Cerra wanted to come last year, we didn't have the cap space/picks to get the deal done.  I think we are doing ok.

If an All Oz ruckman joins next year along with Hibb, Langdon, Lever, Melk, May, BB, etc. We're doing OK.

Rather these guys than what most others have recruited.

Geelong with Danger, Smith and Cameron might be the only exception.

Remember when we used to think picking up Joel Macdonald from Brisbane and David Rodan was a a coup?

Edited September 15, 20223 yr by dee-tox

Where players decide to go once they become free agents is probably the best indicator. No trading involved just the players choice. I could be wrong but my sense is they go to clubs that are contending for flags. West Coast are a big powerful club but I doubt too many free agents will want to go there for the time being

So maybe destination club = club contending for flag. 

Saw Griffin Logie wants to go to nth. Why would you want to go there? Yes Clarkson is there but cannot see him doing a McCrae next season 

We signed arguably the two best players in the competition for 7 years. 
We are a destination club for champions. 

28 minutes ago, dees189227 said:

Saw Griffin Logie wants to go to nth. Why would you want to go there? Yes Clarkson is there but cannot see him doing a McCrae next season 

Money. Opportunities to be embedded in the starting 22. Money. 
 

You need to remember that clubs like ours with a fairly strong and settled and young list is not going to be a good destination for young players on the fringe. Unless it’s a specific role we are lacking or unless you are an established player like Grundy, or someone happy to fill a role to remain on a list (see Dunstan), the proposition of competing for a role in a strong club with an equally strong VFL side won’t appeal to most young players. 
 

We are in a phase of existence where we can target very specific players for very specific roles and promise them success. We don’t need to throw the kitchen sink at every player out there. It’s a waste of time. I rather we target who we really need, like we have in the last few years (May, Lever, Langdon etc).

One big key signing is much better than 3 random fringe players. 

10 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

So like Schrödinger, we are both a departure and destination club co-existing at the same time. Just like all clubs.

I was going to ask who Sco Dinger played for but then realised he hasnt.....yet

Some of those yet to debut from Casey fit this classification.

Reminds me of the German High Seas Fleet

Sorry...

I tried to borrow a book about Schrodinger but the librarian wasn't sure if it was there.

1 hour ago, dees189227 said:

Saw Griffin Logie wants to go to nth. Why would you want to go there? Yes Clarkson is there but cannot see him doing a McCrae next season 

Was keen on him, thought we could have alternated him and Petty forward possibly. 

37 minutes ago, Jontee said:

Sorry...

What are you sorry for @Jontee...you're hilarious!

2 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

What are you sorry for @Jontee...you're hilarious!

You are extremely very generous....I have been called many things over the years bat rarely that...

Have I mentionned before that the local milk bar refused to make me a milkshake (not melksham) because i would take all their milk?

1 hour ago, dees189227 said:

Saw Griffin Logie wants to go to nth. Why would you want to go there? Yes Clarkson is there but cannot see him doing a McCrae next season 

$700k for 4 years will do it! 

Especially when his own club apparently turned down his contract request of less than half those $/yrs.

Footy players prefer Fords over Jaguars?

3 hours ago, Demonstone said:

I tried to borrow a book about Schrodinger but the librarian wasn't sure if it was there.

You need to look to know….or to firm up the quantum probabilities…..

Hibbo and Melksham arrived because they were pisssed off with the bombers and had a good rapport with Goody.   
Lever switched with a big offer from the Dees and he “returned home”.
May decided to move after seeing the Suns go nowhere and wanted success (he made the right decision)

Langdon switched with an excellent offer from the Dees and he “returned home”.

Tomlinson returned home and got a good offer from the Dees. Wanted more game time. 

BBB was out of favour at North and Larkey was preferred. Injury prone.  Took up a great opportunity.  
Dunstan got delisted by the Saints. Dees grabbed him as insurance for the midfield.  Thankfully our key Mids played nearly every game. 
 

Players simply take up opportunities to switch clubs to “go home/be with family” or “get better higher $$$ on longer contracts” or “take up opportunities to get more games or game time” or “to get success/a premiership”.  Or sometimes albeit rarely, it’s a personality clash with the coach. 

Cerra was keen on the Dees but we didn’t have the salary cap room or the picks. That was unfortunate as he is exactly the type of player that’d fit beautifully into our mid rotation.  He saw us as successful and wanted to be part of it and to “come home”.  He didn’t set the world on fire at the blues but he’s a very good player. 
 

This year we may not have the salary cap room or the picks to offer to land another good player. I’m still amazed we are part of the Grundy conversation.  But we have a very strong player list, most in their prime and quality youngsters (AMW, JVR, Turner, Howes) still coming through. We should get good trade picks for LJ. I’m ok with others shuffling deck chairs and you never know who might be available in the coming weeks (Gunston?) 

The Dees were bad for so long , half decent players want success . Winning one flag doesn't change peoples perception of the club.We need to become a dynasty by winning flag after flag . Goody's inability to change or game style and players position i.e Petty forward after r11 and r12 losses to Freo and Swans.  The club had plenty of time to find/manufacture another T.Mac via Casey.Jackson could have been tried as a wingwan, other clubs have worked us out. Rewarding Casey players was few and far between. 

So much MFCSS in this and every thread, derailing legitimate discussion.

Definitely a destination club already, we picked up Peter Vardy for a steal! 

4 hours ago, Kiss of Death said:

Definitely a destination club already, we picked up Peter Vardy for a steal! 

haha how good was he in 2002!

Destination: Not Collingwood 

Quick query though. Of all the “free agent” signings, how many FREE players have the Dees acquired from this rule? I can’t remember any.

It was supposed to help bottom clubs but actually think it ended up as a rule to keep top clubs strong. 

On 9/15/2022 at 8:20 PM, pewpewpew said:

You would think after winning a flag players would be lining up to join the Demons. I have not heard one player be linked to us with the exception of Grundy and he is only linked to us because Collingwood are desperate to unload some dollars on a player who is injury prone and not in their best 22 anymore and we are in desperate need of a backup ruckmen with LJ leaving us high and dry.

LJ leaves after 3 years. Kozzy has one foot out the door and might be gone at the end of next year.

Are players not attracted to the Dees because we don't have the dollars to spend?

What is it about our club that doesn't attract players if there aren't big bucks on the table?

 

ANSWER.... coz good players like Dunstan cant get a game whilst we keep playing favourites like Melksham, Spargo etc etc, so think... why bother!

The marshmallow man strikes again.

Sydney assistant coach Don Pyke won’t pursue the Essendon coaching job.

3 minutes ago, Redleg said:

The marshmallow man strikes again.

Sydney assistant coach Don Pyke won’t pursue the Essendon coaching job.

Pity. That’s a club who could do with a camp to really pull the team together.

On 9/15/2022 at 8:20 PM, pewpewpew said:

You would think after winning a flag players would be lining up to join the Demons. I have not heard one player be linked to us with the exception of Grundy and he is only linked to us because Collingwood are desperate to unload some dollars on a player who is injury prone and not in their best 22 anymore and we are in desperate need of a backup ruckmen with LJ leaving us high and dry.

LJ leaves after 3 years. Kozzy has one foot out the door and might be gone at the end of next year.

Are players not attracted to the Dees because we don't have the dollars to spend?

What is it about our club that doesn't attract players if there aren't big bucks on the table?

 

Think the trade period hasn't started yet. Are you always this premature?