Leaderboard

The contract wasn't a huge mistake, it just hasn't worked out due to injury. Tom was very very good in second half of 2017 and 2018. He kicked over 70 goals through this period and was standing up amongst the best key forwards in the comp. He was coming into free agency. We signed him for 4 years. That wasn't a huge mistake. What's happened since is a player who's been plagued by ongoing foot injury issues. It's been unfortunate for both the club and Tom. It's unlucky. He's worked his [censored] off, his work ethic can't be questioned. His talent hasn't just disappeared. His body has let him down. It didn't help matter that the clubs fitness team got him to add muscle bulk to his upper body, which exasperated his foot issues. The club is now stuck with him contracted for another 2 years on a high amount (circa 700k). It's a big price to pay for someone struggling for both fitness and form. Unless another club has heaps of cap space cleared up (Essendon?), he won't be going anywhere. If he does stay, hopefully he can drop weight and find form again, most likely down back IMO.

Plenty of Harry Hindsights are saying it was a mistake - I'm very keen to see even a single post from the time saying that.

Ricky Nixon has dumped more rumours tonight than the Democrats have dumped random votes for Biden in the American presidential race. Here they are - • Jeremy Cameron – Talks between the Cats and Giants have come to a grinding halt, with GWS insisting on receiving players – not picks – which makes sense given the mass exodus from there. This is the usual stand off around a player such as Cameron. GWS have said they want two players in return for Cameron believed to be Esava Ratugolea and Sam Menegola ... GWS have put four year deal on table to Sam Menegola. • Three Victorian clubs are sitting back watching closely on the Jeremy Cameron deal they are the obvious Carlton Essendon Collingwood. All ready to trump up with a better deal than what Geelong can…….so does Geelong trade Ratugolea and Menegola……I would definitely not trade Menegola…..now way Essendon talks strongly going around pick 7 will head to the Western Bulldogs in return for Josh Dunkley talks Bulldogs keen to use pick 7 and try and lure Adam Treloar to the club defiantly watch this space round this deal. • For me St.Kilda the obvious place for Treloar where he can contribute to them finishing above Collingwood again this year. • Saints boss Simon Lethlean says that contrary to reports Jack Higgins has not made any intentions of a move to St Kilda (that might be true but he left off the part that they have had discussions with him at length……might want to get in quick because Carlton real keen ... real keen. • Sainter Seb Ross now linked to a three year deal at Essendon. • I hope it’s not true that Carlton have offered Zac Merrett the most ridiculous deal I’ve ever heard of 6 years at 900+ ... just a little warning if true Carlton don’t spend up too big on Cripps backups and lose the lad back to WA • Daniel Talia – Essendon in to him, as source believes he could be on the move as Adelaide look to gain currency for him now rather than dealing with a potential free agency hassle next season. Crows footy boss Adam Kelly, however, says he’s a “required player”. Contracted until 2021 despite Essendon has offered him two-three years on table for him after he wants to return back home to Victoria. • Harry McKay – Essendon made a play at the key forward, but neither Carlton nor McKay are entertaining a move. Contracted until 2021 and he wishes to stay at Carlton next year. • Matthew Scharenberg – Had been mulling over a return to his native South Australia after falling out of favour in 2020, but has since been delisted so will definitely try to earn a lifeline with the Crows. Delisted free agent. • Josh Thomas from Collingwood linked to three clubs Gold Coast Sydney GWS showing interest around him the last couple days talks going around he could be set to stay at the pies next year. • Jayden Laverde only one club the last 24hrs have questioned his playing movements is believed to be North Melbourne. • Shaun McKernan – Will sign with the Saints as the news I broke 2 weeks a go and lots of Saints fans saying it wont happen….BANG. Delisted free agent talk is one-two year deal on table. • Brandon Matera three clubs the last 48hrs having been expressing interest in him talks believed to be Adelaide Hawthorn West Coast showing interest in him. • Mason Wood been linked two clubs Sydney and Carlton as delisted free agent. • Jake Carlisle – Had fallen out of favour at points, but Brett Ratten has since claimed he will be offered a new deal. Hawthorn tried desperately to get him across after Hawthorn offered him three year deal talks Carlisle will stay at St Kilda talks two years have been offered to him from St Kilda. • Nick Hind – Essendon are making a play at the small forward as a replacement for Orazio Fantasia. Out of contract, not a free agent. • Jack Lonie – Fell out of favour at points in 2020 looks likely to seek a new home – although St Kilda want to keep him. Carlton and Collingwood came knocking last time he was out of contract, but the Western Bulldogs are reportedly the most interested club this time around. Out of contract, not a free agent. Western Bulldogs have asked to meet with Lonie this weekend. • Paddy McCartin has been asked from Essendon to have a discussion with them two clubs showing huge interest in him believed to be Carlton and Sydney talks David Teague is absolutely wrapped with Paddy in the meeting with him. • North Melbourne Coach - Michael Voss been linked to three to four year deal as coach talks North strongly keen on Voss and he has had fair few discussions with the club personally I don’t think Michael knows what way to go. Also talks that Gary Ayers and Mark Williams have also had chats with the club as well but Ross Lyon no interest as he has an eye on an Ess or Coll etc. • David Mundy set to sign one year deal now at Fremantle. • Tom Hickey looks set to nominate Sydney from West Coast three year offer on the table to him talk is he’s told the west coast players he wishes to be traded. Jordan Clark linked to a three year deal at Fremantle talk Geelong is trying put a deal on the table for him to stay at Geelong. • Ben Brown after nominating Melbourne he has passed medical for Melbourne that deal will be done now that Melbourne got the results back talk four-five years on table for him. • GWS have asked Essendon the only way Jye Caldwell deal will get done would see a late 1st round pick to see that deal done. • Lachie Shultz looks set to stay at Fremantle. • Three clubs showing huge interest in Peter Wright is North Melbourne Essendon Collingwood Collingwood still front runners for him as far as doing a trade but sources close to Wright tell me he’s a mad Pies Fan and prior to him getting drafted Collingwood said they’d nominate him but they didn’t and this is a strong reason Wright aint super keen on them at the moment • Tom McDonald the last 48hrs GWS have shown interest talks going around two club race for him now is between Essendon and North Melb • GWS will trade Zac Langdon to West Coast for pick 54. • Jack Stevens from Geelong been linked to North Melbourne talks Geelong keen offload Stevens pay him out for next year talks could force him to retire depending offer on North Melbourne. • West Coast officials set to hold Zoom Meeting with Alex Witherden. • Two clubs race for Luke Dunstan from St Kilda are Carlton and Adelaide.

