Matsuo Basho

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.

Yeah I watch the game thanks for asking. We’ve got: Clarry Gus Viney Harnes Petracca Salem Hunt 3 A Graders there too with potential of 2 more and our sights set on who knows. Your point?

If you think the quality of entries is the sole reason Weid and TMac can’t mark the footy you’ve got rocks in your head. You’re way too forgiving. Or maybe you’re right and that Clarko is a mug when it comes to recruiting.

What I know is that we kicked 1 goal from 28 entries to close out Thursday night’s debacle. What I know is that TMac has kicked 3 goals for the year, Weid 5. In 6 games. But I guess you also knew that.

Defeatist thinking.

Both those guys would be great but who do you propose we kick the prune to inside F50 next year? What’s your solution? His knee doesn’t appear to be putting off Hawthorn.

I don’t blame Roos for our current dearth of outside mids and speed in general. Not only had Chunky Jones been carrying the engine room on his own shoulders for the past five seasons, but we’d also just made one of the greatest recruiting howlers of all time the previous year under Neeld - opting for Toump over Ollie Wines. Virtually out of necessity there was an over-correction towards recruiting inside grunt during the Roos era and I don’t think he needs to make any apology for that. He had to change the DNA of the club. Coming from that far back, impossible to think he could solve every issue on the list in four seasons. The outside speed problem is Goodwin’s to worry about over the next two trade and draft periods.

As good as he is the greater priority for us is a key forward. Can’t go into 2020 with current personnel in the forward half. We will have a top 4 pick to draft a quick midfielder with. Quite possibly pick 1.