I think H is in the last year of his deal.

Let him play it out. I don't believe we go for change just for the sake of it.

We need now to let the list gel a bit. Sure, there are blokes who will be moved on so we can take on our full compliment of draft picks. Some will also want to be moved on (or be given a subtle push) so they can find more opportunity elsewhere. But sacking/trading blokes who may not be stars but have roles to play will not help anything.

19 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I think H is in the last year of his deal.

Let him play it out. I don't believe we go for change just for the sake of it.

We need now to let the list gel a bit. Sure, there are blokes who will be moved on so we can take on our full compliment of draft picks. Some will also want to be moved on (or be given a subtle push) so they can find more opportunity elsewhere. But sacking/trading blokes who may not be stars but have roles to play will not help anything.

He has 2 more years to go. I am over him. 

2 hours ago, Satyriconhome said:

Yes he was, had a chat to him as well

How'd he seem Saty? Positive about next year?

 

5 minutes ago, stuie said:

How'd he seem Saty? Positive about next year?

 

Yes, he had serious concussion issues, think it shook him up a bit, all behind him now, justs wants to start afresh in the new season

2 hours ago, Satyriconhome said:

Yes, he had serious concussion issues, think it shook him up a bit, all behind him now, justs wants to start afresh in the new season

Plapp should be pleased to hear that.

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

Plapp should be pleased to hear that.

That's harsh, don't forget new coach (Goodwin), every one will start fresh 1st day of pre season, he may know them, but reckon clean slate

H , who I like as a footy player is now behind the 8. Still. He has a bit of the ol' X about him. just where he squeezes in is a another thing. If her had a tank as a creative outside mid/come winger perhaps. Backline's a bit congested.

Our midfield isn't as good as some believe it is, there are a few that may turn out to be exceptional and a few who are and always will be, just a little off the pace. If the opportunity comes along to pick up a quality mid then we have to look at it.

However, I don't think there is any need to have a huge turnover this year.

You don't do anything without a purpose and throwing out players who haven't been given the chance to prove their worth is stupid.

Wagner has had one pre season and I'd say he will be better for a second one, ANB will be a good player for us and I'd say it's probably only Demonlanders who are thinking of trading him, what are we realistically going to get for him? JKH has a history of Hammies so I'd doubt there would be a line of suitors there, maybe the Saints, they reckon their doctor can fix those sorts of problems.

Dunn and Garland are not going to get you a second round pick and the club may need one, or both as backup. Grimes may walk or he may be offered a new contract, I'm sure he'd rather stay with us and from what I've seen of him he looks like he's enjoying his football again. 

White will be a good footballer for us, he needs game time but may have to wait a bit for his chance.

It will be interesting to see just who does go but I'm tipping a small turnover this year.

You can't destabilise a team by having wholesale changes every year, you need to give players a chance to show if they are up to it.

10 hours ago, Dante said:

Our midfield isn't as good as some believe it is, there are a few that may turn out to be exceptional and a few who are and always will be, just a little off the pace.

ANB will be a good player for us

Interesting 

No longer a demon but wanted to acknowledge Jamie Bennell who has been delisted by the Eagles after 93 games for the two teams: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-12/eagles-delist-six-after-early-finals-exit  A nice pic of him in his Demons jumper in that article. 

His instagram message:  "Thanks to these two clubs for giving me the opportunity to play at the highest level and live out a childhood dream. #plentyoffootyleft".  He is all class!  Good luck with the next venture.

12 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

No longer a demon but wanted to acknowledge Jamie Bennell who has been delisted by the Eagles after 93 games for the two teams: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-12/eagles-delist-six-after-early-finals-exit  A nice pic of him in his Demons jumper in that article. 

His instagram message:  "Thanks to these two clubs for giving me the opportunity to play at the highest level and live out a childhood dream. #plentyoffootyleft".  He is all class!  Good luck with the next venture.

Expect to see him line up for Swan Districts in the WAFL next year

Classy exit by Jamie Bennett. Good on him. Some other recent delistees could learn a lot from him.

19 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

No longer a demon but wanted to acknowledge Jamie Bennell who has been delisted by the Eagles after 93 games for the two teams: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-12/eagles-delist-six-after-early-finals-exit  A nice pic of him in his Demons jumper in that article. 

His instagram message:  "Thanks to these two clubs for giving me the opportunity to play at the highest level and live out a childhood dream. #plentyoffootyleft".  He is all class!  Good luck with the next venture.

Great to hear.  It would be easy to get caught up in disappointment or bitterness when the end arrives - I like seeing players recognise what a privileged position they were in and being thankful for it. 

On 10/09/2016 at 11:44 AM, Redleg said:

He has 2 more years to go. I am over him. 

I'm sure if Lumumba does play on, he'll break a finger nail in round one and miss the next three months. I wonder if he genuinely wants to be here, or is just finding it hard to say no to the million dollars he is due for the next two years. If our football department had any balls they would negotiate a settlement and quietly usher him out the door during the finals series.