I think many of you are underestimating the value of Preuss to GWS who are desperate for a ruck. He's a starting 22 quality ruck who has been competitive against the best (Grundy this year) and he's contracted which means we've got the whip hand. Why would we trade him to GWS and not look to get something substantial. They are not going to get better. And as has been discussed, we are weakening our own ruck situation and having to find a mature back up for Gawn. Why would we do that for a nothing pick? I'm hopeful of a good draft pick for him, but having said that, I'm often very wrong with these things.

I'm not really a fan of digging up the past. But, in this instance, let's do it. There is not one single post criticising the contract. It's actually saddening reading that thread. It was June 2018, we'd just won six in a row. It's like a time capsule back to a much happier era. Feels like an eternity ago.

What were the club thinking giving a 26 year old key forward who just kicked 50 goals after a very good ruck/forward year a 4 year deal? Should’ve just had him year to year. Maybe even made him pay subs. Same for Harmes. 24 years old. Best 22 for 3 years. Can play a variety of roles. Silly giving him a 5 year deal through his entire prime and likely getting a discount for it. Should’ve paid him far more money for 2 years and risked losing him in free agency, that would’ve been a much smarter move.

Not yet mate, sorry! Seems pretty quiet atm. Apparently the plan was Brown and Smith as the main focus, then a few free agent forward line options, then focus on getting up the draft this year and next year. Hoping for something more exciting, but no rumours at this stage.

In the mid 1960s when he was playing VFL, Blair ran a Sunday footy game for local kids in Hedgeley Dene Gardens in East Malvern. Every second kid from around the area would turn up, to be divided into two teams and play. Blair would umpire. It was great fun until the Council banned footy in the park because the kids were chopping up the lawn too much. I remember one Blair's favourite local kids was Robert Lamb, who went on to play 58 games for Richmond and 7 for South Melbourne. Lamb is the only player in Richmond history to have kicked 8 or more goals in a game at Senior, Reserve and Under 19 levels.

