18 hours ago, MoeSyzlak said:

He’s got over 25 possessions once in 95 games and over 6 clearances also once. 
 

Warner had 7 clearances in the last quarter on the weekend. 
 

I always liked him but we just cannot develop players like the best clubs can. 

(re Sparrow). “….we just cannot develop players like the best clubs can. “ Maybe he has actually got more out of himself than he thought .. maybe he has reached his ceiling.  Hope not though. 

7 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Toxic culture at Bulldogs.  Smith. Macrae. Must be a toxic culture. 
 

Macrae is like Caleb Daniel.  3 years ago. Yes. They had energy and pace.  Not anymore. 

Unfortunately for Macrae, he has lost pace.  He gets exposed defensively.   Ok kick but more of a chip or up and under kick.  He’s on big $$$ too.  I’m not a fan of another Hunter, Billings salary cap to assist other clubs.

It’s a BIG NO !!!! 

Looks to me like Hunter was … just maybe we could get one ok year out if him but at what opportunity price and what $$ price???

1 hour ago, #11-TonyAnderson said:

Fits the Geelong recruit profile given he is in his 30's

🤗

However, as a Cat fan friend pointed out to me in 2022 “too old, too slow … too good”.  They have for all our ridicule kept on keeping on longer than most would have imagined. 

Edited September 11, 2024Sep 11 by monoccular

Macrae … 

On 10/09/2024 at 21:16, adonski said:

Too many drinks tonight Moe, we've gotten more out of Sparrow than what a lot of clubs would, he just isn't very good

He's a well developed bust which is why he's managed to play so many games

If you think MFC’s football program develops players as well as Geelong and Sydney on a consistent basis you’re on something stronger than a few drinks. 

24 minutes ago, MoeSyzlak said:

If you think MFC’s football program develops players as well as Geelong and Sydney on a consistent basis you’re on something stronger than a few drinks. 

Aside from poor old Sammy Weideman every first and second rounder we had for years played in the 2021 flag.

And since then we developed Bedford from a guy who barely touched it at Under 18’s in to a good player for GWS. He just needed one more summer and regular games.

Got Chandler, McVee, JVR up to the level. Made Disco in to something interesting. Windsor had a great start. Kolt got better as the year progressed.

Howes has been a bit slow but he’s had a few injuries and is built like a rake. Jeffo couldn’t touch it in the vfl last year, was one of the better forwards in the vfl this year.

Aside from Bill Laurie most of our kids are at least on track with their draft positions.

We’ve had a shortage of good picks and a shortage of picks full stop. The Swans have an insane knack of Gulden and Warner type wins, but they also burn a bunch of early picks. Geelong keep doing their thing and find hidden gems everywhere, sadly including Max Holmes who along with Dempsey are by far their best young players. Especially from those they actually drafted themselves.

But finding freakish talent late in the draft isn’t really a fair measurement. Overall development of young players is the least of our worries.

On 10/09/2024 at 16:48, BoBo said:

Jack Macrae has requested a trade from the dogs. 
 

30 years old, 3 time all Australian. 
 

Would/do/should we want him?

He'd be a better player on the field than Billings. Could also fill the void left by ANB. A yes for me.

Edited September 11, 2024Sep 11 by ignition.

8 minutes ago, ignition. said:

He'd be a better player on the field than Billings. Could also fill the void left by ANB. A yes for me.

i don't see how he can play the nibbler role at all

if we had shipped one of petracca or oliver, sure, but another not-quick first-possession midfielder is not what we need

12 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

i don't see how he can play the nibbler role at all

if we had shipped one of petracca or oliver, sure, but another not-quick first-possession midfielder is not what we need

I wouldn't call ANB quick either, he has an excellent tank and running patterns. Macrae also has excellent tank, running patterns, as well as superb awareness and evasive skills.

My point is we've lost senior depth and certainly lack it with Billings (Macrae is a far superior upgrade to him). Likewise, he's a better player than Sparrow who also gets time at the centre bounce. Macrae had 1 bad year after 10 excellent years (stats below). For a player like him to come in at a cheaper price, allowing more salary cap allocation elsewhere, the club would be silly not to look at him. And if they're incapable thinking about how a player of his caliber can be utilised elsewhere on the field we certainly do have a problem with the football program.

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-western-bulldogs--jackson-macrae

 

Macrae on, Hunter off?

