Red and Blue realist

We've got Garlo with 160 odd games and also Peds who's been around a long time. There not the best coverage going around but the reality is we've just let our most experienced KPD go because he couldn't get a game. I think we need KPD depth but for mine it doesn't necessarily have to be older and experienced.

Don't think we'd have the list space to take him as a DFA, so would need to either unload a contracted player (can't see that happening) or wait and see if we could rookie him. GWS have committed to taking him again as a rookie, but our first pick is before there's so if we were looking at him I'd say it'll be in the rookie draft. From what I've seen I wouldn't be opposed, although he plays in a position where we have covered pretty well.

I agree, he's the only true small defender we have. While guys like Wagner, Hibberd, Hunt all play in the back 6, there more mid-size defenders than a true lock down small. Someone who'll play on the Eddie Betts types. I love that Jets has brought some more attacking play into his game last year, and suspect he might benefit from Hibberd's inclusion as much as anyone.

Don't think it matters, I could be wrong but there might even be some advantages to staying as a Cat B rookie. A Cat A, has to wait for a senior list spot (Long Term Injury, nomination, extra spot etc.) while I think a Cat B can go straight in a play seniors without an elevation. At least that's my memory from when Gellong did it with Blicavs.

After the Doggies improvement over the last few years and obviously winning the big one this year, I think the half-back position is now seen as just about the most important driver of an attacking team. So they way I look at it, that can be up to 4 spots on the ground at any time (allowing for 2 KPD the majority of the time), so even with those players mentioned, plus I'd add in Lumumba, that gives us around 8 - 10 players who can fill those spots, and in the case of Vince, Melksham, Hunt and Salem can also push into the middle or the wings. I also like that Frost and the Macs also take the game on more so than other stay at home defenders. I know you clarify that your happy to trust the FD, but even though he's not my first picked in that position, he is a guy that'll come in and play an attacking defenders role if one of the others goes down or moves into the middle.

Awesome to hear, thanks for the report!

Hoping Hibberd and Milkshake are going extra hard and don't expect to walk up to the team. By the looks of it the existing guys are embracing the greatness quote (can't remember it exactly) Roos left them with. I just worry about those guys that haven't played or had regimented training for 12 months.

From what I've seen of Richards as a defender I think he's much less developed than OMac, in fact he had to go forward and wait for injuries there to get an opportunity, while they had injuries in the back half (to his brother initially) and he didn't get a gig. I think it's universally acknowledged that we sacrificed a lot for OMac to be in the team ahead of Dunn and maybe Garlo, just to get some experience. It's a position where pre-season and Casey games will only get you so far, you need to play against the best to get better yourself and I reckon after his 3rd pre-season he's got the potential to improve as much or more than anyone on our list.

He's probably a player Roos would love because he has that ability to play multiple roles (fwd/back), so wouldn't hurt in that regard. But if he's put a price on his head, which obviously did himself no favors in trade week or at the swans, then he might be beyond the scope of what we're looking at. I'd think we'll be looking at just rookies (including mature agers) at the draft and rookie list.

He was injured for a lot of this year, but when fit seemed to only be back-up to what I think was the worst ruck combination in the league. Given there injuries this year the fact he only forced his way in sparingly then was delisted shows he's probably going to fill the role we've currently got Spencer doing. I don't think we need 2 insurance only ruckman.

Been canned from 3 clubs now, apparently work rate is a big issue. Has some talent, but rarely shows it consistently. If as you suggest Hogan and Watts go down, he'd play 1 or 2 good games then go missing for the next 5 or 6. Big no from me, if he was 21 you think that Macca could iron him out but he's had his chances.

I guess it's only because he's insurance, not seen as a permanent best 22 player. Ruck is probably the only spot where this happens, and as we've seen with the Doggies and with us using Watts there, it's not necessary to have 2 full time big men in the side. It's rare than any team has multiple 'good' ruckman, and when this happens inevitably they look for better opportunities. The FD have probably kept Pencil on because it's easier than developing someone who might leave and cheaper than getting someone in who may play the whole season in the 2nds. The next draft is supposedly stacked with talls (KPP and Ruck), so we might look at giving a rookie contract to a mature ager, see how King comes back after the knee, then look at filing that role with a younger guy to develop in that FWD/Ruck role.

I re-watched the round 20 game against the Hawks yesterday (Fox have games highlighting brownlow performances so must have been for big Maxy) and it changed my perception of both Bugg and Harmes. Bugg fills a simple but important role within the team, he'll never be a star but if he was in the bottom 6 on game day then you'd back him in to do whatever job is assigned to him and do it with aggression. With Harmes, it was his first half that got my attention, I thought his run (both ways) plus his williness to complete were great. The only issue he had was he seemed to tire in the second half and his disposal then becomes questionable, given he's played less than 30 games I think he could really come on with some more miles in the legs over pre-season. Not saying either are round 1 best 22, but think both are or could be very much in the mix.

When he was drafted by the giants the consensuses was it was a year too early and he should have played an overage year in TAC. He's now got a couple years under his belt in an AFL system so hopefully turns out to be a decent player. I suspect we might not see him in the 1s next year but could come on after that.

Plus Pedo and White (if he stays on the list), if we do need back up it'll depend on who were playing. I'd hope we might get another taller back in the draft or as a rookie, and I wouldn't mind a state leaguer unless a really good draftee slips.

Can imagine we'll be after role players, rather than 'best available'. At a guess we might see some younger state (VFL, WAFL etc.) players rather than first time draftees.

The Tigs have Prestia and Caddy for esentially pick 6 and next year second rounder, they've actually done OK there. Not a huge win but don't think I'd see that as a loss for them either.

Have heard that next years draft is significantly better for KPP and in particular rucks, I'm not a big follower of the draft but is that true from those who do watch? In the case would we be looking at just getting a mature state-based ruck as insurance then looking at a draft prospect in 2017?

They have got a second, both this year and 2 seconds next year (at this stage). Could come back to haunt them quickly, if they don't win it in the next year or 2 they've got next to no young depth coming through.

I agree, it's just sometimes hard to pass up a guy who can get 40 touches if we could get him very cheaply. If we didn't get Lewis then I'd hope we would have been all over him.

Picks 57, 59, 84 and 102. I'd say we're looking at only taking 1 or 2 kids then upgrading rookies with the others.

Seems strange isn't it? Looks like a job on the run. Maybe they've gone to the AFL and said "don't worry Motlop's out as a free agent next year so we'll get a high pick for him"?

Looks like Freo might be happy to get rid of him very cheaply and may even de-list him. Now we've got next to no draft picks, I wouldn't be adverse to getting him in, as long as he's not asking for a heap of money and is happy to come in for pick 70 or whatever we've got.

Talk of Geelong using another future first rounder in getting Tuohy. Thought they used 2015 (danger), 2016 (Henderson) so wouldn't be eligible to do that? Anyone know how this works?

Hoping he might be the Hunt of this year, or Jetta of the year before. They both looked shot then had great seasons and are now in the first handful picked.