When I saw the article this morning I said "Hmm, Sam Manure, this is going to be a sheight article by an inarticulate sheight, I shouldn't waste my time reading it."

Then I read it while I was having a coffee and it turns out I can predict things better than Sam. It was a waste of my time.

I learned nothing new other than Sam can make a bleedingly obvious list of players clouded by his bias and lack of insight. Troy Maclure could have written a more insightful article. Yawn.

Edited February 23Feb 23 by Hellfire Dub
Spelling

A couple of strange ones, a couple of omissions. He gives a rationale designed to be a decoy to the fact he's just lazy.

Ah well, mostly I'm just annoyed that someone is getting paid good money to half-4R53 it like this.

@WERRIDEE by all rights should be a millionaire in this media market. His teams are frequent and he gives them a full 4RS3 every time.

5 hours ago, Gator said:

They're not.

You need to read their post again.

Well, I sure read that one wrong...

Sam McClueless.

It’s McClure, who TF cares

7 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

The only thing I would argue is that Kozzie is very hit and miss. When he’s on, my god is he on. But sometimes he doesn’t turn on at all in a game or only does for a quarter or two.

Hopefully this is hit season and he makes his stamp on the game.

Yes, consistency is the key for Kozzie to be up there with the best, he has the talent and more. Hopefully this year with his new role.

Edited February 23Feb 23 by darkhorse72

Charlie Cameron, Cripps and Curnow are not A grade over the past two years. At least not better than Kossy. Curnow has only scored 10 more goals than Kozzi and Kozzi plays a much more diverse role and averages 20 touches.

What a ridiculous list

17 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

The only thing I would argue is that Kozzie is very hit and miss. When he’s on, my god is he on. But sometimes he doesn’t turn on at all in a game or only does for a quarter or two.

Hopefully this is hit season and he makes his stamp on the game.

He averaged 20 disposals and 2 goals per game. That is a rare thing. I would argue he is very consistent given his role and how damaging he is with his disposals.

more consistent that Cyril Rioli was, that’s for sure. He only once average 2 goals per game and never averaged 20 touches.

18 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I agree with Sam about not having Kozzie in the side.

A player that just got selected in the All Australian and had three x 5 goal/24 possession games isn't A grade worthy.

20 possessions and 2 goals a game across a season says different.

Harvey, Caleb, & Kozzie will all be very close to this mark. There is a reasonable chance Turner joins them and Xavier and Lindsay have the potential as well, the rest of our list has some really solid B’s. I think our list apart from forward 50, has as much promise as Richmond.

16 hours ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

Toby Greene fascinates me.

In the Dangerfield camp for mine. One of the greats in his prime but his reputation in his twilight years is inflated. Throw Charlie Cameron in there too.

has 3 💩 games and then has 1 good game and the media gush over him.

If kossie has 3 💩 games and then a good 4th game the commentary would be “we just need to see that more often from him”.

36 minutes ago, DubDee said:

He averaged 20 disposals and 2 goals per game. That is a rare thing. I would argue he is very consistent given his role and how damaging he is with his disposals.

more consistent that Cyril Rioli was, that’s for sure. He only once average 2 goals per game and never averaged 20 touches.

I fully agree, his stats are fantastic, however he does go missing quite often. This is rather noticeable considering he seems to be one of the main drivers when we are up and about, making it clear when he’s missing in action.

22 minutes ago, DEE fence said:

20 possessions and 2 goals a game across a season says different.

Hey M, the poster was being sarcastic. 👍🏽

18 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

For everyone complaining that Pickett isn't on the list...read the article. McClure makes clear that to be on his list of A-graders, you need to have performed at an A-grade level for at least two seasons. He notes that Pickett will be on the list next year if his 2026 is as good as his 2025.

I 100% admit I didn't read his article. If a player needs to perform at A grade level for 2 seasons, then that's McClure prerogative.

And to play devils advocate Kozzie was still having the occasional 3/10 game last year that the likes of Bont would never have. Think the earlier St Kilda and late season Hawthorn games of last year where he couldn't or wouldn't get a sniff of it. If the occasional really bad game precludes a player of attaining A grade status then I can understand that.

My criteria of an A grader from achievements of the prior year:

*Player gets in All Australian 40 squad

*player kicks 50 goals

*player gets 20 or more brownlow votes

And you carry that A grade status for the following 2 seasons. For example Jack Viney had a brilliant 2023 making the AA 40 squad and polling 24 votes. In my book he was an A gradeer until the end of 2025. Now he's lost that status due to achieving none of the above in 2024 and 2025.

Wasn't sure where to put this, but Carlton remain 2-3 years behind us the whole time.

Now they're signing the likes of Walsh, who can barely get on the park, to new 8 year extensions on big money.

They had their mini implosion last year with Curnow ala Trac and Oliver at the end of 2024, and pulled the trigger earlier than us in that timeline, but Walsh and Cerra are injury prone, Cripps is 603 years old. They're lucky they've got a bunch of father sons coming through, but their midfield will be ho hum in 2-3 years IMV.

26 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

signing the likes of Walsh, who can barely get on the park, to new 8 year extensions on big money

Holy [censored]. Only just saw this. That's madness.

20 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

For everyone complaining that Pickett isn't on the list...read the article. McClure makes clear that to be on his list of A-graders, you need to have performed at an A-grade level for at least two seasons. He notes that Pickett will be on the list next year if his 2026 is as good as his 2025.

Doesn’t explain trac still been on it then, in the last 2 years he was only at the level for the first half of 2024

Rozee, Curnow before Kozzie? give me a spell please!

Do you watch footy you spud?

Edited February 24Feb 24 by YesitwasaWin4theAges

On 23/02/2026 at 14:30, Queanbeyan Demon said:

McClure wouldn't know a good footballer from a good haircut. And he's got neither.

u r right QBD - Mcclure like his namesake from the tankers mark mcclure - both love the sound of their voices and the faces those sounds eminate!

"listen to me!

"look at me!"

On 23/02/2026 at 22:42, GS_1905 said:

It’s McClure, who TF cares

as soon as Manure is on the media - I tune out.

same as many others, so, I don't take in much media now.

pity F*xF**ty couldn't give us crowd noise and player IDs with their stats, as they touch the ball - like they do in US-slot-car racing.

the commentary is so OTT

The two words "Sam McClure" probably should be added to the [Censored] Filter

On 23/02/2026 at 14:25, chook fowler said:

McClure is D grade

Sam at the start of the 2024 season 'If you dont have Carlton as your favourite to win the flag then you dont know footy' McClure.

Has anyone squandered the bag of a career in the footy media and having the gift of a full head of hair, as much as Sam McClure?

Edited March 10Mar 10 by John Demonic