fr_ap

Flanders is the age profile and experience we need in our midfield. He is a good linkage player between the arcs, wins 1v1 contests and is a smart user and runner. I think he'd be ideal for us in many ways to phase Viney and if traded, Petracca out of the middle. Big tick from me.

Reckon we've got a live one in Guerra. Hard to know the total truth as an outsider, but it just seems we have someone who does things right. Breath of fresh air in an industry filled with backslapping friends of friends. Shows total respect to whoever he speaks to, total respect to opposition (listen to the 3AW grab above about how we were wary of the impact on Geelong) and respect for the integrity of the game. They're going to continue to try to undermine his standards and drag things through the dirt, and he just keeps taking the high road. Long may it continue.

Thrilled skipworth is out.

Was always the play here. Doubt he's going anywhere tbh.

The last sentence makes it feel to me like his manager is playing games and trying to eek out more dollars from the saints

Those who wanted to draft yze last week...you should now see why he's not at the level. Very one dimensional player, poorly skilled when not kicking for goal and poor decision maker Just had one amazing day

Btw Verrall is very concerning. Got utterly destroyed the moment he went into the ruck. Clear delist if we're bringing Heath in I think

Is he draft eligible? Has a skillset we could really use... quick, line breaking, attacking left footed HBF.

Who are these random Frankston players? They look better than some AFL sides. Jackson voss, Trent mynott, hamill, Frankstons team seems full of raking left footers who can hit up the corridor at will

But that's a physical test. He might have the fastest reactions in the world, but if he doesn't have the footy brain that can see the game unfold slightly before it actually does, he'll lack the anticipation to be a top line mid.

Whilst I agree here - the concern is whether or not he can ever bring those strengths to AFL level where the game is somewhere between 20-30% faster. Watching him closely even the VFL, his biggest deficiency is he is flat footed and for a mid, not active at all around stoppages. There is a footy IQ/speed of thought/game sense here that is lacking. It's not a surprise he's struggled to stay involved at AFL level when you put it in context. I think he's probably slightly below the pace of the game (intuitively) even at VFL level....more and more time as a mid will help this along until it normalises for him. Then after that, AFL and a similar normalisation period. The challenge will be whether we can wait that long. It's a similar criticism I have of sparrow in the midfield. You need your highest game sense / IQ players in there who can read a tap, bounce, bobble, tackle etc and then react instictively in the moment to win possession/turn/release etc. I can see the attributes...concern is whether they'll ever translate.

I agree mate - there is something pure about the VFL I prefer. Helps that umpiring and drama doesn't take over most games

Howes is a bad decision maker when he plays as a deep anchor. Frequently takes the wrong option. Will severely limit his AFL prospects

Don't get me wrong - yze has been good. It's just a funny game as a forward when you get a bit of luck and convert your opportunities. He could easily have 2.2 and it would have been a good but ho-hum half.

Cool the Jets on yze. Good converter but has taken two uncontested marks i50, received a downfield [censored] and a [censored] in a marking contest. Had one good assist where he read the ball well off the pack. Culley is a weird one. He's such a brute but often can try too much on his own - it's a weird comparison but in traffic he reminds me of Brodie Grundy....when he was with us he would smash through bodies and just always seemed to try too much....teammates couldn't read him and often ended up turning it over. A negative synergy player. Not saying Culley is that, but he needs to use his power to beat one man then dish to space

Interesting way to finish the year - bit to chew on. Thought May was abysmal despite what the stats sheet now says...for all the good he did, I counted probably 4 goals that were directly his fault. His judgement is shot, he seems to start games on another planet and I'm not sure his body is coping anymore. Sadly, the game has become too fast for him (& Lever) to play in front and read the cues. Especially when they have slow teammates upfield who can't go with ball carrying teams to apply pressure. There is a reason Turner looks like our best defender - he is mobile. Honestly, I am angry that we didn't try May as a forward this year. We play a bombing game style, he's hard to beat in the air and it could have extended his career. Thought Tom was also poor. He was poorly treated this year and I hope he goes again and gets to 250...but he probably shouldn't be getting games next year. For all the forward woes I actually have more worry about the backline because it is so immobile and has so much to do with how teams score in the modern game. Bowey had a great year but is not reliable in 1v1s. Howes shows glimpses of a player, but struggles to defend mobile forwards and gets beaten on the lead frequently. Adams isnt hugely mobile either and whilst I still think Petty is May's obvious heir, he's not too mobile either. Adding a mobile marking defender to partner Turner for the next decade should be a priority - as should finding a line breaking sharp kicking HBF. I'm ok for Salem to go on - but he too is quite immobile. AMW has promise. Will be a shame if that's the last we see of Judd...he's had a poorer year but has the tools to play the modern game. We are just beaten for run and speed in so many situations. Up the ground I'm pretty much done with Sparrow. He let us down in some big moments and was horrific last week in particular. He's not improving - I think he's hit his ceiling. Played a role in a great team but we need more from him now. Good clubman - keep for culture but he should be playing at Casey. Poor Bailey Laurie has so many more tricks to his game and has never had a proper look - for his own sake Laurie should be traded and I think he'll do ok elsewhere. Clarry was great, hope he stays. Trac I'm happy to cash in a little to keep the list ticking over. Rivers has to be a mid but needs to learn how to kick on his left. It's costly. Our slow-tall wing combo is interesting. Langford a total weapon...26 touches off the wing is bloody hard. He shows a lot of leadership too - gets on with things and shows composure when more senior players do not. Culley has something....has some rough points in his game (ball watches/flat footed) but could also be a very handy player with some more experience I think. Strong team first attitude. Sharp - just amazing he's played as many games as he has. Good in space but has no idea what to do in an AFL contest. Total liability when it's tough. JVR - not sure. There has been growth in his game but he needs a 1 wood....and it has to be marking or leading. He's just not dangerous enough. Thought Melk made some costly decisions when he could have released teammates. No concerns with Koz....type of player not to burn himself if he knows there's nothing to play for. Excited to see some change next year. See you then.

Sinnema looks clever! Likely type.

All very good points

Was very close to Goodwin.

Spot on. Sparrow would never have been subbed under Goodwin, so it's already changing.

Er....yes, I would. Leaders of every...single .. organisation of any size are required to tell half truths or outright lies every single day. Like it or not it is a significant part of leadership - you aren't afforded the luxury of being able to speak your mind and you do need to tow the company line. Honesty is for internal discussions and definitely not for the vultures of the AFL media landscape. Very very very naive to think otherwise. It's not the first time Ed has done this either - honesty is an admirable trait but not helpful in this situation. He's now projected a divide or disharmony inside the club to the world (whether true or not), including prospective new players and coaches and god knows who else. It's not helpful and not necessary.

Langdon's comments 100% confirm a new voice was needed. Way too comfortable and to draw or reveal a divide between players and Board isn't on from a senior player and tells me (as many suspected) the players have been running the place. Those saying "what do you expect him to say" - you expect him to say "we loved goody, but are excited for a change and the challenge that can bring". You don't expect him to say "you'd have to ask the Board". Very poor.

Whilst it feels a little shocking, I think this is a good thing. Rare that we go early ...we could have easily held on for another year and I firmly believe we would have been the same in 12 months. Langdon's interview today actually probably confirms we made the right decision...players have been comfortable for a long time. Overdue that things are shaken up. What does feel sad is this is officially the end of the era. May is just about done, Gawn still going but done soon, and I now expect one or both of Trac and Clarry to leave. It's the right decision. We were going to tread water for another 12-24 months.

Well put

Nail meet head