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Good to see you are following Barrett and Maclure in thought process. To say about Petty still wondering if he still is considering returning to Adelaide after he about 3/4 months ago signed an extension of I think 2/3 years is breathtaking In the extreme. I do though agree that we need or it is prudent to take a good key position player along with an elite midfielder in the upcoming National draft. I would prefer Tauru but feel that North with pick 2 might grab him so either Armstrong or Shanahan at 9 whoever is available might be the best choice. Remember we do have some flexibility as Petty Turner Rooy Adams and Tmac have all played forward or back during some part of their development or career. Let’s see who the expert JT goes for as that’s the only poll that counts on the night.

Wow Just what the doctor ordered!!! The good news continues ever since Brad Green took over. Next a post on McAdam will have him also fit and ready to fire. Anyone know???

Under your criteria NO ONE will be fit to leadership duties at our Club. Some players are leaders and your worry that say Lever has to be too concerned with his own play is over blown. Joe knows if he makes an error and he speaks quite authoritatively at pressers. He IMO could be a Captain. And how is Riv going to get experience if not encouraged in this fashion yo become a leader. He has already adopted better than your opinion by the Club and commentators plus experts this season to his role in the midfield. Sure he is not the finished product but generally is performing well. Look for what players have as attributes not what you see only they don’t. Faith in ability is a rewarding thing in Clubland. It creates positivity and spirit that helps breed success.

I am certain Troy Chaplain would have made moves to eradicate this if he felt what you are intimating. Yes in most team situations you would think it would be disruptive to the backline boys but I think it only is when something goes wrong so there is a genuine reason for some “collaboration”. I can’t say I have visually seen it live or really had it bought to attention on TV by commentators so your worries seem to be needless. They compare it to a husband and wife arguing in the kitchen!!!

May not make our best team if Chin doesn’t start kicking more goals. Sorry but we need this vital component in the forward line to improve.

And be improved also with Doedee plus Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall as f/s and academy players. Not sure McCarthy will step back in as he replace Cameron or LoMan. But he will add the depth factor like Gardner also. Coleman is a bona fide A grader if he picks up from where he left playing. However our depth should be much improved with all the youngsters with another pre season gaining AFL fitness and bodies. Even some of our role players should have greater fitness and form as most had so so 2024 campaigns. Bowey Melksham Petty Chandler and even Salo and Maysie can all be more valuable. And if Trac and Clarry are back to best or near best that will make for a big difference in our midfield and Sparrow is the big question if he fulfills his potential with performances of a 5/6 year veteran!

McAdam will need to be very match fit as well to have any chance.

Agree with you sons on this fact that we have to get 2 high skilled outside running mids to change our midfield mix. The defence and contest mantra has resulted in an imbalance of our team and also finishers up forward are perhaps needed .

Gee John I cant understand your reluctance to embrace Disco. His game vs Suns on Collins the very highly regarded FB was a real cameo in waiting of how he might develop. One on one and body contact plus his great pace and accurate kicking. If he fails forward he will still make a good interceptor down back. Hopefully he has put on 5/6 kg over the break to help his chances of marking against contested marking beasts down forward. I also like Disco’s attitude of commitment never give up and single minded determination plus his team ethos. A great teammate to have. Not sure but he could be a 30/40 goal kicker this season.

You guys when talking about alleged faults with recruits are so over the top e we the faults. Part of a young players role is to be developed by the Club. 18yo’s are not ready made players usually. They need upskilling etc. Granted disposal is hard to change sometimes but you ou would not have 44 on your list if you only look results and not the upside on young draftees.

Disagree do who is elite consistently ? Sons ?

I think if Rooy was a horse he would need and like a few runs per campaign. He is a competitive beast and relishes the contest I believe. Thats why I don’t have any qualms about “killing him” on the contrary he accepts the contest as part of skill in his armoury. Needing another one or two real talents/goal kickers to accompany him hopefully Harry Disco plus Jeffo or a draft choice in future will help Rooy become a player of genuine excitement on the AFL scene.

Get some extra forward training craft lessons in for Disco as he showed what he could against a very good AFL back vs Suns with 4 goals. Dont know who could assist perhaps Neita?

While you are entitled to your choice to leave the Jaguar out of selection 5 is up to you ( but in the highly unlikely event he is available at 9 ) not to take him then would be a crime. However do like your comment that no 9 pick will be very much considered depending upon our take at 5. The 2 mids vs Forward/Tall and Mid is exciting and even the I hope unlikely scenario of 9 being split for a teener pick plus a 20 choice could very well also depend upon who we see is best for our rebuild on the run. If we nail our 5 pick and also see 3/4 prospects we are keen on ( add a little JT flair and imagination) 3 drafts picks over 2 in the first 25/30 may propel potentially our rebuild as early as 2025 back to serious Finals again. As always trust in JT etc.

