No10

I actually think the Tigers have gone too far. Too many kids at once. Not enough senior talent to steer them to best results. We’ve been there.

It’s all gossip on the MFC. But the reality is that we kept our two guns. And another 12 months is a long time in football. In terms of results: ANB leaving was handled with respect and an adequate result. And Harry Sharp is a nice potential replacement. The real brilliance is the draft hand. Posters here were suggesting we could get multiple first round picks, I don’t think anyone thought 2 x top 10 was possible. For our list profile, 2 of the highest rated talents is the perfect outcome. I hope we don’t split p9 and I doubt we will. In this draft p5 is first tier and not a lot less valuable than p1. And p9 is somewhat a wildcard with so many talented kids in that range. I have very little love for Houston, overrated, glad we moved on. I have no idea what the MFC could’ve done better. A+

Amazing that getting thumped by Collingwood in the final round dropped us from this p9 to our current p5. I don't want to trade down the order as we're in the prime spot at p5 imv. However, an Essendon death ride would be epic fun for 2025

Houston situation is setting up to be embarrassing. Two first rounders is absurd. I actually think we’ll land him with our F1 and some swaps to look complicated. Saves face for Port pretending that it could be top 5 pick next year and sends Houston to Vic.

Gawn unable to watch hits hard. Beautifully said Gus

I will dissent. Although that premiership was a magical moment and hard earned in its own way. It wasn’t under the pressure of the MCG and all that comes with a traditional finals series. For which I’d argue we’ve shown deficiencies. We need to win it at the G. And we will.

Agree about captain hindsight going on here. Perhaps worth considering that the Trac family are emotional (or not the most emotionally mature?) and in that instance it might’ve been smart to send someone from the club to help mediate. The club should know its players and partner/family well enough to make that assessment. In this case, maybe it was not the best management by the club?

I usually like Caro honestly, I know that’s not a popular opinion here. This all reads to me as fairly standard. Epworth is the closest and a highly rated hospital. He was then transferred to the Alfred for specialist care. The biggest issue appears to be the emotional impact a phone call from the hospital to his girlfriend that alarmed her. That seems to have escalated the emotional response tremendously. However, these calls are common and steer toward worst case. Ultimately, most people who have had this kind of experience understand that’s part of life and move on, for whatever reason that doesn’t seem to have been the case and the trauma increased. I would also say, without any medical insight, that the fact he was given a full vaccination has to be considered as a known factor for the appendicitis that followed. Not sure that’s avoidable in the situation, but a shame those events happened so close together.

I can agree Kate did the honourable thing stepping down quietly. The rest… I give her the benefit of the doubt at this moment. Brad Green as interim president, I like it. He’s had great challenges off field and while captain he had good energy. His views on lockdowns have been validated, to say anything against those decisions at that time took courage. He has good attributes.

President of the MFC is a highly desirable role. Communicating effectively with the “garbage media, pundits and supporters” are all key elements to being successful at the role. Perhaps Kate is stepping aside for personal reasons, perhaps her abilities didn’t meet the challenges of the role. But the role is distinguished and anyone given this prestigious title, to then step away early, is going to raise questions.

Double post. But I will add… I somewhat hope we go for Lalor, seems the wildcard

This pick 5 is giving me high anxiety ! Perhaps having pick 5 is a blessing in that we won’t have to choose between O’Sullivan or Langford or Lalor. This is a nice write-up, thanks for posting Bin

What a complete failure. I’m so disappointed as the incident had elements to build a good argument.

Agree. It was a collision. This is an inept defense. Hasn’t raised the fact Moore slid illegally. Moore did not “bend down to collect the ball”. Or that Kossie did not “run past the ball”.

“Sally Flynn (AFL): Pickett runs past the ball and has made the election to bump rather than attempting to take possession of the ball.” “Flynn (AFL): Pickett would've or should've known Moore would lower himself to pick up the ball.” Both these statements are clearly disproven by the footage. Will we bother to argue the case at all?

Part of the Trac story is that he’s uninspired by our training facilities. The lack of progress is demoralising. But what I find even more unacceptable is the lack of vision. The club needs to find solutions to inspire players like Trac, who won’t see a new Melbourne facility in his playing years. Send the squad to Arizona, or Switzerland, anywhere that inspires more than the same sad empty oval next to Punt Rd. It’s not just for results, it’s to show the club is striving for the best, it’s cultural. No more excuses. Solutions and vision are required. The now should’ve been anticipated given the slow pace of the long term.

https://www.zerohanger.com/the-potential-prospect-selected-for-each-top-10-afl-draft-pick-154367/amp/ Has us taking Harvey. I also agree North might be open to slide. But not too far as Trainor is highly rated. Would we offer something to trade up for p2?

I don’t think there’s a downgrade outcome here as the conduct is already graded careless rather than intentional. Challenging on Conduct, this is the first part of the ruling, is the best approach and the strongest argument. The other is High contact, which is true. And Severe impact, which is automatic when a player is concussed. Questionable, but not worth arguing. If Conduct is not upheld then the entire incident falls away. There are two aspects: reasonable action, yes, Kossy was contesting the ball and a collision was inevitable. And the high contact was outside of his control, yes, Moore illegally slid. He only needs to win one of these and he’s free to play. Should win.

It’s a perfect test case for outcome focussed decisions. I posted the Trac photo above in jest, but I am spiteful about the incident. Putting his knee into Trac was intended to hurt. Kossy was contesting the ball in a reasonable action, at an angle that causes an inevitable collision. He has no other option other than to pull out of the contest. AND circumstances of high contact were outside of his control. Moore slid. Kossy was lucky not to be seriously injured. He only needs to win one of those arguments. Both are solid. This is a good case to be argued, it might finally be the precedent needed for an injury to the head caused by a player drawing high contact.

Absolutely. You’re right. Kossy didn’t elect to bump. Going for the ball. A collision was inevitable. Moore attacked the contest knees first, dangerously, illegally. Despite it not being an illegal slide, this photo should also be shown to remind the tribunal that Moore often attacks contests with his knees:

I'd say this is wrong - but indeed was the basis of the decision. The appeal should be that BOTH players elected to bump. But Moore SLID, KNEE first. That's an illegal action and Moore sliding caused the incident. Knees first into any contact is dangerous. Sliding specifically is illegal. That's why Moore has to be held accountable and Kossy should be cleared. Will win on appeal.

Dan Houston isn’t worth a top 10 pick. Let alone including ANB. Maybe a future first for Houston, otherwise they’re looking at second rounders. (Rivers was 2nd round, I wouldn’t swap Rivers for Houston) ANB + pick 7 to Adelaide for pick 4 would be my ideal.

That bloody arc has cost us games. I hate it. Don’t care if an umpire makes a bad decision, part of the game. On this occasion though I think it was the goal umpire that stole it from him.

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.