titan_uranus

I agree about the sentiment, but not about the idea that Hawthorn hasn't "raided other clubs". For starters, their rise up the ladder last year wasn't a coincidence. At the end of 2023 they traded in Ginnivan, Chol, D'Ambrosio and Gunston (second time they've taken him off another club!), which they then backed up after one good year with Battle and Barrass. They've also traded/FA acquired Impey, Amon, Meek and Scrimshaw. Brisbane have their fair share of players from other clubs too, but nailed the 2016 and 2017 drafts (McCluggage, Berry, Rayner, Bailey and Starcevich in those two years alone) and then when they were already a good side but weren't winning finals, pulled Wilmot at 16 and Lohmann at 20 in the 2021 draft, topped off with Morris at 31 in 2023 and Gallop at 42 in 2024.

Viewed as mentorship, leadership etc, and an improvement on what we have now, he’d be a good pick up. But that sort of pick up is not a 3-year large contract sort of thing. It’s 2 years and a reasonable wage. If that’s enough to get him out of Collingwood, then away we go.

I think in context their entire 7 years has been amazing. They just went on with it after 2022, whereas we…didn’t. Of course, it helps that they had the Ashcrofts and Fletcher as father son picks. Would love a summary of what they had to spend on those three. To be fair, they’ve also had Coleman, McCarthy and Doedee on the sidelines for almost all of the last two years. If they win it next week, gee how will those three feel, the first two in particular - been at Brisbane for a while but injured when the flags came.

They actually went out in straight sets in 2019 and 2021, @Lucifers Hero Indeed, there’s a small argument that their win over us in the 22 SF was the monkey off the back that they needed to charge into the 23-25 period of utter dominance. In 19-21 they went 1-5 in finals, including the aforementioned straight sets exits, plus losing the 2020 prelim at home which would have led to a home Grand Final. They hadn’t won at the G in years, IIRC. But after winning their EF in 22, they knocked us off, and despite losing the prelim to the eventual premiers in Geelong, they may well have developed the confidence that’s led to them going 8-2 in finals since 2023.

So after winning the flag in 2023, Collingwood have won 1 final, against an Adelaide side that [censored] the bed supremely. They’ve clearly prioritised the now and not the future in those two years, trading multiple good picks for Schulz and Houston, adding Membrey too. It’s not Melbourne 22-23 levels of failure…but how far off is it?

Falcons, Packers, Chiefs

At Sydney, for those like me who weren’t sure initially:

I think this is the second thread on this topic already. In September. Before the trade period and draft. Are we that desperate for stuff to talk about? There is no such thing as an "upgrade" to a jumper number.

I still believe Trac offers more to us than what we would get in any trade. I also believe it makes no sense for us to be contemplating a trade until King and Trac have met and discussed what King sees for him in 2026, nor any sense for Trac to start looking around until he’s met King.

Presser at 10am, too.

Well he was asked about Clarry and Trac and responded as he did on Saturday - they’re contracted and we’re lucky to have them (but in that order).

Guerra on radio this morning said that our aim, and what King spoke about in his interview, is to be more attacking, “defend with ball in hand”, and score 100+ each week, so that we’re more attractive to watch.

Spoke well again IMO. He said the expectation is finals next year, but that’s a pretty easy thing to say in mid-September.

Yep. And then look at the upcoming FA/trade period: Brisbane will get Draper and Allen for no cost, and are in the running to get Ridley Geelong seems to be the likely landing spot for Rowan Marshall Hawthorn is the likely landing spot for Zach Merrett Can’t see any of them not being in contention again next year (Collingwood I’m a touch less sure of given their age).

Dear’s played 9 games this year. Didn’t play last night through injury. Not sure he’s all that integral to what they’re doing.

So the four preliminary finalists this year: Geelong - 14 prelims in the last 19 years, 4 flags Brisbane - 5 prelims in the last 6 years, 1 flag Collingwood - 10 prelims in the last 19 years, 2 flags Hawthorn - 7 prelims in the last 18 years, 4 flags They have also won 14 of the last 24 flags (soon to be 15 of the last 25). Not the most exciting, novel or motivating final four.

-31 CPs, -6 clearances, -21 inside 50s. Their backline kept them afloat all year but when they heat went up Dawson was left to battle on his own. For a side that opened the season scoring at will, they scored 67, 55 and 59 in their last 3 games against finals sides.

Ugh. A Geelong v Hawthorn prelim is a nightmare. Also, Adelaide, wow. They’re on track to lose all 8 quarters of finals after finishing on top.

Per The Age: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/steven-king-appointed-demons-coach-in-shock-move-20250912-p5mulr.html “Steven King’s outstanding presentation and “clarity” about how the Demons would play were key factors in his surprise choice as Melbourne’s new senior coach. According to a separate source with knowledge of the discussions, Buckley had informed the Demons that he would be meeting with Tasmania Devils chief executive Brendon Gale next week. Buckley had been the perceived favourite for the Melbourne job, and is now a frontrunner to be inaugural coach of the Devils, who are slated to enter the competition in 2028. Guerra said King’s “presentation was a standout ... [he had] real clarity about how he wanted to play the game”. Guerra told this masthead that King, a former Geelong captain and seasoned assistant coach with experience at the Cats (where he still works alongside Chris Scott), the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast - would bring the Demons “a contemporary game plan from a successful program”. And to me, most insightful: “Asked how King matched Melbourne’s needs as a football club, Guerra said: “How do we be competitive and stay competitive.” The new Melbourne CEO described the Demons’s aspirations: “We want to get competitive really quickly and then hopefully contending (for the premiership) in the not too distant future.”

This is so predictable (I haven’t opened the link): https://x.com/3awisfootball/status/1966424495150825548?s=46&t=TxNWR8IQfpnCS5ZUkmzG9A

Well whatever he says, you can find out in a few minutes:

I’m happy we have a new coach. Gives me even more reason to hope Geelong lost their prelim. Get him into the club a week earlier! The Buckley stuff will all come out in the wash. It makes sense that we tested his commitment and it makes sense that he was unsure. I don’t really care though. I would have been happy with Buckley, I’m happy with King. As soon as Geelong’s season is done, our pre-season begins in earnest.

On a related note, we again rank 2nd for average home attendance as a percentage of members (Fremantle 1st): https://www.instagram.com/p/DOavttfEqTx/?igsh=cDA4MjJ6bHZ6bG1j

No. No. Please. No. Let Culley make 46 his own. Let Langdon be Melbourne’s best ever 19. Any free numbers can go to new players coming in. 100%. The worst thing about every off season is when a player gets given a “better” number. Let Langdon be 19. Let Culley be 46. Foster a culture of playing your career in the number you get when you walk in the door.