grazman

Grimes a first rounder too.

Respectively the club handled both of those very poorly and I feel it did enormous damage to morale and the fabric of the club at the time. I feel for Jack, but the situation is a little different for two reasons. 1. Both Woey and Junior had been and were fantastic players for the club with runs on the board. Jack through no fault of his own has not (so far). 2. Paul Roos publicly, and perhaps even more emphatically to the players themselves, emphasised that our list is not good enough and changes need to be made - whereas Woey was completely blindsided by his trade and Junior's 'retirement' ballsed up completely, I am assuming Jack and perhaps others know exactly what the situation is with their currency and the direction of the club. They may not like it, but I'd like to think this is not a surprise for Jack to read it in the paper (particularly as suggested in one of the articles he's already toured the punt rd facilities) Players like Simon Godfrey (a popular whipping post in his day) got the most out of their abilities, but they had limitations, and because of those limitations they end up being traded or delisted and we don't tend to mention loyalty in the same breath. If players want out because they don't like the coach or are chasing coin like Beams - well that's modern footy isn't it. We're in the market for good players. I don't know about their respective personalities, but Beams is better than Jack and as much as it pains me to say it, considering his history (and in the recruiting team I have to place my trust) a top 12 pick is worth more than Jack too.

Seems like the only progress being made on trades involves us (at least according to reporting). Very much in keeping with Roos' management during his time at Sydney. I remember thinking back then they got their deals done quickly. Didn't really understand why they targeted the players they did or why they paid what I thought were 'overs' at the time (now I think I do). If we give up a second round pick for Frost (which has only been suggested in the media and might be well wide of the mark) there's a reason. Where a player gets drafted is not an indication of their worth (eg Tom Rockcliff) It's what clubs are prepared to give up to get the players they require. We now have a coach and FD with a trading plan (glory hallelujah!). My gut feel is we'll keep pick 2 for Brayshaw and will wait to trade 3 (either on its own or downgrade) for a mid next week when clubs start getting serious (and some might start panicking). I imagine the strategy is to go to bring in guys like Harry, Frost, Garlett (all role players) plus at least one maybe two mids (Is Lyons still on our radar?) as well as Brayshaw, Stretch and 1 other (maybe 2) in the draft as well as some rookies. That would be 8 perhaps 9 list changes. That seems about right.

Just lost for words. So saddened by this news. He and Sean Wight were my two of my heroes.

If GWS want Patracca then they'd want pick 1. Pelchen loves the draft (and justifiably so in his case). Picks 2&3 for pick 1 and a later pick (for Frost) and no Saints bid on Billy, may very well appeal to him. These picks would be ontraded for Shiel and Frost.

We will have to wait and see if Roos actually has any interest in getting Mitchell. I also struggle to understand how he can be worth a top 5 pick. Hard for a club to argue that sort of value for someone not in their best 22.

Tecnically its true that they can't tag and flood in TAC footy, but some coaches don't always abide by the spirit of the agreement. Truth is as others have pointed out that there's not much scope for overly negative tactics at that level. That said its probably why the benefit of later\rookie draft picks are crucial to finding guys that won't necessarily win a brownlow but play a role.

I was hoping with a tall forward line we could have exposed them a little more than we did, but all credit to their key backs who defended very well. Pedo lstarted really well and looked ready for a day out but we just couldn't get a mark inside 50 when it mattered. Interestingly it was Russian who was subbed out. I think Max is definately improving, but it will be interesting to see whether they go with the two ruckmen again for next week.

Roos & Co have been very astute recruiters over the journey. They don't get sucked in by whose on offer by other clubs. They target needs and particularly players that tend to be under the radar, but who have shown all the required attributes. As BB mentioned most clubs over value first round draft picks so I think we might well trade in another Tyson type scenario. I'm not quite sure it will be for any of the names mentioned so far though.

Keep in mind a lot of our frees were for illegal holding off the ball. Glad the umpires picked this up its getting to be a joke in the game.

