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I believe the Footy Dept are extremely happy & positive about Van Rooyen, in fact they believe he will be a very special player, however, don’t expect to see him this year. Joel Smith is currently training as a Forward, and there is growing interest in retaining Tomlinson and playing Petty as a forward.

You’ll get used to it the more you talk to women… I believe in you!

If that figure is anywhere near true, you go home, play at the club your family is connected with, who are your supported club and they are currently top 4, it imo is a no brainer for Jacko and he is gone. I don’t think we would get anywhere near that offer and nor should we. Do the best deal Dees and don’t get shafted. Freo offer a ridiculous salary and should pay a commensurate trade. We should get a very good player, a top pick and maybe Meek as steak knives.

As long as we hold firm with what we want, we'll win out. That's my prediction. Even projecting forward. Jackson is great and will be one of the best ruckmen. But I disagree about the generational player stuff. And I have greater trust in our recruiters and that we will land another beauty and have greater trading power for an established gun. We don't lose imo as long as we don't cave to Freo.

That'll be a long commute to Casey

Daniel is a big out he always kills us.

Not sure why people have an issue with Tommo out. He played very well last week but Petty is an upgrade no matter what way you look at it.

I don’t think Lever will get up for this week, however, if he does, don’t be surprised if Tomlinson plays CHB and Petty goes forward. If Lever doesn’t get up, then I don’t think Petty will go forward. All I’m saying is that there is discussion taking place about retaining Tomlinson to allow Petty to go forward as long as the pillars of May & Lever are there.

We have no replacement for Tmac and it has been shown since his loss that we are struggling for a taller player to take marks. Last week Tomlinson played well and deserved his spot this week. Why not play Petty in the forward line where he has shown on a few occasions he can mark and kick goals. Surely it is worth a trial. We have one key forward in Brown then no one else. Why not try a player who can mark and kick accurately?

I’m a West Aussie and spent a good part of my 20’s away from my mummy dug in in Iraq and Afghan. Happy to be called soft to my face if you’d like. Also, things change. Family members can become I’ll, you get homesick, meet someone who’s from another city.. he’s entitled to change his plans.

Funniest thing about these glass half empty LJ opinions, is many of you don’t have an awareness of how hypocritical you are being. ie “I don’t think LJ is a generational talent”, and “I have full confidence that Jason Taylor will find a more than adequate replacement” If you ask Jason Taylor what he thinks of LJ, his response without hesitation is “generational talent”

worth a listen, Daisy is a class act and talks through the hunt , dermie comments with measured logic and eloquence.

Good call. He was picked to play a specific role - defensive forward. Split his time between aliir and cluery . Neither had an impact and critically had bugger all intercept marks. Big tick for Jake.

I think this is true...Unfortunately I also think a lot of people don't like the thought of being taught about the game by a woman.

No Rooter, no Tomlinson and Petty to defence instead of fwd Goodwin out

To whom much is given, much is expected.

And imagine how it would change if they decided to crack down on throwing.

Serong extended in 2020 till the end of next year. If he signalled an interest to come back to Vic, his existing contract is no barrier. Young’s deal expires at the end of ‘27 (basically till free agency).

If he goes you will be in the majority on DL.

Except for when he plays us, then I hope he has career worst performances...and is a total liability.

Im one of few who dont believe the hype regarding Jackson. I think he is very good but I think Biclavs is very good as well. My major interest in this process is watchingto see that we dont get shafted. An added bonus would be that it means Gus is more likely to sign on again. I actually think Gus is closer to a (once in a ) generational player than Dogga. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Im backing him in for a Norm Smith.

For example there's no doubt that Sarah Jones is a big step up from Eddie McGuire when hosting the footy.

I love Gus but if he ever joins the Dons he will be dead to me.

Lose, not happy. Win, not happy. Bring in two first choice players, happy but not happy. I must be looking at the ladder upside down.

