TeamPlayedFine39

Brisbane have some of the worst facilities in the league. They, like us, have been trying to get their own home base for years. It's on the cards, but hasn't happened yet. If he selects Brisbane, it's definitely not 'facilities' that won him over.

This will be the last big contract of his career- he would be negligent not to.

Exactly. No point getting emotionally invested in anything during trade time- it either changes by the hour or was never true to begin with. It’s basically the bachelor. Enjoy the drama and conjecture of it all!

Well... he's toured our facilities too. You'd think that a decent contract offer, flight, accommodation and a free meal; what does he have to lose by having a look around.

I believe last off-season he had two shoulder reconstructions. However, they needed to be done separately, which is why his recovery took the whole preseason. There's every chance that he went in for a clean-up. Very much doubt that he's had another reco without the club saying something; there's no way you can keep that secret.

Peter Matera 1997.

Dangerfield 2014.

Started slowly after a huge second half of 2018. Felt he found a bit of form when he started to play a more defensively through the midfield. He is a very, very good footballer and his consistency of effort is a great asset to the team.

I've rate him highly, which is why I'm very concerned that Collingwood would delist him or give him away for virtually nothing. Something's clearly not ok...

That's assuming that 750K is accurate...

Not sure it’s a game. This is very likely to be his last contract in the AFL. He may have a preference for Collingwood and is keen for them to match our offer - otherwise, for his own good, he’d need to take the best offer on the table.

I can understand when players pursue individual commercial opportunities, but this one is so transparently organised by the club to top-up his salary... bizarre that this is allowed.

Bernie Vince was openly shattered he was forced out of Adelaide. Went on to win a Best and Fairest.

Was a huge win to get through the season without injury or illness; hopefully he can build on that and enter the preseason with 100% confidence in his body. Would love to see him used up the ground where his disposal could cause a lot of damage.

Agreed. People are enthusiastic about Smith’s return and I don’t wanna rain on the parade... I just don’t think I’ve ever seen him play a good game in the firsts.

The hardest part with these trades is convincing a good player to want to go to a club like Gold Coast. We had Howe all set to head the the GC for pick 7, he then realised what he was in for and went to Collingwood for a fraction of the money. Adelaide are in the position of one of their best players (and possibly his brother) being willing to make the move up north.

Stories on Bennell seem to have run dry... last I read there were up to three clubs interested in him, one being Sydney and the other two unnamed. Anyone seen/heard read anything to add to this?

Not as disappointed in this as I thought I’d be. If we can come out of this trade period with only losing Frost from our 22, that’s not a bad result. A gain of Langdon, Elliot and Tomlinson will soften the blow.

I suppose the only thing missing from this left-field conspiracy theory is motive. Why on earth would anyone want to rig a B&F to ensure a tie? In fact, it would be in the club's benefit to not have a tie as you can bet that now both Gawn and Oliver will be receiving a little bonus in their contract for winning and Best and Fairest. Would be much cheaper to have one winner.

I think it was Chris Pelchen that suggested. Gave zero details as to how it could be possible. No chance.

When Geelong held their review at the end of 2006, the players held an ‘honesty session’. During this, Ablett Jr was confronted by the playing group and told, amongst other things, that he should have been their ‘Chris Judd’. The perception was that he had the talent to be more than a quality half forward flank. Petracca may play 200 games for the club and many of them will be quite good. He is capable of much, much more. He’s been making the right noises this off season about wanting to play midfield, and hopefully playing on ball for the final round gave him a glimpse of how much ground he needs to make up this preseason.

Bid for Tom Green. If that’s matched (all but certain) I like the look of Young.

He played well that day and it was a great win, but... his last touch was a clear throw that he was very lucky to get away with. If the umpire was even slightly tuned-in, it would have been a Hawthorn shot on goal at the siren.

Last I heard we had offered three to trump Collingwood’s two. Four is a big escalation. Im a big fan and very happy to land him, but we must be very confident he’s got his body right.

Champion of the club and one man who stood up when all around him fell. Focus on getting his body right and getting the most out of himself next year.