1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The half backs and the midfield win games these days

This.

Caveat being that they have footy smarts and are reliable disposers of the footy.

I'd like him. I think one problem with our present key forwards is that they are all learners at the game. An experienced key forward - eg Tom Hawkins - knows instinctively how to lead so as to DEMAND proper delivery. We don't need smalls. Kossie is a champion and Chandler is very underrated. And although many on DL don't recognise it, Fritta is an x-factor - neither tall nor small, an excellent mark, a very difficult matchup.

If we had the assets (I don’t think we do) to get a deal done, we owe it to Max to try to sign him up.

He’d make a significant difference to our team. We’d have one key forward for starters as opposed to whatever we have right now. It’s completely illogical to say we wouldn’t be better off with him.

The amount of times we’ve transitioned the ball only to have it come back with interest due to a lack of contest from our key forwards has demoralised the team. Imagine having someone who can legitimately win more the 50% of his contests forward of the ball. Not to mention our dogmatic kick it down the line to Max approach. We could do the same to Harry.

Still, as I suggested, I believe it to be moot. We haven’t the assets nor would playing for us appeal to a tall forward who would conceivably have his choice of destinations.

Focus on Bergman and ask Sydney if Florent is looking around….

2 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Bergman is our target I hope

His Dad, Ralph played for our seconds. I expected him to make the grade, but he went off to play for Sandringham.

3 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Bergman is our target I hope

3 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Bergman is our target I hope

Yes please.

5 hours ago, binman said:

I wouldn't go anywhere near McKay.

Too expensive and tall forwards are new rucks circa the mid 2010s - overated in terms of impact.

It's all about how the ball is delivered to forwards and inside 50 now as opposed to dominant tall forwards being difference makers.

Which of course Is not to say gun key forwards are not important but they are now icing not the cake.

And I'd argue that small to medium forwards are now more important. Ah Chee, Long, Elliot, McCluggage, are the type of players I'm thinking of.

If it were me I'd target Bergman as our real need is utility types who have elite foot skills.

Bergman is exactly what we need - an elite kick who can play hb and wing and can run and carry. Would free up Windsor to go back to the wing and Langford could go into the middle, where he is sure to end up anyway. He can also play forward if need be.

I'm not sure of his contract status but I'd also try and get the Long from the Suns if at all possible. A gun who kicks straight and is a nightmare matchup as he can play small and tall.

And on the 'Chandler' role....

Absolutely - and with a Bergman, we could finally drop Chandler - the guy has been tasked with a job that is beyond him. Has a few good games a year and then drops back to VFL standards - doesnt impact enough contests.
That position that he plays linking is sooooo important - not for the uncontested possessions but for the smart work around the contest (like Neal-Bullen).

The idea that Chandler is a mainstay in this team HAS TO END. He is an ad-hoc replacement for Neal-Bullen. He has some lovely highlights with proud and honourable efforts, but Dees fans have to stop fangirling over players that do not bolster our top echalon (Pickett, Petracca even Fritsch) with seriously solid consistent contribution, smart ball use, and powerful 1v1 wins forward of centre.

4 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

Do we have the cap space?

Do we have the trade capital?

I think we would have to trade another player. It could end up being a Petracca or Oliver situation.

6 minutes ago, bex said:

I think we would have to trade another player. It could end up being a Petracca or Oliver situation.

I feel it would need to be one of them plus a future first, as we’ve hamstrung ourselves a bit with the long contracts.

No point having the best looking mailboxes on the street if Australia Post's delivery is still ****house!

Edited June 24, 2025Jun 24 by inanunda
Error

The facts are that God wouldn't get a kick in our forward line with the lack of kicking skills and decision-making by the midfield players bringing the ball in.

1 hour ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

His Dad, Ralph played for our seconds. I expected him to make the grade, but he went off to play for Sandringham.

Didn’t we have another Bergman come through the U/19’s with Neitz? I seem to recall we’d have a spine of Lyon, Nietz, Schwarz and Bergman at one stage…

12 minutes ago, JJJ said:

Didn’t we have another Bergman come through the U/19’s with Neitz?

That would be Shane Burgmann, who played just the one game in 1992 and whose father Lloyd also played for Melbourne.

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

Straight swap for Clarry?

