Jump to content

Featured Replies

36 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Personally I’d try Bannan and see if she can develop as a player down back, and if that doesn’t work I’d go with Tay Harris.

Not sure Bannan has the aggression for a key back role, I’m hoping she becomes a dominant winger next season. 
 

Harris could be a weapon in the back, particularly with her contested marking and long field kicks that would help with fast transition.

 
34 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Umm, we got  a first round pick for her, that's not too disappointing.  

You are right, I just would have preferred to not give back the 2nd rounder which is still a valuable pick. 
 

Any thoughts want we would get if Gay gets traded? IMO she is a must keep. Fantastic player and kicked goals when she went forward this season. 

Lauren Pearce is a ruck. Like big Maxy Gawn, do not experiment by taking your best ruck and try to make them a forward. 
 

Banno is a forward.  She is not great defensively and needs her pace to burn opponents.  She’s a ripper and will bounce back. 
 

Libby to a premiership threat and contender. Ouch.  😭😭 best is behind her?? That’s rubbish. She’s 26. Just. Just turned 26. She’s a loss.  Gay and West and Wilson and Sheriff and Birch. That’s a cull. 4 of best 18 out imv.
 

Plenty of opportunities now for some fringe players and youngsters to come through.  Refresh. Reset.  Go again in ‘24. 

 

I think in watching the highlights packs, I’m looking at Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner.  She’s got the athleticism and raw ability to be a Tayla Harris type, with a thumping kick and good marking. At 6ft and good pace, lots to develop. Double barrel hyphens also a fun feature !!!

2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

 

Libby to a premiership threat and contender. Ouch.  😭😭 best is behind her?? That’s rubbish. She’s 26. Just. Just turned 26. She’s a loss.  Gay and West and Wilson and Sheriff and Birch. That’s a cull. 4 of best 18 out imv.
 

Plenty of opportunities now for some fringe players and youngsters to come through.  Refresh. Reset.  Go again in ‘24. 

Maybe better put it this way...

The best might have passed her.

This will happen as the talent coming in is better developed and t best she has stagnated.

Edited by rjay


3 hours ago, sydneydee said:

You are right, I just would have preferred to not give back the 2nd rounder which is still a valuable pick. 
 

Any thoughts want we would get if Gay gets traded? IMO she is a must keep. Fantastic player and kicked goals when she went forward this season. 

Gay wouldn't go for less than a first round pick, she's also a premiership player.  She's requested a trade to Essendon, they have pick 13.  Rather handy if we can get it.

Edited by Katrina Dee Fan

1 hour ago, rjay said:

Maybe better put it this way...

The best might have passed her.

This will happen as the talent coming in is better developed and t best she has stagnated.

Who are you talking about there, Banno or Loz?  If you're talking about Loz, she just came third in the Best and Fairest.  If you're talking about Banno, she's 20.

44 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Who are you talking about there, Banno or Loz?  If you're talking about Loz, she just came third in the Best and Fairest.  If you're talking about Banno, she's 20.

Neither...talking about Birch.

You didn't read the drop down, a bit of a trap those.

Might have to go back and edit the others out.

 
42 minutes ago, rjay said:

Neither...talking about Birch.

You didn't read the drop down, a bit of a trap those.

Might have to go back and edit the others out.

I’m quite happy with the moving on of Libby Birch. Thought she was shown up by the big strong forwards especially against North in the finals. Just undersized. Ironically that’s where she’s heading …


36 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

I’m quite happy with the moving on of Libby Birch. Thought she was shown up by the big strong forwards especially against North in the finals. Just undersized. Ironically that’s where she’s heading …

The problem we had was Birch was forced to play FB in the absence of Colvin and Chaplin as the big bodies.  AND she had a calf injury in the first games, then had to play after that because the others weren't available.  Small wonder she was running up and down on the spot in the second half of the season. 

