8 minutes ago, BW511 said:

I have a similar view, in that Fritsch and Melksham are almost limiting factors in our forward half, rather than improving/complimenting it.

I would love to see Weid and B.Brown as the two pillars, Jacko roaming as he pleases and then 3 quick smalls. Assume Brown picks up the 20 odd goals Fritsch would kick, Jacko provides a better aerial contest and then we have room for 3 smalls.

I think we are a better side with Fritta and Melky out, provided we can find some proper smalls

I think Melksham has to play half back as @Patches O’houlihan has suggested. Use his kicking as a weapon off half back.

1 hour ago, A F said:

It seems clear to me that we've agreed in principle with Brown and his management, and that's why we're now being open about trading McDonald again.

I'd expect Brown to announce us as his preferred destination in the coming days.

You seem to have some inside info AF ?

10 minutes ago, loges said:

You seem to have some inside info AF ?

Reading the tea leaves, mate.

1 hour ago, Action Jackson said:

I agree with this.

I'd also say that given Pickering mentioned Dees keen on Smith this one is a fair way down the road as well.

You need to read between the lines with these types of things until the news comes out.

Also the trail on Polec has gone quiet. Does that suggest Smith is close?

2 minutes ago, A F said:

Reading the tea leaves, mate.

Just read mine and it looks like we're getting Earl Grey.  Anybody know much about him?

Just now, demonstone said:

Just read mine and it looks like we're getting Earl Grey.  Anybody know much about him?

Watched his dad kick 6 in the mud at Morabbin back in '54. A chip off the old block, so they say....

3 minutes ago, demonstone said:

Just read mine and it looks like we're getting Earl Grey.  Anybody know much about him?

Oh, I though Jack Darjeeling might have been on our radar...

I'll see myself out...

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by Engorged Onion

2 minutes ago, demonstone said:

Just read mine and it looks like we're getting Earl Grey.  Anybody know much about him?

Not really, goes a bit like Huang Shan Mao Feng or so I've heard

18 minutes ago, Grr-owl said:

Also the trail on Polec has gone quiet. Does that suggest Smith is close?

Not sure I heard right on sen but it sounded like there was a chance Brown would stay at North.

North have had some off-field happenings so they may be trying to mend fences with Brown and Polec.

Whether that is correct or not, I haven't heard us mentioned re Brown of late.  Yet, people on here seem to assume he is coming so its ok to offload TMac.  Hope if the plan is Brown for TMac that he is signed up before we ship Tom off.

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by Lucifer's Hero

12 minutes ago, demonstone said:

Just read mine and it looks like we're getting Earl Grey.  Anybody know much about him?

Bit lanky, but he goes alright.

14 minutes ago, demonstone said:

Just read mine and it looks like we're getting Earl Grey.  Anybody know much about him?

A little. He's bitter and only old people like him.

North already have 2, 9, 25 and 57 and we have 23, 47, 62 and 63. 

I'd like to do 23 for Brown but I don't think it will be attractive to them.  North will want our 2021 1st. 

We'd want something back.  IMO 57 is pretty worthless to us. 

I think there's a strong likelihood they'll finish bottom 4 next year - worst case 2nd round is 23, 3rd round is 40. We should expect to finish top 6 next year - worst case 1st round for us is 13.

I think it could be 2021 1st (13) for Brown + 2021 3rd (40).

I'd like to hang onto 23 this year too because I think there's a chance someone we fancy could fall out of the first round like Robertson and Rivers did this year.

9 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

North already have 2, 9, 25 and 57 and we have 23, 47, 62 and 63. 

I'd like to do 23 for Brown but I don't think it will be attractive to them.  North will want our 2021 1st. 

We'd want something back.  IMO 57 is pretty worthless to us. 

I think there's a strong likelihood they'll finish bottom 4 next year - worst case 2nd round is 23, 3rd round is 40. We should expect to finish top 6 next year - worst case 1st round for us is 13.

I think it could be 2021 1st (13) for Brown + 2021 3rd (40).

I'd like to hang onto 23 this year too because I think there's a chance someone we fancy could fall out of the first round like Robertson and Rivers did this year.

They can't push him out the door and then claim they want a first rounder for him. 

