grazman

Yes the article wasn't exactly clear about a few details. It appears there are certain safeguards for clubs trading away all their next years early picks - but isn't clear on whether a club can trade both its first round picks in the same trade period. It certainly introduces a further dimension of risk into the trade - but chance favours the prepared and I feel my confidence in our recruiting team now is a lot more justified than it has been in the past.

Just in case you missed it.... clubs now free to trade future draft picks. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-commission-trading-future-draft-picks-20150728-gimgzk.html Interesting to see how clubs may assess what that future pick may actually be worth. Might also help if the club doesn't want to offer up two early picks in the same draft.

I hadn't seen that before - and maybe they did prioritise him, certainly there's not much to separate Shiel and Treloar in terms of performance. Whether a player is elite or not is subjective.

Agree, Treloar has given no indication that he's not happy at GWS, but clearly he's going to get more money from a Victorian club and GWS's priorities were to resign Shiel, Congilio and Hoskin-Elliott and offer something up to get their two academy players so you do wonder whether the sort of money/terms that's been touted is slightly above the odds. He's had a very good year at the Giants though, very consistent, but like Chaser has pointed out its his defensive running and probably lack of X factor means he'll be a very good midfielder, but probably not elite. You can't trade for everyone so you have to prioritise. We need another contested ball winner and speedy, goal kicking outside midfielder with X factor. So looking at whose available according to the rumour mill, I'd be chasing Prestia ahead of Treloar and gunning for Motlop as well.

How much better does our side look without Watson? Marsh is a better bowling option and a more imposing batsman. (Watson LBW is just so predictable). It looks like they might try another slow/low deck for Edgbaston according to SKW and so may bring in a wrist spinner for Ali who is in the side more to stiffen up the tail than as a genuine spinning option. Once again winning the toss might decide the outcome of the match. Good to see Johnson in the wickets though - England are obviously very worried about his pace.

Unless of course he was talking about targeting 2016 FAs a la Dangerfield last year.

With the top end of the draft being loaded with talls and their need to replace Dixon, I'll take a wild stab in the dark and say our first pick. - although they would also need to replace Dion and Bennell who will be moved on as well. We'd need to throw in some loose change as well. I wonder what Rocket's opinion of Dawes was when he was at the pies?

Until about five weeks ago I would have agreed with most of that, but I can now see what Roos sees in Watts. There was never any doubt as to his footy 'smarts' and he has a Mark Waugh laconic style approach to the game, but his lack of intensity was so frustrating. In his last five weeks however, he has been very solid and its worth remembering he has only now played as many games of football as many of this years U18s will have when they get drafted. I now think he can actually reach that mythical potential many of us were envisaging when he was drafted. I'm torn with Col, the key question if he left like Chippa would we get something better in return- and I'm not convinced we would. I think many on here underestimate just how tough Col is - he doesn't shirk an issue and he has an essential component for key defenders - he's quick, not the best reader of the play, but like Tommy Mac he has seriously good wheels when he takes off. It think he deserves another contract unless we were going to get another 1st round pick as compo...highly unlikely. I think most agree that Howe is gone and I'd put both Dawes and Toumpas on the table as well as Grimes (pains me to say it, but such is football). Tommy Mac and Frost have the speed, height and athleticism (Dawes has height - negated by his physical inability to get two feet off the ground at the same time and endurance - but that's it) to play both forward and back (but both need a couple of summers kicking at goal) to give us the flexibility.

Under contract. Even if he does want out (and GC will fight damn hard to keep him) the asking price would be very high. Treloar still obtainable time to up the offer.

I think you're right Nasher, I'm pretty sure he was from the wild and woolly parts of the West Coast.

It did seem a bit odd that the article didn't mention him being Andy's son. Andy played for Glenorchy btw, not sure if he originated from the Huon Valley.

I remember Andy as an 18 y.o. - must have been cutting wood since he was five, because he was an absolute ball of muscle. Hopefully Kieran has inherited his ability and attitude.

Go you good things! Well done the Vics. Obviously a very flat deck, but still a great effort.

Excellent, thanks 45.

Gee McRae and the Bont looked good last night. Along with Wallis and Liber the doggies midfield in two years time is going to be very, very good.

Had a bit of chuckle when Flem and Warnie were commentating the other night and wished the Vics good luck in the shield final being played at their traditional home ground in Hobart. Very funny. Then started talking about bouncer repellent. I like Flem as a commentator he's a very witty bloke. Pity there's no coverage of the shield final at least as there has been in the past. I find Sheffield Shield still one of the most enjoyable forms of the game to watch. Vic's have their work cut out for them though with the Warriors at 4 for 310. Still with rain forecast for all of Monday and showers on Tuesday & Wednesday they would want to bowl well on what looks to be an extremely flat deck. Ahmed might be a sneaky chance for the ashes tour.

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 must be losing touch with reality.... a man selected to play for his country, leaves to go home - not because his nearest and dearest is on death's door, but is just emotionally overwrought. Hmmm. Maybe I'm lacking in sentimentality but when you lie down with dogs, you'll wake up with fleas. I miss the old days when we didn't know who the wives and girlfriends of the players were because they didn't matter

Siddle continued to bowl with fire and agression all innings, and that's why I'd like to see Dirk Nannes included. Hilfy is just going for mine and unless he can generate late swing in England his days as a test bowler are numbered, he's just not threatening for long enough periods. I can't see any value fast tracking a spinner, we just don't have one of test quality, Katich, Clark and North (if he can cement a spot) are good enough to roll out 20 overs an innings between them, but it needs to be supported with 4 genuine attacking bowlers. Johnson, Siddle, Clarke and Nannes would do plenty of damage IMO.

and I'm starting the Dirk Nannes for the Ashes Tour fan club. 151.6 kms an hour with more than a hint of reverse swing to finish the Bulls first innings. The man is intimidating.

In the history books now as of 5.30 EST.... Go the mighty Vics!!!!!

Vics putting Qld to the sword... but can only manage two players in the shield team of the year. What a joke!

No I wouldn't and I don't think they will. Remembering that the English team were in India during the Mumbai attacks and now the attacks in Lahore, there's a worrying new trend. All three countries have been subject to terrorist acts in the past and that's nothing new, but with the deteriorating situation in Pakistan there's a new trend emerging. These aren't opportunistic targets, and this isn't simply the old sectarian violence of Hindu V Muslim (or Buddhist). The attacks in Mumbai and Lahore demonstrate the sort of methodology and ideology of Al Qaeda/Taliban/Laskar i toiba etc. It's East vs West and in a region where it's relatively easy to recruit, train and disguise indigenous assassins then the security risks remain far too great. I expect to see more of the same types of attacks over the next few years given the relative ease in which they were conducted. (It was only the bravery of the bus driver and relative ignorance and inexperience of the attackers that saved the entire Sri Lankan team from being massacred)