Lil_red_fire_engine

Remind me when our backs have been flakey over the journey? I assume you will describe a sustained period not a game here and there. Maybe they have but I cant recall.

All we need now is to hear that McKay's deal has not triggered the top tier band and that would be 3 from 3 for the best we could have hoped for.

I suggest the 3 year contracts for top 20 picks make both parties more comfortable with these decisions.

Impossible to call Brown a howler we took over his contract and without him we dont win a flag. Knowing TMac had been up and down in form and injury we should not have extended him a year earlier than when he came out of contrat and certainly not for the length we did. He had just come off a good year and we were trying to not allow free agency get in the way. We should have rolled the dice.

The ones that play on a postage stamp sized home ground which would suit him well.

Because they are not top sides with our starting midfield. He could not land a consistent spot even with Clarry out for an extended period. He had a great opportunity to show his wares without Brayshaw on the weekend and had no impact. He will have more players go passed him in the next 2 years. He will get his opportunity elsewhere to play more consistent AFL. I just hope wherever he goes their supporters learn how to consistently spell his surname.

With Petty planned forward the role is there for him if he is playing well enough, I suggest moreso with Hibberd retiring. He is in contract. We like playing three talls and we dont want to be relying on Turner or Adams to play the role for most/parts of the year. This also doesnt mean we don't pick a mature back from a state league as well.

I love this time of year :)

Incorrect. We thought we could make Max Gawn a forward and a relief ruck without him losing his mojo when in there.

I cant see us straight up getting 11 for Grundy and Harmes as steak knives doesn't help. I could see them swapping their first pick for our pick (moving up 2 spots) as well as obtaining their pick 22.

He is ranked second of all rucks over the second half of the year. How much would he cost in trade now. Gawn was a no name ruck until he wasn’t. They just take time but they are hard to pick. This year there are available emerging but unproven rucks in Flynn, Hayes and Teakle. I am sure one of them can both do the job and maybe under Max could become the next Briggs.

I am amazed how anyone could watch the games Petty played forward before injury both times and think he does preseason down back. When fit he is the answer to our key forward woes. Not just structurally but because he looks to have the tools to be a true top liner. We need to find the answer to our third tall defender being we don’t trust Tomlinson. Whether that be bulking up Turner, taking a late (likely too late) swing at McKay or an out of contract role player like Melican. Best option may be looking at a mature VFL option and hope we luck a Collins or Wilke.

I wouldnt take either of Kade Chandler or Caleb Daniel with a top 10 draft pick.

Yes there are players that make it work around that height but how many? An then how many are you happy to risk a top 10 pick on. I have also read mixed assessments on whether it is thought it can translate to more than a small forward. If we take him then he passes the JT test and I am all in I just struggle to see it.

I just cant get my head around using our first pick on a 170cm player who appears to get a lot of his ball on the lead. My preference would be Duursma or McKercher but agree good chance they are not there. Would prefer us look at OSullivan or Caddy if we rate either in same talent band over the Wizard. The more I look at this draft and how it seems to become very vanilla very quickly I do wonder if we cant trade right up the top end whether we are more likely to try to trade for need or move picks into the first round of the 2024 draft.

I agree with the TMac inclusion but feel we are too short back with Hibberd there. It does not allow May and Lever to play to their strengths. I hope Laurie is the sub.

Do you think we should invest $650-700k annually and 5-6 years in him? Where would you rate him against our starting midfield of Oliver, Trac and Viney. Would you even put him ahead of Brayshaw or what other role would he play for us?

I watch alot of Essendon as the wife barracks for them. He is a high quality accumulator but that is all. Does not get them in damaging positions. Does not have great execution. Has no better than average pace. I could not see how you would play him and Brayshaw in the same midfield mix. The investment in $$$ and tenure I doubt would fit our needs.

When we play brute force footy like we did at times in that second half no one can touch us. Bring on finals. We are ready.

Sorry Kent it may be your observation but the stats dont support your first sentence at all. Agree when someone plays in that role Lever plays better but it doesn’t need to be Tomo. Lever was great all game last week but was best in the last when Smith was down there. I agree its a risky move to bring Turner in at this time of year but I can see why the selectors aren’t confident that Tomo is the answer.

Tomlinson VFL stats are bloated by the fact he takes the kick outs and they switch back through him. I would not put much direct comparison into their stats. Both have had quality VFL seasons. Experience aside, Turner offers us more defensive flexibility on who he can defend at AFL level. The only time I would defer to Tomlinson is if he is to be match on a heavier less mobile tall ie: McKay.

He reads like a Nibbler role succession plan.

His role allows Lever to be Lever and May to be May. The problem though is he is only ok in his direct role. He gives what he has but plays in straight lines and is reactionary so is led to the ball by his player. Turner can play the same role on more players unless they have serious bulk advantage (like Casboult did and like McKay would have). Turner same height, has speed and better natural read but is lighter. Turner has dominated at VFL level pre and post injury not just in stats but impact. In my view for the teams we are likely to play in September I would think Disco gives us more options. Granted it is a risk to bring someone new into the system this late in the year.

Good news but who wouldn’t be keen on joining the Dees though?

Dazzle, I know he is making his name as a backman but what's he like as a forward?