10 minutes ago, A F said:

They can't push him out the door and then claim they want a first rounder for him. 

Maybe right.

I might prefer 2021 13 for Brown with 2021 40 back and keep 23 this year.  Than 23 for Brown.

FWIW both options are valued at ~800 points

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by Pollyanna

56 minutes ago, A F said:

Reading the tea leaves, mate.

Pity I use tea bags.

50 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Not sure I heard right on sen but it sounded like there was a chance Brown would stay at North.

North have had some off-field happenings so they may be trying to mend fences with Brown and Polec.

Whether that is correct or not, I haven't heard us mentioned re Brown of late.  Yet, people on here seem to assume he is coming so its ok to offload TMac.  Hope if the plan is Brown for TMac that he is signed up before we ship Tom off.

I haven't got a clue what is happening, but I think we could safely assume that if we are moving Tom on, we have another forward in sight.

1 hour ago, A F said:

I think Melksham has to play half back as @Patches O’houlihan has suggested. Use his kicking as a weapon off half back.

You don't remember when we recruited him to do just that and it was a disaster? Doesn't have the heart or desire to play down back. Or really anywhere I feel.

1 hour ago, A F said:

I think Melksham has to play half back as @Patches O’houlihan has suggested. Use his kicking as a weapon off half back.

23 tackles in 17 games.  He's no defender!

22 hours ago, defuture15 said:

They didn't sign him. They put an offer on the table and it was turned down.

Then everything turned to [censored] for Ben and Nth. He is still tied to nth who have to get a return for him

Straight swap for Preuss.   Take it or leave it. ??

24 minutes ago, george_on_the_outer said:

23 tackles in 17 games.  He's no defender!

All Australian team 2020 Defenders: 

Luke Ryan: 20 tackles in 17 games.

Harris Andrews: 16 tackles in 15 games.

Brad Sheppard: 34 tackles in 18 games.

Darcy Byrne-Jones: 32 tackles in 18 games.

Darcy Moore: 14 tackles in 18 games.

Nick Haynes: 23 tackles in 17 games.

3 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

All Australian team 2020 Defenders: 

Luke Ryan: 20 tackles in 17 games.

Harris Andrews: 16 tackles in 15 games.

Brad Sheppard: 34 tackles in 18 games.

Darcy Byrne-Jones: 32 tackles in 18 games.

Darcy Moore: 14 tackles in 18 games.

Nick Haynes: 23 tackles in 17 games.

The stats may suggest it isn't an issue, but the fact is he was used in half back after being recruited and it didn't work out.  My memory is hazy but I seem to recollect he was given a long period of time to adapt to the role, and when it became clear it wasn't going to happen the coaches moved him forward where he thrived (at least for a while).

It was a few years back now, but I don't get the impression there's been any particular change in his playing style or mindset that would make a second go as a defender work out any better than the first.

Melksham was tried at half back in his first year and was dropped very quickly. When he returned to the team he was placed in the forward half and showed far better form. I doubt Goodwin will experiment with Melksham down back again, particularly with so much riding on next year. Salem, Rivers and Hibberd are enough runners off the back line as well so if Melksham can't make it in the forward half then he plays twos.

 

1 hour ago, Engorged Onion said:

Oh, I though Jack Darjeeling might have been on our radar...

I'll see myself out...

Billy T also should get a mention!

1 hour ago, Pollyanna said:

Maybe right.

I might prefer 2021 13 for Brown with 2021 40 back and keep 23 this year.  Than 23 for Brown.

FWIW both options are valued at ~800 points

We should ask for their 2021 2nd back instead of 3rd. It will be pick 19 and then it's up them to have a gamble on wherever we finish, which could be anywhere between and 7-15 realistically. Higher stakes trade. 

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by John Demonic

17 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

All Australian team 2020 Defenders: 

Luke Ryan: 20 tackles in 17 games.

Harris Andrews: 16 tackles in 15 games.

Brad Sheppard: 34 tackles in 18 games.

Darcy Byrne-Jones: 32 tackles in 18 games.

Darcy Moore: 14 tackles in 18 games.

Nick Haynes: 23 tackles in 17 games.

He was playing HFF during the season.  Bontempelli 88 in 18 games, Dangerfield 50 in 19.  K.Picket 35 in 14 games.