Otherwise no way he fits in our cap

I probably would given we can’t take a mark inside 50 and have not good tall forwards

My son in law ( Carltank) has said same, BUT if Clarry goes anywhere it will be to Kitty Litter Park nothing more or nothing less!

Just now, Demonstone said:

That would be Shane Burgmann, who played just the one game in 1992 and whose father Lloyd also played for Melbourne.

That’s the ticket. Thanks. It’s has bugged me all day.

Just now, JJJ said:

It has burged me all day.

FTFY! 😀

1 minute ago, Demonstone said:

That would be Shane Burgmann, who played just the one game in 1992 and whose father Lloyd also played for Melbourne.

Lloyd Burgman was a very talented player, his son should have got far more opportunities but didn't! A tad slow probably!

1 minute ago, picket fence said:

My son in law ( Carltank) has said same, BUT if Clarry goes anywhere it will be to Kitty Litter Park nothing more or nothing less!

I wonder if they’d rethink that given the issues they are having with that prat from the Dogs.

1 minute ago, picket fence said:

Lloyd Burgman was a very talented player, his son should have got far more opportunities but didn't! A tad slow probably!

I recall watching him and thinking he was going to be a gun. Shane that is.

I have a photo of him somewhere playing reserves with a young Schwarz at the G. Schwarz may have played in #55 that day. 🤔

43 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

The facts are that God wouldn't get a kick in our forward line with the lack of kicking skills and decision-making by the midfield players bringing the ball in.

God wouldn’t associate with our forward line it’s Hell.

Edited June 24, 2025Jun 24 by Tarax Club

1 hour ago, nextskipclaz said:

And on the 'Chandler' role....

Absolutely - and with a Bergman, we could finally drop Chandler - the guy has been tasked with a job that is beyond him. Has a few good games a year and then drops back to VFL standards - doesnt impact enough contests.
That position that he plays linking is sooooo important - not for the uncontested possessions but for the smart work around the contest (like Neal-Bullen).

The idea that Chandler is a mainstay in this team HAS TO END. He is an ad-hoc replacement for Neal-Bullen. He has some lovely highlights with proud and honourable efforts, but Dees fans have to stop fangirling over players that do not bolster our top echalon (Pickett, Petracca even Fritsch) with seriously solid consistent contribution, smart ball use, and powerful 1v1 wins forward of centre.

This is a solid point. I love the bloke, but he is not suited the role we are playing him in. Can he be redeployed elsewhere? Will likely mean, he, Kolt, Charlie are all effectively playing for the one spot. I wonder if he could reinvent himself as a small defender? He is a reasonable ground ball player.

22 minutes ago, JJJ said:

I wonder if they’d rethink that given the issues they are having with that prat from the Dogs.

Cats do seem to be able to keep this sort of stuff under wraps. I was under the impression there was another Cat that is possibly in a fair bit of trouble that hasn't received much media attention.

Harry McKay would cost too much for someone who we couldn't have confidence in.

Already contracted to 2030. Complex injury history. Lots of form variability overall, including his kicking at goal which drifts from exemplary to comedic and back twice a season.

27 years old and he's only ever cracked 50 goals in one season, compared to Ben Brown for example, who had kicked 60 goals in three consecutive season before injury put him on the outer at North and he came to us to pinch-hit for a premiership.

I'd place more optimism in getting Van Rooyen back to form and lifting Jefferson's confidence.

Oh dear, I just checked and McKay is listed as 'knee, 4 to 6'. The curse must be averted, we must not take him, for his own good.

47 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

The facts are that God wouldn't get a kick in our forward line with the lack of kicking skills and decision-making by the midfield players bringing the ball in.

I don't buy this train of thought.

We don't have trouble getting it in there. We have trouble converting.

Ironically, McKay probably doesn't help with that.

6 hours ago, Pickettup said:

Concussion history is concerning

Then he won't like the ball landing on his head from 200m up

17 minutes ago, Random Task said:

Cats do seem to be able to keep this sort of stuff under wraps. I was under the impression there was another Cat that is possibly in a fair bit of trouble that hasn't received much media attention.

I’ve heard old mate is not popular within the playing circle.

I know who you are referring to and I think it will come out once the AFL figure there is nothing to it. For them.