Alex Neal-Bullen

[dazzledavey36 55,057]

just mentioned by Cal Twomey that while he is contracted, there have been some interest in Nibbler and fair chance that he could go as to get in players we have to move some out as well.

What's he worth?

Edited March 28, 2022 by Grapeviney

[ding 5,126]

Third rounder if we are lucky. I like the kid but dont think he has much currency.

Hopefully a S.A. team values him higher than most D'Landers do.

[Lord Travis 10,749]

Wouldn't have much currency. Third rounder if both clubs are amicable.

[Lord Nev 13,512]

To the Crows for pick 44 or 48 would be about fair, although if we could potentially make it ANB and 47 for pick 30 that would be a great deal for us, although not as likely.

 

[dazzledavey36 55,057]

1 minute ago, Lord Nev said:

To the Crows for pick 44 or 48 would be about fair, although if we could potentially make it ANB and 47 for pick 30 that would be a great deal for us, although not as likely.

 

I'd be happy with that.

[dl4e 5,851]

It won't happen.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,508]

Would consider trading in a player, but would rather not part with a developed, mature player for a late pick.

 

 

[Lord Nev 13,512]

3 minutes ago, dl4e said:

It won't happen.

It might.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,865]

Thought he showed a bit late in the year.

Also had the kicking radar on this year.

Obvously wouldn’t mind if he goes if it’s a part of the bigger picture of addressing our key needs.

[adonski 12,256]

Too much Bullen, not enough Neal(e). Hope we get a pick lower than 50 for him.

Edited September 29, 2020 by adonski

[roy11 3,858]

Think ANB a decent depth player, but in a position where we have some other alternatives.

If it helps us re-balance then so be it.
 

 

[Half forward flank 1,022]

18 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

To the Crows for pick 44 or 48 would be about fair, although if we could potentially make it ANB and 47 for pick 30 that would be a great deal for us, although not as likely.

 

I would take that. he is one of those players it is always tempting to play but he is not the future or premiership material. Mind you if I was him I would be looking for midfield minutes

[The Lobster Effect 893]

I feel like he's a whipping boy on this site but he generally plays his role ok.

He's one of the best endurance runners in the team from memory... 

[TRIGON 4,788]

1 minute ago, The Lobster Effect said:

I feel like he's a whipping boy on this site but he generally plays his role ok.

He's one of the best endurance runners in the team from memory... 

Yes, good endurance runner. Cops a whack here because he fumbles too often and disposal can be a bit iffy. That being said he seemed to be improving as the season wore on.

Could be a useful addition to a side like the Crows who are rebuilding and will need some seasoned players to support / take the load off the youngsters.

[deanox 9,945]

He fills a spot, if not on the bench on our best 22, but in the next ~4. So given injuries and form, I expect him to play 10-15 games next year. 

Normally, cycling players at that level is a good thing, with developing kids taking his place. So to trade him out for an average pick in a normal year world be ok, on balance. 

But unnless we are bringing in 2-3 more best 22 players than we lose (meaning he is pushed even further down the list), then I think he is worth more to us than a 3rd round pick in a comprimised draft with limited exposed form.

I'd happy trade him if it was part of a deal that brought in a better player.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

10 minutes ago, deanox said:

He fills a spot, if not on the bench on our best 22, but in the next ~4. So given injuries and form, I expect him to play 10-15 games next year. 

I agree with this - currently, he is probably a Top 30 player on our list when everyone is fit.

But he is a limited player who won't be giving us much more than he already is.  If we want to improve then we need to look at improving what we have in the position he plays in - whether that is improvement from within, or recruiting someone else.

I would see him getting some serious midfield/half forward minutes at the Crows.

A pick in the 40s is probably about right.

[Salems Lot 2,535]

Trading up players like Nibbler is where we will see improvement.  We have a great top end of the list but we fall away quite sharply below our top 10 players

[spirit of norm smith 16,481]

ANB probably is looking at more games and minutes than what we can offer. I agree he is not best 22 (probably 24-26) but represents excellent cover as he showed this year. The suspension and short year did impact his effectiveness. “Useful” is his rating !

If the Crows call, it probably is fair to grab pick 44 but he is contracted so I’m okay if we decide to retain him. 

[Little Goffy 14,584]

I've always liked Nibbler and he played a non-trivial part in our 2018 surge but he is in the clutter group where we have numerous options. I think his presence on the fringe creates too much tempation to give him a run in a role where we actually need 'fewer but better' rather than 'lots of okay'.

While acknowledging the 'Steven Armstrong rule', Neal-Bullen isn't going to make or break our 2021 finals campaign.

Would happily and respectfully welcome a trade that suited him.

 

[Willmoy1947 4,104]

Does it open up Rory Laird a bit?

[adonski 12,256]

3 minutes ago, willmoy said:

Does it open up Rory Laird a bit?

Laird will be untouchable as he will be a full time midfielder next year - especially with Crouch probably departing the club.

 

[Demons11 7,032]

5 minutes ago, willmoy said:

Does it open up Rory Laird a bit?

Is Laird in contract?

[Little Richard 6,265]

Would be a little sad to see him go as he was one of my favourite players over 2017 and 2018 and was convinced he would become a key part of our forward line/midfield.

Unfortunately though we do need to capitalise where players have value and if we can get a player that fills a different kind of role for us, it would be a win.

[Roger Mellie 4,039]

A nibble for Nibbler eh?

[DeeSpencer 25,767]

Trading out limited players to create room for newer and perhaps better players is an idea I can get around.

The short quarters didn't help and he did have a patch of form later in the year that looked more like an AFL player, but overall I think he peaked in 2018 and as the game is getting quicker and smarter he'll struggle to have the same impact.

If it came down to it I'd rather have another look at Jayden Hunt, Hannan or Bedford/Chandler and see what they can do. I don't think the results of our year change all that much if we take ANB's games and give them to those guys. If you save a pick and some cap space to spend on the long term solutions that's even better.