FireInTheBennelly

Yes had that in the back of my mind and decided to hell with it, trade the future for a flag. Having said that I still hold hope for Stretch and McKenna, as well as T. Smith and Keilty as talls. Don't forget J. Smith and Maynard as well. I think with those changes we have a cracking side, good depth and the needs are reduced to the lower end of things for quite a while. Garlett is the one for mine as Dion is the only prospect in that role and he doesn't appear all that close at this stage. Look at it the other way, what's the chances of us keeping all of my potential trades anyway? Realistically if they don't come on we're stuck with them, and if they do come on they'll be annoyed at a lack of game time most likely and leave anyway. It's a roll the dice call, if it's possible.

I was thinking this as well. We desperately need some leadership up forward and this guy has it. Helps out with contested marks as well. Is he coming up for free agency end of next year? Shake the tree, see if he's interested in a move back to Vic. I'd include Weids as part of the trade. Not because he's no good, but I think we need him to be further advanced than he currently is. Bringing in Lever at one end and Lynch at the other would make us serious contenders. Would certainly love Kelly kicking it up there, but is that a bridge too far???? (Yes, I know) Depends what you're willing to give up though. For those three players it would mean big draft picks and players, not to mention cap space. I'd throw Weids, Tyson, Frost, ANB, Kent, JKH, Harmes, VDB, Bugg, Wagner all up for trade if it meant we'd pick up those 3 players (apart from Weids all of those players have been regular 22 at some stage). Vince on a 1 year reduced terms depth contract to play at Casey. Trengrove, Kennedy, Hulett delist. Spencer goes as a free agent. J. Smith and Maynard upgraded from the rookie list meaning we only need to take 1 pick to the wishing well. All draft picks go on the table, 1st this and next year, 2nd, 3rd, whatever we pick up in trades, to be used for those 3 players somehow. Finalise the list with cheap free agents for depth and structure on 1 year contracts until the list is in such a state that we can afford to be bringing in more youth. Right now that's the last thing we need. Yep, it's dreaming and more than just a little bit of rubbish. The stretch (apart from a trade miracle) is obviously the salary cap. Perhaps we need to trade for the Hawks accountant as well? Jetta OMac Hibberd Hunt TMac Lever Jones Lewis Kelly Petracca Hogan Watts Melksham Lynch Garlett Gawn Viney Oliver Salem Brayshaw Hannan Pedersen What more could you want??? Lol, nice to dream.

May I suggest the 'wine' cellar has been loosely named as well.

I believe the correct term is in fact 'spud'

.... and a smoking shredder

Fair enough then. Don't even need to trade ANB, cool.

Yes that's all well and good, but can you run me by your trade scenarios that see us gaining those 2 stars?

I think it's safe to assume he's re-signed

Just wondering - and ignoring any trade scenarios for a second, how much was H on, and would that (possibly x CBA increase %) be enough to secure a young up and comer like Lever? I'd have thought he was on decent coin (???) so trying to get a gauge on what that might be worth in terms of players. If there's a decent enough free agent it's almost like a free hit, but if we can turn that into a May or Lever it's a bit of a no brainer.

Wow this will never end. Judging by the comments section of that story, after this finally calms down it'll be the EFC propaganda department suing the club for overwork after their typing fingers fall off.

This is exactly what I was thinking.

Jack Watts?

Everything is so disgustingly one-sided, it really is a disgrace to the league management and media. I'd go as far as to say it's the best thing that's ever happened to the EFC. They'll end up dominating the competition out of this. They know they're untouchable, they can lie, cheat, steal, do whatever it takes (cough cough) and they know it will all be positive. [censored] off. If I didn't love my club I'd walk away. I don't know if it will happen but the other clubs should really get together and let Gil know all this [censored] needs to be toned down. He's obviously pulling the strings, with Ruperts help (or vice versa) and I'm sure other clubs supporters will have already walked away from their sport over this.

