2 minutes ago, binman said:

On roos and our need for an outside player with elite skills it should not be forgotten that under his watch he ticked off giving up pick 3 for Salem and Tyson, meaning missing out on Kelly. 

I supported the decision at the time, but history has not been kind and there is no doubt in hindsight it was the wrong call.

The argument that we would have picked up billings doesn't wash with me for two reasons.

One, I suspect it is not true and besides they actually never had to make the call so who really knows what they really would have done.

Second, if they had taken billings they would have made an error in terms of judging talent and the type of player our list ultimately would need.

Besides even if they had picked up billings he would have provided more outside run than Salem and Tyson.

Just another opportunity to pot Roos, right? 

What about all the good the calls made on his watch.  Or are you one of those that attributes the bad calls to Roos and the good calls to Taylor and T.Viney. 

With all our injuries this year a durable, skilled, experienced utility may not go astray

Also a mark of confidence in the MFC from Tomlinson. I know he'll get lots of money, but still

11 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Paywall

? I read the link as “Tom Linson poised to be a Dee” - never heard of the bloke!

2 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

This link works for me...

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tomlinson-poised-to-be-a-demon-20190909-p52pln.html

That article could have been written by his manager!

30 minutes ago, binman said:

On roos and our need for an outside player with elite skills it should not be forgotten that under his watch he ticked off giving up pick 3 for Salem and Tyson, meaning missing out on Kelly. 

I supported the decision at the time, but history has not been kind and there is no doubt in hindsight it was the wrong call.

The argument that we would have picked up billings doesn't wash with me for two reasons.

One, I suspect it is not true and besides they actually never had to make the call so who really knows what they really would have done.

Second, if they had taken billings they would have made an error in terms of judging talent and the type of player our list ultimately would need.

Besides even if they had picked up billings he would have provided more outside run than Salem and Tyson.

It just goes to show that even the best coaches can get things wrong.  

While Billings is no Kelly, he had a ripper year for the Saints and would be more than welcome in our side right now.  The deal for Salem and Tyson might not be remembered all that fondly, but we had a decision to make at the time to try and get as much talent into the side as we could.  

Roos isn't saying that Tomlinson is a bad player, or that he would be a bad fit in our side.  He may end up being right with his view, and I would agree with him if we were offering up something like a second rounder for him.  But the fact we're essentially getting him for nothing supersedes that.  Adding him to our side without giving anything up is a win, and he will be best 22 for years to come.

We may not give any draft picks up to get Thomlinson, but we will need to give a decent 4 year deal and he does take up a spot on the list.

Is he better than what we currently have? Yes.

Is he spot on what we need? Not sure, wouldn't exactly call him an elite outsider.

It could be argued that the SC space that Thomlinson would fill could be used as part of a deal getting a bigger fish this year, next year or the year after.

It's not as easy as saying "he costs us nothing".

2 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

It's not as easy as saying "he costs us nothing".

True.  I'm probably being a little simplistic with that comment.

But, the way I see it, is that we are able to add Tomlinson while keeping our picks, thus giving us some flexibility there.  We can still add Langdon using one of those, then we might end up splitting that first pick with GWS who might send us a further player as part of that.

For example, we might come out of the trade period with:

IN:  Pick 11, Pick 13, Langdon, Tomlinson, further GWS player (Hately, Bonar etc.)

Out:  Pick 3, Pick 20.

We can then add two highly rated young kids to the list to go with the above.  I think that's a positive outcome for us, but that's just my opinion.

Much would also ride on the contracts we give, but when was the last time someone has been squeezed out due to salary cap restraints?  I think this is one area that we have managed well over recent years.

7 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

We may not give any draft picks up to get Thomlinson, but we will need to give a decent 4 year deal and he does take up a spot on the list.

Is he better than what we currently have? Yes.

Is he spot on what we need? Not sure, wouldn't exactly call him an elite outsider.

It could be argued that the SC space that Thomlinson would fill could be used as part of a deal getting a bigger fish this year, next year or the year after.

It's not as easy as saying "he costs us nothing".

Perhaps bigger fish are not available now - ie Hill.

We do need elite players but I am not sure an elite player will be a panacea to our issues. Tomlinson could just be a building block in a systematic approach to building a premiership winning team.

Moneyball style.

[I may be wrong as you should assume I know nothing about list management]

Tomlinson could be useful to us as a hard running marking option type winger, so our key forwards don't have to push so far up the ground. not a match winner, but an important piece of the puzzle none the less. we've lacked that a bit with Hogan leaving and TMac out injured. both of those guys could use their elite running to link up through the midfield, but then quite often had no one to kick it to going forward. Tomlinson could go some way towards solving both problems.

add Langdon on the other side as the fat side winger, using his pace to break lines and get overlap run. both would add greatly to our midfield running capabilities. 

Tomlinson is best mates with Dom Tyson (I think both went to Trinity Grammar). They do a mini pre season together over the off season at Camberwell Sports Ground. Dom speaks very highly of him and says that he "runs rings around him" in both time trials and sprints. I know it's not a ringing endorsement on Tyson's account, but I think he would be a very handy pick up seeing as we have lost a Utility in Kielty and could possibly lose another in T.Smith. 

I understand the people who are saying he doesn't necessarily address our need for outside speed.  His arrival could free up someone whose pace and disposal isn't being used to full effect (ie. Melksham) into a more damaging position. 

However, even if he dislodges one player from our current best 22, then he improves our team.  I'm very happy to have any quality player (especially a free agent) who wants to join our club. 

Never heard of the guy. I hope we don’t make another bad decision. 

13 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Favourites to land him according to the Age.

Not sure how I feel about it. He's certainly a better wing option than just having no one. But he doesn't bring pace or great skills and more than anything he's just very nice.

