After finishing top 4 last 3 yrs and winning a flag why hasn’t the club been able to trade or getting a free agent power forward, our hybrid solution of turning defenders into forwards is coming to roost!

Good question.

Catches win matches.

Sydney 96.

Us 62.

Edited March 11, 20241 yr by leave it to deever

45 minutes ago, Demonsone said:

After finishing top 4 last 3 yrs and winning a flag why hasn’t the club been able to trade or getting a free agent power forward, our hybrid solution of turning defenders into forwards is coming to roost!

Because there were none available come free agent trading period. 

48 minutes ago, Demonsone said:

After finishing top 4 last 3 yrs 

We finished sixth last year

3 minutes ago, george_on_the_outer said:

Because there were none available come free agent trading period. 

Dont be sensible George, this is Demonland.

Perhaps $$$

I think Cap space has had a bit to do with it but also a lack of power forwards coming through and those that did went top 10 and surprisingly all have stayed Loyal to their original clubs. We hopefully get some cap space this year and push hard for a tall that has sticky fingers. Zurhaar from North although only 189cm and 96kg would add some fire to our fwd line but I would be looking for a  198 - 202cm type player that would immediately impact our fwd line. Where for art thou power forward show yourself.!!!

54 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

those that did went top 10 and surprisingly all have stayed Loyal to their original clubs.

Ben King of the Suns was probably the one that got away from a lot of clubs.

JUH will have a tough decision this year but he's not exactly a power forward.

How North keeps its players I'll never understand

52 minutes ago, george_on_the_outer said:

Because there were none available come free agent trading period. 

Were there none approaching the last year of their contract before FA in the last 7 years that we could've had a massive crack at?

Ben Brown is the only one we've been able to poach, and blind Freddie knew his knee was rooted

Personally, I don't mind if they are FA, year before FA or simply enticed by a big wad of cash mid contract. We need to go big at the end of this year. 

Off the top of my head, those who have re-signed or left for other clubs in the last 7 years: King x 2, Tex Walker, Tom Lynch, McStay, Koschitzki, 2m Peter, Casboult. There's probably heaps more. Not saying all of them fit our needs, but it would be interesting to find out which (if any) we had a serious play for.

Anyone who is a decent kick and has a second to sum up options would kick to a player either on a lead or who has space n front. At Melbourne it looks like they kick to a pack and that makes it extremely difficult for forwards. If you are a decent enough kick it is natural to look for a target. 

As an example, one thing I like about Laurie (admittedly there are other issues) is that he finds time to look up in front of him before disposal. Jack Viney looks. Clarrie who has more time than any, doesnt look. Tracc occasionally. K9 Brown looks and thats why I think he will make it. Kicking to a position is only occasionally a good bet.

Next Summer we must poach

Contracts are now nothing more than a bargaining tool. 
We will have serious Cash to spend 

15 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Next Summer we must poach

Contracts are now nothing more than a bargaining tool. 
We will have serious Cash to spend 

Not sure that we are quite the destination club some consider ourselves to be.

As you mention, money talks, but when was the last time we poached an A grader or a serious young star? May and Lever feel like an eternity ago. Maybe Grundy (say no more)?

We were prepared to pay $600k for Grundy, when we already had the best ruck in the game, yet can't knock on the door of a power forward???

38 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Not sure that we are quite the destination club some consider ourselves to be.

As you mention, money talks, but when was the last time we poached an A grader or a serious young star? May and Lever feel like an eternity ago. Maybe Grundy (say no more)?

We were prepared to pay $600k for Grundy, when we already had the best ruck in the game, yet can't knock on the door of a power forward???

That’s exactly what i am saying 

Now is the time to get that A Grader, regardless of their contract status. 
we will have Gus’s wage to use. 
We have to make offers that cannot be refused 

it’s time to break the mould

We need to kick goals…

Edited March 11, 20241 yr by Sir Why You Little

I feel like there's about five threads that can be merged on this.

Also, we don't need an A-grader forward.

We need a competitor who fits the role. Ideally a tall target forward who can also ruck effectively. Unfortunately they are well in demand even at 'good competitor' level!

Hayden Mclean is not an A-grader but we would likely have won against Sydney if he had been playing for us.

Darcy Cameron is another from the weekend who did a job, did it well, but nobody would say he is an 'A-grader'.

Jack Lukosius might be a poor example given he could be on the cusp of being an A-grader and doesn't ruck much (much - his 3 hitouts on the weekend were the first of his career!), but given his ability on the one hand to take both contested and leading marks and on the other hand to use vision and good long kicks to pentetrate defences he would absolutely transform our forward line.

Anyway, of all the realistically available forwards at the moment Harrison Petty is probably as good as any. So let's wait a few weeks (touch clogs) and ask again.

Edited March 11, 20241 yr by Little Goffy