Simple for mine: spine replacement.

That’s not a shot at a lack of courage. More a realization that 3 out of 4 of our key position players are about to tick over or are 30.

I’d give BBB another 2 to 3 years as I would Mayzie. Tomald seemed to be slipping come the end of the year (though he was counted out last year and proved us wrong). We need young fellas waiting in the wings now as they take longer to mature into their positions.

Sadly, I’m working on the assumption that Weed doesn’t make it. He signed for two years, but he’s moving into his 7th year next year and we still have no idea if he can even play at AFL level. 

17 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

Tomald seemed to be slipping come the end of the year (though he was counted out last year and proved us wrong).

I agree with what you posted here but would just say, I think Tom's drop off could be due to the amount of extra work he did to prepare for the season. He'll be able to have a normal break and will have a good base to work from next season.

Edited October 3, 20213 yr by Cheesy D. Pun

Given the likelihood of a top 15 type on our list coming in seems very unlikely I’d say the 3 priorities are:

1. Cap space - don’t jeopardise our ability to retain our most important players 

2. Draft position/capital. Obviously there’s room to go in various directions

3. Depth upgrades 

So far we seem comfortable with Tomlinson, Weed, Daw and Brown as the back up talls. Hunt, Joel Smith down back. JJ through the midfield. Laurie is a talent. Melk at this stage as well as Chandler and Bedford forward. 

I’m a little surprised we’re happy with keeping lots of our own guys and havent left more list spots open to survey the market. 

Priorities 

1. keep the current playing list happy 

2. retain salary cap space (for key players seeking increases in new or updated contracts)

3. Add young talent - only 3 spots likely to be available 

We shall definitely get at least 2 established players in this trade period. We would not be messing with team balance to do that!

On 10/3/2021 at 9:13 AM, MadAsHell said:

Incorrect. We actually only have 3 list spots to fill at the moment. Don't forget Declase and Turner came onto the list as extras to replace long term injuries and Bradtke was a Category B rookie which is also an extra. So with his departure and 5 others, it only leaves us with 3 spots for now. For what it's worth though I expect at least 1 or 2 more spots to open up.

IMO, now that we missed out on Cerra we'll just look to improve our draft hand and go from there. I expect us to recruit Moniz-Wakefield and Woewodin and maybe another midfielder or forward/ruck depending on how many spots open up between now and the draft.

Whatever money we had for Cerra we can keep up our sleeves either for next off season or the Oliver and Jackson contracts. Only other recruiting for me would be someone like Reece Conca as a part time assistant who can play at Casey to help the young midfield there in the absence of Jones, Vandenberg and Jetta.

Good point! I had overlooked the mid season pick ups. I haven't heard that either of those guys had been re-signed as yet. Is there any word?

If Declase can make it at AFL level he would apparently give us a lot of versatility in the positions he can play.

Further improve our depth over the trade and drafting period.

We'll never have a charmed injury run like 2021 as evidenced by the fact that Tomlinson and Hunt were our only best 22 players to miss substantial games. Whilst they were seamlessly replaced, we need to plan around the fact that we'll be having more best 22 players miss weeks next year.

Cerra would've been a great get to fatten up our midfield stocks.

Hopefully Laurie will be a great addition in the second half of next year like Bowey was this year.

I hope Melksham stays. We've had a bit of depth leave already - Jones, Jetta, VDB etc...

Edited October 4, 20213 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

22 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Given the likelihood of a top 15 type on our list coming in seems very unlikely I’d say the 3 priorities are:

1. Cap space - don’t jeopardise our ability to retain our most important players 

2. Draft position/capital. Obviously there’s room to go in various directions

3. Depth upgrades 

So far we seem comfortable with Tomlinson, Weed, Daw and Brown as the back up talls. Hunt, Joel Smith down back. JJ through the midfield. Laurie is a talent. Melk at this stage as well as Chandler and Bedford forward. 

I’m a little surprised we’re happy with keeping lots of our own guys and havent left more list spots open to survey the market. 

Given we've finished on top (and the players out of the side haven't been able to show their wares at VFL level much the past two years, isn't it reasonable to think that our depth players are as good as anybody else's?

1 minute ago, deelusions from afar said:

Given we've finished on top (and the players out of the side haven't been able to show their wares at VFL level much the past two years, isn't it reasonable to think that our depth players are as good as anybody else's?

Potentially but from what I’ve seen of Casey I’m not overly impressed. 

The talls make sense. Weid’s still good depth. Majak is fine. M Brown is silly but whatever. J Smith one more go. And apparently keeping Melk as medium options. Those guys are excellent VFL players who know the system. 

I like the idea of giving Declase, Turner and D Smith more time. They all impressed from what I saw at VFL level.

I’m a little iffy on keeping Hore even though I dislike cutting injured guys. And then wonder if all 3 of Baker, Chandler, Bedford stay on. Chandler improved a lot at VFL level, not sure the other 2 got any closer 

Without a lot of cash to spend or draft picks I’m hardly expecting a lot of changes but we might be a little too loyal. 

Depth!

Although allthough the open market seems to be a spud factory.

Need to find Langdon 2.0.

We were keen on Holmes but of course that didn't eventuate, reckon we'll try to look for a similar option this year.

Still reckon our biggest flaw (yes I know, we won the flag) is another hard running mid. 

I think at this stage they have achieved what the club wanted to do retain all the players they wished to keep for next year.

The recruiting team has stated they want a young ruckman project player.

We have options NGA and Father/Son prospects so unless someone they want falls into the area of our picks like Mac Andrew or someone else, they have achieved a good result with last years pair Laurie and Rosman who are like new recruits with 1 year training.

