranteed.

That's pretty damn obvious. Nothing is guaranteed in footy. I think they will be top 4 in 2013, if they can manage injuries well. All very handy pick ups.

Is this a Collingwood thread? did we miss something JT?

They have had a good trade period so far.

Where they end up is relative to the other clubs though... for instance I actually see Richmond, Carlton and Essendon capable of pushing for finals.

Only 8 spots, so who misses out if a couple of those teams get it right? I see these clubs, along with perhaps Geelong and Nth fighting for the last couple of spots in the eight

Geelong might find that they have improved their list but still find themselves moving backwards.

Richmond have bought in Knights and Chaplin. Chaplin will strengthen their backline which is a weakness

Essendon get Goddard and another year of hammy injuries under the Weapon

Carlton under Malthouse who knows what might happen with this.

Nth look like getting Ben Jacobs from Port who is going to be handy as well

Geelong have done well to get suitable position players, and an extra, reliable, young midfielder.

Collingwood have done well, though I would say they were losing out until they signed Clinton Young.

Essendon have done well, not a lot of action but Goddard for nothing is a nice result, any way you look at it.

But, depending on the compo for losing Moloney/Rivers, I think Melbourne may yet come out the winners from this year's trade circus. Presuming the obvious happens and the compo goes to North for Pederson, here's the breakdown.

Out:

pick 3, pick 13, pick 45, Moloney, Rivers.

in:

Hogan, Dawes, Barry, pick 58, Byrnes, Pederson.

Of course, it still remains to be seen if there will be any final 'peripheral' trades. It would be great if we could 'find new homes' for the various players likely to be cut, and in the process upgrade pick 58 to 47, then 47 to 39, then 39 to 30. Each a trivial trade, but overall a good result putting us back in the early second round of the draft.

Geelong have taken some risk here. Caddy is an unknown at this stage. If the other 2 old bodies hold up they will be servicable for the cats.

Their main problem is the team is aging and some of their wins in the last year were purely on muscle memory.

I doubt they will be top 4.

I'm not so sure with Geelong.

The thing in their favour is that they had just about the hardest draw this year and still made the finals, I doubt they will cop a draw that hard again. Weighing up against that, however, they have lost Scarlett and a few of their stars - notably Chapman and Bartel - have dropped away a bit this year (a trend that I believe will continue).

Bottoming out is not their way, nor is it likely with guys like Duncan, Motlop, Christensen and Menzel coming through; but I can see a few lean years whilst the new crop mature to form the core of the team.

You forgot Jack Viney....

We've had great circus.

The reason that Geelong and Collingwood have been able to trade well is that they have had value to trade with. Plus, they are enticing clubs for players to go to.

I'm a bit of a traditionalist, so I like to see loyalty shown to club and player, but I have to say it's great to see a few clubs take control of their future and get aggressive during trade week. I was so tired of seeing clubs have their 5 years up top and then drop down for 5 years to 'rebuild'.

I think after Denis Pagan disastrously overhauled the Carlton list, clubs were a bit weary of playing the 'Moneyball' game, but the Swans have proved it can work.

Of course clubs need to invest in the future, but you should also take the opportunity to fill the gaps in the list and free agency has made that easier.

So yes, good on Geelong. They've bolstered their defence and midfield with three quality players and still have a first round selection in the bank. Melbourne have done well, but if we were a top 8 side, the loss of Rivers and Maloney for nothing would be a massive blow.

When Mcintosh was injury free he was one of the A grade rucks in the comp, pretty well done to get for just pick 35 or 36 provided he can stay on the park. Rivers will fill the hole that scarlett has left them; i don't think he will be scarlett but he will still be a very good defender for them. Caddy, he really is an unknown for them. He has said that Gold Coast had his body, but not his heart and that that has changed since he is back in victoria so you never know what he will become. I think this trade period will keep them in the finals for another couple of years.

Cats and Dees are big winners from trade /FA period

Cats and Dees are big winners from trade /FA period

Collingwood win hands down imo. have said it but they lost nothing but gained 2 first round picks.

Collingwood win hands down imo. have said it but they lost nothing but gained 2 first round picks.

Disagree. Dawes has a market value of $350k-500k, depending on how you rate his best/worst. The filth had him at $280k for 2 more years, yet let him go for Lynch (on $250k, 'bout the same as Dawes) who has been in and out of the WC side in the past few years; 12 months? ago, Worsfold was saying there were elements of his game he had to work on!

For mine, the filth have shot themselves in the foot. They had Dawes cheap, but let him go.

Ed: and Young's career has been cruelled by his last qtr fumble in the GF that gave the swans an easy goal and the premiership. Scarred for life.

Disagree. Dawes has a market value of $350k-500k, depending on how you rate his best/worst. The filth had him at $280k for 2 more years, yet let him go for Lynch (on $250k, 'bout the same as Dawes) who has been in and out of the WC side in the past few years; 12 months? ago, Worsfold was saying there were elements of his game he had to work on!

For mine, the filth have shot themselves in the foot. They had Dawes cheap, but let him go.

Ed: and Young's career has been cruelled by his last qtr fumble in the GF that gave the swans an easy goal and the premiership. Scarred for life.

i dont think they lose much with Young and Lynch tbh

And now they have 3 cracks at the top 17-20 picks in a super draft, and i still think this is a good draft.

I think they got 2 free first rounders

Collingwood win hands down imo. have said it but they lost nothing but gained 2 first round picks.

Collingwood have gained nothing in trades and with Lynch/Dawes probably lost a bit. The picks we won't know until another few years. To early to call.

They were supposed to be a dynasty and have not realised that dream. Their recruiting is for the future when they supposedly had a now, I think they have lost their way. Where is the Ball or Jolly to take their list to another flag. Lynch isn't it, struggled for a game at WC nor is Young. Might be some trouble brewing for young Ed. Good.

Geelong haven't really gained a lot and their success next season will be on the back of a fit Vardy, Varcoe and Menzell along with further improvement from Duncan, Hawkins and Christiansen plus the champions in Johnson, Selwood, Bartell and co. a few more to retire at seasons end?

McIntosh could provide something but hasn't done it at North to date, Riv will be solid and Caddy better find some ball. They have moved away from the way that paved their success, it will be very interesting to see how it pans out. Plenty of quality though to make them much more than nuisance value.