Red and Blue realist

He's incredibly inconsistent in the VFL, there was no stage where he had 3 or 4 good games in a row, he might play 1 or 2 OK games that would get people excited but then be down the next week. He was nearly a free hit - a 3rd round pick we weren't going to use on the draft - so didn't cost anything except for the list spot, and maybe we thought he was maturing into his body and AFL life. Hopefully another pre-season and he can push towards a game?

While there are exceptions to this, in general in women's sport, they seem to hit their peak earlier than men. AFL players generally hit their peak in their mid to late 20s - 27/28/29 before that they are building their bodies and after they start to decline - yes I know some come in and make an immediate impact and their can also be those who continue to excel well into their 30s. However, for a number of reasons women seem to be at their best athletically in their late teens/early 20s. I suspect some of this thought comes into our drafting strategy and moving some players on -or in this case letting them go without much fight. I think we might be a little ahead of the curve when it comes to drafting/trading in the AFLW space, the likes of Brisbane and the Crows seem to be ahead with development, but if we hadn't been smashed with injuries this year and the draw was more equitable then we would have been right up in finals again.

I suspect they might want Windsor to do a similar role to Brayshaw, playing both wing and half back as required. XL might be eased in on the wing but be interchangeable with Windsor, but he might also take a little longer than the Duke to get ready for the main team.

I know this will not be a popular opinion and I don't know the exact amount of spots we've got on the rookie list, but St Kilda have let go of Brad Crouch with the promise to re-rookie him. He was injured this year, but played nearly every game the 3 years before that (since he move from Adelaide). If we wanted a midfielder to walk in and make an impact (as long as he's over his injuries), then we could do the Hugh Greenwood to him and get him before the Saints. Might provide some protection for the young guys we pick up at 5/9, while he has clearly been a high level player in the past.

Not really true, he was dropped round 1 then came in late and was in the team until injury then came back via the VFL, but was there for their final rounds and final series when over injury. 2023 he played every game for us and was very good in our final against the blues. It didn't work out this year, but cost virtually nothing and filled a gap we had. Hopefully Sharp is the longer term option, and I think he'll be better long term, and I'm hopeful it'll allow Windsor to develop more inside than if he is seen as more of a pure wingman

Geelong are able to control the media narrative better than any club, the local paper (the addy) is more or less a newsletter about the Cats, but it's well known that their local journos are not to write anything negative - unless the club wants a player out - otherwise that persons job is in danger. Hence when Stengle OD out the front of a nightclub recently it was all swept under the carpet very quickly and he even played the next week.

Could see us giving up a combination of our current late picks - 49, 54 and 65 - picks we're not going to use, but gives the Lions points (maybe even with a future 3rd/4th coming back to us for White points next year). They won't be using any of these, just matching Ashcroft and Marshall bids. Probably why they are happy for Sharp and Dev Robertson move as well, they are being replaced instantly.

Very highly rated as a person, I wonder if he's in a semi ruck coaching role with Verrall, Fullarton etc. while offering the big body Max needs to train against, plus offers a break glass in case of emergency option.

Nibbler moving for family, free hit - but the other two are money - the crows have heaps of cap space because they haven't played finals since 2017 so aren't paying huge salaries to stars anymore -Sloane, Walker, Laird etc, are all on much smaller deals or retired.

Seems like a reasonably even draft, so if Carlton wanted to dump his salary (as above they might be trying to renegotiate with him now to fit in Houston which could squeeze him out), we might be happy to slide from pick 5 to pick 11 and throw in our later picks (say 50 and 61) for them to match their father sons. Despite missing games this year, he played 22 last year, is very consistent in games and will 25 at the start of next season.

Or to the PSD, not that we normally operate that way, but if Adelaide are really cracking the sads we won't trade a contacted Petty to them just because they want him, then they must forget they have no leverage with the uncontracted McAdam

Salary cap dump by GWS. Haynes is owed close to $1 million next year, whereas we could absorb that but get the good pick doing so. We might have to trade a future 2nd but get pick 7 and Haynes. GWS get a token pick and salary space.

Haynes only has the 1 year on his contract to go, so he wouldn't get in the way of a bigger target for next year, if that's what our plans are. Makes sense if they want him off the books. Don't think Petty has to come into the thoughts on this deal

From memory we were the ones who placed an academy bid on him, so fair chance we had a bit to do with him before he got drafted

I reckon if Grundy goes to Port Sam Hayes could be part of the package coming back, he's 24 was highly rated in his draft year but slipped down lower than expected. He hasn't set the world on fire but a move back to Vic behind Max might be good for him and provide the support needed until Verrall is ready. Wouldn't be on big coin either