The danger is we have now lost a FB with Gay probably gone as well.  Who are the defenders we will have left?  While we have 2 days to go in trade period, we have lost or will lose a series of strong bodies in West, Sherriff and Gay and haven't replaced them.  We cannot expect a draftee to play midfield or key defender. 

Given that we're losing experienced players left, right and centre does anybody who follows the rest of the league closely see interesting names on the delisted free agent list?

  • McKenzie Dowrick (Adelaide, mid-sized forward/defender)
  • Amber Ward (Adelaide, key defender)
  • Chloe Wrigley (Carlton, midfielder)
  • Liv Barber (Collingwood, key forward)
  • Imogen Evans (Collingwood, midfielder)
  • Leah Cutting (Essendon, ruck)
  • Jo Doonan (Essendon, forward)
  • Emmelie Fiedler (Fremantle, ruck)
  • Sarah Wielstra (Fremantle, key forward)
  • Sam Gooden (Geelong, ruck)
  • Ingrid Houtsma (Geelong, utility)
  • Mia Skinner (Geelong, forward)
  • Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster (Gold Coast, defender)
  • Tess Cattle (GWS, defender)
  • Zara Hamilton (GWS, utility)
  • Grace Hill (GWS, key defender/ruck)
  • Tait Mackrill (GWS, midfielder/forward)
  • Janet Baird (Hawthorn, mid-sized utility)
  • Zoe Barbakos (Hawthorn, forward/midfielder)
  • Sarah Perkins (Hawthorn, key forward)
  • Jordi Ivey (Melbourne, mid-sized forward/defender)
  • Sammie Johnson (Melbourne, midfielder)
  • Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap (Port Adelaide, forward)
  • Jade De Melo (Port Adelaide, forward)
  • Jade Halfpenny (Port Adelaide, forward)
  • Maggie MacLachlan (Port Adelaide, defender)
  • Jacqui Yorston (Port Adelaide, midfielder)
  • Jess Hosking (Richmond, mid-sized utility)
  • Steph Williams (Richmond, forward)
  • Rosie Dillon (St Kilda, midfielder)
  • Erin McKinnon (St Kilda, ruck)
  • Deanna Joliffe (St Kilda, utility)
  • Renee Saulitis (St Kilda, small forward)
  • Jayde van Dyk (St Kilda, defender)
  • Jaide Anthony (Sydney, mid-sized forward/defender)
  • Kiara Beesley (Sydney, defender)
  • Sarah Ford (Sydney, forward)
  • Kate Reynolds (Sydney, ruck)
  • Bailey Hunt (Western Bulldogs, defender)
  • Daisy Bateman (Western Bulldogs, small forward)
2 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

The problem we had was Birch was forced to play FB in the absence of Colvin and Chaplin as the big bodies.  AND she had a calf injury in the first games, then had to play after that because the others weren't available.  Small wonder she was running up and down on the spot in the second half of the season. 

The danger is we have now lost a FB with Gay probably gone as well.  Who are the defenders we will have left?  While we have 2 days to go in trade period, we have lost or will lose a series of strong bodies in West, Sherriff and Gay and haven't replaced them.  We cannot expect a draftee to play midfield or key defender. 

Agree with all that but (personally) never had great confidence in her this season. Will be a very interesting draft …I am sure they are cognitive of the same issues you have mentioned..

A few interesting comments from Todd Patterson in his farewell thank you to Birch....

“Libby has been one of the most highly regarded defenders in the competition...." - not is, but has been.

"This deal gives her a tremendous opportunity to extend her career, which we respect...." - not continue her career, but extend, which suggests she had no future at Melbourne.

Maybe I'm reading too much into those words, but no such interpretation could be taken in the farewells to West or Sherriff.

  • Author
14 minutes ago, Craig T said:

A few interesting comments from Todd Patterson in his farewell thank you to Birch....

“Libby has been one of the most highly regarded defenders in the competition...." - not is, but has been.

"This deal gives her a tremendous opportunity to extend her career, which we respect...." - not continue her career, but extend, which suggests she had no future at Melbourne.