You mean like draft tampering... not sure if you're comment was tongue in cheek or not DD, but I at least am still a little raw about such suggestions whether offered in humour or not because our amateurish efforts (you can add incompetent, laughable, or downright embarrassing as well) of trying to short cut the system have come back to torment the club and us supporters. Reading the Hun piece on Freeman today makes him sound like a logical fit, and he may certainly be our desired player, he may also well be available at pick 9, but if he's snapped up before then I doubt it's the end of the football club as we know it or our fortunes, just like picking him at 9 may also not be the magic bullet either (staggering I know). The trade down from 2 (where we had much more certainty) to 9 must have been done in the knowledge that Freeman along with 2 or 3 others were hard to split and that while he maybe ahead, I doubt that Taylor and Viney will upend any tables on draft day and throw their bums in the corner if he's already been taken. Roos has consistently talked about club culture about building to competitive efforts. In his model no single player is a key to a premiership. The Swans one two with lists that many just didn't rate as having enough talent. Hawthorn while disappointed to lose Buddy, still would have won last years premiership without him. If Freeman is available he'll be a very good selection if not it will be someone else the club thought would be thereabouts. There's no certainties with 18 year olds, hence Roos reluctance to bet the farm on them.

You eould think so. Has the speed to compliment viney and tyson and is also a firtce competitor in a similat vein.

Absolutely I agree! The key here is if there is no better offer on the table from othet clubs and assuming that pick 9 is highly likely to give us the player we may have used pick 2 on anyway. (Freeman perhaps based on the rumours) This obssession that we can twist another club's arm into gifting us a a contracted player is fanciful. If this came to pass its because we get a known quantity in Bugg with a prospect in Buntine and a slightly less certainty of getting Freeman/Crouch/Kardahian.

or the year after. He signed a two year contract extension this year. I'd say go hard at Dom Tyson next year if he continues to develop, but the PSD is losing its appeal with player managers. So far GWS haven't remotely shown themselves to be realistic in what they expect in return for their players/picks and want the AFL tocontinue to allow them TPP room to 'encourage' success beyond the COLA. I get that they want to build a competitive list, but swings and roundabouts.

Daniel Connors says "High"

I think it's far more likely as already intimated in the media that if Buddy goes to GWS it will only be if they adequately compensate Hawthorn ie pick 1. Which they will use to take Boyd. Personally I hope that Buddy does go to GWS it take them out of the market and makes using the PSD a real option i.e. Martin for nothing (if we assess the risk that he poses as being tolerable - which seems doubtful) That way we can use pick 2 for someone like Swallow or Sloane.

Yes it's crazy. They'll take Whitfield for sure, regardless of type he's the best available player in the draft, you don't bye pass that sort of talent.

What about 4&12 for 7?

No he can still put some miles in his legs which is the one area he struggled in pre-season. We know he can get the ball and deliver it, he just needs to develop a bigger engine.

A kick arse song from one of the Albums of 2011 (for me anyway) and I love the video because I think it's taking the [censored] out of the entire industry and the obsession with turning music video's into hollywood blockbusters Oh and Macca I agree. Exile on Main St is one of the all time great albums. Let it Bleed, Beggars Banquet Exile On Main Street and Sticky Fingers were a real high water mark for the Stones

In the true spirit of Eddie and the boys I'm not a huge music video fan (so why the hell am I posting here!), but I do like this one - it's a damn fine album too.

Been listening to a lot of new music lately. Some of my favourites are: The Horrible Crowes: Elsie The Black Keys: El Camino Pygmy Lush: Old Friends Bruce Springsteen: The Promise BRMC: Beat the Devil's Tattoo White Denim: D Tom Waits: Bad as Me Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: Let it Sway Oupa: Forget Eagerly waiting for the new releases from British India, Pearl Jam and Boy in a Box's debut album.

I reckon you're right.... Jack Viney come on down.

Pretty naive and silly of his manager if his intention was to get home, but apparently GC asking price was also a little steep. Interesting to see what happens next year because GC may have to be a little more attentive to offers.

The asking price for Caddy is apparently two compensatory picks. Wants to return to Melbourne on compassionate grounds. He was taken at pick 7 in last years draft and was restricted to two games this year by injury. Seems to be a highly rated inside mid. Any further thoughts?