Chaired off Deledio so that might put to rest any rumours of ill will. Probably one of the smarter and more professional guys around. Might end up in our leadership group. Might end up at Casey.

Wasn’t suggesting there was any ill-will from AT towards Deledio. But he would definitely be [censored] at the club, as he was very keen on staying there from all reports. It would hurt like hell being such a consistent inclusion during the H&A season and get flung like that for the finals. 

So if Deledio’s calf comes good for next week (and they get beaten by the Lions), we would be recruiting a talented 26 year-old with hopefully a real fire in the belly and a desire to get revenge on a few doubters. Bring it. 

1 hour ago, Wiseblood said:

True.  I'm probably being a little simplistic with that comment.

But, the way I see it, is that we are able to add Tomlinson while keeping our picks, thus giving us some flexibility there.  We can still add Langdon using one of those, then we might end up splitting that first pick with GWS who might send us a further player as part of that.

For example, we might come out of the trade period with:

IN:  Pick 11, Pick 13, Langdon, Tomlinson, further GWS player (Hately, Bonar etc.)

Out:  Pick 3, Pick 20.

We can then add two highly rated young kids to the list to go with the above.  I think that's a positive outcome for us, but that's just my opinion.

Much would also ride on the contracts we give, but when was the last time someone has been squeezed out due to salary cap restraints?  I think this is one area that we have managed well over recent years.

I really like this. 

We could then add some zippy small forwards/outside runner with picks 11 and 13.

Fantastic to get him for free.  he is worth an early second rounder i reckon. hasnt been able to play in his best position on the wing due to GWS's talent.  We desperately need run and spread so no idea what people are on about saying he doesnt address a need

just turned 26yo, 136 games.  exactly what our young list needs. and at 6'4" can fill KP gaps if needed

Tomlinson and Langdon on the wings make us a much better team.  they are not stars but they are what we need

I haven't followed him closely but like what I am hearing here on Demonland, we really missed Hogans marking strength and athletic ability up the ground and Tomlinson would provide that third tall.

Edited September 10, 20195 yr by DeeZone
grammar

I don't see what need he fills, i don't think he's a key forward, maybe on the wing but i will watch with interest to see if they have a role in mind of if it's just recruiting for the sake of it.

1 hour ago, Nelo said:

Never heard of the guy. I hope we don’t make another bad decision. 

I've always wondered why someone would take the time and effort to make a post just to demonstrate their ignorance?

Sure your name isn't Nego?

3 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Just another opportunity to pot Roos, right? 

What about all the good the calls made on his watch.  Or are you one of those that attributes the bad calls to Roos and the good calls to Taylor and T.Viney. 

Another opportunity to pot Roos?

That seems to imply that i have been a relentless critic of Roos, which is simply not to true. And unfair i might add. 

I have made it abundantly clear over the years that he was fantastic for the club, made plenty of great calls and that i have full respect for what he achieved.  I reiterated this view only recently.

My recent criticisms of him, albeit pretty mild ones, are related to what i see as him failing to take responsibility for his part in where we are at  present.

Roos loved the adulation and roosy chants during last years finals. And well he should, he had much to proud of in terms of his role in our journey. He, Bartlett and PJ were the key architects of our rise.

But you can't take partial credit for all the good and not accept responsibility for some of the bad, in particular recruiting and trading decisions made under your watch that still impact the club. 

I'm not 'one of those' that that attributes all the bad calls to Roos but i'm also not  'one of those'  who think Roos was the messiah who could do no wrong. 

Edited September 10, 20195 yr by binman

6 minutes ago, Patches O’houlihan said:

I don't see what need he fills, i don't think he's a key forward, maybe on the wing but i will watch with interest to see if they have a role in mind of if it's just recruiting for the sake of it.

Pardon my ignorance but what is the role and position of a wingman in modern football?

The defensive zone on a kick out generally positions the forward as the last player in the zone and he is usually no more than 80metres from goal.

Mind you I have much the same problem with the half forward line. Centre is just another name for a midfielder.

26 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Fantastic to get him for free.  he is worth an early second rounder i reckon. hasnt been able to play in his best position on the wing due to GWS's talent.  We desperately need run and spread so no idea what people are on about saying he doesnt address a need

just turned 26yo, 136 games.  exactly what our young list needs. and at 6'4" can fill KP gaps if needed

Tomlinson and Langdon on the wings make us a much better team.  they are not stars but they are what we need

#mahoneynotdoingenough

Edited September 10, 20195 yr by Engorged Onion

4 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Pardon my ignorance but what is the role and position of a wingman in modern football?

The defensive zone on a kick out generally positions the forward as the last player in the zone and he is usually no more than 80metres from goal.

Mind you I have much the same problem with the half forward line. Centre is just another name for a midfielder.

within our game plan i'd say it's about high speed endurance 2 way running and getting involved in possessions chains and supporting both ends, so needs to be a crazy good runner and good disposal. which he may well be but i just haven't seen it personally.

1 minute ago, Patches O’houlihan said:

high speed endurance 2 way running and getting involved in possessions chains and supporting both ends,

agree but isn't that 80% if not more of a team these days.

Anyway enough of my musing.... can he kick and can he run to space to receive

6 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

agree but isn't that 80% if not more of a team these days.

Anyway enough of my musing.... can he kick and can he run to space to receive

that's the million dollar question. 

From a pan-list perspective, I thought that with the exception of May, we did not improve our list last year at all and with the players who left - Hogan, Tyson and Kent primarily - we went backwards.

I would suggest that Tomlinson is a player with some class that would be welcome on most lists and he will certainly improve ours.  With some other smart trades and drafting hopefuly we can regain some of that lost ground