Matsuo Basho

This is the the counter argument and I think Querty7 you have expressed it better than any other poster in the thread. However I feel your instincts on this one are wrong and CP5 is in fact not as ‘hugely talented’ as we desperately hoped he would be. I also think his presence is consequential for the club’s culture, but not in the sense you imagine. He brings a negative energy to the team IMO. It’s a huge call either way, depending on your view. I think the bigger risk is keeping him. What you see is what get and are only ever going to get.

That says more about you than the stats.

But is he that in reality or are you projecting the type of player you hoped he’d become? Averaging 16 touches and 1 goal a game this season thus far. 67 SuperCoach points. Is that what a “goal kicking forward/mid” should be producing? Why are we setting the bar so low?

What’s telling is the only potshot you can take on my scenario is Hibberd’s inclusion. He’ll be fine if he can regain full fitness and form. Quality, proven player. Still under 30yo.

28 goals 2014 37 goals 2016 45 goals 2017 SuperCoach points and average marks taken per game climbed north every season bar periods out injured. And still only 25yo. The raw stats don’t match your assessment. Nor Clarkson’s.

Clean hands?? We must watch footy in parallel universes because I see a guy who panics and fumbles more often than not. And how about that terrible hand to foot ball drop in his kick action that makes him a 30% proposition from 40m directly in front? I usually rate your player assessments TGR but like others in the footy media you chronically overrate CP5. He ‘ain’t that good.

Really. Watch Hawthorn try to manufacture something similar.

We could conceivably get a pick in the 10-20 range for him now. 25-35 might be next year after his stocks plummet even further. “Sticking fat with Trac” might not have been the best choice of words.

Some solid analysis there cheers.

We’ve got to get bold. Take calculated risks. - Draft best mid available in the country with our first pick. Let’s say for argument’s sake Matthew Rowell. - Get say pick 15 for Petracca and on trade to GWS for Patton. - With pick 20 or thereabouts get that young Isaac Smith type we desperately need. Go into 2020 with: B: Hibberd May Hore HB: Hunt Lever Salem C: Harmes Oliver Pick20 HF: Rowell TMac Hannan F: Melksham Patton Weideman R: Gawn Brayshaw Viney I: Fritsch Sparrow Jetta Stretch

Where have we heard that line before? Seem to recall same said year upon year about another enigmatic No.2 draft pick we banked our hopes on in the mid 2000’s. Agree though that we would not get a top 10 pick for Petracca. But what if we could find an Isaac Smith type for a pick in the 10-20 range? It is worth considering. Repeat again. We are presently bottom of the harbour staring down a rotting wooden spoon.

So you’re happy for more of the same from him? What makes you think he’ll get better? Genuinely interested to know.

Realise that the mere suggestion will send some ballistic but when you’re staring down a wooden spoon finish all scenarios must be canvassed. What would we get for him? Is his trade cachè as good now as it’s ever going to be? Is he Col Sylvia Mk2 set to flatter-to-deceive his entire career? Pertinent questions to consider. 5 seasons in there appears to be some writing on the wall with this guy. We have to entertain the idea that trading him out could conceivably improve the list heading into 2020. Would be a big call but maybe we can get a better player with a pick in the 10-20 range for him? A quicker player with surer hands and a tank, who kicks accurately and does not go missing for 3/4’s most games. Fleeting cameos and flashes of brilliance with self-satisfied tongue sticking are not enough. We need players who offer more than this.

Agree although I’d play him on the wing. He is as close to a pure wingman as we have on the list. Does not have the physicality necessary to handle roles in defence.

Can’t go with Weid at FF again. Send to CHB to get involved, run jump and punch the prune away or back to Casey with a clear target ... 4 x 3+ goal games in a row or no return to the seniors. Also cannot play Hunt as small forward. Not his go at all. HBF/Wing or don’t play him.

Unfortunately it’s only fugazi if you start winning games.

I agree Hunt can (and has proved he can be) be a fantastic player for us if played in the right position. His disposal is not accurate enough for back pocket but back flank/wing where he can go on those scything runs then bomb it long to a clear and open forward line is his go. However we need to go out and recruit a genuine gorilla forward who can mark the thing or bring it to ground for that to have any scoreboard impact. Weid ‘ain’t the answer (yet) and TMac works better as the number two. Recruiting priority number one for the MFC is a quality pack busting key tall. (See Jon Patton thread). A replacement for what we lost in Hogan.

If I were a gambling man I would definitely plonk down hard-earned on that scenario playing out.

Why can’t you work it out? You stated it in your thread title. Ego.

In one certain half forwards’ case more like lasagna, tagliatelle and tartufo.

Hawthorn has been the measuring stick of what the MFC should do for the past 10? 20? 30? 40? hell let’s say 50 years. I emphasise the word ‘should’.

Aaaand ... we’re last. Feels like we just returned home after an overseas adventure.

We’ll win a few in the back half and finish ahead of Suns, North and probably Dogs. 7 wins with [censored] %age. 15th. Pick 4 in the draft.

Why carry them Lewis especially - and make no mistake that’s exactly what we’re doing - if the season is shot and we can blood youngsters and experiment with different strategies off half back? Use the game time productively ffs.

Brayshaw a B grader? Mmmkay. Third in ‘18 Brownlow says you’re wrong. As would most knowledgeable pundits. And correct me if I’m mistaken but I seem to recall our midfield putting Hawthorn’s to the sword about seven games ago? Im perfectly happy to read your counter suggestions but it’s you I’m afraid who’s been shown to have Swiss cheese holes in your logic. Again, if he’s good enough for Clarko he’s good enough for ya. We should be making serious enquiries about Jonno Patton.