BBB had 8 marks ,2 goals and could've been 3-4, Fritsch 15 disposals 4 scores . Melksham had 7 tackles and contributed to at least 2 goals. Id say he did the job he was asked against port. I've been a big critic of his but he can do a good defensive role on a medium to tall defender , and he is also has the ability to deliver better than most into our forward line. People are upset we are not trying a rookie in jvr and potting Melksham for his game on the weekend really don't get it.

That was informative.

Fairly predictable team I guess, but Tommo is very unlucky imo. Maybe he will be medi-sub, or possibly replace Rick Lever, if he fails a late test before the game.

You weren't involved in Norm Smith's sacking were you? Wouldn’t shock me, given your penchant for criticising the coach that only last year ended a 57 year premiership drought - and the Norm Smith curse.

Rough on Tommo was the best defender on the day

Yeah, but there is the issue of him being extensively interviewed by the club and asked about moving home. This was done at the beginning of the draft. He made certain guarantees to the club and said he loved living here and had been here for Basketball and had an uncle here. The club were sucked in by this and took him. Now, like all soft West Aussies, he can’t be without his mum’s cooking and the small country town life Perth offers.

$10.3m for 8 years is an average of $1.250m per year! About 10% of their sal cap. A lot of money to pay for potential! At least when Buddy, Grundy, Kelly, Petracca, Oliver etc got 7+ year contracts they were in their mid 20's, mature bodied AFL players and with runs on the board whereas Jackson is all potential albeit with a great start and some major medals. History of young players taking mega trade deals when only 20/21 hasn't served them well. HWSNBN renegotiated his contract to take a lower amount when the young guns need to be paid. Never came close to reaching his potential on field. Later injured, recovered then traded to Hawthorn for a very late pick. Retired early for personal reasons. Tom Boyd. Was ostracised by Bulldog team mates. Suffered from depression. Retired from AFL after just a few years with a premiership medal and almost a NSM but disillusioned. I truly hope Jackson has the maturity to deal with the attitude of Freo fans when he has a few poor games and of team mates if they have to take a lower contact to accommodate him.

As much as I love Dogga, I also think he’s lacking a certain maturity. As was I at his age and way more so! If, as certain “in the know” posters are saying, he’s gone, then we need to get around him as a team and get the absolute best out of him NOW. He may allow himself to be distracted by it all and that’s just rubbing salt into wounds. We’re a chance for a flag and he’s a big part of that. So i hope the team supports him and we get the absolute best out of him possible in the push fr a flag THIS year.

Now Hardwick is complaining to the AFL that Nankervis is getting a poor deal from umpires. He is a behind play sniper. Gets away with a lot more than for what he is penalised. He, Scott and Beveridge are perpetual whingers. I'm so glad our club just gets on with it or if they do complain to the AFL (which they have every reason to about how Max, Clarry and Petracca are targetted) they don't announce it all over the media.

I agree on Keli Underwood and I agree that of course Channel 7 has given Daisy her job initially because she was pioneering women's footy and is an exceptional public speaker. However as you said, she has more than earnt her spot. I do think however that it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge that basically all the commentators were not selected on merit, but rather on the fact that once upon a time they were great player, and apparently that makes them palatable or knowledgeable or skilled enough to commentate. It does not. Wayne Carey, a woman basher, is apparently selected on merit? Nah. BT who literally can't tell his own head from his own [censored]? Certainly not. The best commentator for me is Adam Papalia. Now here is a guy who was selected on his game calling ability and not because he was a big name player who can't string 3 words together.

Daisy is an intelligent, thoughtful and insightful football student and is excellent at communicating that insight. She is the best special comments person in the game and one of the few reasons to listen to the commentary at all. But Daisy won’t appeal to everyone because a lot of people are not interested in being taught about the complexities of the game. In fact some people actively dislike being taught about the game. Maybe they feel like they know enough already, or the complexity is beyond their grasp, or maybe they just want to switch their brains off and watch two team smash the suitcases out of each other. Each to their own but Daisy is clearly the best at communicating the complexities of the game, which is exactly what a special comments person is theoretically supposed to do.

