On 23/02/2025 at 17:49, Travy14 said:

This is exactly the reason lower levels are struggling.  Because the AFL doesn't give a [censored].  Can guarantee Norwood will now struggle this year after losing Boyd, and he was taken a month ago.  

 

That’s not a real imposition for Norwood. I t to think they hit a reprieve when he wasn’t taken in the Nov National Draft. 

I believe we should have looked at Boyd instead of Marty Hore more seriously however am very happy we have got Campbell AJ Harvey XL Sharp and now Henderson plus Culley now. 

Two rucks both forwards of sorts two versatile smalls who have class and finish well Two of the best young players on the AFL who are multi talented and 200 game prospects for our midfield and attacking roles and a tough big bodied mid to add depth and grunt to our stars already and newbies developing in the midfield.

I reckon our seven players here are real honest from the heart types who will not be far from their best each match.

very valuable last 3/4 days including a boost in morale on Sat with eleven probables out and still a good even effort in extreme heat with their fitness supremely important in the final analysis. 

8 minutes ago, 58er said:

I believe we should have looked at Boyd instead of Marty Hore

4 rucks are enough, we have maxy tc aj white to hopefully come in next year and fullerton and verral sitting on the sidelines

Are SSP contracted as rookies? Do all rookie deals only last 1 year and when is the deadline for ending/ extending / upgrading that contract?

The Kossie situation interesting with Narkle and Dudley as SSP at Freo. You’d hope (but not holding my breath) that both are clear on their position with that club before Kossie needs to make a decision on requesting a trade or not.

8 hours ago, 58er said:

That’s not a real imposition for Norwood. I t to think they hit a reprieve when he wasn’t taken in the Nov National Draft. 

I believe we should have looked at Boyd instead of Marty Hore more seriously however am very happy we have got Campbell AJ Harvey XL Sharp and now Henderson plus Culley now. 

Two rucks both forwards of sorts two versatile smalls who have class and finish well Two of the best young players on the AFL who are multi talented and 200 game prospects for our midfield and attacking roles and a tough big bodied mid to add depth and grunt to our stars already and newbies developing in the midfield.

I reckon our seven players here are real honest from the heart types who will not be far from their best each match.

very valuable last 3/4 days including a boost in morale on Sat with eleven probables out and still a good even effort in extreme heat with their fitness supremely important in the final analysis. 

It is now that Adelaide have now taken their back up ruck as an SSP as well.

It's a huge hole for them, they lose a captain, 3 time B&F, magarey medallist and Jack Oatey medallist.  And is a Ruckman, this is why the 2nd their clubs need some sort of reprieve.  Or just a discussion and if the club is happy to let their player chase their dream then all sweet.  Which i woukd think will usually be the case.

I saw this article on Zero Hangar about the SSP and why it shouldn't be extended.

https://www.zerohanger.com/why-the-afl-shouldnt-be-extending-the-ssp-window-158873/

While I do have sympathy for the 2nd tier competitions, the only real way to deal with this issue is to increase AFL list sizes. Melbourne and Carlton would not have been in such dire need then.

If each AFL team is given another 5 or 6 extra list spots to cushion the effects of any numerous injuries, then you don't have to worry about last minute recruiting as much.

Furthermore, you can bring back reserves teams for the 2nd tier competitions as well.

That way you don't have AFL clubs scrambling around trying to get last minute recruits from the VFL, SANFL, WAFL etc which then makes the clubs in those leagues suffer. As the old saying goes, you shouldn't be "robbing Peter to pay Paul".

In the end, it is up to the AFL to show initiative and use it's huge profits to financially support the 2nd tier competitions and grassroots football. The more money that is invested in the lower levels of football the more that the AFL and AFL supporters will benefit in the long run. Stronger grassroots football and stronger 2nd tier competitions will in turn create a stronger AFL.

Let's hope that the AFL focuses on rectifying this issue for the long term survival of Australian Rules Football.

Edited February 25, 20251 yr by Supreme_Demon

42 minutes ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Let's hope that the AFL focuses on rectifying this issue for the long term survival of Australian Rules Football.

the afl gives lip service to the notion of 'australian rules football'

With potential list spot opening up due to either a possible retirement or Luker's unfortunate injury (note: nothing confirmed yet) who are some of the possible candidates:

Flynn Perez:
Training at Hawthorn, former Roo who had a lot of injuries there, lovely user off half back. Averaged 20 touches for Sturt at half back last year

Jack Riding:
Training at Hawthorn, hard running flanker/winger from Werribee. His skills need some refinement but he's become a strong ball winner at VFL level in quick time and is a good athlete

Zac Foot:
Training at the Crows, former Swan, Casey Demon and Southport player. Pacy inside mid/half forward who built his ball winning up over the last year or so.

Paddy Cross:
Casey half forward with some tricks and a natural goal kicker. Possibly a bit small for that role at AFL level and doesn't have the most complete game, but when he's on he looks a class above.

