Gator

You reckon they'd trade Reid for pick 6 and Rivers ? I don't see it. But I agree that it won't happen.

Darling is now a hack. I could see him having one more decent year and kick 40 goals if his body was right, but I have no real interest in recruiting him and agree that WC would want his salary off their books. He'd purley be a mechanism for recruiting Reid. But I also agree with others in that there's little point getting pick one at the expense of Petty. I'd keep Petty and van Rooyen, as they're too important in a premiership quest. I'd reluctantly consider trading WA boy Rivers to get pick one. Do I like Rivers ? Absolutely, but Reid will be a competition star. These are the sorts of deals you have to consider to perhaps get your hands on a generational type player. 6, 11, plus Rivers ? Hmmm. West Coast fans wouldn't think it would be enough. They'd want a F1 thrown in also. While Dees fans would think it's too much, because most supporters can't remove emotion and therefore their thinking isn't their strong suit.

From a newspaper today over in the West: Jack Darling: West Coast Eagles forward on trade table as part of potential North Melbourne No.1 pick deal West Coast has made veteran forward Jack Darling available for trade if it helps the Eagles turn pick one into a life raft of early draft selections. As North Melbourne, Melbourne and Hawthorn clamber to entice the Eagles to part with the coveted first selection in the November 20 AFL national draft. The West Australian understands Darling is on the table, but only at the right price. Complicating the matter is the 31-year-old has a young family and does not want to leave Perth. The Eagles’ premiership player also has two years remaining on a five-year contract, worth about $800,000 per season, which will also come into salary cap calculations in any negotiations. The Kangaroos have already shown interest and insiders suggest Melbourne would also be willing to take on Darling to help solve its forward line riddle. The Demons, Kangaroos and Hawks are desperate to gain the No. 1 pick so they can draft gun Victorian youngster Harley Reid. North Melbourne added pick 3 to 2, 3, 15, 17, 18, 57, and 65 to its suite after Ben McKay’s free agency move to Essendon. It gives the Roos the whip hand to package up a deal, which is where Darling may come into play. The Kangaroos have already made an offer of picks 15, 18, 21, and a future end-of-first-round for No. 1 — an ambit claim that was quickly rejected by the Eagles – with stronger offers expected to come in the last three days of the AFL’s Trade Period which winds up on Wednesday. Darling could be an ideal addition to the North Melbourne attack alongside Nick Larkey as the Kangaroos look to add experience and depth to the forward line. But Melbourne is also poised for a play at Reid and entered the bidding war when it secured pick 11 from Gold Coast to No. 6 which it landed via Fremantle last year in the Luke Jackson deal. The Demons have picks 6, 11, 42, and 47 at their disposal and view a player with Darling’s experience as crucial with their premiership window open. The Demons have struggled to kick winning scores this season with key targets Ben Brown and Tom McDonald missing large chunks and forcing them to park Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn in the forward 50. Jake Melksham is also out for 12 months with an ACL and Grundy has now joined Sydney. Harrison Petty has knocked back an offer to move to Adelaide, but may look at it again at the end of next season. West Australian Demon Jacob van Rooyen is contracted til the end of 2025 and is seen as a key part of Melbourne’s future plans, but might be expendable if Reid is the reward. An offer of six, 11 and van Rooyen would be hard for the Eagles to turn down, unless the Roos slap down a trump hand. Hawthorn is not considered in play for Darling as it chases Mabior Chol from Gold Coast and is in negotiations with Brisbane for premiership player Jack Gunston to return to the club. The Eagles are also keen on pick two or three so they can secure one of their prime draft targets, Claremont defender Daniel Curtin. Apart from Darling’s reluctance to move, the Eagles are also keen to hang on to experience, following the retirement of veterans Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn and Nic Naitanui. Darling was firm in his belief he wanted to remain a one-club player when he re-signed in 2019. “I grew up supporting the Eagles, so to be here for my entire career is something I’ll look back on proudly,” Darling told the West Coast website. “I always thought I was going to be a one-club player. I’m just really excited that the club has backed me in like they have my whole career.” Darling has played 277 games, including 20 this season. He sits on 510 goals and 265 behinds over his AFL career, third on the Eagles’ all-time list behind Josh Kennedy (712) and needs only another four to equal Peter Sumich in second position. Darling’s 26 goals in 2023 was his lowest tally since his debut season in 2011.