With the club refusing to provide documentation on what was injected it's impossible to know what long term benefits these players have gained. I find it completely unnaceptable they've been allowed to remain at the instigating club, and rather they should have been farmed out across the league via some kind of mini draft mechanism or the like. The so called 'top-ups' from last year should've been the new list and they rebuild from there. It's simply not good enough to allow that club to reap any potential benefits from blatant cheating. Let's hope The Verve got it right and the drugs don't work! With their track record, I'd also guarantee their little compensation payouts have tainted the salary cap, so yet another leg up for the poor victim club. As for the commentary on last nights game, I don't think I've ever heard anything so sickening. The poor players who've been put through so much because of the drugs saga. It wasn't a [censored] saga, it was blatant cheating by means of an illegal PE drug injection program. They are not the victims, they are not heros, they are officially the cheats. The only reason it went on so long is because they tried to slow everything down and worm their way out one way or anoher. By contrast, have a look at the other club involved - the Cronulla Sharks. Cheated, take your medicine (pardon the pun) and move on.

I can't understand how 'the dog ate my homework' never once worked all those years ago back in school.

That's what she said

I had a bet on Cotchin at the odds of $110, but that's the only detail of the bet I can remember. Betfairs online history doesn't allow you to go back very far. I sent them an email early in the piece to ask for the bet details and what would happen but received an email undeliverable response. I didn't bother following up at that stage as there was still a lot to play out. If the Brownlow is given to them though I will definitely be following up and will report the outcomes.

If it is going to be a 2nd rounder it should be next years. Considering we paid up front for Milkshake but were unable to open the box for 12 months, the favour should be returned and we get Hibbo now, they get paid their 2nd round pick next year.

A player in the Swans vs Kangaroos game was just awarded a free kick by propping, dropping the knees, and launching himself backwards into a tackler for high contact. Any guesses which grub picked up on the cheats move of the week?

nice

If someone has twitter, it would be well worth adding that photo with a caption of: This is not an example of #beastmode

Welcome to the party Rhys

If umps keep paying the frees there's only one way to stop it. Make sure you tackle him with full force. If he ducks he cops it. The only Demon to do that today was Vince, who really made him earn it. Eventually he'll work out that it's not the best approach. Maybe his former teammate Justin Clarke should have a word with him.

Agreed. Can't wait to see what Petracca can offer as well.

I'm amazed that anyone could possibly be critical of that piece of play. Are you really suggesting that when under pressure from three surrounding opponents he should have noticed the two teammates directly behind him? Vision is a wonderful thing for a football player, but eyes in the back of the head? Then there was Jetta, who would most likely have been pole-axed as soon as (or very soon after) he received a handpass, directly in front of goals no less (remind me again how many goals we've coughed up by taking the centering option in defensive 50). That's not to mention that Jetta is not one of the preferred distribution options coming out of defensive 50, guess who is. And finally his technique was no good? I'd be considering it more of an improvisation personally. Highly unlikely he was thinking of each muscle movement under that pressure situation. Or were you referring to his technique in general? If so, I'm happy to back him in a similar situation over 99% of our team. History shows there are certain players that go beyond technique. They have a skill with ball in hand that makes other great players look second rate. He's one of them going by what we've seen. He's young, he'll make mistakes and he'll continue to develop over the next few years. Recent history should also tell you that we've been handballing two metres to the nearest player for the last 5 years, regardless of how much pressure said player is under. We have found a player who takes a good option, not simply the first. After all that, I think he summed it up spot on and took the right option, and executed perfectly. As did Salem, who may have had the benefit of Vince pointing Jones out to him. I'm excited about these two players in particular and there are others. I can't get the replay that I was after so I can't tell you at what time, but check out his tackle on Steven in the last quarter also. He was stalking two Saints on a fast break. Rather than commit early and provide them with a further overlap, he cruised - waiting for support to arrive. Once it was obvious where the ball was going he pounced and took down one of the better midfielders going around. He's a rare talent DS, I think you should get on-board and enjoy the ride.