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Please be Jagga. Such a special player. We need a point of difference mid with pace and agility to work alongside our big bodied mids (Trac, Rivers, Clarry). If we want faster more fluid ball movement then Jagga is the pick. His first option is always to find the open player on the move with space in front of him. I can see him having a positive impact in this regard from day one. For those worried about his size. He will of course need to build his body, but have a look at the youtube videos of his effectiveness at VFL level against mature bodies for the Tiges. His agility and quick clean hands means he can get effective disposal away in tight. He's got such quick feet and strong hips where he can swivel out of pressure (much like Daicos). These attributes mean he will be able to play AFL straight away. I'm all in on Jagga Smith if the cards fall the way they're predicting currently.

Who do we have under the age of 27-28 that is a good quality midfielder? That can extract the ball Arguably Rivers and…? It is a gaping hole and if we dont recruit two mids i’ll be staggered. The list will be in bits in 2-3 years Not saying we need two inside mids Ideally 1 inside/outside 1 power mid can go fwd

The more straightforward thing to read from our interest in Derksen is that we are still looking at adding key forwards to our list. That’s likely to mean that the Demonland consensus of ‘draft midfielders at any cost’ is not shared by the club.

Agreed Frothies. Our interest in Derk / his determination to get home should still be there next year and will cost us nothing Also agree with some posters above, not sure why we eould be determined to create potential mids out of Rivers/McVee when we have picks 5 and 9 in a draft that is perfect for potential mids. Pick 5/ pick 9/ Windsor/ Kolt coming through as a midfield group together underneath Trac/Oliver/Viney is the obvious play. Let's not try and be too cute.

Trainor is a massive risk having already had concussion issues.... hope we don't go down that road.

I’m comfortable sitting on 5 & 9 thanks very much. We will get two future “aces” for the midfield #5 I think it’s a choice between Lalor , Langford, Smith or FOS. All are future stars imv and MFC will probably have at least one available at 5 (assume Crows get Draper) #9 again I think it’s another midfielder or running type … likely choice between Allan, Lindsay, Travaglia, Smillie I think Armstrong and Tauru are very good youngsters and will be very good footballers. I am preferring to prioritize the need for potential elite next gen midfielders with two picks inside top 10.

I don't think he's nearly as explosive as a Dusty/Tracc or as strong as even a young Cripps but I definitely agree on the footy IQ, that's a big reason why I think he can be versatile in more than just a mid/forward. The strong marks and nice kicks are great but I love this run from half back, mind you it's 4 on 1 so it's not exactly the worlds toughest decision making test but the way he fakes the handball then puts it perfectly out to space. Then caps it off by hustling and taking out the Vic Metro player. That's a combination of skills, smarts and selflessness that recruiters will love.

When you're Bailey's size you need a point of difference - clever/good user, tough inside, fast, skilful. Think Bowey, Viney, Windsor, and Chandler (?). I don't see any of attributes in Laurie.

A lovely late morning run, they were very chirpy and enjoying session. Not training, but down at Gosch's was Goldrick and Colvin, Harris and Beasley also on the boundary or assisting. Hose was rehabbing, doing sharp, short, change of direction runs and some jogging under trainer's supervision. Light duties (all in runners) included, McNamara, Paxman, and possibly Rigoni (ran some drills but didn't participate in sims or structural drills). Hore did some running and short sprints. Joined the group for some structural sims, but didn't do the full sims. Looks like she will be right to go. Twenty-four players that are fit and in full training. The goal kicking practice started well, though deteriorated as they went. Skills were very good in the structural sims and the sims. They were working on the short passes in the forward area and creating overlap run through the corridors. Standouts Hanks, Heath, Zanker, Gillard. S.Taylor, and Gall.

He's done both, although my understanding is that we wanted to play him forward (I can't remember where I heard that from, though). Either way, I think having two of our current key forwards (Petty and Turner) being converted defenders probably indicates our desire for key forwards too. Plus picking Kentfield in the mid-season draft. Last season we were missing two of the league's top 5 midfielders, and we obviously struggled there as a result. We also were missing none of our best key forwards, and we still only had Van Rooyen and then a couple of converted defenders. Oliver and Petracca, of all the noise, are on long term deals. The key forward cupboard, even without injuries, has Van Rooyen, Jefferson (0 games), Fullarton (0 games) and Kentfield (0 games) in it. In the past few years we've lost Brown, McDonald and Jackson from that premiership forward line and replaced them with Van Rooyen and magic beans. More key forwards is still something we need to add to the list.

I think they could reduce rotations further (say, to 50/game or even less) and get rid of the sub. Fewer rotations means there's less disadvantage to someone being injured and more strategy in managing interchange.

