On 7/1/2022 at 1:37 PM, Little Goffy said:

The way I see it, our problem is that a key forward capable of giving reliable contests, taking marks or bringing it to ground usefully, is a very expensive player.

But... what if you had a forward who was only ever getting to the edge of selection as a key target, but it turns out they might go alright as a ruck support who then gives leads all over the ground, rather than under the close checking inside 50?

And what if you had two absolutely premium quality players currently in your ruck but who both can compete very well up forward, filling the need structurally and also delivering great football?

There's a wonderful expression, 'If there are four cats to chase, it is the grenadiers who are demanded.' The point of course being that not all tasks should require the most elite forces at all times, and overuse wears them out to the point of ineffectiveness.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who will be watching Sam Weideman very, very closely during this period where he will be taking on a fair load of ruck work. If he can deliver as a solid role player who frees up the Gawn/Jackson 'grenadiers' to be available more often at the crucial points, then our forward line is about to become much more dangerous.

It also has very good implications for managing salary cap!

I wish I had have been able to say this as well as what you have succeeded in doing, bravo, and totally agree, and nay all the sayers..

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

Would be worth getting him just to watch Crows fans heads explode

Have some great mates that are full on crows - it hurts them so much that Bernie Vince not only played for us but was good at it!!!

A little more salt to add would be just lovely 😍 

Nah from me

He feasted on Richmond for 5 when Grimes and Vlaustin both had dodgy hamstrings R5, the only other top 8 team he has kicked 2 goals against is Carlton (hardly a defensive benchmark team). Lions 1, Saints 1, GC 1, WB not top 8 and whose defense is shizen 3. A flat track bully (no surprise) who is not getting near it against other top 8 teams. 

And Wingnuts is a DH as TISM would say 'pure and simple'. Would make NARRM and everything we are doing in this space for indigenous footballers to get a fair crack suspect.

He can join Essendon with De Goey at the end of the season. 

As long as our indigenous players & Jake Lever have forgiven him I’d look into it

Are we really turning into geelongites. This whole Walker thingamejingles is a joke. Wouldn't [censored] in his ear if his brain was on fire.

10 minutes ago, dl4e said:

Are we really turning into geelongites. This whole Walker thingamejingles is a joke. Wouldn't [censored] in his ear if his brain was on fire.

I would but I would drink kerosine first

He would have to be an upgrade on the Easter Island moai that is the current incumbent.

Yes please 

He commented on Lever's insta post.

Big Texan to the Dees confirmed!

I’m curious as to how anybody who values club culture could also be onboard with recruiting Taylor Walker. I just can’t reconcile how the two aren’t mutually exclusive. 

Not really one way or the other. In FD we trust.

It does seem like a lot of people on here don't believe in second chances and that the guy has done his dash in life..

x

Edited July 4, 20223 yr by Engorged Onion

3 hours ago, DEE fence said:

Nah from me

He feasted on Richmond for 5 when Grimes and Vlaustin both had dodgy hamstrings R5, the only other top 8 team he has kicked 2 goals against is Carlton (hardly a defensive benchmark team). Lions 1, Saints 1, GC 1, WB not top 8 and whose defense is shizen 3. A flat track bully (no surprise) who is not getting near it against other top 8 teams. 

And Wingnuts is a DH as TISM would say 'pure and simple'. Would make NARRM and everything we are doing in this space for indigenous footballers to get a fair crack suspect.

He can join Essendon with De Goey at the end of the season. 

Could also use that description to describe the Lions.

Forget the off field stuff, he’s 32 and dines out on bad sides.

I think we can still have a bit of faith in Brown and McDonald having a couple of years left and JVR hopefully can contribute quickly.

Id look for someone in the 24-27 year old age range to provide depth rather than Tex. We need role playing tall forwards more than start power

This is a tricky one.

We are definitely in need of the exact style of forward that Tex offers.  A proven performer and loves the big stage.

If i recall correctly he's also one of the best in the AFL with the most important kick in footy.

But then there's the big fat ego that he carries around.  Is there anything humble about this guy, even after the last incident i wonder?  Has he learned anything?  Is he a team player or does the whole world, along with team mates & the FD (in his mind) need to revolve around Tex?

Certainly brings a big game and worthy of genuine consideration but...this feels like a pretty risky option and not one to be taken lightly.

