SaberFang

Two weeks ago we hadn't lost to the Bulldogs by nearly 100 points and Carlton by 4 goals. I guarantee the goalposts have shifted for our list management. Just wait until Freo destroy us next week and we suffer another humiliating defeat vs GWS to cap off the season. It's become increasingly obvious that there is a deep-seeded toxic culture embedded in parts of our playing group and clearly the coaches have had enough of the excuses. They were given an internal and public kick up the ass after last week's embarrassment then completely blew it against the worst team in the comp.

Roos: "You're looking at habits and patterns... clearly there's patterns we've identified. What's the result of that? It's fairly obvious what happens. Melbourne people are sick of the same excuses. They'd come and expect more from the first half." On the scars of the past: "I don't really care what it is, anymore, to be honest. It's just about performance. We've got to improve our performance as a footy club, and while I was sympathetic to the club and where it's been, the coaching group has been here for long enough now that it's not about where we've been and more about where we're going."

Think Roos had a pretty telling comment in his post-match today. It would seem the conservative delistings the club intended is off the cards now. Looks like another 1/4 list exodus this off-season after today's effort. Seems pretty clear that Roos and his coaches had a certain tolerance for poor performances over the first year, but those credits have been exhausted now. Would like to see a tangible response instead of just hot air from Roos.

It's time to just go to the draft and build an entire list around Hogan and Brayshaw. It's clear by now that the so-called "senior" players aren't up to scratch. Look at what the Saints have built around Riewoldt and GWS around Cameron.

I reckon Malceski only had one focus when he moved to the Gold Coast and that was enjoying retirement.

So the Lions are trying to get Matt Suckling via the PSD, because picking him as a free agent will ruin their free agency compensation (which indicates to me the AFL have cut a deal with them for over-compensation). Would we have any interest in him? Seems rather foolish for a team as hopeless as the Lions to start getting cute with their recruitment, could easily lead to uncertainty and unease from the player and his manager, opening up the potential for another club to swoop.

We've tried for Tomlinson before, this wouldn't surprise me at all. Would be a great get. Best mates with Tyson since they were kids.

As much as it pains me, Toumpas has to be in the firing line for trade this year if we can get the currency in return. 3 years of development and still seems incapable of remaining calm under pressure (which is, ultimately, a huge factor in building premiership standard sides). I'd so desperately love to be proven wrong though. Please work some miracles, McCartney.

Ten years, $1m, biggest contract in AFL history, would still be a bargain.

Now favourite for the Rising Star with the bookies. He needed a huge game after Cripps' blinder yesterday... boy did he deliver!

I like that he's become, apparently, a huge character around the club. Haven't heard a negative thing about him. I reckon the year off will serve him as well as it's served Hogan.

I reckon the key barometer that recruiters need to start identifying in potential draftees is players that: a) aren't intimidated by pressure b) apply immense pressure to opponents It's the way of modern footy and it's why we've gotten our drafting so, so wrong for so, so long.

Viney to Cripps will be the showdown of the century. And by showdown, I mean Viney burying Cripps' head into the turf for 120 minutes.

Been a lot of industry chatter this week after that damning non-effort vision from Cripps last week. One more blinder from Hogan and it's his.

Wouldn't even bother going after Wines. Would be a colossal waste of time devoting resources into prying a player with no interest in leaving their club, and I reckon we'd be spewing right now that Prestia turned us down after we chased him for so long.

There's little point considering hypotheticals that won't occur. He won't be cleared, if at all, until long after this year's trade period. After botching so many draft picks over the years, the last thing we need to do is start making risky gambles on what few commodities we have. Every trade must be nailed.

Do not go NEAR any players under a looming 2 year ban.

Out of Gawn, Garland and Howe, the 2 players we need to keep couldn't be more obvious. The way Howe's manager is trying play us is a disgrace and the club aren't having a bar of it. Gawn won't be going anywhere.

Somehow I don't see Roos rushing to reunite Yarran and Garlett.

Gee whiz, a chance to break two long-standing records next week. C'mon Dees!

Jack can be as unsociable as he likes. Don't care about giving away free kicks if it completely throws the opposition off their game.

Trade to GWS for two first rounders, on-trade one for Prestia, on-trade another for _________ and keep pick 4 for Parish?

Gary seemed to know more than he was letting on.

GWS are doing a very healthy job of getting multiple top 10 draft picks in their club every year AND retaining their best selections from years past. Of course, they're only in that position because of the extremity of their draft concessions in the first place. They can now lose depth players and get first rounders in return. No other team has that luxury.

The best teams need to build their core through the draft then recruit the missing pieces. We're still a few more drafts away from being in that position.