You don’t make list management decisions based on having Wade Derksen. You certainly don’t make them when you don’t even have him. That would be like choosing where to go for a fancy dinner based on possibly having some 2 minute noodles in the cupboard. Rivers is a mid now. Look at his B+F voting post midfield move. He’s ready for it. Theres some decent mids at the top of the draft but we have needs everywhere. No point adding Darcy Parish and Elijah Tsatas if there’s better players in other roles.

Blake Howes got his debut in 2024 after a frustrating run of injuries over the two prior years. In 2024, Howes played as a mid-tall defender played 16 games averaged 14 disposals per game Imv his best game was shown in the high of 22 possessions in Rd23 win over the suns , including 10 marks a year to settle in and show he belongs 👏👏 Now for 2025 Howes should continue his confidence to develop and become a regular. He fits in. He could either be a floating defender or alternatively might return to his original design as a half forward with good movement, skills, marking and goalkicking. There is a space there with ANB’s departure. He’s athletic. At 192cms, he’d have some aerial ability to be dangerous. I think he can be the new HFF in 2025 and beyond.

The only incentive for Richmond to make that trade is because they want the same player we want at 5 and the same player we want at 9 (they also have 10). Maybe they do, but if so, we'd never make that trade and give up the players we want just to get pick 24. Richmond are picking straight after us, we're not trading with them.

The latest from the Age is Richmond doesn't want to trade their pick-six and is less likely to do a pick swap with North. Most experts believe the Tigers will take Lalor at one, and the North will take Tauru. Carlton traded up to get FOS, and I cannot see Adelaide letting Draper go. Come on down, pick and go for the best Langford, Smith or Smillie. In Taylor we trust.

I know it’s only draft highlights in a COVID affected year but he looks so impressive in some of these clips Unfortunately he hasn’t been able to demonstrate the same smarts, evasiveness and kicking ability at AFL level, and in all honesty it hasn’t been that consistent at VFL either If he could start to show some of the above at AFL level he could be a really handy player for us, but with another couple of top draftees coming in it’s going to be even tighter for spots, so I suspect he’ll need to force his way in with strong VFL form Here’s hoping 2025 is Bill’s year

Haven't seen anything from BL to suggest he will make it.

He's the style of player we seem to like, plus with Rivers moving into the midfield it may make sense.

You think we will win the flag next year? Given a good fixture, good injury run and player development we could.

I would have thought it a no brainer to at least allow sub on whilst any concussion protocol is in progress. It encourages completion of the SCAT test as a team will not be a man down (several clubs have used on ground assessments this season and then cited delayed concussion. If player passes the concussion protocol, then the sub can come back off. A simple positive OHS play.

Probability that sydneydee also complains about millenials being soft snowflakes with main character syndrome is looking high.

I dont

I'm not sure about serious fractures (i mean the facts don't support that - no way so many players extend contracts in the last few months if there was serious fractures in the playing group), but i don't think there is much doubt there's some fence building needed, particularly in relation to tracc. But to that I'd say so what. At any given point in time there is likely to be some conflict in an organisation as big as a footy club, full of alpha male athletes with (nessarary) egos and any number of potential grievances ('why did they pick him not me', 'I'd be better in that position', 'he never puts away his weights'). Every club except the lions will be dealing with some level of internal conflict atm. Most clubs have unhappy players wanting out for non family or personal related reasons (ironically an exception being the dees). And every club has delisted players, most of whom who have close relationships with players who are staying. Whatever fence building is needed will happen naturally and they will just get on with training. No biggie.

Knock yourself out. Funny part is he's not even my first preference if I had my choice, so you can keep chipping away if you'd like. He'd be no different to a Petracca, Dusty, Cripps when they've rested up forward. When teams have gone on the defensive transition from defence they arent exactly sprinting to their defensive position point. Star players, but not exactly known for being defensive minded on transition. As you say, they have soldiers that cover for them in that instance. Langfords literally shown he can be an attacking mid first but also get into a defensive starting point on the counter attack. With his high end work rate and endurance, he makes up for it by being able to put himself into a position where he can defend and cover off his opponent without any issues. He's a very disciplined individual with high footy IQ that gets underestimate.

You’re very sensitive about any perceived criticism about Langford. It’s odd. I’m almost tempted to start doing so just for the amusement of watching you leap in each time like an unrequited high school crush.

OMG the poor bugger through no fault of his own (except perhaps courage) broke his clavicle - whilst the fracture itself heals in 6-8 weeks, there is naturally some reticence to take an impact for much longer. Regression like many on our list is a bit way over the top. Lets judge him on how he performs in 2025, after a full pre season.

