At qtr time on Friday night, I was convinced we were tanking too

Shouldn’t this thread be called If Melbourne Tanked Again? 
 

At the end of the day, with a draft and salary cap in place it’s not as if you can just go out and buy up the best talent. If this leaves bottoming out in the short term as the best alternative then so be it. As long as a club doesn’t go crying to the AFL for priority draft picks after gutting their list then fine. 

Hawthorn's strategy is interesting. Mitchell wants to get a young team that grows up together so in about 3-4 years time, they are fully synchronised in the way they play. There is some sense to it and it's essentially what we have done with the drafting of players like Salem, Petracca, Brayshaw, Neal-Bullen, Harmes, etc all in the same few years. The two risks for Hawthorn on field are that they don't draft well or, if they do, they may struggle to keep all their talent together because of the salary cap. The off field risk is a major drop off in revenue from supporters and sponsors.

That we have been able to accommodate all our key talent (except, arguably, Jackson) shows what an excellent job is being done by the club from the CEO down.  

Just for everyones reference heres a live draft order: https://www.zerohanger.com/afl/afl-draft-order-2023

Melbourne, North Melbourne, GWS and Western Bulldogs are the only clubs holding 2x1st round picks.
Freo, Port, Richmond and Brisbane don't have those 4 1st rounders.

Hawthorn gave their 2nd and 3rd round picks to Sydney and they hold WB 2nd and 3rd round picks. 

Gold Coast have 9 picks

Edited March 28, 20233 yr by FritschyBusiness

The only thing better than a live ladder is a live draft order ladder..

On 3/27/2023 at 10:57 PM, McQueen said:

Fremantle are tanking this year too! Like our obvious 2019 tank which netted Jackson and Pickett, Freo are now doing the same with Luke and …….now……fml

Sorry Mac but I resent that accusation about 2019.  Yes it's hard to believe we finished 17th with 5 wins but tanking was not in the equation.

It has been repeated ad nauseum about our injuries and surgeries after 2018 and many shortened and underdone pre season players that played plus further injuries that season. 

I realise that your post sounds much more exciting but really it's not correct and I am spoiling it with the truth.

Msybe that's  what the Eagles and Dockers are saying in your state but it's about as seriously correct as the constant booing of umpires and opponents by Eagles fans. 

Just now, 58er said:

Sorry Mac but I resent that accusation about 2019.  Yes it's hard to believe we finished 17th with 5 wins but tanking was not in the equation.

It has been repeated ad nauseum about our injuries and surgeries after 2018 and many shortened and underdone pre season players that played plus further injuries that season. 

I realise that your post sounds much more exciting but really it's not correct and I am spoiling it with the truth.

Msybe that's  what the Eagles and Dockers are saying in your state but it's about as seriously correct as the constant booing of umpires and opponents by Eagles fans. 

PS we upgraded our draft selections to get Pickett not tanked.  

My tongue was firmly planted in my cheek. 
Sorry you didn’t get it mate I was taking the pizz.