mo64

Of course players take time to reach peak fitness, but that doesn't mean they can't contribute from year 1.

Can we park this till the season is over?

Isn't that why his new nickname is "Steak Knives"?

Jackson hasn't demonstrated at AFL level that he can play forward, mid or back at an elite level. If he was even a capable forward, it would ease a lot of our current woes through injury.

Surprised Banfield was dropped by Freo. Always seems to bob up and kick important goals.

But Giannis is a great rebounder and rim protector. The initial criticism on him was his inconsistent shooting. But the "unicorn" tag is fitting for Giannis.

The 1st time I heard the "unicorn" tag it was used to describe draftee NBA player Kristaps Porzingis. He was drafted no.4 overall as a 7 ft 3 centre, but what made him a unicorn was his ability to shoot 3 pointers. Had a great start to his career, but after 7 seasons he's now at his 3rd club. He's had his share of big scoring games and his share of injuries, but the biggest criticism of him is that he doesn't do what is expected of a big man in the NBA. He's not a good rebounder and doesn't use his size to be a good defender. The "unicorn" tag was all hype. This brings me to Jackson. His greatest strength as a big man is his ability at ground level. That's why he's tagged as a "unicorn". He's a developing ruckman, and I think he can become an elite tap ruckman, in the Nik Nat mould. If he reaches Nik Nat's standards, that puts him in the elite ruckman status. But as a big, I'd say he's a poor mark even for his age. I thought he took a big step last year with his marking, but has regressed this year. So how do people project his career, and his impact on the team, regardless of whether he stays or goes. For the next potentially 3-5 years, he'll be playing 2nd fiddle to Max or Darcy. IMO, he can only earn the "unicorn" tag if he becomes an elite contested mark.

Jeez, even Demonland's whipping boy Mac Andrew gets to debut before JVR.

I had Matt Crouch in my Fantasy team earlier in the year, so I took notice of him. He's so slow that he can only play as an inside mid. But he's not a good contested ball winner. When he does win contested ball, his only option was a short handball. His stat line usually read 4 kicks 21 handballs. And he's not a creative handballer like Oliver. In open play he would get caught holding the ball far too often. Matt Crouch was a good footballer pre injuries. He's now a poor man's Luke Dunstan.

This. But the odds that a deal doesn't get done, and he re-signs for a couple of years are a 1000/1. Listening to Richo, I think that the club have accepted that he's leaving, and just want to make life easy for him so that he can play good football for us for the remainder of the year.

Just reading between the lines, seems like the club have told Jackson that he just needs to focus on the rest of the year, regardless of his decision. If he's decided to leave, it must be hard for a young fellow.

Gus was a Restricted Free Agent, and we could have easily matched. His suitors would have had to acquire Gus via a trade.

If he turns into another Dermott Brereton, I can do without the premierships.

Can you start a post which lists your player assessments? Now tell us again what you thought about Ben Brown before he arrived and T Mac.

Coniglio has turned things around this year, but the Giants will lose young talent due to his contract.

Apologies @Dwight SchruteYour mail was correct. But all the commentary from Gus and his brother Hamish was totally unnecessary. They could have played a straight bat.

Thanks Jackie Chiles. Is he acting as Gus' player agent?

It's not like for like. Baker has played in the backline all year.

On talent alone, I'd chase him big time. But given his transgressions and battles with mental health, I'd be cautious. Plus he's not a free agent, so he wouldn't come cheap trade wise. The Dogs have re-signed everyone else of note. If they're prepared to take on Lobb's $750k, then their cap would be tight. Maybe Smith will fall through the cracks, but I can't see it happening.

It's also naive for Gus to think that a new club will keep him in a midfield role long term, if his performance or the team results are not going as planned. It's seems like one of his suitors in Essendon are a classic example. They've had a midfield merry-go-round over the past 2 seasons. Certain midfielders can't play another role (Shiel, Parish, Merrett, McGrath) so their match committee will say to Gus "we know you are a proven half back, we need you to play there for team balance."

And you do realise that the established good player has to agree to be traded, and want to come to Melbourne the club and city.

I think you'll find that there's quite a few half backs on over 700K+. If you are considered an elite distributor off half back, then clubs will pay big bucks. Off the top of my head, Whitfield, Saad, Lloyd, Rich and Hurn would be in that bracket. Brodie Smith would be on good coin at the Crows. I'm sure Maynard, who was due to be a free agent this year, would have re-signed on good money. And it won't be long for Young to be in that bracket.

That's pretty close to the mark I reckon. Plus steak knives Meek.

I'm not against Gus playing some midfield minutes, but you don't make the move because a player is disgruntled. A match committee that's goal is to win a flag, isn't going to make allowances for a player who's considering his future. If Gus' future considerations are to maximise his football earnings by playing as a midfielder, that's not in the best interests of the team.

I'm impressed how you have the time to do all this and be a news presenter.