Maybe I'm reading too much into those words, but no such interpretation could be taken in the farewells to West or Sherriff.

It's like interpreting a school report 😆


  • Author
53 minutes ago, Supermercado said:

Given that we're losing experienced players left, right and centre does anybody who follows the rest of the league closely see interesting names on the delisted free agent list?

A lot of battlers and journeywomen there, but some possibilities if we're at panic stations, particularly for depth and players with experience. Of the older crew, Hosking, Dillon and Hunt are ones where you know exactly what you're getting (and their deficiencies) and could plug a gap.

15 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

The problem we had was Birch was forced to play FB in the absence of Colvin and Chaplin as the big bodies.  AND she had a calf injury in the first games, then had to play after that because the others weren't available.  Small wonder she was running up and down on the spot in the second half of the season. 

The danger is we have now lost a FB with Gay probably gone as well.  Who are the defenders we will have left?  While we have 2 days to go in trade period, we have lost or will lose a series of strong bodies in West, Sherriff and Gay and haven't replaced them.  We cannot expect a draftee to play midfield or key defender. 

The problem with Birch this season is she was forced to play FB because we couldn't play her anywhere else. She has always had limited pace and lateral movement. She was played as the backstop a lot so not to let her opponent get goal side of her as she struggles once her opponent is goal side. Refer north final. As the players have got bigger and stronger the last couple of years she has also repeatable got pushed off the ball with ease and out-marked one on one. I look forward to Mick playing Banno or Tay one out in the goal square next season.

Gay will be missed but the others are not best 12-15. All teams have had movement last couple season and we have kept everyone we wanted too. It was just a matter of time before some girls took better offers elsewhere once the carrot of a flag was achieved.

Story in the Herald Sun this morning suggesting that Melbourne and Essendon are a long way apart on determining a value for Maddie Gay.

My best guess is that we will swap first round picks (their 13 for our 19) with possibly a later pick coming to us as a sweetener.


3 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

Such a surprise to hear Essendon been difficult to deal with.....

 

No news so far on Charlotte Wilson and Gold Coast.  Maybe WE are being unreasonable and insisting on Charlie Rowbottom in exchange. 😆

Seriously, I wonder if we are trying to talk her into staying.  We need big defenders and could do a hell of a lot worse than her.

3 hours ago, demonglory said:

Such a surprise to hear Essendon been difficult to deal with.....

 

From the AFLW website;

"The Demons have been adamant throughout that pick No.13 must be included in any trade talks, but it's understood the Bombers had initially put forward their pick No.53 in an attempt to secure the deal."

#53 for Maddie Gay.  Yep, nothing's changed at Bomberland! 🤣

 
  • Author

Seems like a deal is getting closer, with one day remaining:

"After days of intense negotiating, it's understood pick No.13 is now on the table and is likely to be the centrepiece of the deal but the two clubs are still haggling over a swap of later picks [which depends on some other trades]."

No update on Wilson to Gold Coast, or Lily Johnson from Port.

https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1071859/where-trade-periods-biggest-deals-sit-ahead-of-deadline-day


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Featured Content

  • FEATURE: 1925

    A hundred years ago today, on 2 May 1925, Melbourne kicked off the new season with a 47 point victory over St Kilda to take top place on the VFL ladder after the opening round of the new season.  Top place was a relatively unknown position for the team then known as the “Fuchsias.” They had finished last in 1923 and rose by only one place in the following year although the final home and away round heralded a promise of things to come when they surprised the eventual premiers Essendon. That victory set the stage for more improvement and it came rapidly. In this series, I will tell the story of how the 1925 season unfolded for the Melbourne Football Club and how it made the VFL finals for the first time in a decade on the way to the ultimate triumph a year later.

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREVIEW: West Coast

    Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 1 reply
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 08

    Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

    • 148 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: West Coast

    The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • Thanks
    • 563 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Richmond

    The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: Richmond

    The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace.They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded.

      • Clap
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland