Red and Blue realist

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

Didn't realise he's 28 already, he came on the scene late. Is a fair bit taller then chandler and kossie, so could nearly be a 3rd target, but knows where the goals are.

The only handy thing is that we don't have a bye this week! Any fringe player still has a chance to impress

The Sydney game is much more important than this week. They'll be playing finals type footy to try and secure a spot in finals in that last round, which would be the perfect tune up pre-finals. If we 'do whatever floats your boat' in that we rest players because we've secured top 4, not only does that give them 2 weeks off, but also if we get beaten badly then it sends a message to the rest of the comp that we're vulnerable against the better teams. Given what's at stake with finals, and how we limped in last years finals, giving Gawn a rest and seeing if we can get Grundy up and going this week makes sense to me, but as I said I'll be in the minority with that view.