No thanks except on a one year deal with options.

Even then we are impliedly writing off Jefferson.

Nothing wrong with Mihocek. Like many I agree he plays several notches above his profile but it's a move smacking of desperation.

I'd be happy to trade Sparrow. Thought he would take off around 2022/23 but he's plateaued well and truly

Played 20 games, not including finals this year. 32, 33 in February. Far from too old in this day and age. I don't question his durability too much. He's still in the Pies best 22.

For us it brings a proven key forward who can actually lead and knows how to play a role for a top side. He could be a great mentor for our young forward brigade and bridge the transition period between now and them bring ready.

He plays the position we have been crying out for for years.

If $ wise he fits easily enough then why not.

2 hours ago, Dodos Demons said:

You forgot Grundy too.

Of course. Thanks. Have amended.

6 hours ago, poita said:

I really like Mihocek as a player, but I don't love him in the same forward line as Melksham. It has to be one or the other.

Mihocek is 6 cm taller than Melksham - and only 2 cm shorter than Charlie Curnow.

3 hours ago, BKKBooga said:

I still think Lamb has done an awful job with 99% of his picks.

Except that Tim Lamb doesn't make the picks.

He's List Manager. You might like to look into who the National Recruiting Manager is.

Melksham is a clever player who can play different roles in the forward line. His 2025 average player rating (9.7) was above Larkey, Hogan, Ben King, Chol, Walker, Curnow, Morris, Mihocek, Georgiades and Fogerty.

30 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

Melksham is a clever player who can play different roles in the forward line. His 2025 average player rating (9.7) was above Larkey, Hogan, Ben King, Chol, Walker, Curnow, Morris, Mihocek, Georgiades and Fogerty.

I agree Melksham had an outstanding year and probably won us or at least kept us in quite a few games. But prior to this year he's only played 44 games in four seasons and hasn't played over 20 games since 2018. So at 34 years old and with a recent history of injuries I think we need to temper our expectations of Melk.

The fact he got through 19 games this year is pleasing. But we definitely need to add to our forwardline depth and I think getting someone of Mihocek's experience to play alongside him or if Jake is injured/rested in that similar role is a smart move.

Edited 18 hours ago18 hr by Young Blood

Good pickup and exactly what a team like cats does and everyone would call them geniuses when it kept them in the hunt. He’s a free agent so he would cost us nothing other than cap space so unless he is costing us the world I don’t see a downside

10 hours ago, Dee Boys said:

The Isaac Smith who's about to turn 37 and retired two years ago?

Just my attempt to poke fun at Checkers' age I'm afraid

2 year deal with trigger for a 3rd on offer according to The Age