grazman

Pick 3 for Amon and Pick 10? Maybe throw in a future 3rd round pick as a sweeter.

Completely different sort of player. Elliott's strength is his marking. He doesn't play the small forward pressure role.

I wanted Papley as well, but he's likely going to Carlton. Let's see what they pay for him and that might explain why we aren't chasing him.

With Lyon being sacked from Freo (who Langdon has a close relationship with), you would think that would only strengthen the case for him leaving.

John Ralph just commented on Fox Footy that we aren't in the race for Zak.

The stats don't support that view. If you take Pressure Acts, Contested Possessions and Tackles as the measure then it's easy to see which Captain has dropped their bundle this year in terms of work rate: Avgs: Pressure Acts, Contested Possessions Tackles Career Viney 20.4, Jones 11.1 Viney 10.9, Jones 8.5 Viney 5.8, Jones 3.7 2019 Viney 21.5, Jones 11.0 Viney 9.3, Jones 6.8 Viney 5.3, Jones 2.2 2018 Viney 21.0, Jones 15.4 Viney 13.5, Jones 9.0 Viney 5.9, Jones 3.7 2017 Viney 21.5, Jones 16.3 Viney 11.8, Jones 9.4 Viney 7.0, Jones 5.4 2016 Viney 21.0, Jones 17.1 Viney 12.8, Jones 10.5 Viney 7.0, Jones 5.4 2015 Viney 18.4, Jones 14.9 Viney 12.1, Jones 9.9 Viney 6.6, Jones 4.3 2014 Viney 19.6, Jones 16.4 Viney 8.7, Jones 11.6 Viney 4.4, Jones 5.2 2013 Viney 18.8, Jones 13.4 Viney 9.2, Jones 10.9 Viney 4.2, Jones 3.5 Viney is rated elite for Pressure Acts and tackles and above average in contested Possessions. Jones is rated as below average for Pressure acts and average for Contested Possessions and tackles (below average for all three this year).

That's a good pick up - fifth last for tackles in the comp... we were third last year, we've dropped away by nearly 10 tackles a game. Given that tackles are a good measure of work-rate I would think this more a sign of the players attitudes than any change to the game plan. Fortunately next week we play the worst tackling side in the comp, unfortunately we're likely to have a couple more players unavailable due to injury (including Max I suspect).

Had a lot of injuries at the Roos and now dropped in the second last game of the season - seems he might be on the way out. Doesn't get a heap of the ball, and his DE% isn't flash either. I know North supporters had high hopes, but I think with Petracca, Fritsch, Melksham, Hannan and Joel Smith we have his type covered.

Darren Burgess should be all over this.

Players are only worth what other clubs are prepared to pay. Player rankings though a far from perfect measure (too many variables), but one that can provide a rough guide on what players might be worth, can be helpful. Obviously one of the key constraints here is that clubs are constrained by what draft picks they have to offer. Currently ANB is the 158th ranked player in the league and 14th for position (that will actually go up at the end of the year with player retirements). Stretch is the 533rd and 123rd for position. Similar players traded last year (rankings are based on rd 1 2019 rankings) were: Gary Rohan 302/40 for pick 61, George Horlin-Smith 453/112 for pick 59, Jackson Thurlow 444/110 for pick 70 Sam Lloyd 402/43 for pick 64 Dean Kent 487/81 for pick 65 Taylor Duryea 379/82 for future 4th round pick. The ball-park measure for a joint trade was Jared Polec 90/48 and Jaspar Pittard 303/64 and 3rd round pick for pick 11 and future 4th round pick. (North in a similar position to Gold Coast in that they needed experienced AFL players to fill a need and balance their list) So ANB is probably worth a third round pick and Billy is probably worth a fifth round pick. If we were to trade our first pick along with ANB and Stretch (both have positive cultural attributes the Suns need in terms of training and preparation and as players looking to extend their AFL careers this maybe attractive to them as well) to Gold Coast for King we could reasonably expect another late first round pick* to come back. * depending on what happens with their bid for a priority pick, but also what happens with Jack Martin and Peter Street remembering they also have Brisbane's first pick for this year as well.

Delayed start, bit of moisture in the air, might be a good toss to lose. Watching Stuart Clark take some wickets from yester year and Binga spray them all over the pitch ?