Basically Rex Hunt had a go saying Daisy only had a job due to a gender quota. Talked up Wayne Carey as a superior commentator and that Daisy stole his spot on Friday nights due to her gender. It’s lead to a swell of toxic support online from some seriously sexist and brain dead people, if you can even call them that. Rex is obviously an out of touch old fool. Daisy is one of the most insightful commentators going around. She provides better insight into what’s happening in the matches than most other commentators, especially the blokes old boys club types. She understands the modern game better than players from 2-3 decades ago who spend the matches beating their chests and the best insight they can give is getting a players name correct. You’re best off ignoring the rubbish online if you have any semblance of humanity left. Some of the stuff said about Daisy has been disgusting and shameful.

Anyway there isn't even a debate. Daisy is the best special comments person in the game right now. The article says Dermott reckons Wayne Carey is superior, I couldn't agree less. Daisy makes Carey look so B-grade it isn't funny.

You're planning a nudie run if we win the flag this year?

There are no two scenarios that are the same in trading My point was simple - if a player and club mutually agree to a trade it can happen - your comment implied the long term contract in itself was a blocker - it isn't

yes! yes! a massive further 13 memberships. yay! 65,816

If we did give LJ a big deal around 800K long term we would end up on Collingwoods situation in 2 years. You can’t have Trac, Clarry, Viney, Salem, May, Lever, Gus all on coin and not expect to push someone out. if we lose LJ, it’s a loss for sure. But we should be able to keep our core together and even trade in a key fwd for example Im glass half full today. Freo need to pay massive overs to attract talent

I wonder if the stricter head-high interpretation will affect the Dogs’ advantage? Judging by his opposition to it, Bevo may well think so.

Just heard Daisy on SEN this morning with Whateley responding to Rex etc. and she is all class. Always considered, thoughtful, balanced, empathetic, she really is a star!! Managed to put Rex, Dermie and co. in their box, as out of date, comfortable living in the past with their mates. Managed to do it an an inoffensive way, made me think of pen mightier than the sword. Followed by Gerard highlighting how many modern players pay zero attention to older players as they are so out of tune with modern day. Go Daisy!!

I'm sure your notes also show the time on ground too Melksham - 78% and 79% Chandler - 22% and 13%

In comparison to Sam Weideman this year who's played 8 games this year for only 23 marks. If it's true that we're playing Petty up forward then you'd think it's just about lights out for Weideman's time at Melbourne. I've always been a fan of Petty as a forward because he looked just as natural up there as he does down back. I personally didn't think they'd trial it this year especially so late in the season but it certainly can't hurt to try it. With Daniel Turner signed up for 2 years and someone who's rated enormously high, maybe this could be a position switch going into next year with Petty to play up forward and Turner to take his spot down back.

I guess it never occurred to Rex and Dermot that Daisy etc being on air is because tv networks want more women watching football games and football shows. From an audience perspective the network decisions would be gender based. As many have noted in this thread male commentators and show hosts/panelists are generally ordinary. Women just aren't interested in watching/listening to blokey, has-been players trying to be showmen and make the telecasts and programs about them using voice effects, silly words and dumb questions of each other to sound interesting but add little insight into the actual game. Not saying all the female commentators are really good. But in Daisy they picked the totally wrong target. Rex and Dermot are seeing Daisy on tv through the prism of their own biases ie men should be calling/commenting on games. Under what rock have they been living in the last 10 years?

I have the full season stats on my website: https://www.wheeloratings.com/afl_stats.html You can filter by team under "Player Filters", but here are the average game time stats for all Melbourne's players this year:

Alright alright settle down.... Maybe I overeacted a tad but..... I dont like losing PREMIERSHIP players for Money.... I say to my clients... If you love what you do, and work for great employers, then not only will you be well looked after but you will Lurve being around ur mates in a great workplace... I'll leave it there

That would be one of if not the biggest deal given in AFL history. Hence what Freo have to give up should fall in line as the biggest exchange of picks ever.

Two weeks ago I was told by a Player Agent based in Perth, albeit not Luke’s Agent, that the offer is 8 years at 10.3 million from Freo.