On 9/10/2016 at 11:21 PM, Dante said:

Our midfield isn't as good as some believe it is, there are a few that may turn out to be exceptional and a few who are and always will be, just a little off the pace. If the opportunity comes along to pick up a quality mid then we have to look at it.

However, I don't think there is any need to have a huge turnover this year.

You don't do anything without a purpose and throwing out players who haven't been given the chance to prove their worth is stupid.

Wagner has had one pre season and I'd say he will be better for a second one, ANB will be a good player for us and I'd say it's probably only Demonlanders who are thinking of trading him, what are we realistically going to get for him? JKH has a history of Hammies so I'd doubt there would be a line of suitors there, maybe the Saints, they reckon their doctor can fix those sorts of problems.

Dunn and Garland are not going to get you a second round pick and the club may need one, or both as backup. Grimes may walk or he may be offered a new contract, I'm sure he'd rather stay with us and from what I've seen of him he looks like he's enjoying his football again. 

White will be a good footballer for us, he needs game time but may have to wait a bit for his chance.

It will be interesting to see just who does go but I'm tipping a small turnover this year.

You can't destabilise a team by having wholesale changes every year, you need to give players a chance to show if they are up to it.

We now seem to have a surplus of HBFs in Melksham, Hibberd, Lamumba, Hunt, Salem, Wagner. So suspect some of these (especially Hunt and Salem, maybe Melksham/Hibberd) will spend more time in the midfield/wing.

 

1 hour ago, poita said:

I'm sure if Lumumba does play on, he'll break a finger nail in round one and miss the next three months. I wonder if he genuinely wants to be here, or is just finding it hard to say no to the million dollars he is due for the next two years. If our football department had any balls they would negotiate a settlement and quietly usher him out the door during the finals series.

He has had serious concussion issues, he was TOLD not to train or play, for you to post such rubbish shows little understanding of concussion, and little respect for a person suffering from it, the only reason Nev Jetta was able to return to footy after his concussion issues was the ENFORCED six week layoff he had, I know coz I asked

 

49 minutes ago, Satyriconhome said:

He has had serious concussion issues, he was TOLD not to train or play, for you to post such rubbish shows little understanding of concussion, and little respect for a person suffering from it, the only reason Nev Jetta was able to return to footy after his concussion issues was the ENFORCED six week layoff he had, I know coz I asked

 

How cute.

Lumumba was incredibly soft prior to any concussions.

I don't want to see the post-concussion version of Lumumba.

3 minutes ago, CP5 said:

Lumumba was incredibly soft prior to any concussions.

I don't want to see the post-concussion version of Lumumba.

Lol wut?

 

3 minutes ago, stuie said:

Lol wut?

 

One of the softest players in a contest I've seen at Melbourne.

I take it you disagree ?  Although I'm a little unfamiliar with Pidgin English.

2 minutes ago, CP5 said:

One of the softest players in a contest I've seen at Melbourne.

I take it you disagree ?  Although I'm a little unfamiliar with Pidgin English.

Was the first player to buy in to the play on game plan when he had little to no backup and stuck to coaches instructions despite it being to the detriment of his own game.

Not what I'd call soft.

 

50 minutes ago, stuie said:

Was the first player to buy in to the play on game plan when he had little to no backup and stuck to coaches instructions despite it being to the detriment of his own game.

Not what I'd call soft.

 

Stuie, you are wasting your breath, the contempt some show for a player that has suffered a serious concussion episode borders on the sociopathic

But we are on an internet forum so I shouldn't be that surprised

The fact that some may gloat if Lumumba has to retire because of the condition saddens me

It is the hard men of footy on this board, never ducked, never shirked when it was their turn to go, topped the tackle count every year, that's what makes them such good judges of who should go at the end of each season, apart from the drovers dog of course

Could someone please expand on the salary cap rules if you pay out a players contract on the basis of career ending injuries.

You will recall that Lamumba was placed on the long term injury list with only 2 or 3 rounds to go. This required special approval from the AFL under the rules. It was presumably done for a purpose and I don't think it was the usual purpose of allowing a rookie upgrade.

3 hours ago, poita said:

I'm sure if Lumumba does play on, he'll break a finger nail in round one and miss the next three months. I wonder if he genuinely wants to be here, or is just finding it hard to say no to the million dollars he is due for the next two years. If our football department had any balls they would negotiate a settlement and quietly usher him out the door during the finals series.

I would imagine those discussions are taking place.

6 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Could someone please expand on the salary cap rules if you pay out a players contract on the basis of career ending injuries.

You will recall that Lamumba was placed on the long term injury list with only 2 or 3 rounds to go. This required special approval from the AFL under the rules. It was presumably done for a purpose and I don't think it was the usual purpose of allowing a rookie upgrade.

I think if a player retires as a result of an injury, sustained from footy,he can be paid out up to half of his salary and there are salary cap benefits to that payment, despite the obvious saving.