titan_uranus

I'm not letting this go just yet. I just did a Google search and cannot find anything from any journalists reporting that they'd heard Pickett wants to go to Port, or was considering it, or doesn't like Melbourne, other than articles forming part of the AFL Trade Radio circle jerk (i.e. raising it because it was raised on Trade Radio). Again, I'm not suggesting it's impossible that Port (or any other club for that matter) might be interested, but so far all I can see is that Kane Cornes said it one time on Trade Radio and has been peddling it ever since, and everything seems to be flowing from there. Given his obvious Port link/bias, I'd be interested in seeing any other journalist/media person who claims to have heard the same thing, not just repeating what was on Trade Radio.

Seriously though, can you identify any other smoke? I haven't heard anyone say "I've got mail that Pickett's thinking of leaving" other than Cornes. Doesn't mean there hasn't been anyone else, I just haven't heard it. And it doesn't count if people are just talking about it. I'm of the view that Cornes is making a mountain out of a molehill because it suits him and his Port Adelaide link/bias. He only needs one line (the whole "he doesn't love Melbourne the city" thing) and then just starts talking about it as if it's serious/confirmed/going to happen.

Out of interest, is there anyone in the industry other than Kane Cornes who is discussing the possibility of Pickett leaving us at the end of the year?

This seems right - this link worked for me but the one in the email didn't. Thanks @DemonWorshipper. Disappointing from the club to have sent members the "you should renew now" email and then to have the link wrong anyway.

I am, but also I am not. We all put too much stock into pre-season games. Remember the reaction to our pre-season loss to Carlton last year? Or the pre-season loss to the Dogs in 2021?

I’m excited to see Brown looking more mobile and threatening but the clear issue IMO is maintaining that. He looked great this time last year and Round 1 was arguably his best game for the season. Very keen to know if the tweaks to his pre-season will pay off. Will change us demonstrably if he’s closer to his best.

Such as?

Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys

Some thoughts: 2023 is the 8th consecutive year we've played West Coast in Perth. We haven't played them in Melbourne since 2014 We haven't played Essendon twice in a season since 2005 (18th straight year of only playing them once) We will be playing Geelong in Geelong for the 12th time in the last 15 seasons Only 1 game at Marvel all year - dropping down from 2, which gives us a 13th game at the MCG Yes, 8 interstate games, but only 5 genuine ones (Brisbane, West Coast, Gold Coast, Port Adelaide and Sydney). The other three are our home game in Alice Springs, North in Hobart, and a pure neutral game against Essendon at a ground we play well The most games we play away from the G in a row is three (Rounds 15-17, Geelong then Alice Springs then Marvel). That's a huge improvement on this year's 5-straight stretch Our spread of MCG and interstate games feels like a much better spread. 8 MCG and 5 interstate games pre-bye, then 5 MCG games + Marvel and 3 interstate + Geelong post-bye. Finishing with 5 of our last 7 games at the G is fantastic We get dudded with the bye again - Monday vs Collingwood, then the "bye", then Thursday vs Carlton means we get a 10-day break. That's the same as playing Thursday night one round and Sunday the next round. It's not a bye. Four 6-day breaks and one 5-day break in the 15 rounds scheduled so far. Not sure how that stacks up against other clubs. Feels OK to me Getting North and Hawthorn twice looks like a good draw at this point. Getting Sydney and Brisbane looks tough. Carlton should be good, Richmond should be average, so it's probably a fair slate.

Vikings, Chiefs, Patriots

I can (just) tolerate JVR moving number because he never played in 21. But Smith moving from 44 to 29 grates my gears. Yes, 29 was his dad's number. So what. Make 44 your own, Joel!

Browns, Seahawks, Chiefs

Missed out on Thanksgiving so will go Bucs, Ravens, Chargers.

Debating the 6 repeat games that each side will get is, as every year, futile. Right now you would say that drawing Geelong, Sydney, Brisbane, Richmond, Collingwood etc. twice would be tough. But undoubtedly at least one of those sides will struggle next year (this year's Port or Bulldogs equivalent). Conversely there will be at least one 2022 non-finalist who will rise up the ladder. Might be Gold Coast. Who knows. As others have said, the main things to focus on at fixture-release time are time slots, six-day and five-day breaks, and spread of home games against big sides vs interstate sides.

Eagles, Chiefs, 49ers

Eagles, Packers, Bills

I'm quite doubtful we'll go into any game next year with all of Gawn, Grundy, Brown, TMac and Van Rooyen playing (alongside May, Lever and Petty). At least one of Brown/TMac/Van Rooyen misses.

Dolphins, Giants, Bengals

Bucs, Chiefs, Giants

Bucs, Bengals, 49ers

Yes to all of your questions. Players should make their own history. Barassi wore 31. He didn't "move to a good number".

Remember, we didn't start this trade period with pick 27, we traded for it. So it's actually 33, 43 and 53 for Grundy (with Collingwood paying some of his salary). But if you believe the club, we had no intention of ever using 43 and 53. Which really mean, when it all boils down to it, we spent pick 33 and got Grundy (with Collingwood paying some of his salary). Will it work? Who knows. I'm keen to find out. We're paying a reasonably large contract to get him, but we certainly spent very little draft capital compared to his established talent.

Nah I can't get around it, ever. If you come to the club and get 47, make it yours. Geelong's premiership 22 had O'Connor in 42, Stewart in 44, Close in 45 and Blicavs in 46. None of them have felt compelled to "move down" to a "better" number.

And you know that how? The report of the trade mentions that Port Adelaide, GWS and Geelong were all interested but that Grundy dismissed each as he didn't want to leave Melbourne.

I'm so surprised at the number of posters who keep asking questions about Gunston. He was never a chance of coming here, or going anywhere other than Brisbane.