I wouldn't dismiss the idea of Darling. If his head and body are right he's still a 40 goal forward. van Rooyen is going nowhere, but it does open the possibility of the club doing a deal with Petty. Petty for 10 and 14, or 10 plus McAdam... Personally, I'd keep Petty but it makes the last few days very interesting. 6, 10, and 11 for ONE and Darling.

Another Duursma fan here. Ii reckon he could be the best from this draft. He or Reid would be wonderful. Caddy ? I'm not a fan. I wouldn't take him in the top 20.

Adding a player like Mathieson is what the Dees of old would have done. List places are too important now to waste spots on scrubbers like Mathieson.

On the contrary Petracca is underrated by plenty of Melbourne supporters and the broader media. Our game is all about contest and defence, but ultimately it's measured by scores. Over the last three years Petracca has been the number one 'score involvement' player by some margin. But he's been able to do it while also being number one for 'inside 50s', 'goal assists' and 'metres gained' during the same period. He's also number 2 over the last 3 years for 'contested possessions' behind only Oliver and second for 'disposals' in general. If you consider him ''overrated'', you must have a measurement you're comparing him to. Considering there's not a player in the league that can match his overall output over the last 3 years I'll be fascinated to know what it is.

Not that I'm trying to top you, but my wife was 7 months pregnant with an 11 month old ...

Petty's family home is in Wudinna, which is 570km from Adelaide and a 6 hour drive. He was a boarder at a school in Adelaide, but family ties are nowhere near Adelaide. He's contracted until 2025 and I have zero concerns about him leaving.

Still, Petracca has had 62 scoring shots to Bontempelli's 33. Over the last 2 years Petracca has had 50 more score involvements than the next best player, i.e. 410 to 360. Let that sink in. Fifty more score involvements than the player coming second over 2 seasons. He gets marked harshly, Petracca.

It was Tom Morris. Btw, I like your style. 😉

Petracca is the reason the game was one. 6 Petracca 5 Viney 4 Fritsch 3 Neale-Bullen 2 May 1 Oliver

Yes, they'd want a future first plus extra.

I've read on another forum that the Suns have plenty of picks to cover bids for their 3 (likely top 10) academy players. The thought being that they're more likely to try and trade pick 4 for another team's future first. Ideally a team they project to finish near the bottom in 2024. But who knows what Taylor has up his sleeve.

I believe Lyon was at the same reunion in Kyabram that Reid's parents attended. I don't believe there's anything other than a happenstance meeting. Lyon confirmed he attended a Kyabram reunion on radio during the week and Reid's parents were also there.

Unfortunately, North are still best placed to trade for pick one.

Given the choice of North or West Coast I'd choose West Coast. But neither play at the MCG, which is every Victorian kids dream. North alternate between being scheduled once or twice a year at the MCG during the H&A season. Although they've also had multiple years in a row with just one game there. It's a massive advantage to be an MCG club.

Petracca is in it up to his eyeballs. The fact that he averages over 28 disposals and kicks goals helps. Petracca has received coaches votes in 16 of 20 games compared to Bontempelli's 12. All this means is that Petracca has been adjudicated to be in the top half dozen players on the ground in 80% of the games he's played. Based on probability he's receiving plenty of Brownlow votes. The main concern is that he may not get enough 3s.

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Wouldn't be hard. It's extraordinary that the MFC has only 2 players that have kicked 500+ goals (Smith & Neitz). Luke Breust has achieved that milestone for Hawthorn, along with 6 others. And they're not a foundation club. That said, we know our history post 1970 which explains why we have such deplorable records. Most record breaking stats have happened after 1970. Not all, most.

A bit too cryptic for me, old friend.

So does 90% of this site.

With regards to McVee, no I didn't. His best game was the GF, which should have excited everyone. I've not said I know more than the recruiting team. I've said I have concerns with Jefferson avoiding body contact and showing a lack of intensity. You can add a lack of urgency too. You remind me of a famous interview Bill Shorten had when he said he agreed with Julia Gillard despite not knowing what she said. I accept you don't believe you're allowed an opinion on our players because of Jason Taylor. I find it a maniachal position to take, but each to their own.

You excel at stating the obvious. A rare ability. The best recruiters can make a mistake. The talent with Jefferson is obvious, but it doesn't mean he'll become a quality AFL player. Hopefully, my ability to be Captain Obvious just matched yours. No mean feat.