Fair call, but I had heard he may be interested in going home, Adelaide/Pt Adelaide. In that case a swap for Ollie Wines sounds

The club needs to let him retire as a Demon. It's time the club supports its older players and stand by Jamar - showing him the same loyalty and respect he has recently shown us.

If the club keeps trying to discard the older players when they begin to lose form to receive weak draft picks or other forms of cheap Chinese made "kitchen knives" what kind of message is that for our playing list?

An older player like Jamar will aid the development of the young rucks even if it's his final season before retirement. Having him chaired of the ground in the red and blue portrays a far better message and just might help the likes of Frawley re-sign at the years end (or others in the future).

On that note, would any of us like to see the loyal Grimes and Jones treated like mutton when they hit their thirties? I certainly hope not.

fair.

I think Dylan Grimes, Zac Jones, and Ollie Wines are three players we should be working our butts off to get to melbourne.

In the second decade of the AFL 21st Century it is probably going to happen.

With free agency getting stronger clubs are going to look at trading players before they hit Free agency and maximize the value that can be achieved for them.

We all need to get our minds around the fact that by 2020 very few players will be one club players.

That is the brave new world we find ourselves in.

I agree, as free agency progresses the likeliness of a player remaining at the one club will diminish.

Although clubs will only look at initiating a trade if a player appears reluctant to sign or recommit, most likely two years prior to their contract expiring. If the club has a good or "star" player (e.g. Pendlebury, Dangerfield, J.Selwood) on its list it won't want to trade them out of fear of free agency, they will want to retain them above all else.

The only way a club can maximize its chances of retaining its free agents (outside of $$$ factor) is by "culture". Create a good environment by winning games, create strong support networks (coaches, friends/ players), and show some form of loyalty to players once they pass their prime - encouraging the younger ones to sign on.

Fair call, but I had heard he may be interested in going home, Adelaide/Pt Adelaide. In that case a swap for Ollie Wines sounds

fair.

I would love Ollie Wines at the Dees too, although unfortunately I don't think that trade will ever eventuate. I think we would have to give up something pretty significant to obtain him within the next couple of years.

I agree, as free agency progresses the likeliness of a player remaining at the one club will diminish.

Although clubs will only look at initiating a trade if a player appears reluctant to sign or recommit, most likely two years prior to their contract expiring. If the club has a good or "star" player (e.g. Pendlebury, Dangerfield, J.Selwood) on its list it won't want to trade them out of fear of free agency, they will want to retain them above all else.

The only way a club can maximize its chances of retaining its free agents (outside of $$$ factor) is by "culture". Create a good environment by winning games, create strong support networks (coaches, friends/ players), and show some form of loyalty to players once they pass their prime - encouraging the younger ones to sign on.

All that is correct but for the teams in the bottom half of the league there will be a drain. Eg the Dees what can we offer a player in 2015 besides money.

Free agency suits the rich and powerful.

The poorer less powerful clubs are destined to see their best players leave.

Can we make Fitzy a key defender?

Can we make Fitzy a key defender?

Marginally better coordination than D Grimes.

Marginally better coordination than D Grimes.

You're underselling him Poonie. He has enough size to compete and at least spoil the big guys. He's athletic so is useful when the ball is on the ground. Finally I like the idea of him not having to turn and dispose but rather kick the way he is facing.

Why, because we should be looking forward not back. The forwards as you noted are getting taller, kids are getting bigger in general. Lake is 195 and over 100kg, Frawley is 193 and around 94kg he would be better playing a Scarlett type role. Lonergan is 197 and close on 100kg that's why he generally gets the big jobs and Taylor uses his strengths to zone off or play against suitable match ups. Frawley v Riewoltd, Tommy Mac v other Riewoldt are good match ups. Cloke and Tippett are hard match ups, Boyd and Carlisle will be even harder matches when they get some experience also a tall kid at the dogs now. Frawley has to work overtime on Buddy, that little bit of reach means he gives away free kicks.

If he can't get body contact on and the way the rules are being interpreted (going against the body work of the defender) then it is becoming more important to get a long arm in. One of Fletchers strengths at around 197cm with long arms. Closing speed will be important no matter what size a defender is.

Now I'm not saying Fitz is the answer but I am saying the size and pace he has is what we need to be looking for and not another 193cm defender like a Dylan Grimes. Also there is nothing wrong with trying him there, as you say Thompson was on his last chance looking for a position.