13 minutes ago, ignition. said:

I wouldn't call ANB quick either, he has an excellent tank and running patterns. Macrae also has excellent tank, running patterns, as well as superb awareness and evasive skills.

My point is we've lost senior depth and certainly lack it with Billings (Macrae is a far superior upgrade to him). Likewise, he's a better player than Sparrow who also gets time at the centre bounce. Macrae had 1 bad year after 10 excellent years (stats below). For a player like him to come in at a cheaper price, allowing more salary cap allocation elsewhere, the club would be silly not to look at him. And if they're incapable thinking about how a player of his caliber can be utilised elsewhere on the field we certainly do have a problem with the football program.

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-western-bulldogs--jackson-macrae

 

i think it's a moot point regardless, as it seems we're not in the conversation for him

all the talk seems to be that the cats are his most likely destination as they are prepared to take on his full wage and see him as a first rotation midfielder going forward

5 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

i think it's a moot point regardless, as it seems we're not in the conversation for him

all the talk seems to be that the cats are his most likely destination as they are prepared to take on his full wage and see him as a first rotation midfielder going forward

Yeah, it does appear that way.

Will be interesting to see how the cats go* if they secure him and Smith. They are the masters of recycling their list and staying competitive*.

Edit *

Edited September 12, 2024Sep 12 by ignition.

12 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

We’ve had a shortage of good picks and a shortage of picks full stop. The Swans have an insane knack of Gulden and Warner type wins, but they also burn a bunch of early picks. Geelong keep doing their thing and find hidden gems everywhere, sadly including Max Holmes who along with Dempsey are by far their best young players. Especially from those they actually drafted themselves.

But finding freakish talent late in the draft isn’t really a fair measurement. Overall development of young players is the least of our worries.

Gulden was an academy player. As was Heeney, as was Blakey, as was Mills. You know, like all their best players. 

Just now, Adam The God said:

Gulden was an academy player. As was Heeney, as was Blakey, as was Mills. You know, like all their best players. 

Most overrated recruiting in the comp is the Swans. Granted Warner was an amazing find at pick 38 (?)

Just now, adonski said:

Most overrated recruiting in the comp is the Swans. Granted Warner was an amazing find at pick 38 (?)

He was a good pick, wouldn't call him an amazing pick.

But yeah, agreed, academy access and COLA has kept them up.

Meanwhile, their coach and team consistently crumble on the big day or even for 3 quarters in qualifying finals too.

22 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

Gulden was an academy player. As was Heeney, as was Blakey, as was Mills. You know, like all their best players. 

They couldn’t match a bid for Gulden if it came early first round after matching Campbell and drafting McDonald. Replace him with Rowbottom if you like. Or McInerney. Those 2 are the supplemental high quality midfielders we really need.
 

The academy has been a huge leg up, their drafts run hot and cold and the bonus early picks have helped the hot. The point is they develop players really well, but so do we!

18 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

He was a good pick, wouldn't call him an amazing pick.

But yeah, agreed, academy access and COLA has kept them up.

Meanwhile, their coach and team consistently crumble on the big day or even for 3 quarters in qualifying finals too.

Not amazing? A top 10-15 player of the comp at 38??? 

Edited September 12, 2024Sep 12 by DeeSpencer

3 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

They couldn’t match a bid for Gulden if it came early first round after matching Campbell and drafting McDonald. Replace him with Rowbottom if you like. Or McInerney. Those 2 are the supplemental high quality midfielders we really need.
 

The academy has been a huge leg up, their drafts run hot and cold and the bonus early picks have helped the hot. The point is they develop players really well, but so do we!

Not amazing? A top 10-15 player of the comp at 38??? 

I don't view him as a 10-15 player in the comp...

On 10/09/2024 at 17:25, hemingway said:

Sadly, as others have pointed out, we will not be an attractive option for any player wanting to further their career in the immediate future. We have gone from roosters to feather dusters over the last few months. The damage  to our brand will take years to repair. 

Win a few games early next year and we're back to being roosters.

21 hours ago, Adam The God said:

He was a good pick, wouldn't call him an amazing pick.

But yeah, agreed, academy access and COLA has kept them up.

Meanwhile, their coach and team consistently crumble on the big day or even for 3 quarters in qualifying finals too.

