No10

The only noise I hear is that Houston wants a return to Victoria. And Port have lined up Perryman and Cumming to replace him. Houston is gone. The rest is playing media games for value. Which either we are really bad at, or don’t rate. And regardless, nobody is giving Port a 2024 first rounder for him.

I heard that about being even. Seems that’s true for groups: the top 5. Then the next 10. Smilie or Jegga Smith might be available at p4. For our list, this year I’d be going all in for an absolute star if we can get him. Rather than playing a wider hand.

What about ANB + P6 for P4? From what I’ve read, the best player in the draft might be any of the top 5.

Madness. One thing we have is the best captain in the league. Like Selwood, he retires as captain with the cup. Expect nothing less.

TMac was very, very good this year. Had some lesser games late, but was one of the best returns on expectations.

You can’t possibly put that game on Tholstrup. He got to the position to take the mark, then took responsibility in going back. This, in the fourth qtr of a tough match, is amazing to see. Very excited for what he could be.

Our player management has been a joke. Max should never have been playing against WC, it was the absolute clear opportunity to rest him, instead he gets injured. TMac was having the season nobody thought possible, we never managed him and lost form at the moment we needed to win. Windsor, never managed like every other first year player until he’s injured. Viney, up and down throughout the season, never managed, inconsistent and doesn’t give a player like Sparrow the chance to step into a more central role. No player management and that’s been a failure over multiple seasons, none more than this year. We were a mathematical chance at making finals if we won against Port. All those unlikely results are now coming true: Ess go down to Suns. Blues lost to Hawks. Crows up against Dogs. All of them managed to come off, except us, we lost.

… except it was Mac Andrew

4th best in the AFL??! I would’ve thought maybe 4th best at Port? Butters, Rozze, Horne-Francis… I’d take Georgiades before Houston. Maybe I don’t watch enough Port games. My comparison to Howes is just that Houston seems unremarkable to me, but has developed so well that makes him elite. He doesn’t seem like Trac, or Kossie, in his level of gifts. I can’t imagine this being worth it at two firsts. But I’m sure there’s more than I see if everyone is behind it, club and all.

This is nonsensical. Houston is not Lever; an incredibly promising young intercept defender. Houston is a good player with excellent development, now in his playing prime. Put the development into Howes and at 27 he’s every chance to be equal or better. Oliver is a supreme talent with a competitive edge that will drive him back to his best. Connecting him to this trade is insanity. If we trade for Houston, on his own merit, a high first round or low second. Before anything, he needs to want to come, then a trade gets done. We don’t raid a club/player for Dan Houston.

Of course missing finals will offer a better draft hand. But this was about trade / free agency. The most valuable currency for any trade is to be a desirable / destination club. I’m not of the opinion that missing finals has any worthwhile upside at this stage

How do you “nail FA / trade period” with a team not playing finals?

As a first year player he’s overdue for a rest imo. No game at any level. ‘Managed’ I’m of the belief that if we win against the dogs then we play finals. Port (at home) then two lame duck sides. So I don’t love the idea of no Windsor but I trust Hunter can deliver enough.

I think this is right, it should be done. However, I think Windsor should be the one to take a rest.

Maybe Tomlinson in if Gawn not ready? Saw him training in ruck.

Chalk and cheese, fair point. But… JVR is a more solid, aggressive player. Could it be that Jefferson will show greater improvement at the higher skill of AFL - as @Doug Reemer said? I certainly don’t expect Jefferson to be an upgrade on a like-for-like basis. It’s a bigger view on what it does for both players, also perhaps the wider team.

Slightly arguing against your own point: yes, Fritch is highest, and yes Pickett and JVR have been playing minutes in the midfield. Not the greatest endorsement. Fritch is off his best form, he’s down on almost every metric. Jefferson isn’t going to set the world alight, but too often we’ve done too little in selection. Pumping my own tires, but on point - I said Max should be extremely limited minutes against West Coast. That game needed to be won without causing injury to the captain and our only ruck. This game needs to be won, while also giving one of our big player investments a run.

Jefferson was a first round pick. Playing consistently well in VFL. In his second year. Maybe Turner sits it out. But it’s a game to play the kid. Desperately holding on to the season isn’t necessarily the best strategy.

Fritch is brilliant when he’s on. But for whatever reason he showed no spark and had moments throughout the season of lackluster effort. But it’s not about punishing him, it’s about selecting a game when Jefferson might have a look. Sure, GWS is an important game, but Jefferson needs a taste of something real before another big pre-season. He’s a major investment. I don’t mind ‘managing’ Fritch for a game. Let it be, what will be. Brown surely comes in. And I’d like to see Howes. That’s four changes, with Gawn. Won’t happen. But they looked flat. And the travel. Need to bring some spark, nothing like a big debut.

Maybe drop Fritch. If Jefferson can bring energy and a goal or even two… why not

Thought Tholstrup being subbed out was harsh, took the game on. Brings energy. I liked that he was so upset about it too. Wouldn’t want to see him dropped. Billings was ok. But doesn’t add enough intensity. Agree with your INs. I’d like to see Howes back too. OUT. Salem (inj?) Billings and someone else ??

Is Salem injured? Not that it matters really.

Done. That’s super easy. And I don’t mean to disrespect Brodhi, but I’ve never heard of him… is he a fair match? 92 - 8% seems about correct.

Which coach gave BOG to Nic Martin?? McVee is incredible. Every time he has the ball, it’s similar to Kossie, the team just lifts a little more. This young group might even be the best yet.

I’d love to see Turner line up for opening bounce. Sign his contract, go right into the middle. Think he could have the aggression to make an impact. Petty, less so. But need his hands to be clean tonight. Pumped to see what happens