Ted Closehy:
Former cat who missed out on a spot with Port. Is fairly vanilla but he'd come in and do a role across half forward and he'd know King's system.

Tairon Ah-Mu:
Former Dees NGA who missed out on last years draft. 198cm and can clunk them.

3 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

With potential list spot opening up due to either a possible retirement or Luker's unfortunate injury (note: nothing confirmed yet) who are some of the possible candidates:

Flynn Perez:
Training at Hawthorn, former Roo who had a lot of injuries there, lovely user off half back. Averaged 20 touches for Sturt at half back last year

Jack Riding:
Training at Hawthorn, hard running flanker/winger from Werribee. His skills need some refinement but he's become a strong ball winner at VFL level in quick time and is a good athlete

Zac Foot:
Training at the Crows, former Swan, Casey Demon and Southport player. Pacy inside mid/half forward who built his ball winning up over the last year or so.

Paddy Cross:
Casey half forward with some tricks and a natural goal kicker. Possibly a bit small for that role at AFL level and doesn't have the most complete game, but when he's on he looks a class above.

Ted Closehy:
Former cat who missed out on a spot with Port. Is fairly vanilla but he'd come in and do a role across half forward and he'd know King's system.

Tairon Ah-Mu:
Former Dees NGA who missed out on last years draft. 198cm and can clunk them.

given the talls are where we are being hit hardest. ah-mu would make some degree of sense

7 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

With potential list spot opening up due to either a possible retirement or Luker's unfortunate injury (note: nothing confirmed yet) who are some of the possible candidates:

Flynn Perez:
Training at Hawthorn, former Roo who had a lot of injuries there, lovely user off half back. Averaged 20 touches for Sturt at half back last year

Jack Riding:
Training at Hawthorn, hard running flanker/winger from Werribee. His skills need some refinement but he's become a strong ball winner at VFL level in quick time and is a good athlete

Zac Foot:
Training at the Crows, former Swan, Casey Demon and Southport player. Pacy inside mid/half forward who built his ball winning up over the last year or so.

Paddy Cross:
Casey half forward with some tricks and a natural goal kicker. Possibly a bit small for that role at AFL level and doesn't have the most complete game, but when he's on he looks a class above.

Ted Closehy:
Former cat who missed out on a spot with Port. Is fairly vanilla but he'd come in and do a role across half forward and he'd know King's system.

Tairon Ah-Mu:
Former Dees NGA who missed out on last years draft. 198cm and can clunk them.

Of that list, our need would probably be more for the worst player on it, Ah Mu.

I note that Jacob Blight, whose type I now see as a need, wasn’t mentioned.

Wish Derksen was still there, as he has potential and would fill a hole on the list.

Tom Mc likely retires at the end of this season and I am unsure about Adams.

Wonder if there is an available potential key back somewhere out there.

I would also have had a chat with TC, who will also probably retire at the end of this season, who could still play with Casey anyway and allow us another pick now or mid season

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Redleg

Need a JT special, the more known options not filling me with much confidence

5 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

given the talls are where we are being hit hardest. ah-mu would make some degree of sense

I don't think you add an 18 year old as injury cover. We were overloaded with talls before the year so we're still ok for cover and can probably survive until mid year by which time AJ, Jeffo and hopefully Luker are all pushing to return or we get a mid season draft pick up.

High half forward might be our weakest spot in the best 23 and with only Jack Henderson to come back to provide any support I'd look at Foot, Riding and Closehy (as well as other state league candidates).

If it was decided to let #1-S.May retire, then I’d get immediately on the phone to Jacob Blight. He held down a key position defensive post for the Tigers under extreme pressure and accounted himself well. Our tall defender stocks would be Petty (if it’s decided he stays back) , Tmcd (farewell year before retirement) and Jed Adams (jury still out on whether he makes it or not).

Chanel 9 all but said that Maysie is off tomorrow. Sad..

On 11/02/2026 at 20:25, BC_1718_DC said:

Would watch the names Jos Landy or Brodie Atkinson if an official list spot opens up.

From earlier this month.

5 minutes ago, Nascent said:

From earlier this month.

Landy is so prominent in many of the highlight reels that the Footy Stuff youtube guy posts

But ironically he doesn't have his own!

May thread is locked for some reason. So putting it here.

I’ve be backing Jacob Blight as a replacement and if May retires then this is his time!

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

Wish Derksen was still there, as he has potential and would fill a hole on the list.

He was free to a good home. We didn’t take the opportunity. Maybe because we couldn’t trade May and thus didn’t have a vacancy?

Maybe we can sign on ah-mu id love to see what he could do as a full time player in the system

Steven May has confirmed his retirement via Instagram. Spot officially opened I assume

4 minutes ago, Demongirl35 said:

Steven May has confirmed his retirement via Instagram. Spot officially opened I assume

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

May thread is locked for some reason. So putting it here.

Weird it’s locked considering we all commenting elsewhere. Seems redundant.