I think a combination of a loss of power, (presuming his foot still isn't right) and the opposition knowing how he plays means he's getting tackled a lot more with (and without) the ball. I like the idea of trialling him as a small forward. He will create turnovers. I remember his final against the Hawks last year with 27 disposals and 8 clearances as vintage Viney. He's as tough and competitive as they come, he will be more disappointed than any posters on here about his form this year. He'll be back.

You mean like going out on benders and getting a club suspension?

There are a number of unknown factors in all this such as whether we have to use a first round pick this year -I think based on the rules we do - I guess this isn't an unknown for the club or the AFL, but I'm still unsure. Then there is what if any priority pick GC get and finally whether we think we a) need King or b) He is worth giving up pick 2/3 for. I think high on GC drafting strategy this year is to try to keep top end talent tied to the club by drafting Rowell and Anderson together. I think GC may have known it would be hard to keep King when they drafted him, but if he wanted to go home they'd be able to break even - a better risk than drafting a lesser player. If GC aren't given a pick at the pointy end then our hand is significantly strengthened if we are interested in getting King. But what we are giving up is Anderson for King and we would still need another of GC later first round draft picks to come back - so expect a player/s (ANB/Stretch) or later/future picks to be involved.

Has he? I know there was a twitter link earlier in the year saying he was close, but since then I haven't heard whether he's actually signed.

It was reported earlier in the year from a poster in the know that he needed surgery on both hips at the end of the season. I suspect this may not have helped him with his form over the year.

Well he would be because he's a Free Agent.

England rolled for 85 before lunch by Ireland.

Ireland have the poms 6 down before the first drinks break at Lords in their test match. Perhaps a very good omen for the ashes! Edit... Make that 7 wickets... go bite a pillow you pommy Bast*rds!

Well first and foremost we have to get him to nominate us as his preferred destination. If we are not it really doesn't matter what our trade currency is. To do that there are at least three factors to consider that are extremely variable depending on the player you are dealing with - also discounting a fourth factor in opportunity as Hill's an established player. The first is remuneration - and this incorporates the length of the contract (see Judd and Shiel as examples it's not always about what is in the TPP). The second factor is the prospect of success - most players don't switch to clubs destined for the bottom half. The third is personal connections - sometimes players are comfortable switching to clubs where they know no one, but for others the opposite is true. This factor isn't a primary motivation, but it can influence the decision-making process if they are deciding on where to go based on who they know. It's why Hawthorn remain firmly in the frame for Hill because of his previous relationship with Clarkson. The side benefit of that maybe that Isaac Smith may look for a better contract elsewhere. I assume the Saints are in the frame because they are prepared to offer money over and above what other competitors are.

Langdon finished fourth in their B&F last year and will probably finish top five this year. I would think our second round pick is about right... and given the report by Jon Ralph you would assume an in-principle deal with them may already have been reached... not that that sort of thing goes on in the AFL.

The first thing to understand is that the players now have the whip hand when it comes to deals. If Brad Hill would rather go to the Hawks or Saints (as speculated in the media) then it doesn't matter what we would give up because it just won't happen. I've seen nothing to suggest we're even in the frame for him in terms of destination - other than we might be interested.

He's contracted. His brother will be coming out of contract and will be a free agent, but he is more often injured than not lately.

Tom Papley has a year to run on his contract, but there is media speculation he maybe coming back to Victoria. Articles mention the Blues, but I think Horse and Tom would be looking at the best possible deal.

What a cracking match, the standard of fielding (and catching in particular) was excellent. I Really feel for the Kiwi's today. Three crucial moments. The first was Guptil referring his LBW, I get that he didn't want to be out, but Ross Taylor would surely have reviewed his LBW (and survived) if Guptil hadn't burnt that decision. The next was when Boult caught Stokes on the boundary, but didn't instinctively throw the ball back. If he'd done this - they win. The last was the boundary off Stokes bat as he dives for the line. That's just terrible luck and absolutely nothing you can do about it. I'm still at odds with how I feel about the technology and referrals. How accurate is Hawkey, does anyone know? (particularly when it comes to spinners) The referrals were brought in to eliminate the obvious howlers, yet players will let the match situation or their egos decide when to review... the game is definitely not the same. Anyway bring on the Ashes.