Laurie extends deal

Personally, not sure on this 🤷‍♂️

There's something there

Good on him, hope he proves his doubters wrong.

There’s definitely something there… Seems to be a confidence player and can get a little fun shy on the big stage.  This may hopefully give him the belief that clearly the football department have in him.

Yet to see it at senior level, but I trust the judgement of the people who signed off this, so go get ‘em Bill!!

 

 

Our recruiters haven’t put a foot wrong in a loooong time. I trust their judgement over DL pundits. 

Surprising to me. I just don't see it in him. 

Hope I am very wrong. 

Good luck Bill.

Glad for the kid, has the talent and the skills. Just needs to adapt to AFL pace. Will have to bust a gut to get back in the team across the half forward line. Hope he makes it.

He's clearly highly regarded by those within the club. Hope this show of faith from the club helps him take his football to the next level.

Why? I don't get it. Can't see other clubs coming after him so I don't see the need to give him 2 years.

I know players like security but there has to be something positive about putting fringe players on shorter contracts. Gives them a sense of urgency.

Seems like a strange one to do so early in the season. Hopefully we see more of him as I remember a couple of games late last year where he really showed promise. 

I can't see it, but the list management from us has been top notch for a while now so I'll go with it.
My old boss used to coach Bailey and he couldn't speak more highly of him. All the same I just don't think he's got enough weapons, and looks pretty nervy our there.

(Behind you all the way Bill!)

I have learnt to trust JT & TL they have rarely let us down and we could have more changes at years end than we have picks to cover.!!

13 minutes ago, seventyfour said:

Why? I don't get it. Can't see other clubs coming after him so I don't see the need to give him 2 years.

I know players like security but there has to be something positive about putting fringe players on shorter contracts. Gives them a sense of urgency.

I imagine he’d rather a 2 year contract on less coin than a 1 year extension on more.

1 hour ago, adonski said:

There's something there

Sadly, it’s well hidden.

I haven’t seen anything yet to show me that he will be part of our midfield group for the next few years. Yes he has some skills but fumbles too much and lacks real pace to clear away from opponents.  Even at Casey last week, he was serviceable but really didn’t standout. Obviously the club sees more unfulfilled talent in him. 

Surely it would have been smarter to wait until later in the season to make this deal. 

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

Our recruiters haven’t put a foot wrong in a loooong time. I trust their judgement over DL pundits. 

No one here is claiming to be better at picking players than JT or TL. But bloody oath we can have an opinion, otherwise this place would be unreadable vanilla.

I think Laurie will improve gradually. We are used to seeing players like Oliver, Bowey and Kossie look good from game 1 (or nearabouts). Not with Bill. There's certainly something about him to work with, two years should be enough to find out. 

3 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

Surely it would have been smarter to wait until later in the season to make this deal. 

Don't think he'd be on big coin, maybe better for his confidence that the club has put trust in him now rather than wait until later

This is an ok signing. As mentioned above it wouldn’t have cost us much and Laurie has a chance to repay the faith. 

Also, given the state of our list due to forced retirements and other, it is better to keep a player with upside and who knows our systems rather than delisting him as well and adding a further player requiring additional work just to understand our play.

4 minutes ago, JJJ said:

This is an ok signing. As mentioned above it wouldn’t have cost us much and Laurie has a chance to repay the faith. 

Also, given the state of our list due to forced retirements and other, it is better to keep a player with upside and who knows our systems rather than delisting him as well and adding a further player requiring additional work just to understand our play.

That's it in a nutshell.

Not that Laurie would be delisted, but he's definitely worth more to us over the next two years than what we'd get in a trade or from a late draft pick replacement

Not to be a draft revisionist, but there few after his selection that have done significantly more. Gulden, obviously, but he was Sydney Academy, always going to them. McCreery at Collingwood as well.

Edited March 27, 20241 yr by Moonshadow

He has more potential than pick 80 orv whatever in the draft so a no brainer. 

2 hours ago, Heart Beats True said:

Laurie extends deal

Personally, not sure on this 🤷‍♂️

Not up to it! Mistake IMV

He is a Melbourne player and he has my support.  He may be battling for a spot in the firsts according to our system and needs, but the FD obviously see enough value in Bill to invest in two years.  Any less would be an insult, any more would probably be too much for where he is at right now.  The next two seasons he will either rise to the challenge, or will be a bit player on our list.

I think Laurie will make it. Our development team have been second to none. I wonder if a centre bounce midfield role would suit him... 

We’ve seen him a few times, the club has seen him up close for years

Good skills and should be able to play a few different roles for us