MELBOURNE

Who left: James Jordon (free agent, Sydney), James Harmes (trade, Western Bulldogs), Brodie Grundy (trade, Sydney)

Who arrived: Tom Fullarton (trade, Brisbane Lions), Shane McAdam (trade, Adelaide), Jack Billings (trade, St Kilda)

Draft picks owned: 6, 11, 42

Jon Ralph: “The Dees’ Grundy experiment goes kaput. So it’s Grundy to Tom Fullarton, who didn’t play a lot of ruck last year for Brisbane. Harmes and James Jordon go, which strips depth. Harry Pretty, it’s probably 12 months and then he moves on, even though he couldn’t get a deal done to Adelaide. But Billings lands – Lachie Hunter 2.0, unwanted at his previous club, high talent. So they’d feel like they maybe rescued this trade period, but it does mean Max Gawn is going to have to play a heck of a lot of ruck time in those first 24 weeks until finals.”

Leigh Montagna says: “I like what they’ve done. I think McAdam can seriously play and add a point of difference. Jack Billings is an interesting one, but I do think he’s got some good footy – he had some really high rating years from 2017 to 2019 – and has got that point of difference and composure and nice kick that can help them in the front third, which has been a big issue for them. I wasn’t necessarily a buyer they needed a key forward who’s going to be the difference. They’re not far away. They’ve just got to tidy up a few issues. I think they’re in a pretty good space.”

Foxfooty.com.au trade grade: C+

Ralphy is a dingbat.

Why did Essendon get an A. Ben McKay? Ok then

Grundy will make a big difference for the swans. They’ve improved. No question. 

For me it’s you do the best with the cards dealt 

The net result is improved fwd firepower in Fullarton McAdam, ruck insurance/ relief and some outside improvement in delivery in Billings 

Grundy is better than Fullarton as ruck relief but weaker as a fwd

C+ is about right 

Its like been graded at the halfway mark of a marathon, given part of the period is about draft picks...

Would our "ranking" go up or down if our picks convert to Reid in a months time? 

Footy media has become such lightweight high churn drool its hardly worth the effort to contemplate it.

Jon Ralph saying oh he probably has 12 more months. Well Jon he has a 2 year contract mate so can't see why next year will be any different.... Seriously there are so many gutter journos these days

Assessing the trade period is folly at this stage. 2 years ago the Pies had a fire sale for Treloar, Stephenson and Phillips, and would have been given a F-. They subsequently went on to play in a prelim, then win a flag. Things like cap space are not factored into the ratings.

One can only assess the players we've gained and lost, because the draft picks can still be traded, and can be a lottery anyway.

McAdam - Really rate him, and provides X factor in our forward line that we badly need.

Fullarton - I like this because it addresses a need for a Forward/Ruck. In hindsight, Brandon Ryan would have been a better option. Just wish we went down this path last year and pursued McLean instead of Grundy.

Billings - Has talent, not but sold on him after 2 poor years. As a high half forward, which is how Tim Lamb described his role, he's an upgrade on Spargo, who's depth anyway. With Woey and Howes, just not sure that Billings addresses a need.

Fair to say that losing Grundy, Harmes and JJ won't really impact our best 22 greatly, but does free up cap space. Sad to see Harmes and JJ go, but that's footy.

My biggest concern is whether we have a list spot for a mature aged ruckman like Lycett, Hayes or a state league player. That's another reason why I question the Billings trade.

35 minutes ago, BDA said:

Ralphy is a dingbat.

Why did Essendon get an A. Ben McKay? Ok then

Grundy will make a big difference for the swans. They’ve improved. No question. 

Because they brought in a spud, a fossil and then swapped some deck chairs on the Titanic.

Essendrug get Rated an A?? What a pathetic piece of reporting. 
We did the best we could do

6,11, McAdam can kick goals, Fullarton is a Back up to Max  Billings is a wild card 

6,11

 

16 minutes ago, mo64 said:

Assessing the trade period is folly at this stage. 2 years ago the Pies had a fire sale for Treloar, Stephenson and Phillips, and would have been given a F-. They subsequently went on to play in a prelim, then win a flag. Things like cap space are not factored into the ratings.

