Red and Blue realist

Undoubtedly if he came to us and said I'm happy to forego an extra $150k - $300k he might be able to get elsewhere and we didn't have to give to much to GWS then he'd be great, but I think he'll cost in excess of $800k a year and the trade would be our first this year plus decent extra's (a first 22 player or next years first etc.). Paying too much will hinder our chances of retaining all of Oliver, Tracc, Hogan, Salem etc. when they come out of contract next, because we have a few on the team that are shaping as deserving the bigger coin. We've seen the Hawks, Dogs and Cats in recent times develop their own and (besides Boyd) not going chasing the big fish, but fitting role players around what they've got. I think we're much better to do that.

Doubt we'd be prepared to pay as much as rumoured North have put out there, or have the currency the saints have. I think we're backing in our talent and will find role players rather than chasing something too expensive

He'd be a great get, but not worth a couple of first rounders ('17 & '18) as some have suggested. I wouldn't be giving up Brayshaw either, I think that could do more damage than expected with his relationship with the other younger guys.

This is (hopefully) 100% right, how often to true A graders leave their clubs? Very very rarely, normally they are developed from within. All things going well, Hogan, Trac, Oliver have the potential to be true A graders, with Brayshaw, Watts, Tyson, TMac not far behind. Guys like Hibberd make it easier for this to happen, because there good ordinary players, they fill and play a role.

I think with the way the game is played now, with a lot of attack coming from movement from defense rather than set up in the middle a player like Hibberd fits pretty well. Traditionally teams are thought of as having a back 6, middle 6 and forward 6 on the ground however realistically I see us as operating a back 5 -2xmac, jetta and frost - or their replacements and Hibberd then floating 1,2 or 3 players through their depending on where the ball and play is at the time. Guys like Vince, Jones, Salem, Hunt, Bugg etc. Whereas up forward, I see us operating 4 players - Hogan, Watts, Garlett and Weid, then having Petracca, Kent, Harmes, Brayshaw, Vanders etc. Of course the forwards should be given more scope to roam. Mids are Gawn, Viney and maybe Tyson and stretch, but again they roam all over the place.

wouldn't be surprissed to see him in the team round 1 then back at Casey within 3 or 4 weeks. With Brayshaw, AVB, Petracca and Trenners to come back I think there'll be good opportunities to give him a few breaks this year. It was clear last year Gus tired and should have been rested more than once, with more depth it'll mean less burn out.