Trading out. Trump. Trading in. Biden - 4 year contract. Risky contract length given age and declining performance. Have young Harris in the squad and may be required to step up in 2 years.

Apparently some can change the goal posts while others, like @Dr evil, can't. Gotta love trade period.

A big part of the reason we moved him forward was his horrendous disposal. The last few years there's been a big focus on making our backline more 'safe'. In 2018 and 2019 our points conceded from back half turnovers was a massive issue. I very much doubt that we would move TMac to the backline again given that.

Do the same thing with the same people and get the same result. 2021 will be a long year.

Hearing possible Hannan and pick 23 for pick 14 in return and some later pick swaps or future pick swaps

They should reduced free agency period and trade week period to just be a week. Stop drawing the [censored] out and just get it done. If they want to drive excitement, then that's how to do it. When it's dragged out, we all tune out.

Why was it a mistake? At the time he was a terrific player that had just come off a 50 goal season at Full Forward and was still a very capable Full Back, not to mention as a 2nd mobile ruckman He has been loyal & stuck with us, injures are a [censored].

Former Demon, Blair Campbell, who played 12 games and kicked 23 goals from a half forward flank in 1969 has passed away. Campbell, who joined the club from Richmond, was credited with inventing the banana kick. He played the one season for the club and retired after injuring his knee but went on to a long career in Shield Cricket as a crafty wrist spinner who was also a handy late order batsman. Condolences to the family.

I wonder if our hand has become stronger in the Preuss negotiations after McKernan and Martin have nominated St Kilda and Bulldogs respectively. Mahoney stated on trade radio that we are in the market for a mature ruck/forward for cover but now the market is looking increasingly thin there. We tell GWS he is more valuable to us now as a back up ruck and will make him serve out his contract unless you make it worth our while. We then see how keen GWS are to have a starting 22 ruck or put there faith in mummy for another year.

You got it there Wise !!

I will never let that organisation off the hook just because the staff were suspended/sacked. It was the most disgraceful lack of care for players in the history of the AFL. Testing random Unapproved drugs on their players having no idea what they might do. This is endemic to the club due to its arrogance and expecting to win regardless of the consequences. Why does Daniher, Saad, Fantasia want to leave? Their culture is shot

Jeez champ. You’re just so childish at times it’s cringeworthy. Why didn’t you either comment on his post or simply ignore it?!

I think what I'd be trying to do is: 26 + 68/69 + Hannan for a future first. Why? Because the Dogs need points this year but not next year. Let's say that their first round pick next year is the same (ie, 14). That equates to them giving up approximately pick 44 for Hannan, but crucially it allows the Dogs to increase their draft points this year by 788. That will be important given that they need to use about 2000 for JUH. Importantly for us, it also allows us to have a pick in a much more valuable draft (ie, next year). A lot of teams want future picks and we'll have two first rounders which, more than anything, gives us a lot of currency for trade both this year and next.

So you want to hang him for poor disposal in a practice match on a windy day when he was just 23 y.o in a team that couldn't defend, contest or attack...ok... I'm not saying his disposal skills were good but they weren't as bad as people make out. And I'm not saying he is a walk up starting 22. But if he is with us he deserves the right and the respect to fight for a spot.

Pass. We do not need another inside mid

iirc the main reason we moved him fwd was because Hogan and Watts were injured and we had no tall fwds. About the same time Max was injured and Pederson, our back up fwd, was in the ruck. The back half turnovers in 2018/2019 don't rest with Tom as he didn't play in defence. If he stays we will need to make the best of the situation. imv the 3rd tall position is between Smith, TMc Donald and Petty. If Tom earns his spot back I have no problem him playing in defence. Our back 6 is much much stronger now than in 2017 - 2019.

Using the AFL Draft Points Index as guide: Pick 14 = 1,161 Points Pick 25 = 756 Points 405 points differential equates to ~ pick 41 That doesn't seem unreasonable for a player the Dogs have targeted.

Ffs. Why are the Saints now the destination club? And how is their salary cap??? Big $$$ to get Carlisle. Big $$$ to get Hannebery. Big $$$ to get Hill. Big $$$ to get Crouch. Billings must be in decent $$. Steele etc will hold out their hand for more $$$ and now can they afford extra $700k year for Treloar!!??!!!!?

