The end is nigh

Just looking for clues everywhere. Given I can’t see a pocket square on trac I can also infer he won’t be playing in the pocket or the square. Half forward role? footy season can’t come fast enough. Happy ‘25. Hope it’s a memorable one 👍🏼

Clarrys shoes lacking the same polish of trac and salo. Bad omen?

I’m more concerned about his actions that cost us kozzy for the start of the year. Went to ground and put his head hip high. If koz went only ball instead of going for contact he would have been taken below the knees. I can see why he’s collingwoods captain. When his career ends I’ll talk about him in a different way. But as it stands right now he’s a [censored] of the highest order.

Love his story. Hope he’s hungry for a big year

Whilst I agree with all you said, Nick Blakey is another recent example

Definitely have heard him state that he’s lucky to have access to both clubs as it doubles his access to facilities to train, etc. staying non committal has allowed him to spend two full weeks training with each club every year, on top of his academy training. Should be great for advancing his footy iq as well as his physique.

Given this information, and the club still not having named him in the round one side, and the fact nobody has refuted my comment midway through typing it, I think it’s fair to say there is a rift between player and club and he is understandably upset by the culture. Likely to request a trade if he hasn’t already behind closed doors. also, please take this as my application to be a footy journalist. but in all seriousness, thanks to all the track watchers, loving the photos and info given this preseason ❤️💙

So many of Caseys deficiencies from last season resolved. Not just a competitive side now but a true force. Can’t see them losing a game.

How about trac? With Riv shifting into the mids, maybe trac could take a bit more of the half forward role. Tholstrop Chandler and Sparrow should be doing a share too. Would like to see trac as a scoreboard impacting half forward. I liked Nibbler and he played his role well, using his skill set to impact. But it forced us to play a game that was inclusive of his style. We have the opportunity to shift our focus into heavier scoring as our younger forwards (JVR, turner, koz) develop into high impact game changers.

Don’t like flooding this thread as it’s great as just an information source, but does the 43 list size now mean we have a spot for ssp pick and have a few train on as tryouts?

Thanks for all the comprehensive reports (and photos), so much to be excited about. Optimism hitting new heights, especially with the changes to the coaching panel (dees at $26 for the flag is looking tasty, gamble responsibly)

Reading that we tried for lower picks first rather than 9, I suspect our target would have been achieved at 13 or 14 and we just so happen to have 9 now. I like Hotton. Given his injuries this year have him dropping but end of last year he was in the conversation for pick one. Great overhead and (from the highlights stuff) well weighted delivery inside 50. Will be a mid by 21 but can play a good role until clarry/trac start to decline also talk of still being open to offers, might be able to help freo save face and trade 9 to 11 to appease Richmond (9 and 18 can be seen as a negotiation win because it’s more than the starting point) and get something on the back end worth our while.

With Campbell and sharp as possible ins, how many more spots do we have? would have to think this closes the door on derksen, and squishes the chances down of yze and mentha both getting a gig.

Sorry, got here late. Can someone sum up this thread in 10 words or less?

Fair play. I’m sure there’s plenty of routes to the top. My guess is that to uproot his family he would have needed a more substantial position. Maybe with a couple years under his belt in the system, it might line up.

If Jimmy doesn’t make the cut could we employ Nadia to help Brand Petracca?

Growing the game in the northern states means shafting the southern states. If WA had academy access in the same fashion they’d never leave the top 4. The growth has came now, the talent pathways are clearly strong. It is time for a rejig regarding access. These kids can enter the draft and claim homesickness after the first contract like everybody else. I hope the academies always remain in place, but just because you got to use the weights room at a club doesn’t mean you’ll play there.

I’m a big fan. Very clean composed and considerate from what I’ve seen of him post footy. Would be a good appointment and an upgrade in a variety of roles. If he’s keen on contributing to the club, sign him on.

I would hope we play hardball back and let it hang out there. We want him, but fair price. They have enough moving parts to worry about, if it works as a three club trade to get something else done, great. Maybe even work on someone like Ollie lord and let gws know if we land him we won’t want derksen.

can’t blame other clubs for sewing seeds of interest. Geelong could come again next year with another offer if Melbourne has a shambolic season. Let them come, put up the wall. Focus on our targets when the window opens.

Since his retirement in may, spent the remainder of the year helping out coaching. If he wished to make this his future could easily have had the time to complete the minimum certificates in coaching to get in. Highly admired him as a player, if he can instil his on field values into any of our players it would be great for the club. Always wondered about the ‘what if’ when we told him we’d take him in the draft if available but couldn’t pass up Jamie Bennell when he was still an option. found a lengthy interview from his retirement with 7 news way back when he retired where he states that his house in Adelaide would probably cost 4 times as much in Melbourne so i speculate he’d want a proper job and not just a toe in the water role. (link to the interview is https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=477884534588742&vanity=7NEWSAdelaide but please note it’s mostly a fluff piece to show he’s doing fine)

Managed to catch the game. Was a lot of other Gold Coast academy players (4 others) featuring too. With the change to the points system I think they don’t fight us too hard. White was good without starring. Lock down key defender who didn’t give up any contests. In a game where the teams are made with little time to decide any game plan, he did his job. Ah Mu, our non selectable NGA prospect, played up forward. Big unit who impacted contests well at ground level, but didn’t stick his marks.

Like him. Don’t like what port need to satisfy other trades.

I’m a fan of this. List profile needs another ruck, he’s free and sits happily as a back up. Also, seem to remember when Verrall came to the club his highlights had him taking some good marks playing as a forward. Wouldn’t take a huge preseason of improvement to push Fullarton down the list.

Well deserved extension. With Tom and petty both capable at both ends, would love to see them IN GAME swing and catch opponents off guard in 2025. Feel like it’s a trick that’s known but so rarely utilised.