Wiseblood

What's your point? Lloyd Perris would have almost been the pick of the bunch if not for injuries. You can't predict that. Jack and Naismith are both still on the list and are solid contributors, while we know how well Mills and Heeney are both going. Not all players will get there, but they get a free hit at many kids from an early age and it has worked out very, very well for them so far.

Never suggested they didn't - but they got a free hit on 2 talented kids when they were still 12 and 13 years old. Again, that gave them plenty of time. They didn't pluck them from obscurity at the draft as project players, they were ready to go from day 1 when they were eligible. I don't [censored] and moan about they concessions they were given, as what can we do about it now? Not much. We just need to continue to draft well, trade well and develop our players in the best possible environment. If we can continue to do that then we'll play finals football and give ourselves every chance of some real success.

I'm not being harsh, it's just fact. We get them at 18 - I'm not saying the TAC Cup don't develop them or anything like that, but Sydney get them early and develop them the way they want, while also giving them exposure and training with the senior side. That's a big difference. Plus we're fighting with 17 other clubs over the TAC Cup draftees, while as you say, Sydney get a free hit at 600 kids, some of which turned out to be guys like Mills and Heeney.

Yes, and they took them because they are allowed to have academies. It also meant that they are being trained, developed and molded in the way they want them to be from an early age. That's a very handy advantage to have on the other clubs. What about the Vic clubs? We get them when they're 18 and we have to develop them from there. We can still do it, but we're coming from a long, long way back in that regard. Mills and Heeney assimilate better to the senior side as they have been around that environment for years.

I wouldn't go that far. The reason people are up in arms about the academies is that a club like GWS gets access to some of the best players in the region without any real competition from other clubs. Same goes for the Swans. They still need to develop them properly, no argument there, but that job is made easier when guys like Heeney, Mills and Hopper, for example, fall into your lap.

Settle down, LH. The first part is what we all thought happened, and getting out of that mindset takes experience. If they're still talking like that in 2-3 years time then I'd be annoyed. And all he did was compare the differences between Roos and Goodwin. Nothing to get yourself in a tizzy about.

Who knows where we get this player from, but if Goodwin says we need more ruck depth, then we need more ruck depth. It won't take much to convince someone from the state league's to sign up. They would all jump at the chance for a crack at AFL again.

Another 20+ touches, 8 tackles and a goal tonight. He has certainly brought that form to the finals with him. I can't see him leaving Adelaide now that he has cemented a spot in their 22, but if he was to want out, then I'd certainly take a look at him.

Norf won't let him go now, even if we wanted him. With Petrie gone, Waite almost cooked and Black looking to get out, they are left with Ben Brown... and Majak. Brown was good when he had support around him, but without it and the best defender going to him, he got found out tonight.

This sums it up for me, and Hartlett is a gamble that would cost us too much to make. Pass for me.

He agreed, begrudgingly, after constant whining from the masses, lead by your good self. If it was that bad he would done it without complaint. I'm sorry scrolling past things you don't want to read is such a tough task for you.

Delaney won't play AFL next year. Has decided to play local footy down Geelong way next season. Had a look at the VFL game for a half today and Meese looks like he goes alright. I still wonder whether the club will just stick with Spencer as a back up to Gawn with the Kings as the developing talls, but sticking someone like Meese, for example, on the rookie list wouldn't be a bad thing.

No idea why people complain, as this happens on EVERY forum on the internet. It's not as if it just happens here as an anomaly. Don't like the banter? Takes 10 seconds to scroll past it. Quicker than asking a mod to waste their time on it.

I still love you all. Even you, Steve. I've enjoyed our robust discussions over the previous months... To an extent...

I know mate, my post was totally in jest!

I'm not sure if I'm chuffed that I'm pedantic enough to rate a mention, or bemused that one of the most pedantic posters on this board has labelled me as such. Either way I'll take it.

I love you all.

Maybe rpfc already stands for something like 'really powerful flying chunder'??

Why would you tell him about the thread? Ridiculous.

I did a double take too, but he means Ricky Henderson from the Crows.

I think this will be the sticking point to our interest in other players this year. We might be keen, but we're also not in a position to offer much for them, which in turn probably precludes us from most deals. I get the feeling that the club is happy to stick with what we have, and with what we are happy to part with not getting us much, I can see us getting through the trade period in a rather quiet manner unless something huge comes knocking on the door.

Forums always go through peaks and troughs. The end of the season certainly took the gloss off for some and it permeated through the site. Now that there isn't anything to discuss in much detail, outside of some trade rumours, it's easy to feel as though the place has lost some 'charm'. As far as supporter sites go though, we're pretty lucky.

No doubt, but he wouldn't be handy for the price we would have to pay, and it's a price we probably don't have in this trade period.

Can I hit you with a stick instead?? I would expect that this is nothing more than a rumour, which you said it is, as neither Clarke or Barlow are necessarily best 22 players for us, while just one first rounder doesn't do much for me. I'm prepared for more weird and wonderful deals to be floated over the next couple of months - some will be terrific, others will make us gag.

Not only that, but at the end of the season he did his calf quite badly from what I can gather. His body is shot, which is a shame as he was a very talented footballer. No point in even considering him now.