I am still holding out hope on Mac Andrew. The only way a beanpole like that is going top 20 is if other teams think that Jackson was not something unique but just a type that they can replicate. I don't think there is another Jackson in this draft (or perhaps any draft) and Mac Andrew will definitely  be an investment in the future. 

I'm also interested in what Rosman turns into. He is apparently an incredible athlete and at 194cm could be anything.

38 minutes ago, adonski said:

Need to find Langdon 2.0.

We were keen on Holmes but of course that didn't eventuate, reckon we'll try to look for a similar option this year.

Still reckon our biggest flaw (yes I know, we won the flag) is another hard running mid. 

Adonski. I agree.   I am hoping young Isaac Birt is our man. Youngster with South Adelaide.  I watched the (streamed) full strength WA and SA UNDER 19s game earlier this year and Birt was one of the standouts. High kicking efficiency and good pace and run. Strangely not in Twomey’s recently named top 30 so Dees are a chance.  Running skilled left footer wingman. I’m sure JT has him on the scouting list. 

46 minutes ago, adonski said:

Need to find Langdon 2.0.

We were keen on Holmes but of course that didn't eventuate, reckon we'll try to look for a similar option this year.

Still reckon our biggest flaw (yes I know, we won the flag) is another hard running mid. 

Naish from Richmond is a good outside running player. He’s worth a go. We have just about every other position covered. 

29 minutes ago, FlashInThePan said:

I'm also interested in what Rosman turns into. He is apparently an incredible athlete and at 194cm could be anything.

Same here. I went down to training several times this year and you notice this kid has something. He would lap players at training. Just and endurance beast like Langdon. We have Chocco, who is the best at developing young players so watch this space. 

1 hour ago, FlashInThePan said:

I am still holding out hope on Mac Andrew. The only way a beanpole like that is going top 20 is if other teams think that Jackson was not something unique but just a type that they can replicate. I don't think there is another Jackson in this draft (or perhaps any draft) and Mac Andrew will definitely  be an investment in the future. 

I'm also interested in what Rosman turns into. He is apparently an incredible athlete and at 194cm could be anything.

Nik Cox is different but somewhat similar. Rory Lobb and Rhys Stanley too. I don't know where Mac falls on the continuum but the Giants were absolutely desperate for Jacko. If Mac is even remotely similar I'd imagine they'd be super keen on him as reports indicate. 

2 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Further improve our depth over the trade and drafting period.

We'll never have a charmed injury run like 2021 as evidenced by the fact that Tomlinson and Hunt were our only best 22 players to miss substantial games. Whilst they were seamlessly replaced, we need to plan around the fact that we'll be having more best 22 players miss weeks next year.

Cerra would've been a great get to fatten up our midfield stocks.

Hopefully Laurie will be a great addition in the second half of next year like Bowey was this year.

I hope Melksham stays. We've had a bit of depth leave already - Jones, Jetta, VDB etc...

Viney missed 10 games; May played the last 2 games with a torn hammy, back up defender Smith was injured....perhaps a tall with potential (and not just hope) is what is needed.

2 hours ago, adonski said:

Need to find Langdon 2.0.

We were keen on Holmes but of course that didn't eventuate, reckon we'll try to look for a similar option this year.

Still reckon our biggest flaw (yes I know, we won the flag) is another hard running mid. 

I'd like a backup to Langdon that I feel more confident about than Baker and Rosman, but I sense Goody actually prefers a Brayshaw like 2nd winger. And JJ can develop as Gus' understudy and push him along. Harmes can also be used in that Brayshaw role. 

The biggest increase to our outside run came from ANB getting back in form as a half forward runner. Sparrow has the fitness to keep progressing in a similar way and Spargo and Kossie hopefully build fitness and strength from clearances to move up the field.

Overall it's probably run and class through half forward and in to the midfield where I'd want more than a pure winger type. Laurie's clearly one hope there but it's such a vital position.

Half forward in general might be a weakness both with the depths of midfield rotation types but also with Tommy Mc. I'd like a young mobile 188-195cm CHF to suddenly come on board if possible! Don't have to be a star, just prime Tom McDonald/Jack Darling hybrid ideally. Someone fit and agile enough that they can work around Brown, Fritsch and the resting ruck. Not asking for  much!

Small/medium lockdown defender (Maynard?)

Project ruck and key forward

Midfield depth (Dunstan?)

Our draft strategy will depend if Mac Andrew slides (unlikely) and if we think Woewodin or Moniz-Wakefield are worth taking.

We have not got any picks, so we would be better off holding current MFC players or picking up recycled players (on one year deals) than taking a bunch of late draft picks on two-year deals.

The only types that I see us picking up would be back up to KP forward and defenders. Tomlinson and Petty will have healthy competition with each other (throw in Smith as well) but one more level of depth would be good. 

TMac had a great start to the year but tapered after his back complaint. Hopefully he’ll get back to his early form but if not our current depth for that position would be Weiderman and maybe Majak Daw. Another level there would be good. 

Aside from that I think we’ll look to improve our draft position to look to the future. Who will be coming up behind the likes of JJ, Sparrow, LJ, Pickett, and Rivers? What will we need at that point?

How did the Wizard’s boy go over in WA after he stopped training with us?  Haven’t heard much so not holding my breath.

10 minutes ago, The Jackson 6 said:

How did the Wizard’s boy go over in WA after he stopped training with us?  Haven’t heard much so not holding my breath.

It was a good thing he didn’t stick around in Victoria as some (including me) suggested we try to get him into Casey. 

13 minutes ago, The Jackson 6 said:

How did the Wizard’s boy go over in WA after he stopped training with us?  Haven’t heard much so not holding my breath.

His stats for this year.

Nothing to write home at all.