1 hour ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Cripps aside, who is going to and get the ball? Cripps, Docherty and possibly Curnow aside who are the definite A grade talent based on exposed potential? A lot of what if there. 

Kennedy, Fisher and SPS have exposed form to make pretty nice 2nd or 3rd rotation type mids capable of playing forward and outside as well. If 2 out of 3 of Dow, Walsh and Stocker form any kind of decent combination around Cripps they'll climb up the ladder pretty well, especially from about 2020 on.

Their trade of a potential top 5 pick that could be very high for 2 first rounders - 19 and who knows what next years will be - is actually very similar to when we decided taking on another messiah top 5 pick was no longer useful and traded pick 2 (and 20 for some reason) for Tyson, Salem and Hunt.

We all look back now and say that was a bad trade given the Josh Kelly factor (even if we wouldn't have picked him) and the picks involved but most of us would live with it because it was a signal that we needed to start improving and winning some games and Tyson helped with that. Overpaying for Stocker might well be Carlton's version. Even if they give up a pick that becomes a Josh Kelly the idea that they aren't going to sit around and wait for draft picks to save them might be a good move.

12 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Same was said about us 2016/17

Disagree we already had Jones proven and Viney, Petracca and Brayshaw were all known for their want of contested ball and had just drafted Oliver for the same (granted no exposed AFL form at that time). In the next 2 years they will lose Kreuzer, Murphy, Simpson who would arguably be 3 of their best 5. Based on the team you have put up I see alot of outside ball and very little inside ball. Even with that I see a lot of limited players on exposed form. 

1 hour ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Disagree we already had Jones proven and Viney, Petracca and Brayshaw were all known for their want of contested ball and had just drafted Oliver for the same (granted no exposed AFL form at that time). In the next 2 years they will lose Kreuzer, Murphy, Simpson who would arguably be 3 of their best 5. Based on the team you have put up I see alot of outside ball and very little inside ball. Even with that I see a lot of limited players on exposed form. 

Jones is a great warrior and a club legend but has his limitations. Petracca was only coming of a knee in 2016 and whilst Brayshaw showed promise he was nowhere near the level in 2016 he was this season and in 2017 getting his concussions sorted was a big concern.

As I said with my side they are 2 years behind where we are all of Simpson Kruezer and Murphy are gone from my side. Cripps is the best mid in the comp, Kennedy is also a big bodied ball winner who not unlike Trac and Brayshaw just needs to get his body right. They have the spine which is the most difficult part to put together now in drafting Walsh and Stocker they are showing they are putting their midfield together.

Put the 3 older players back in that side and consider them for next season not as a top 8 contender but not a side you would want to take lightly 

On 11/24/2018 at 1:00 PM, spirit of norm smith said:

Like to see 3 Stingrays given a Casey Demons opportunity over the summer to get a spot.  Watched the TAC Cup Grand Final and believe these guys have further opportunities ahead. 

Riley Bowman - 198 cms ruck/forward. Potential to be AFL ruckman with good skills and agility  

Campbell Hustwaite - strong mid/half back.  Hibberd like attack.  Competitor.  

Lachlan McDonnell - 190cms half fwd/half back.  Lovely kick and can nail a goal from the 50. 

Lachlan McDonnell is a quality young man. Get him into the Casey program next year. Lots of upside.