Wiseblood

I'd like to think we'll be fine, as I would rather the players get themselves right for the season ahead than rush back and collapse in a heap by about Round 17. Having said that, we do have plenty of players who are in the rehab group and that's never a good thing. Maybe it's simply the price we pay for getting deep into the finals, when before the players had an extra month or so up their sleeve to get themselves right?

Don't peak too early @binman. It's only December!

Of all the players/coaches/staff at our club, Goodwin is one I worry about the least. He is building something special here, and the Crows have come knocking before, which he said no to. I have no doubt he'll sign an extension before the pre-season footy really kicks off in February.

Classic pre-season interview - it's great to hear, but like pre-season training, means little until things really kick in. What I do like is that we have a very experienced person in the role who, aside from a tainted finish at the Pies, has runs on the board as doing some excellent work as a CEO. If he has learned from previous mistakes and helps us set up a much better facility for the club, then it's going to be a great appointment in my book.

The big one for me on that list is Weideman. While we are not privy to how he is feeling, I think the club has done a terrific job at developing him and getting him back to full fitness after the injuries he suffered as a junior. Hopefully he sees this and is keen to sign a long term contract with the club, as we are now putting plenty of faith in him with the loss of Hogan. You would be pretty confident in some of the other main players, like Melksham and Salem, that they will re-sign sometime during 2019, but Weideman is the key one for me.

I predict we finish in the Top 4. Not sure exactly where in the Top 4, but it will happen. I also predict that we'll have a mini slump during the season - now that we've made a Prelim, we'll be the hunted more than the hunters, and this might take a little to adjust to. It might be a few losses in a row or something like that, but I think it will be the making of us next season. Jake Lever will make a successful return from injury and slot into our backline alongside May superbly. Weideman and McDonald to combine to kick more than 80 goals between them. Oliver, Brayshaw, Harmes and Viney to combine with Gawn to be the most effective midfield in the competition. Nev Jetta to finally be AA, where he belongs.

I've always liked their ratings. They're never wrong. I mean, they've been wrong every other year, but this year seems spot on to me.

Here is his pic:

A smart pick for us. You would expect him to develop at Casey over the next 12-24 months, but he is just the type we need moving forward.

Classic pick for us - hard working, professional and will give his all for the side. Love that we are continuing to draft these types as it will pay dividends for us in the short and long term. Welcome Tom!

He plays for Freo... he's gawn.

Give it to 'bub and he'll have it done in 15 minutes.

So you're basing how we're being 'repaid' for making a Prelim on Round 1? I'd suggest we will get more prime time games, such as Friday and Saturday nights, throughout the 2019 season. It's a bit short sighted to suggest otherwise just going on our Round 1 fixture.

I get what you mean Steve. The Geelong game from this season was a ripper and a great way to kick off the year. On the flip side, I'm stoked we're at home again and we have every opportunity to kick off the season with a win. I think that's more important than who the opposition is.

Home game at the 'G to kick off the season. Don't give a stuff who it's against, I'll take that every day of the week. It will also be great for Weideman to kick his first bag of 7 in front of the hometown fans. Dees by 10 goals. I can feel it already.

I haven't really bought the notion that he wasn't invested in the club, or questioned his passion to win, but the above does put it in the spotlight. For reasons we could all understand, perhaps footy isn't first and foremost in his life anymore? Maybe getting himself around family and friends is the most important thing right now, which under the circumstances you couldn't blame him for. Either way, I agree that we have done well out of this, and while I understand why others might be disappointed in the overall deal, I'm happy with how it turned out and I hold no ill feeling whatsoever towards Jesse. I wish him well at Freo, but I'm also super excited for what our clubs future holds!

Collingwood gave up Pick 18 and, if they finish high again next year, the same pick in 2019. We got 6 and 23. We actually got a better deal than the Pies.

Spot on. They hope Weideman takes the lions share of those goals, but Trac, T Mac, Fristch, Hannan, Melksham, Oliver, Spargo etc. etc. will also share the load a little as well. I'm not worried about it at all.

Add Salem to that backline as well. It's looking very, very good.

And you're the biggest waste of space on the board, posting negative tripe every chance he gets. Works both ways, you big sook.

You know it's a good deal when the usual posters are the ones melting down, while the rest see this deal for what it is. Always comforting.

Hogan for May, KK and Pick 23. I'll take it. I'm sad to see Hogan go, but this pushes us further towards a flag, which is the ultimate goal of any footy club.

Depends how their picks work out. What if they want in two years time, or turn into average players? What is May and KK are part of a premiership side in the next few seasons? I'll hold off before saying Freo got 'more' for Neale than we did for Hogan. Too subjective.

Neale announced as officially a Lions player. We aren't far away now.

From someone's back pocket.