I look forward to the day i'm like the Hawthorn supporters in my office and have no idea trade week is even on.

But see that's the problem with most Hawthorn supporters. They all come out of the woodwork during September and then have no idea the rest of the season.

But see that's the problem with most Hawthorn supporters. They all come out of the woodwork during September and then have no idea the rest of the season.

kinda the ying to our yang !

We can still possibly get involved with GC for pick 3 via Dixon, Port and Toumpas but I can't see an easy solution. GC already want more than 10 for Dixon so 6 + 10 + 29 for Dixon + 3, with Dixon + Toumpas to Port probably won't cut it for GC.

Just had a look at the phantom draft guide update on afl website. Even if we end up with pick 6 we will still get a good egg. Weitering and schache at 1 and 2 seems a lock. gws and Sydney will look to take academy picks with mills, hooper and Kennedy so we end up with one of parish, Francis, weideman, curnow or balic. I'd be happy with any of those. I must note I am not a u18 officianado but just speculating on what I have read or heard during the year.

We should look to trade with Sydney for #14 but building up points from using our lower picks. They won't use the pick and need the points to get Mills.

few things I've heard. Not sure why GC don't cut their losses now and use his contract status as a tool to extract more than they'll get next year.

Only thing that I can think of is that they've lost Bennell & Dixon and just had a pretty horrid year and not sure what shape O'Meara comes back in.

From a brand perspective they can't have a similarly horrid year, and what Prestia might provide from a on field, competitive viewpoint might offset the loss of return.

If they have a good year next year, maybe they can convince someone of similar value to join, but at the moment they're losing more than they are bringing in.

Just had a look at the phantom draft guide update on afl website. Even if we end up with pick 6 we will still get a good egg. Weitering and schache at 1 and 2 seems a lock. gws and Sydney will look to take academy picks with mills, hooper and Kennedy so we end up with one of parish, Francis, weideman, curnow or balic. I'd be happy with any of those. I must note I am not a u18 officianado but just speculating on what I have read or heard during the year.

I'd suspect our order of preference would look something like Parish (unlikely, but possible), Curnow then Weideman.

Wouldn't be unhappy with any of those.

Do they ? Why ?

I don't see it.

Bugg is a tough hard running defender/midfielder. He's versatile in relation to where he can play. Also Roos has already said himself, with the interchange cap, he can see the need for a tag returning to the game. I'd say that role has Bugg's name written all over it.

Kennedy is a qucik outside midfielder/forward who can break the lines and kick goals. He can also win his own ball unlike someone like Toumpas. He's struggled with his disposal at AFL level, but that's something that can be ironed out, as his disposal at junior & VFL level is very tidy.

Both players offer plenty that we can work with. I'll back Roos & co to get the best out of them.

few things I've heard. Not sure why GC don't cut their losses now and use his contract status as a tool to extract more than they'll get next year.

If next year's a stronger draft, why would you think that they would be able to extract more this year? A draft pick is only as good as the player that's selected with it. And while Prestia's still at the club, GC will always have hope of trying to retain him. Do you think Melbourne would let Hogan leave 1 year before his contract expires because he's keen on returning to Perth?

I still can't get my head around how Jed Anderson and pick 41 is worth pick 15.

My only thought is that maybe my suspicions are correct - this draft is so weak that even pick 15 is seen as a poor chance of a good return, so there is little to be lost in what is usually a high value pick.

Even after pick 7 it seems to be very thin.

Think yourself lucky that you haven't met him. Absolute nutcase, especially after 3/4 of a bottle of Whisky. Gets all ranty over the smallest things.

As we are twins, I've, been mistaken for him all of my life, and for someone with a horrible memory for people, its a nightmare. I never know if I have forgotten the face, or have never met them before.

faulty

DH.

Can't see the point in shopping Toumpas for a 3rd round pick (or worse).

Given the 'experts' say that this years' draft is not too flash, any untried 3rd rounder is not likely to offer anything significant.

I would rather persevere for another 12 months with Toumpas

Can't see the point in shopping Toumpas for a 3rd round pick (or worse).

Given the 'experts' say that this years' draft is not too flash, any untried 3rd rounder is not likely to offer anything significant.

I would rather persevere for another 12 months with Toumpas

Me too.

Me three.

I believe that Mahoney said the ball is in Jimmy's court. If he says he wants to stay, we're happy to keep him. If he wants to leave, we'll facilitate a trade.

I still can't get my head around how Jed Anderson and pick 41 is worth pick 15.

North are copying what Hawks and Swans have done for years. They have identified what they need and are paying pick 15 for a known quantity with a few years on the clock that they will get more out of than a draftee. They have an ageing list of stars and want a crack at a flag. Anderson provides the outside run and speed they lack. If Wells and Anderson both play well next year and their older players stand up they will see themselves as a genuine chance.

