Red and Blue realist

We need him signed up ASAP, he's the only one of the guys that haven't re-signed (as far as I know) that I'm worried will be very heavily targeted by other clubs.

ANB actually reminds me a little of Jones in he's first 2 or 3 years, he managed to get a bit of it but his disposal was a little off or not that damaging. The difference is Jones was played predominantly in the middle from very early on, I think Nibblers best position will be in and under long term, but he's being given a more suitable introduction to footy. Maybe if Jones is out, he's one to get into the middle more?

We've only really got Vince, Lewis, Pedo and perhaps Jones who won't be on the list (age wise) in the next 3 years, and realistically Lewis and Vince are currently role players, rather than key cogs and Pedo is still a stop gap (as good as he has been). I doubt we'll be out chasing a big fish, unless they actively want to come to us and then they'd have to take under's to what they'd get at Nth or Saints. Our big fish are at the club, and I think we'll just be finding extra pieces to the puzzle. At this stage we're nearly be going to the draft looking at just the best available rather than anything specific, then with later picks/rookies getting some key back and ruck depth.

The Eagles are a different sort of team to both the Pies and Dogs, they don't have huge run out of their back line, Yeo's probably the only one, while they want to bang it longer to their forwards, so we might not need all of Bugg, Harmes and ANB. While I think even with Gawn back we need Pedo, TMac and OMac. So from a team balance point of view we might go a bit taller this week. Having said that, I've got no idea who'll come in or out, depends on Watts and Jones, but maybe even Vince out, and Harmes to play more out of the back flank? I thought at the start of the 6 day breaks we might look to rest Vince and Lewis during them, but Lewis came back in style on the weekend so maybe Vince has a rest.

Love how the media are building this right up, while also asking the players to be more open and show their personality as part of the media rights and CBA (through the players association).

Of every club, not just ours. In fact he's just about second in line to Rance as a key defender. If he does leave there'll be a big fight between just about all the Victorian clubs I'd think.

Yes, I'd imagine they'd be happy to 'let' Trengove go in free agency if they could guarantee a 'first' in return. Similar to the Vickery deal, if we front loaded the deal it would not only help our longer term player payment structure but also inadvertently (take that anyway you want too) push the deal into the higher compensation bracket and net them a better draft pick. They wouldn't be getting our first, we'd keep that, it'd be a compensation pick. At worst no loss to us, at best we get shuffled one pick back in the draft.

Simply, no. Carton don't really need anymore key position players, unless Casboult walks, plus they'll still want significantly more for Gibbs. I think if Lever comes to us and Gibbs goes to the Crows it'll be separate deals, or involve draft picks rather than players going back to Carlton.

I really think Trengove would be a great fit for us, and means we don't have to give anything up to get him. Have heard they might actually be happier for him to go so they can get the draft pick having traded away their first round pick this draft last year. Would cost less on-going than Lever as well, so like some have suggested we could front end his contract then have room for our younger guys coming out of contract in the years after that. Might end up a bit like the Vickery deal, except Tregove isn't a spud.

I think the big thing he's put out there this week is that he's making the decision with his girlfriend. So as much as he might love the club, be a future captain etc. As some others have said sometimes there are other things in play. As he's off contract then the price will be high, but not astronomical like you think. A first and maybe a later pick or player. Remember Dangerfield went for a 1st, a 2nd and Dean Gore (young player who hand't played but had a lot of good wraps). Lever while good, would command something less than Danger.

No means we play on Sunday and all those on the extended bench are listed with Casey. I think it's around 4:30 tonight the Sunday team is finalised and 4 of the guys at Casey will also be removed.

It seems like the Herald Sun, listens to what Gary Lyon and Tim Watson say on SEN, then add 20% and report it as credible news. Really just sports tabloids. I agree that we need to make sure we've got enough in the kitty for the players you've mentioned plus we've still got a few out of contract this year that I'd liked to be tied up sooner rather than later, in particular Salem. If we could manage to make sure we don't cause ourselves future salary cap issues, then Lever would be a great get at the right price of course.

I would think that Bugg would be better on JJ and Melksham to Macrae, Hunter or Bont.

That's right, I still think he's been a great acquisition and should play more often than not, but to move forward we can't carry guys just because they offer leadership or direction. They need to still be best 22, and playing their role, from the last 2 games Lewis and Vince have been down so questions should be asked - not necessarily saying they need to be dropped but they need to lift to stay in the team.

We can't expect to be playing and winning finals with anyone who's above dropping. I know there's guys who naturally have more 'money in the bank' around being dropped, but maybe he's worth 'managing' for a game or two here and there. What he did in the second half against the Suns was great - but for us to progress further we need the younger guys doing that, while also maintaining a continual high standard of play. Didn't read the post game thread so will hunt out those one's you mentioned, because he continues to play this way then surely he gets a spell soon.

