Earlier this year, the talk of the town was about how North Melbourne had hit an AFL draft jackpot with star academy prospect Tarryn Thomas surging into top 3 draft pick calculations meaning that the Kangaroos would be forced to bid their highest draft selection to get the talented Tasmanian youngster.

North Melbourne could be forced to match top-three bid on Tarryn Thomas at AFL draft 2018

The Kangaroos even made arrangements to bring Thomas over Bass Strait to play as 23rd man for their VFL side in the final round of the home and away competition.

Now, surprise, surprise ... they are claiming to have cooled off on him due to “due to a worrying mix of off-field issues and lack of on-field form”.

AFL draft 2018: North Melbourne cools on formerly highly-rated prospect Tarryn Thomas

If this sounds somewhat familiar then cast your mind back a few years to when a young WA draftee with plenty of wraps on him was said to have been expelled from school with rumours of misbehaviour and even violence that saw him drop from a top 5 contender to selection to be picked at 26 by the Eagles who were widely believed to have been responsible for the rumours in the first place. Next week, Jack Darling will play game number 170 (he’s kicked more than 300 goals) in a qualifying final against the Pies - and he’s more or less a model citizen.

I smell the same sort of blarney about Thomas and I hope someone picks him around # 10 just to stick it up North.

North could improve quickly with Gaff, Polec and Thomas.

Who are we adding to our list?

Shame we can't bid on him to force their hand. Hopefully someone else bids on him to force them to cough up market value for him.

3 hours ago, Redleg said:

North could improve quickly with Gaff, Polec and Thomas.

Who are we adding to our list?

Lever....

and

another preseason in the rest of them...

11 minutes ago, Danelska said:

Lever....

and

another preseason in the rest of them...

That's called sitting back and doing nothing. I am sure we will be targeting someone.

I recall last year it was said that we would be in the free agent race.

PS. Hogan is in the same category as Lever, don't you rate him?

Edited September 1, 20186 yr by Redleg

23 minutes ago, Redleg said:

That's called sitting back and doing nothing. I am sure we will be targeting someone.

I recall last year it was said that we would be in the free agent race.

PS. Hogan is in the same category as Lever, don't you rate him?

@Redleg - couldnt be bothered listing him or Viney 

there will be turn over, clearly... I've said it before... Josh Mahoney has not just alluded to, but overtly said that  Melbourne will pursue a free agent in this year’s exchange period to help bolster its push for a drought-breaking premiership (april 16th 2018 h.sun - paywall for the article)

In my mind, Mahoney only ever says these things publicly, when something is signed, sealed and delivered, not when it is a maybe.

The question is whom. 

 

Edited September 1, 20186 yr by Danelska

15 hours ago, Danelska said:

@Redleg - couldnt be bothered listing him or Viney 

there will be turn over, clearly... I've said it before... Josh Mahoney has not just alluded to, but overtly said that  Melbourne will pursue a free agent in this year’s exchange period to help bolster its push for a drought-breaking premiership (april 16th 2018 h.sun - paywall for the article)

In my mind, Mahoney only ever says these things publicly, when something is signed, sealed and delivered, not when it is a maybe.

The question is whom. 

 

I suggest the form of Brayshaw and Harmes would have them rethinking any plans from April. In saying that I think we still need another half back runner but I would be keeping my powder dry for Whitfield the following year unless we think he can be extracted this one.

1 hour ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

I suggest the form of Brayshaw and Harmes would have them rethinking any plans from April. In saying that I think we still need another half back runner but I would be keeping my powder dry for Whitfield the following year unless we think he can be extracted this one.

yep, i agree - and I really rate whitfield...

1 hour ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

I suggest the form of Brayshaw and Harmes would have them rethinking any plans from April. In saying that I think we still need another half back runner but I would be keeping my powder dry for Whitfield the following year unless we think he can be extracted this one.

I agree with the first bit, particularly in relation to Harmes.  I think he was probably rated a bit as a versatile flanker but I don't think they could have foreshadowed him being the powerful inside outside mid with decent finishing ability that he has seemingly become.

7 hours ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

I suggest the form of Brayshaw and Harmes would have them rethinking any plans from April. In saying that I think we still need another half back runner but I would be keeping my powder dry for Whitfield the following year unless we think he can be extracted this one.

There's a lot to play out in this and next years trade period, but with our recent first round history, chances are (and as it currently stands) we'll need to take next years pick to the draft. I'm not sure how we can get Whitfield next year without trading in more first round picks.

On 9/1/2018 at 12:15 PM, Whispering_Jack said:

Earlier this year, the talk of the town was about how North Melbourne had hit an AFL draft jackpot with star academy prospect Tarryn Thomas surging into top 3 draft pick calculations meaning that the Kangaroos would be forced to bid their highest draft selection to get the talented Tasmanian youngster.

North Melbourne could be forced to match top-three bid on Tarryn Thomas at AFL draft 2018

The Kangaroos even made arrangements to bring Thomas over Bass Strait to play as 23rd man for their VFL side in the final round of the home and away competition.

Now, surprise, surprise ... they are claiming to have cooled off on him due to “due to a worrying mix of off-field issues and lack of on-field form”.

AFL draft 2018: North Melbourne cools on formerly highly-rated prospect Tarryn Thomas

If this sounds somewhat familiar then cast your mind back a few years to when a young WA draftee with plenty of wraps on him was said to have been expelled from school with rumours of misbehaviour and even violence that saw him drop from a top 5 contender to selection to be picked at 26 by the Eagles who were widely believed to have been responsible for the rumours in the first place. Next week, Jack Darling will play game number 170 (he’s kicked more than 300 goals) in a qualifying final against the Pies - and he’s more or less a model citizen.

I smell the same sort of blarney about Thomas and I hope someone picks him around # 10 just to stick it up North.

Tipped this...

Stupid name.

No.

bid for him ended coming earlier than expected, if truth be told

11 hours ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

bid for him ended coming earlier than expected, if truth be told

so other than keeping North honest what was in it for the Crows nominating this guy at 8.

Is it as simple as the Crows wanted him and were not sure if North would match... (why not just ask North beforehand)

Must say I find the concept of using a pick 42 to match a number 8 selection very confusing.

Thanks