grazman

I think the smoke around Merrett is indication of a pretty large blaze, he's either out of there this year or next. I strongly suspect the club are very interested in getting Zac to become a Demon. Daniher provides an interesting precedent It will be interesting to see what happens and then whether Essendon sideline Dodoro as a result. Daniher wanted out last year and given the injury concerns I thought the Swans offer was fair, Essendon didn't and held onto him, that's their right but are they really going to get better compensation in an extremely compromised draft when he leaves as a RFA now? They won't and more to the point they've burnt 12 months when they could have been developing the Swans first pick from last year (Pick 9) and be looking forward to using the Swans first pick this year. Bang up job Adrian! They're doing their best to deny suitors looking at Joe's medical files because when they do it's far more likely the offer will be substantially less than Tier 1, almost as certain that Essendon's bluff will be called and they won't match a bid. This has the potential to turn into the mother of all list management nightmares for the new coach. Given all this they probably still won't trade Merrett but after the Daniher result is known and if Merrett is resolved to leave, hopefully they might take a more pragmatic approach.

BF = Fake News - unlike our very own trade breaker!

Agree. Carlton have offered a bucket load of cash to Saad and Williams, both are reasonable players, but Clarrie would want at least double what they are going to get which would blow their TPP out of the water.

Would that compelling compensation be similar to the future second round pick they gave Gold Coast to get him? Posturing at best by Dodo, he's not a Free Agent, he just want's out.

Seems like an odd strategy from North though. Dropped both Polec and Brown and made them feel as popular as a fart in an elevator. No doubt they can hold onto the contracts if they want to, but you would think that's some sort of cultural millstone around their neck. I think they've backed themselves into a corner with this a little and it seems from the rumours that the relationship with Shaw might be hard to recover. I imagine if we're interested it will be a balancing act between salary and draft picks. Ie. North pay none of his salary = low draft pick. North pay some of his salary - mid range draft pick, North pay a chunk of his salary - high draft pick. I get that they want a return on investment, but they can't expect another club to pick up the tab on something of their own creation.

or Merrett fingers crossed.?

Weird that Hawthorn have 5 players in the two teams - one more than the teams that finished first and second. Still not quite as weird as Aaron Hall making the seconds team though, I guess stats can be deceiving.

He left Brisbane in an exodus due to the culture. Understandable. He left Port because he got offered an insanely prosperous contract by North. Understandable He will leave North because they are now coached by a Shaw. Also understandable.

I heard Polec's contract was heavily front-loaded - again it may not be right, but he might not be as expensive in terms of TPP as many assume.

This was certainly identified by the club when it recruited him. Tarrant is 32 next year, Hooker is 33 and while Carlisle is only 30 next year he has some major baggage. What about the best tall Essendon back in Hurley though? 31 next year, but could be gettable if the rumours are true about him being fizzed off with the Essendon administration.

There was a view expressed in the media (sorry can't remember who) that if Saad leaves Essendon it will be because he wants to go to a club that is going to challenge soon (so won't be to North).

Suns weren't anywhere near as good last year as this year, they've added Greenwood, Anderson, Rowell and Ainsworth has stepped up in a massive way. Fiorini has moved down the pecking order.

Hmmm. Not the first player to express that under Goody. I believe this time last year Brayshaw and Tracc had similar issues. They were able to sit down at season's end and sort it out. I hope Harmes does the same thing.

You missed Darren Bennett and Jacka, also one of my favourites that never took off - David Cordner. Very unlucky indeed.

I think he's smarting from the demotion from the captaincy. It's voted on by the players and there have been various whispers and innuendo for a couple of years he's not on the same page as some of the other players (certainly some commentators have alluded to this). I don't think Jack feels unloved by the FD, as by some of the players and I definitely think there's something going on with the group dynamics. He may have decided to cut ties just due to this. I'm an unabashed Jack Viney fan and his strengths and weaknesses were on full display last night. He gives everything he's got when he steps onto the field and has a manic attack on the ball, but he also tries to do it all himself and burns the first option too many times? He was penalised at least twice - and probably lucky not to have a couple more as well. Last week he bowled over Trent Rivers to get the ball - there's some aspects that he needs to correct and adjust, I love his desire, but that's just dumb footy. He needs to sit down and have a coffee with Jack Riewoldt and talk about how to play for the team and not just himself. We have a surfeit of players for his position and if it's his choice to leave (which would sadden me) then that opens up enough salary cap space for someone like Zac Williams who was very good again having copped a stinger to the shoulder in the first five minutes. It could be a genuine win win for both club and player (if he can get more money at Geelong), by balancing a tough outside player with good disposal with our inside bulls - but the nostalgic Melbourne Demon in me would need to curl up in bed with the covers over my head for a few days.

or perhaps Norm Smith.

Depressingly predictable.

Was it my imagination or did the Aints (more than once) when tackled last night simply drop the ball for their team mates to pick up and run off with. Surely incorrect disposal

No, KC is just trolling - typical click bait analysis. I doubt half the time he agrees with what he says. If it had been overturned given the goal umpire was standing right there and called it a goal - now that would be a real controversy. I haven't seen any evidence that it was touched before the line.

According to some North supporters on BF his contract was heavily front ended - however you have to wonder why a club that recruited him on a five year contract wants to offload him 2 years after it signed him. He can play however, number one for metres gained in 2018 at North, but due diligence obviously required.

I was thinking more Justin Murphy... but yeah Pike had his issues too.

Gary Hardeman left to go play for Sturt in the SANFL before returning for final season in 81. Can't think of a recent player though.

Hmmm... his fourth club will sort out his issues. I wouldn't put money on it.

Sorry to interrupt the flow Binman, but Viney was Captain yesterday - but everything else I agree with.

It would also include what you consider to be 'big money'. If you don't know what he's on just say it... but it's not unusual for sides to recruit against a known deficiency in their list. So Tomlinson's not playing wing and AVB is - are you arguing we could have banked on AVB making a recovery and that Frost is actually a better backman than Tomlinson. There were also other issues at play with Frost being traded?