23 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

There's a world of difference between tearing it up it in the VFL and being a contributor at AFL level. Tom Fullarton being the most recent example.

Also applies to Adams.

1 hour ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

I wouldn't go using Whorethorn as an example of good trading they are a bottom 8 team and nothing else.

Barrass and Battle are not stellar Backman by any stretch of the imagination and won't get it done when the whips are cracking.

Meek average battler, Ginnivan one trick pony with his dropping off the knees.

I will give credit with Amon and D'Ambrosio excellent kicks of the ball and can split defences open.

They have major strength the Dorks and that is there ball movement by foot but in finals teams they rely on this alone get found out with elite finals pressure.

you stifle that strength and they are any easy team to beat.

They played against a team on the weekend with average forward cohesion, average tall targets that dont compete and don't take marks I50 well and were well beaten everywhere but on the scoreboard.

Bottom 8 team? They played finals last year and are currently in the top 4.

It was getting to finals and playing an attractive brand of footy that allowed them to bring in Barrass and Battle who regardless of what you think of them had plenty of other suitors, key backs have been massively in demand in recent trade windows

They put their name in the hat for every free agent for years before that and couldn’t land any.

So they brought in the players I mentioned for a packet chips and made finals with them.

The point I was originally making is I see us in a similar spot as the hawks were when Mitchel took over. Bottom 6 and won’t be able to attract big stars so we have to target players that aren’t in other clubs best 22. Like Derksen.

48 minutes ago, Colm said:

Bottom 8 team? They played finals last year and are currently in the top 4.

It was getting to finals and playing an attractive brand of footy that allowed them to bring in Barrass and Battle who regardless of what you think of them had plenty of other suitors, key backs have been massively in demand in recent trade windows

They put their name in the hat for every free agent for years before that and couldn’t land any.

So they brought in the players I mentioned for a packet chips and made finals with them.

The point I was originally making is I see us in a similar spot as the hawks were when Mitchel took over. Bottom 6 and won’t be able to attract big stars so we have to target players that aren’t in other clubs best 22. Like Derksen.

My apologies @Colm I mean't the bottom of the top 8 (6 to 10) they don't have the weapons against the top brass to be in a prelim and beyond.

I saw Derksen came up on the Harry McKay thread.

He seems to have been moved into the backline in the VFL, reflecting the fact GWS has almost as many tall forward options as the Bulldogs. Any VFL watchers know if his form has been good? Would we still be interested in him?

2 hours ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

I saw Derksen came up on the Harry McKay thread.

He seems to have been moved into the backline in the VFL, reflecting the fact GWS has almost as many tall forward options as the Bulldogs. Any VFL watchers know if his form has been good? Would we still be interested in him?

Killing it in the VFL, took 14 marks last match and hopefully still wants to be a Demon.

On 12/05/2025 at 15:57, BW511 said:

At the very least, he is dominating VFL games. How many of our talls are doing that?

Um Jeffo!

51 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Um Jeffo!

Dominating is being kind to him, even for you. He’s contributing and deserves a go but he’s not controlling games.

Some VFL stats;

Wade Derksen - 56 games for 350 marks

Jeffo - 43 games for 156 marks

That’s quite a difference.

Edited June 24Jun 24 by BW511

Given Sam Taylor was out last week, it was the perfect opportunity for Derksen to get a senior debut last week, but not to be.

Either GWS were being stubborn in holding him to his contract or he hasn’t come on enough for a game.

58 minutes ago, BW511 said:

Dominating is being kind to him, even for you. He’s contributing and deserves a go but he’s not controlling games.

Some VFL stats;

Wade Derksen - 56 games for 350 marks

Jeffo - 43 games for 156 marks

That’s quite a difference.

Derksen is playing as an intercepting defender, so while he is playing well, he's in the easiest marking role there is. He's played 12 VFL games to Jeffersons 6 VFL games also.

Jeffo is playing key forward in a poor team bombing it on his head. He's also missed a few VFL games through injury, but mostly because he was playing AFL too. He's also banged through lots of goals over the last two seasons to be one of the highest scoring players in the VFL since his debut.

Derksen is a 24 year old mature ager who can't crack an AFL game despite injuries. He might become a decent role player, but let's not kid ourselves - he's unlikely to make a difference to our team at AFL level. Jeffo might with time to continue building strength.