Did something similar against the Suns as well, maybe it's a set play? Not sure if it's to throw off the defenders or the structures in the middle of the ground - maybe it's just happen to work out that way???? I'm nearly in favor of waiting until Gawn is 100% ready then bringing him back in (hopefully this week) and not making a change until then. The Dogs don;t have a ruck who can dominate like Grundy did, so might be better using the extra legs the current set up gives us?

No-one's said it yet, but in our last 2 games our worst players have been both Lewis and Vince. Both stepped up in the second half against the Suns, but were horrible before that, and both reasonably ineffective yesterday. I know they offer more (in particular from Lewis) than just their playing ability but eventually we have to move beyond their leadership (younger guys providing this) and guidance. The usual names ANB, Harmes, Melksham, Bugg and OMac all played their roles very well yesterday and would be stiff to be dropped,but I wouldn't be surprised to see either Vince or Lewis managed for a game each over the next 3 weeks.

I'd say the wording will change to "he's been ready to go for a few weeks but we've held him back, so he's got the training load right to come straight back in!". As much as they say all players at the start of the season start at zero again, we know some start at zero* (the axtrix being, if your name is Jones, Lewis, TMac, Viney, Hogan, Watts, Gawn, Jetta or Tracc you'll get in no matter the circumstances) - probably a few I've forgotten. Some like Watts and even Jetta will be excluded in the pre-season but come season proper the rules change - and so they should.

I'd say they'll arrange some sort of payout for the final year. As some have said, it would be like the equivalent of a golden handshake and still captured under our TPP but at a reduced amount compared to his full final salary. Having said that, it'll be his decision to play on (or attempt too), turning 30 next year he might see the writing on the wall and know he's a long way down the list for spots so may retire and focus on coaching. Either way I love how the club has got him involved while out for the year, he's always come across as pretty knowledgeable and level-headed.

We have done well without a ruckman. I'd be interested, to see if these figures were available quarter by quarter - I've had a bit of a look but not been able to find them. I'm just wondering if we burst of of the blocks then as we tire a little, a ruckman could come in very handy in the last to nullify easy clearances? Collingwood seemed to take it very easy out of the middle in the last quarter against Freo, and I think their mids have a bit better stamina than ours (not saying their better, but they have more experience, so more miles in the legs).

It's still a position we're pretty stacked in, and I don't really see Motlop as being anything other than a high-half forward. For the amount we'd have to pay him, I think we've got more pressing needs. I'd only say yes, if we knew for sure Kent wanted a trade, Motlop only wanted say $400k and the coaching staff see - Tracc, Bugg or ANB playing more midfield or Harmes more defense.

Rohan signed a 3 year deal at the end of last year running out in 2020, I'd say he's the least likely to be moved. He is the 1 of the 3 who I'd like the most though, but every-time it looks like he's about to go to an elite or at leave very good level he gets some sort of injury again. He is very quick (we know that), but also is very good overhead, as a high half forward he could add an extra element we don't really have at the moment, ANB, AVB, Kent, Harmes and Hannan all have some qualities (good mark, pressure or speed) but none really have all 3, that's where a fully fit Rohan could be good. But he'd have to improve his work ethic and stay injury free - there's his 2 biggest downsides. If the Swans wanted to get rid of Rohan and Tippet there going to have to pay some of their salaries, which could be handy, but unless they go into Hawthorn mode (with Lewis and Mitchell), I'd think the asking price will be too much. Reid they'll only want to get rid of if they think a bidding war will get them a 1st round pick, which at the moment would be worth pick 4, that'd be much better than they'd get on the open market.

Given it was a shoulder injury he should have been able to do the majority of the 'leg' work so fitness shouldn't be an issue, it'll be if the shoulder is strong enough and I'm sure he won't be picked without a massive fitness test (where's Bryon Pickett when you need him). If they don't bring him in, I don't think it'll be a big problem and we might wait until Gawn is ready before playing a ruck again.

Motlop is a free agent, so no need for any of the trades you've mentioned above. While his best is very good and could work well, I think he's best suited to a position that we seem to have plenty of at the moment, the high half-forward role. We've got ANB, Harmes, Hannan, Tracc, Bugg and to a lesser extent Garlett in the team (from last round) in that role. Plus Kent, JHK, T.Smith at Casey and VDB and Brayshaw (although he's a pure mid long term I think) injured at the moment. We've got more pressing needs going forward I would think.

There's been some talk that the swans would be happy with a 3rd/4th plus paying some salary, which would then help them keep Jones and Reid. But originally he wanted to go home (he's from Qld) then turned up to Sydney for the money. We've been burnt by a similar situation before, so would stay clear.