Warner NOT an amazing pick at 38? Sorry that’s a touch silly for me.. that’s an incredible get! Agree their drafting overall is academy based but in isolation that pick was brilliant.

Macrae would be a good get for us and play a role week-in week-out and it surprises me we haven’t been seen as aggressive on this one but who knows, I still holdout a sneaky suspicion we could be a chance here. 
 

Not a game changer but a definite needs-based get if we went there — esp now Daniel seems to be staying. There’s still plenty of targets like Peatling to be done but more from finals teams as well, but our #1 strategy atm is definitely another top 15 pick in this bumper draft!

I’m a definite NO NO NO for Macrae. I can see why posters might think he would be an asset.  But he’s lost his pace and his kicking is chip/up and under.  Too many $$$ on his contract even with some salary dumping by Dogs.  
 

@Tolstoys Nudge I agree that our #1 strategy atm is definitely another top 15 pick in this bumper draft! Future 1st is likely to be offerred up. 

 

2 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

What does it say??

10 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

What does it say??

It would mean St Kilda’s three-round pick, which currently sits at 43, looms as a possible offer for Macrae.

However, the Bulldogs will hold a whip hand in any negotiations with Macrae contracted for the next two years.

12 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

What does it say??

 

Key points from the AFL trade and contract news:

• Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs) has requested a trade; St Kilda is a possible destination, offering a mid-draft pick. Geelong is not interested.
• Bailey Smith is expected to join Geelong.
• Mitch Duncan may sign a one-year deal with Geelong, eyeing 300 games.
• Jason Johannisen (Western Bulldogs) hopes for a new one-year deal.
• Jack Darling (West Coast) may join North Melbourne.
• Tom Barrass (West Coast) is linked to a potential trade with Hawthorn, with two first-round picks in play
• Brandan Parfitt (Geelong) is looking for a new club.

• Josh Battle (St Kilda) is likely to leave, with St Kilda aiming for free agency compensation.
• Liam Baker and Jack Graham could join West Coast.
• Harry Perryman and James Peatling (GWS) are also being eyed by several clubs.
• Jake Kolodjashnij is expected to sign a two-year extension with Geelong.
• Shaun Mannagh (Geelong) will be out of contract at the end of next year.

• Gary Rohan, Jed Bews, Rhys Stanley (Geelong): All are off-contract at the end of the season.
• Zach Tuohy (Geelong): Set to retire.
• Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong): Needs a new deal, likely after the season.
• Lawson Humphries (Geelong): Close to a new multi-year extension.
• Alex Keath, Dom Bedendo, Kelsey Rypstra, Lachie McNeil, Taylor Duryea (Western Bulldogs): Waiting on contract decisions.

14 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

 

Key points from the AFL trade and contract news:

• Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs) has requested a trade; St Kilda is a possible destination, offering a mid-draft pick. Geelong is not interested.
• Bailey Smith is expected to join Geelong.
• Mitch Duncan may sign a one-year deal with Geelong, eyeing 300 games.
• Jason Johannisen (Western Bulldogs) hopes for a new one-year deal.
• Jack Darling (West Coast) may join North Melbourne.
• Tom Barrass (West Coast) is linked to a potential trade with Hawthorn, with two first-round picks in play
• Brandan Parfitt (Geelong) is looking for a new club.

• Josh Battle (St Kilda) is likely to leave, with St Kilda aiming for free agency compensation.
• Liam Baker and Jack Graham could join West Coast.
• Harry Perryman and James Peatling (GWS) are also being eyed by several clubs.
• Jake Kolodjashnij is expected to sign a two-year extension with Geelong.
• Shaun Mannagh (Geelong) will be out of contract at the end of next year.

• Gary Rohan, Jed Bews, Rhys Stanley (Geelong): All are off-contract at the end of the season.
• Zach Tuohy (Geelong): Set to retire.
• Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong): Needs a new deal, likely after the season.
• Lawson Humphries (Geelong): Close to a new multi-year extension.
• Alex Keath, Dom Bedendo, Kelsey Rypstra, Lachie McNeil, Taylor Duryea (Western Bulldogs): Waiting on contract decisions.

FT Duryea was announced this week a one year extension with Dogs. 

I didn't even rate Macrae when he was making All-Australian teams. Acculmates but doesn't damage damage with his disposals. I've never watched a Dogs game and thought "geez Macrae has been good tonight". There were always other players with more impact.