Fremantle has some logic attached to it now Hogan has been jettisoned. Coin around the same mark and they clearly have a need for a KP player. Smokey?

Damn I was hoping that Adelaide would match St Kilda for Crouch, solid pick up for them. GWS did well with Jesse, basically a free hit with him. If it doesn’t work out then nothing really lost on their end. As for Freo, another big trade bust for them! ? EDIT also wanted to mention it’s absolutely incredible the clubs are going through the trade period without confirming what the list sizes will be. Amateur hour from the AFL.

WERRIDEE won't be happy with you cutting his lunch like this.

I mentioned a couple of days ago and the whispers will not go away. TMac/AVB package to GWS. Not really solid info.

They have been an Arrogant mob since I can remember which is now a fair while and nothing has change.

I hope they stand firm as I also hope Treloar stands firm at Collingwood.... Make a contract great again...

Didn’t like playing ruck.

Unfortunately, there won't be a club stupid enough to take on his contract. The best we can hope for is someone is prepared to pay $500K and we stump up the rest. I'm desperate for him to go as it just might allow us to snag a decent player at the death knell. Understandably, there's little interest.

Just like the US Elections.

I think now we've brought Brown in that bringing someone else in might be contingent on freeing up salary cap space ie. T Mac being traded. I assume Phillips contract might be more than what we were offering Smith.

Bing on a footy unrelated topic. Are you still in Francais? If so how are you holding up. How is it over there? Things are looking pretty tough virus wise. How's the riding going?

I went to school with all six of Blair's kids and lived just a few doors up the street. He would come to our school every lunchtime without fail and facilitate a match where he'd not only umpire but quite often commentate. Everyone had nicknames based on their playstyle. It was something I took for granted but realise now that that level of dedication to the younger generation is a pretty rare thing. A good cricketer who represented Tasmania and played first XI cricket in Gippsland until well into his 50's.

C'mon Diana Ross, don't keep me hanging on.

His past as a defender isn't a good reference point. From 2012 to 2015 our defensive was a sieve and Tom had little support. And he really didn't have much chance to 'learn his craft'. Frawley was there but he lost interest at some point and then left. 2016 our defence tightened a bit. 2017 we experimented with a high zone and the ball sailed over everyone's head. He was then needed on the fwd line where he stayed. Our defence personnel and strategy is vastly different now. So imv we could only judge how Tom would fare their if he had the chance to do so. Let me say though that I prefer Tom goes because it will be best for all. But some perspective is useful rather than righting him off. Nor should we expect him to restructure his package. It isn't his fault the club offered the contract they did or if they didn't structure it to manage the risks at the back end.

It would be nice to see a link to a post saying the TMac extension was a mistake at the time.

The part where Josh says we're interested in Tom Phillips on Trade Radio

I don't why Mahoney didn't say: "look we're absolutely desperate for another wingman, especially now that Smith turned us down, we'd be prepared to trade almost anything to fill that hole"

Lockhart couldn't get a game ahead of Joel.Smith in the end so no. Salem can play back pocket if you don't want to play him back pocket replace him with either Rivers, Hibberd or Hore who I think is the next cab off the rank I rate him ahead of Joel.Smith.

why would a player not take career security when its available even if no one else wants him and hes stuck in the twos hes got himself a job and income for 4yrs no issues, not his problem. like the treloar situation now.

Apologies, at C9 he was Managing Director not CEO. For all intents and purposes, that is the same role though, with additional responsibilities. Here is an article talking about how announced he was leaving C9 to take on the CEO role at Colingwood. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/magpies-set-to-appoint-pert-as-ceo-20070510-gdq3pf.html So Eddie left as CEO of C9 on 30 June 2006. They decided to change their management structure and have an MD instead, and they appointed Pert to the role. 9 months later, Eddie poached him to Collingwood. So either Eddie things he was a great operator, or Eddie thought he was a push over yes man to do his bidding. I'd really like to engage with you keep makings comments that you either cant back up or are deliberately disingenuous. The closest to a point you might have made is that you don't think Goodwin, Richardson or Mahoney are good appointments, and that that may reflect on Pert. Is that your angle? Because I agree his role will live or die by those type of appointments. But you seem to be writing them off before they pass or fail, which shows your bias.