TeamPlayedFine39

Exactly- I’d say it was an ‘overwhelming success’ when they can move up the ladder higher than 16th. SOS has made very dubious decisions at both GWS and Carlton.

"Despite his overwhelming success"... would love the good people at the Herald Sun to conduct my workplace appraisal. 18th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 16th.

Jeff Garlett had excellent seasons with us in 15 and 17, kicking 82 goals and making the All Australian squad in '17. Historically, small forwards are very hard to predict and good ones rarely go top ten unless they are a standout talent. Since 2009 there has been one All Australian small forward that has been taken in the top 10 and only three in the first round. There is great value in small forwards in the draft if you pick wisely, not burning pick 8 on a player that has shown fairly little. Wingard (6) Rioli (12), Greene (11) Ballantyne (21) Chapman (31) Davis (34) LeCras (37) Walters (53) Gray (55) Cameron (7 Rookie), Milne (23 Rookie) Breust (47 Rookie), Betts (3 preseason)

I'm really keen on Kemp. He was setting himself for a strong year prior to his injury and may have been a late bolter like Bontempelli in 2013, who shot up the rankings late in his U18 year. Trading out our 2020 first pick and collecting a (potential top five this year) to be primed by 2021... seems like it was meant to be.

Hang on... I thought he never fully committed to the club..? This is most strange. (great appointment!)

Probably just not at the fitness base of those who have had no post-season issues. No point having them go hammer and tongs from day one if they don't have a solid base. Very, very early days for Nev and May anyways - don't think they're expected back at training for sometime.

Thanks again Saty. Any players looking noticeably different other than Preuss? (bulked up or slimmed down)

His stats look great to me - don't see many quiet patches at all whilst fit: https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/H/Harley_Bennell.html Especially being a young player in struggling start-up team with a 24.7% winning rate.

This. I've been thinking I missed some big reveal along the way and didn't wanna look like an idiot. He might not be Adem Yze, but he's certainly not as bad a kick as this thread is making him sound.

Wont fault any kid that lays 9 tackles on debut. Hopefully we'll see further development in his game this year - far too early to tell either way.

Very happy to hear that he'll be joining us - it's a risk, but a calculated one with the potential to improve our list significantly. New city, young family and a final chance at his AFL career will hopefully be enough to keep him on track. Now all we need is that calf/nerve to behave and Burgess to spin a little magic and we'll be flying!

Petracca, Salem, Lever and ANB seem to have spent their time in the US visiting and training at different high performance venues across the country. Definitely don't seem to be taking it easy. (also shows ridiculous money in the US 'College' system.)

Hes ‘liked’ both of these for what it’s worth...

Clear history restarts your free-article count.

I don’t disagree with the assessment, but Grundy is the cautionary tale here. He was rated top three for most of his U18 year, but slid to 18 because ‘You don’t take a ruckman early in the draft’. If clubs had the 2012 draft over again, they’d snap up Grundy quick smart. Not to say that Jackson is or will be as good, but the aversion to taking rucks early cost everyone a multiple all Australian ruckman who everyone knew could play.

Not that I’m getting carried away... but Langdon, Tomlinson, Bennell, Martin, pick 3 and 8... that’s a pretty good trade/draft period.

Stats from his past 10 WAFL matches.

I’ve only seen that mentioned on Demonland and nowhere else. (Unless I’ve missed something)

Whilst very disappointing... we had been such a train-wreck of a side for their entire careers, it’s understandable. For Frawley, the free agency compo meant that I doubt anyone was too concerned about him leaving for the Hawks. But in Howe’s case, there’s no way he was going to stay. We believed that he was going to the GC for pick 7 and a trailer full of cash- then Collingwood swooped at the 11th hour and he changed his mind. There was never any chance he was staying with us though.

Was offered a fortune by Gold Coast and left for less money than Melb and GC so he could join Collingwood. Howe had one foot out the door for years. Like Frawley, he’d had enough of the MFC.

With this much doubt on his readiness and the wisdom of taking a ruck in the top ten... seems to be a very strong chance he’ll be there at 8. Both Kemp and Jackson are long term propositions that would have minimal expectations to have an immediate impact. Happy to take either at 8.

Reminds me a lot of Andy Lovell (looks, build, Tasmanian). Looked good up forward this year before tiring out. Was a huge ask to take the leap from VFL amateur to AFL player within a couple of weeks. Didn’t look overwhelmed. Will be interesting to see where he trains over summer. Could be our long term small defender. Good pace, size, disposal and tough.

Bit NQR and, all things considered, has done well with the talent and body that he has. Pass for me.

Clark..?

Great news! One of the most improved players in the AFL and is unrecognisable from the player he was two years ago. Sky’s the limit.