Clark will be used to rotate in the ruck when fit.

The big guys are all in competition for one ruck spot. Fitz will take Clark's place if he is not fit but he won't have a permanent place. We won't be taking in 2 of the other 3, Gawn, Spencer or Jamar.

So Fitz is a bit of a floater. He could be a permanent forward, in competition with Dawes, Hogan and Pedersen. A relief ruck/forward in competition with Clark and Pedersen. Or the key ruck (unlikely) in competition with Spencer, Gawn and Jamar.

Maybe he could make a name for himself in the back line. Who knows, just floating the idea.

I hope he has a career trajectory like Ottens. start forward, then develop into a top follower.

his time with us is a bit like Ottens @ richmond; now with Roosy, maybe he can be like Ottens @ the Cats. just sayin

I hope he has a career trajectory like Ottens. start forward, then develop into a top follower.

his time with us is a bit like Ottens @ richmond; now with Roosy, maybe he can be like Ottens @ the Cats. just sayin

I think Clark is a bit more in the Ottens mould but if Fitz could improve his ruck work it would be a bonus.

And to think, we could have drafted Tahlia

All that is correct but for the teams in the bottom half of the league there will be a drain. Eg the Dees what can we offer a player in 2015 besides money.

Free agency suits the rich and powerful.

The poorer less powerful clubs are destined to see their best players leave.

Completely agree with you mate.

It certainly favours the bigger and more successful clubs and makes it harder for the likes of us to get off the bottom.

Let's just hope by the time we rise we can attract bigger name players with a little more ease.

The club needs to let him retire as a Demon. It's time the club supports its older players and stand by Jamar - showing him the same loyalty and respect he has recently shown us.

If the club keeps trying to discard the older players when they begin to lose form to receive weak draft picks or other forms of cheap Chinese made "kitchen knives" what kind of message is that for our playing list?

An older player like Jamar will aid the development of the young rucks even if it's his final season before retirement. Having him chaired of the ground in the red and blue portrays a far better message and just might help the likes of Frawley re-sign at the years end (or others in the future).

On that note, would any of us like to see the loyal Grimes and Jones treated like mutton when they hit their thirties? I certainly hope not.

This is professional football not the public service. The message this sends to our playing list is that you are secure if you deliver the goods for the team otherwise its time to freshen up the resume. This aiding of development for younger player is somewhat overstated - I can accept it for players that have been consistently in our best over a long time with good team orientation and solid work ethics but just making the playing list and being an older player doesnt make you some football sage.

This is professional football not the public service. The message this sends to our playing list is that you are secure if you deliver the goods for the team otherwise its time to freshen up the resume. This aiding of development for younger player is somewhat overstated - I can accept it for players that have been consistently in our best over a long time with good team orientation and solid work ethics but just making the playing list and being an older player doesnt make you some football sage.

Yes but while he's in contract he shouldn't be shoved out the door. If he hasn't been up to it physically or mentally by the time his contract expires then he too should realize it is time to retire.

EDIT: Besides, it's not the right time to be discussing this anyway. I'm just sick of seeing people wanting to trade him for next to nothing.

Edited February 13, 201411 yr by ignition.

Yes but while he's in contract he shouldn't be shoved out the door. If he hasn't been up to it physically or mentally by the time his contract expires then he too should realize it is time to retire.

EDIT: Besides, it's not the right time to be discussing this anyway. I'm just sick of seeing people wanting to trade him for next to nothing.

That may well be what he is now worth.

A player who had one good season after a lot of average ones who now cannot get on the park equals not much use.

excuse me , im a bit late on this are you people serious ? a contracted tiger , a paper tiger at that , always injured not that good , and you want him ? hey we can do better , omg ? ok jacks brother so tell me why , ? im sure tiges are happy

I think Clark is a bit more in the Ottens mould but if Fitz could improve his ruck work it would be a bonus.

I think he will intime, when he fills out more & matures into his bigger frame & his footy.

He's still getting used to playing top level football with his illnesses. & his selfdoubts.

he has the speed to do the follower role he has the flare to be creative up forward, the agility to snap goals. good hands to catch & feed off, as well as palm the footy.

at over 200cms he has the height to be a 2ndRuck/Follower. as he gets to mid 20's, & becomes an older hand at ruckwork, I think he'll ruck a lot.

Clark is in the follower style atmo.

Dylan Grimes is no Jack Grimes.