Those comparing him or preferring him to someone like McKay, who has won a Coleman medal, is insulting and laughable.

I was pleasantly surprised with how Jeffo presented in long down the line contests against Essendon VFL.

That’s the bit that has been missing from his game and needed development. If he can keep doing that, he’ll be on his way.

59 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

Derksen is playing as an intercepting defender, so while he is playing well, he's in the easiest marking role there is. He's played 12 VFL games to Jeffersons 6 VFL games also.

Jeffo is playing key forward in a poor team bombing it on his head. He's also missed a few VFL games through injury, but mostly because he was playing AFL too. He's also banged through lots of goals over the last two seasons to be one of the highest scoring players in the VFL since his debut.

Derksen is a 24 year old mature ager who can't crack an AFL game despite injuries. He might become a decent role player, but let's not kid ourselves - he's unlikely to make a difference to our team at AFL level. Jeffo might with time to continue building strength.

Those comparing him or preferring him to someone like McKay, who has won a Coleman medal, is insulting and laughable.

Derksen has kicked 53.36 vs Jeffo kicking 66.42, So he’s also kicked 80% of the goals Jeffo has.

I’m not expecting him to be the next Stewart Loewe but he’s definitely got some ability.

4 hours ago, picket fence said:

Um Jeffo!

Dominating VFL???

Edited June 24Jun 24 by Stiff Arm

10 hours ago, ChaserJ said:

I was pleasantly surprised with how Jeffo presented in long down the line contests against Essendon VFL.

That’s the bit that has been missing from his game and needed development. If he can keep doing that, he’ll be on his way.

Yeah and if the coach gives him a block of games to aid his development, but wait,,, we have that forward goal kicking machine Harrison Petty!

Edited June 24Jun 24 by picket fence

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Yeah and if the coach gives him a block of games to aid his development, but wait,,, we have that forward goal kicking machine Harrison Petty!

Jeffo is a spud and won’t be on a list in 18 months time

I was VERY impressed with Derkson's game when they played Casey earlier this year.

He was a dominant force in their backline and gave JVR a touch up

On 25/06/2025 at 07:18, Tracca said:

Jeffo is a spud and won’t be on a list in 18 months time

Unless he changes his current narrative, you will end up being right I’m afraid

A better prospect From GWS MaxGruzewski a strong Forward this bloke has ability and a class Collingwood are into him big time just what we need also to stick it up them

On 24/06/2025 at 17:11, Redleg said:

Killing it in the VFL, took 14 marks last match and hopefully still wants to be a Demon.

He does. Very much still on.

5 hours ago, Ferghus31 said:

A better prospect From GWS MaxGruzewski a strong Forward this bloke has ability and a class Collingwood are into him big time just what we need also to stick it up them

Kicks goals for fun in the VFL. 89 goals from 39 VFL games.

Would love it if we had a look at him.

Derksen. Yes. He can play key forward or key defence. Would bf good alongside Turner in defence. Dees will likely go again this year to get him. Trade a future 3rd and get Giants 4th round back. Just a dry biscuits trade.

Gruzewski. Yes. Though I think Giants will try to hold him

3 hours ago, BLWNBA said:

He does. Very much still on.

Glad to hear this. Shouldn't cost us more than a 4th round pick or a player like Laurie who the Giants liked in his draft year.

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Derksen. Yes. He can play key forward or key defence. Would bf good alongside Turner in defence. Dees will likely go again this year to get him. Trade a future 3rd and get Giants 4th round back. Just a dry biscuits trade.

Gruzewski. Yes. Though I think Giants will try to hold him

Both Derksen and Gruzewski would have to have rocks in their heads if they hang around the Giants beyond this year.

Zero opportunities in 2025 both would be planning their futures at other clubs beyond this year.

35 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Max also has three kids five or under. One of them moved out recently.

you'd hope he costs us absolutely nothing

2022 mid-season rookie draft (edit: had no idea this was a thing; but it's what they say on the franchise's website bio for him) selection who will turn 25 midway through 2026

he should not be worth more than a fourth round pick, if that

Edited July 31Jul 31 by whatwhat say what