He's not a mid sized forward though, he's predominantly a midfielder, and a dominant inside one at that. He'd be a weapon at bounces, not a liability. He's one of the best clearance winners at his level. He was top 10 at the combine for the 2km time trial, so he's fit and has a high cruising speed to make it to lots of contests. He just doesn't have the initial burst that some others do. His fitness, determination and footy IQ make up for it thus far. He projects as an inside midfielder who can rest forward. He's very similar to in style to Bont and Cripps, both are both supposedly slow too. Lack of burst speed didn't stop midfielders like Mitchell, Pendlebury, Selwood, Bontempelli, Hodge, Bartel, Cripps, Fyfe etc from being game changing midfielders. Assuming he develops well, it won't stop Langford either.

I'm not a Luke Beveridge fan but the only player of note they have lost was Bayley Smith, and he's been a problem child at the club. The rest were playing VFL footy at some stage. Goody may have a good rapport with the players but that may cloud his judgement. Some of the player extensions have been questionable. And I won't go into our club culture issues, because I'm sure you'll defend it to the hilt.

I am DD but that is another subject. I have confidence we will win another flag before we get a new home ground be it Caulfield or an alternative.

For those blaming injuries for us missing the finals, take a look at Brisbane Lions: 1) Lose Keidean Coleman to an ACL in opening round. One of the best players in last year's grand final and was a prime candidate to be an all australian small defender. 2) Lose Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner on the same night to ACL's. Both were settled into their forward line at the time. The former a clear 30-35 goal kicker a year. 3) Lose their high quality Ruckman for the grand final of all games. No how's that for dealing with adversity. The only time I saw us dealing with adversity this year was the Adelaide oval business trip. We raised the white flag in Perth and Alice Springs when things got a bit tough.

Can I remind everyone that both Bomba Thompson and Dimma survived external reviews at their respective clubs prior to winning flags? They weren't sacked, but changes were made around the existing coach. I expect the same with us. Whether you like him or not, Goodwin is a good head coach and man manager, but maybe not the best tactician. Yze admitted on his departure that he was coaching from the box, and Goody was on the boundary line managing the players. This was a transition year with, at times we had five new players in the lineup, some in their first season and others having less than ten games under their belt None of us has any idea what the board has set the coach to do. His job description, tasks, KPI's and performance skill set. He reports to the GM or board monthly, so I don't think they will be sacking him now, given they have followed his progress all season. Already, two assistants have gone, and the dynamic will change. Stop worrying about things that we have no control over. The external reviews will challenge the club, but I cannot see mass sackings. Are there ready-made replacements for the incumbents who cop so much vitriol? NO. It was stated elsewhere that Brisbane lost three senior players to ACLs and their ruckman for the granny. This is where they are better than us. Their second side played deep into the VFL finals, and they have great depth. Would Lohmann, Morris and Ah Chee have got the opportunity if not for the injuries? It worked out better for them, and they introduced new blood that lifted. The injured players ( McCarthy, Coleman & Gardner) probably aren't in the best 22 any more. Darcy Fort is an experienced ruck who played his role on Grand Final day, limiting the effect Grundy had on the game and covering McInerny's absence perfectly. Sydney got smashed in the midfield by Neale, Ashcroft, Berry, McCluggae, Dunkley & Bailey The return of Ashcroft mid-season also bolstered Brisbane. Having a Coleman medalist join the midfield mid-season was a pretty handy acquisition. As we saw, the cupboard was bare in our midfield at Casey, and there was no one to replace Trac and later Windsor and Oliver. Brisbane has a much better and deeper list than us and mids who kick goals.

Langford has better hands, is a better mark, and hits the scoreboard more often. Smilie a bit better on the outside. Langford is better on the inside. For his big size, Smilie tends to feel pressure around stoppages and often sags back and dump kicks long. Langford works it through traffic and finds options better by hand.and is generally more effective. Who knows if Smilie could improve that part of his game in an AFL environment though, which is why he's an interesting prospect.

I really believe we can't pass up on best available mid for at least pick 5 in this draft. I hope s mid for pick 9 too. Stuff putting Mcvee, even Rivers in mids. They can play back and we draft quality mids. Another reason is we still believe we are in the window and I doubt Armstrong helps like Windsor did this year. Looking back at previous drafts, it's rare to have depth going to pick 10ish. Top 5 picks have roughly a 7/10 chance to be decent. Picks 6-10 is far less, around the 4/10 mark. This is a massive opportunity to get 2 star players and a gamble on Armstrong is just wrong. JT picked Weideman over McKay and Curnow, plus the other fails and questions over Jefferson who right now has a serious question mark of being a pick 15. Our success with talls has come late in drafts. Petty, Turner, even JVR pick 19. Before JT, Gawn and McDonald.