I think it's a good strategy and they have the footy IP to judge Anderson. Draft picks are hugely over rated. There was a recent article that said you've got just as good a chance of a player at 40 as 15.

I'm not at all concerned about Melksham at 25. You've got to back your IP to make the right moves. It's what's made Hawks so successful.

Just for once out of the nine long years that we look forward to the trading period I would like to be genuinely excited at the end of it.

Just once would be nice.

Bugg is a tough hard running defender/midfielder. He's versatile in relation to where he can play. Also Roos has already said himself, with the interchange cap, he can see the need for a tag returning to the game. I'd say that role has Bugg's name written all over it.

Kennedy is a qucik outside midfielder/forward who can break the lines and kick goals. He can also win his own ball unlike someone like Toumpas. He's struggled with his disposal at AFL level, but that's something that can be ironed out, as his disposal at junior & VFL level is very tidy.

Both players offer plenty that we can work with. I'll back Roos & co to get the best out of them.

I know what they are and do, but Paul Roos being involved guarantees nothing. You seem to think, "well, if Paul Roos wants them it must be a good idea". I don't.

Whether it be Henry Playfair (Geelong), Paul Chambers (Geelong), Mark Seaby (West Coast) or Lumumba he's not immune from recycled duds.

I know what they are and do, but Paul Roos being involved guarantees nothing. You seem to think, "well, if Paul Roos wants them it must be a good idea". I don't.

Whether it be Henry Playfair (Geelong), Paul Chambers (Geelong), Mark Seaby (West Coast) or Lumumba he's not immune from recycled duds.

No coach is immune to it. Roos has his had his fair share, but he also has runs on the board for finding some gems as well.

Edit - Plus, from memory, the 4 players you mentioned above he got very cheaply. And yes, that includes Lumumba, who we got for a bloke who didn't want to play for us and had retired 6 months prior. It's not as if he traded first rounders or good players to get the above.

No coach is immune to it. Roos has his had his fair share, but he also has runs on the board for finding some gems as well.

I'm aware of that. But I'd rather judge them on what I've seen.

Kennedy is a mid, not a small forward. And where does Bugg fit in.

Name your best 22 and see how easy it is to fit these two in. I don't get it.

I'm aware of that. But I'd rather judge them on what I've seen.

Kennedy is a mid, not a small forward. And where does Bugg fit in.

Name your best 22 and see how easy it is to fit these two in. I don't get it.

I do... in a way.

What's our biggest issue been? It's depth. Our depth sucks. When we get a few injuries and the replacements are guys like M. Jones and Bail, you know we have serious problems.

Melksham, Bugg and Kennedy represent a clear upgrade on many other players. Melksham will be best 22. Bugg and Kennedy will be knocking on the door. We haven't had that in a long time. We bemoan how easy it is for guys to get games, and improving our depth puts pressure on the list to perform.

There is more to it than that and I don't feel as though I've articulated it very well. I guess what I'm saying is that the above 3 do improve the list and, if we can't get an A grader in this t trade period, then we need to focus on getting better in other ways so when that gun player does become available they are interested in playing for us.

10.38am: HAWKS COACH NOT EXPECTING CARLISLE TRADE

After Hawthorn made a remarkable bid to land to Jake Carlisle after several days of fruitless talks between Essendon and St Kilda, the key position player's future continues to remain up in the air.

While the Bombers said on Thursday afternoon they were committed to the Hawks' offer if they could get it over the line, four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson isn't expecting to have Carlisle on his books in 2016.

Clarkson, who - as one of three of Australia's coaches - announced the International Rules squad on Friday, said he still expected Carlisle to get to the Saints.

Edit:- WTF is going on?

I'm aware of that. But I'd rather judge them on what I've seen.

Kennedy is a mid, not a small forward. And where does Bugg fit in.

Name your best 22 and see how easy it is to fit these two in. I don't get it.

Depth is a highly valuable commodity. bringing in players to provide competition and a back up plan can only be bettered by bringing in stars, but we can't have 44 stars on the list.

I do... in a way.

What's our biggest issue been? It's depth. Our depth sucks.

As I've already said, this must be a stinker of a draft.

Just for once out of the nine long years that we look forward to the trading period I would like to be genuinely excited at the end of it.

Just once would be nice.

So, you weren't excited by Mitch Clark?

i know we need mids but would Carlisle be of interest? I'm guessing Essendon would ask for pick 6 but perhaps we could give them pick 6 and they could give back the pick 25.

to be honest i'm not convinced about Carlisle but despite having some decent backs i reckon another quality backmen to take the the power forwards would help TMac and Dunn