One can only assess the players we've gained and lost, because the draft picks can still be traded, and can be a lottery anyway.

McAdam - Really rate him, and provides X factor in our forward line that we badly need.

Fullarton - I like this because it addresses a need for a Forward/Ruck. In hindsight, Brandon Ryan would have been a better option. Just wish we went down this path last year and pursued McLean instead of Grundy.

Billings - Has talent, not but sold on him after 2 poor years. As a high half forward, which is how Tim Lamb described his role, he's an upgrade on Spargo, who's depth anyway. With Woey and Howes, just not sure that Billings addresses a need.

Fair to say that losing Grundy, Harmes and JJ won't really impact our best 22 greatly, but does free up cap space. Sad to see Harmes and JJ go, but that's footy.

My biggest concern is whether we have a list spot for a mature aged ruckman like Lycett, Hayes or a state league player. That's another reason why I question the Billings trade.

The question I'm wondering is can we pick up a Lycett or Hayes as a rookie delisted FA?

That may be a good option as the genuine back up to Gawn.

Every club has the same issue though if they lose their number one ruck, as there aren't that many decent ones around.

These posts are always interesting looking back,

Last year FoxSports had the following for example

Melbourne  (A-) 
IN: Grundy, Schache and Hunter 
OUT:  Hunt Jackson Bedford Weideman

Geelong (A+)
IN:  Bowes, Tahun and Ollie Henry.
OUT: Cooper Stephens

Collingwood (B)
IN: Mitchell, McStay, Hill, Frampton
OUT: Grundy, Ollie Henry

I’d say we freed up some money in the salary cap which is a huge bonus for us - especially now that we have a preview of what clubs will be throwing at Harry Petty.

 

48 minutes ago, BDA said:

Ralphy is a dingbat.

Why did Essendon get an A. Ben McKay? Ok then

Grundy will make a big difference for the swans. They’ve improved. No question. 

The reviews are necessarily shallow because of the format required by the media. That is, all they want is a snapshot. Nevertheless, any proper analysis should also look at the draft picks each club still has as well as the impact on salary cap space. Surely the nett effect of Grundy, Harmes and Jordon leaving compared with the salaries to be paid to Fullarton, McAdam and Billings takes some pressure off our salary cap which should help us if we want to make a major acquisition this time next year.  

Could we have done any more with the “capital” we had? I don’t think so. So it’s been a very good draft for us. As such, comparing us with other clubs is such BS. I’m sure no one at the club is today comparing our performance with others - or even cares. Such click bait BS. 

I've taken the time to rate Ralph.

D- 

21 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

I've taken the time to rate Ralph.

D- 

You're generous

This will permanently quell the thirst of those wanting more trade evaluation.  

I'd appreciate a 25 word or less summary from anyone who finishes it without a migraine. 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-19/winners-and-losers-of-afl-trade-period/102995140

 

Essendon winning those trade week premierships again

 

Also how did Freo get anything other than an F?

Lost two really good players for peanuts.

Edited October 18, 20231 yr by Jaded No More

21 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

You're generous

I've had a few coffees and was feeling nice. 

Ask me again later today, though... 

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

Essendon winning those trade week premierships again

 

Also how did Freo get anything other than an F?

Lost two really good players for peanuts.

Source of the following is Neds on the platform formerly known as Twitter:

2 hours ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

I've taken the time to rate Ralph.

D- 

Um no. F.

3 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Um no. F.

That’s being generous DD 😆

Mongrel punt rated us a B+ at least.

1 hour ago, DeeZone said:

Mongrel punt rated us a B+ at least.

The Age today, too.

On 19/10/2023 at 12:20, Demonland said:

I like how the colours accord Carlton the irrelevance it is due...