The other question.... who else is out there & going to be available in 2023 (playing a similar game/role) that would be as good or better than Tex?

Edited July 4, 20223 yr by Demon Dynasty

Of course you pick him up, you would get him pretty much for free and he is an upgrade on weid and m brown ... anyone know any others mature key forwards that would come almost free and be in our starting 22? McStay is looking at $600k for god sake

Tell me if I’ve got this wrong, but I’m imagining (hoping) that if the club were serious about enlisting him, there would have to be consultation with our indigenous boys (and probably Jake Lever) before proceeding. 
 

Can anybody else see this as putting those players in an incredibly unfair position? If any of them weren’t ok with it, would they speak up? Or would they see speaking up as getting in the way of the club’s supposed progress?

Wouldn’t it be better to just avoid this scenario entirely? It’s not like Taylor Walker is the answer to our prayers  

 

40 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

This is a tricky one.

We are definitely in need of the exact style of forward that Tex offers.  A proven performer and loves the big stage.

If i recall correctly he's also one of the best in the AFL with the most important kick in footy.

But then there's the big fat ego that he carries around.  Is there anything humble about this guy, even after the last incident i wonder?  Has he learned anything?  Is he a team player or does the whole world, along with team mates & the FD (in his mind) need to revolve around Tex?

Certainly brings a big game and worthy of genuine consideration but...this feels like a pretty risky option and not one to be taken lightly.

The other question.... who else is out there & going to be available in 2023 (playing a similar game/role) that would be as good or better than Tex?

One thing is for sure, he does have a big fat ego.

Not too many big fat egos win premierships. Hopefully no-one tries to sound like a hero by naming one.

Edited July 4, 20223 yr by layzie

I'm all for second chances but only if they're deserved. I've no idea what Walker is like behind the headlines but this is what the MFC need to ascertain. Only recruiting players who buy in to the club culture and - particularly in this case - are supported by the playing group would be a non-negotiable IMO. 

The more this debate continues the more I’m inclined to jump on the Tex bandwagon. Tex at CHF and BBB at home with TMac and Fritta roaming the wings. Gives us structure and elite marking higher up the ground.

Give him a 1 year contract with a low baseline and higher match / performance based incentives. 

What’s the attraction about drafting players at the wrong end of their careers?

1 hour ago, layzie said:

One thing is for sure, he does have a big fat ego.

Not too many big fat egos win premierships. Hopefully no-one tries to sound like a hero by naming one.

Carey, Akermanis, Brereton. I could go on.

Edited July 4, 20223 yr by ManDee
That's not one.

7 hours ago, ManDee said:

Carey, Akermanis, Brereton. I could go on.

The idea was to not though, knew I could count on you!

9 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

This is a tricky one.

We are definitely in need of the exact style of forward that Tex offers.  A proven performer and loves the big stage.

If i recall correctly he's also one of the best in the AFL with the most important kick in footy.

But then there's the big fat ego that he carries around.  Is there anything humble about this guy, even after the last incident i wonder?  Has he learned anything?  Is he a team player or does the whole world, along with team mates & the FD (in his mind) need to revolve around Tex?

Certainly brings a big game and worthy of genuine consideration but...this feels like a pretty risky option and not one to be taken lightly.

The other question.... who else is out there & going to be available in 2023 (playing a similar game/role) that would be as good or better than Tex?

Culturally, whilst they're interesting questions that us as supporters have no real idea about, it would seems very strange for any of these things to be accurate ,considering he is now back in the side at Adelaide. 

In other words, how could one club get it so wrong, if he was so egotistical, wasn't humble, hadn't learned, and have some sense that the world revolves around Tex... I just feel that is a poor assessment.

I remember Lleyton Hewitt came across via the media, as all those things as an 18-24yo that you have mentioned... and then he grew.

As much as people riff on Adelaide about rednecks and poor culture (it seems all supporters assume most clubs have poor kul-cha, if they're not in the top 8) Matthew Nicks is a considered person, and there would have been many decision makers and many consultations to choose to welcome Taylor (who is a human) back into the fold.

If they have... then I can't see why we as a club, wouldn't take Taylor if he (and may others within the club) felt he could fit in.

Edited July 4, 20223 yr by Engorged Onion

8 hours ago, Freddy Fuschia said:

What’s the attraction about drafting players at the wrong end of their careers?

He would definately make us better....Reason enough!