Lil_red_fire_engine

Me and the demon sympathising wife (mad bomber member at heart) are doing the 7.30am up and 7pm back from Melbourne. I said no all weekend until first thing Monday morning that the tickets went on sale. Then jumped on one of the new release flights. Now sitting here Friday night I would have been seriously kicking myself if I hadn't changed my mind last minute. For those in the know what is the best transport option from airport to Optus? Any decent brunch spot close by worth it pregame?

Nearly a week on and I am still in the state of mind that Tyson must make way for Smith. We must bring more size and speed to our backline to combat their forward line. We must bring more run to the outside midfield. Smith in and Fritsch to the wing is the way. This is not to do with Tyson who whilst not bad had limited impact on last weeks game. Its about team balance to defeat a side that is different at a ground that is different in conditions that are different.

Fritsch had him early. Hibberd then had him late. My simple view is Smith is taller, faster and stronger than Fritsch. Fritsch is a better outside runner and link man than Tyson on a wing. Tyson was not poor but nor did he do enough to cement a place. Its a better set up against a better team.

Everyone calling for no change please put forward who is playing on Kennedy, Vardy and Darling. It is clear to me watching the VFL today that Joel Smith plays. Offers so much versatility against the Eagles front 6 and is hard and fast. Tyson the unlucky player to miss as this will shuffle Fritsch up to the wing.

I thought Fritsch was close to our worst player last night, seemed very fumbly and not his clean self, he also had the Gunston match up early on. I also don't see a natural match up for him against the Eagles forwards and think his run and skills forward of centre would be more valuable next week. If someone could advise how we are setting up for Kennedy, Darling and Vardy forward?

Anyone who says bring in Vince against a team who has Ryan, Rioli and Cripps in their forward half is unfortunately selecting with their heart not their head. That or they have poor memory of Vince recent form.

I think we will go no change but I would subject to how he goes tomorrow I would bring in Joel Smith for Tyson. He wasn't poor but he had limited impact and he is not suited to the outside where he is being forced to play. Fritsch is also better up the ground.

I get it and he can play but I don't get why he would agree to be an alternate ruck. He could potentially go to GWS and be their first ruck. He would be better than anything the cats could have thrown at us last night including those that were not fit. He would be better biding his time North and taking over from Goldy.

This makes perfect sense for us but no sense if I was Preuss. You would be better waiting Goldstein out and passing him next year probably vs second fiddle to the best ruckman in the AFL in his mid 20s. The only way would be if we plan on a different set up with 2 rucks with potential rule changes next year.

Oops Revise that to pick 4 or 5.

I would not trade Hogan unless he wanted out but I am not overly concerned if he chose to go compared to prior years. I believe we do play a better brand without him as focal point. I personally don't believe he has much more upside and I am not convinced on him in pressure situations. He is a good player but I don't think he will be the great we once hoped and even still we no longer need a messiah. If I was asked to order players who you would not trade ahead of him I would have Gawn, Oliver, T-Mac, Lever, Brayshaw and Viney ahead without hesitation and would have Harmes and Salem trending upward at a rate of knots. Weid's development in games 15-18 makes this even more interesting. This is not about is Hogan a good player, this is about what makes us a great team. Lets assume Neale gets to the Suns for their first pick. Pick 2 (Sam Walsh) and Ed Langdon would be a reasonable deal and give us the outside speed that we may be shown up to lack. Not my preferred option but if it happened now would be the year you would want him to ask. Now to turn my focus back to what matters and is happening on the field in September.

We’re built for this September stuff. Who’d have thought that watching finals is better than watching the draft.

I plan on reading this thread from start to finish over breakfast tomorrow. A lot of amusing humble pie I suspect.

I suggest the form of Brayshaw and Harmes would have them rethinking any plans from April. In saying that I think we still need another half back runner but I would be keeping my powder dry for Whitfield the following year unless we think he can be extracted this one.

I have no inside info but his JLT was poor aside from a quality second half of JLT 2. We now have serious quality depth and he does not have runs on the board to be named without decent form or performance. I rate him highly but he needs to show more and I suspect if we hold him back to when he's cherry ripe and in hot form it will likely be the last time he is not a permanent first 22 player.

Could not agree more. Our absolute priority needs to be locking Petracca away on a long term deal. Sloane is a good mid who can't play a tag. You don't pay overs for that type and you will need to to get him.

I read somewhere that statistically those best placed for the flag usually have the highest % of list in the 25-29 bracket. I believe we currently sit 17th however we have in 2 years times a massive glut of players that will start to fall into that space to give us a serious window of time to have an extended assault at the flag.

Could not be happier. Hope he gets a good run at it and fulfills the promise he originally had.

that answers that then. its a no from me.

Not interested unless rookie. Looks like a human highlight reel with no defensive game. Maybe its just me but a small forward needs to have the ability to also actually play small. Its a no from me unless he's there for the rookie draft.

Jason Taylor has stated we will be looking over the draft/trade period to increase our midfield depth and possibly look for some small pressure forwards. I can't see how Fritsch fits the bill and in fact seems to fit a role we have depth in already. I doubt we would take him inside 40.

How is this a huge gamble? At worst you get the existing output of a 21 year old elite intercept defender as already seen. At best you get the expected incremental improvement of a 21 year old 196cm defender over his next 4 years of development into what should be his peak. Skys the limit. Anyone that thinks we paid overs over rates the draft. Even so I suspect we will use 27 and 35 to get back into the top 20 some how. Those that say let him walk to the draft, North have deep pockets and I suspect would have snapped him up before us. Similar to the Hawthorn, Sydney and Geelong models, pick your targets, be open with what you think is fair, get your player and move on.

Let me get this right. He was taken pick 14 (probably pick 3 on count back of that draft now). Now has 50 games investment in him, enough to be an AA squad member at 21 yet is not worth 10 and 20. What would you want for an out of contract Petracca? I am not saying we pay 10 and 20 but if thats what ends up being required it is fair value.

Fair few there you're over rating. i think it's assured he will finish top 10 in their B&F and probably top 5. Will be interesting to see. Also we are talking about a kid 5 years away from his best footy with 10 years probably left. Not exactly apples with apples.

How did the Cats tall forwards go tonight. 8 marks and 5 massive spoils to go with the best disposal efficiency on the ground in a pressure match. Not his best but I would suggest he would feature higher in the coaches votes than 16th or lower. Is a super player who is already statistically the best intercept mark in the comp which is fast becoming a crucial role in today's game.