The Duke ? Salo? McVee ?

Smart …. Just put your brain to use please. You know what I am saying You are afraid I am correct and scared of the truth. Or get to work and improve your understanding of the depth in the 2025 draft.

IMO you both are underestimating the way Cal goes about his work. His knowledge of the players background and his skills are from two big sources. Club and sporting background and meeting and seeing virtually all the top medium and bottom rated players ( therefore he sees the whole lot ) and with personal contact plus his shoe Gettable he does have a big opportunity to judge the total package of the draft. So does Riley Beverage and there discussions even between themselves would be fly on the wall stuff. And there is no reason why at pick 20 or more very good players are not available. This opinion has not hurt started and been on Cals enthusiasm to create interest or dramatise the 2024 Draft coverage. Another person like Kevin Sheehan is an expert in this field also and is d add plays included in the draft TV coverage for that reason. Just because you are either not convinced or are lacking in knowledge or opinion of some players doesn’t break down a substantial opinion on this draft. One reason you are not like minded is that Cal vary rarely points out negatives like you do which virtually decides that they are not for choosing in your opinion. Too much baggage or does this wrong. At 18 years those boys ( not men) are able to develop from these beginnings at the Clubs whose culture and football development along with individual aims and goals to improve make a star or champion or not. Thats what the draft is all about and a Tauru or Reid are both a chance to have a career of 250 games in the AFL system. our own Judd McVee is a classic example of how individual determination has with being a sponge plus ding extra training off season can become a very valuable player in the AFL. What does it matter to you that there are good prospects at 30 this year over say last year in the dragster less so? It’s at the start of a journey and there appears more saleable cars in the car yard this draft. Good luck you still need to pick well for your Club and who knows at 83 we might pick up a gem with JT if he feels he’s worth it. Don’t shudder because he’s 18 usually and has some years of development available to make it. Not be an instant household name to shine in Round1 perhaps in his 50th game.

I think when you get a GUN pick who seems to perhaps be even better than you hoped like the Duke it’s always harder to rate another player based on a low key first 10/15games. What I do think is Melb were very pleased with the Kolt’s season as he improved as the year wore on. As he was 18 years for a long part of the year we should be positive about his start and believe that he will make great strides in 2025. His room for upside is perhaps greater but let’s judge him separately not vs Caleb who yo be fair looks like an absolute superstar the way he adapted and showed his class and style. Purists that are comparing him to the late great Robbie Flower who is one of our top 10/15 greats are IMO not far wrong. So smooth and fast plus tougher than many opponents realise. So much so I would like Goody to change Windsor to the centre from the start of the season to get the extra benefit of his direct and straight ahead style that could also net him a handy 15/20 goals for our total even in only his second year. Can’t wait for all our youngsters to improve and surprise the experts in our bounce back up the ladder.

We have BOTH choices before WCoast so why will they prevent us from selecting Langford?

We don’t necessarily need all Power players. We need fast and skilled as well so there are a combination of different types in each section on the ground. Part of our lack of difference is the defense and contest mentality that has been holding back the team since 2021. Time for some players with skill like Fritta the Duke Kossie Pup and Kolt hopefully Sharp is fast and skilled in playing not just his reputation. These blokes finish off the play by passing or kicking goals or keep a chain of play started from the centre. The Bulls ie Trac JV Clarry Tom S etc. are needed to get the ball out or battle their way with strength to start ball movement.

Read the letter from Brad Green Pres I believe it is there.

We had Mark Jennings as. Strategy Coach about 4/5 years ago and believe he was good but not sure about his worth and value under Goody at the time as he may have been undervalued. Correct me wrong please if any one else can remember when Mark was with us.

Agree he would sort out our forward line etc. AFL Coach in waiting should have got him maybe instead of Jonesy if he was available. We don’t want to lose him.

There is no reason why Petty or Turner should not be given an opportunity to play and succeed up forward OD. You have also forgotten JVR played FB as a junior in WA in State and Under Age competitions. At least Goody has experimented and if you give them sometime it can be rewarding. As I have posted before you are too black and white with young players. Key positions are not as early successes as mids and need more time. The rewards are there after some time and patience is needed. Tmac took a while before he settled into CHB or FB and Gawny took 4/5 years to develop. It’s how a young player looks in developing and IMO Disco is showing very good potential and Although Petty was disappointing I believe his fitness was not up to scratch. This year might be his real outbreak year same with JVR. 30/40 goals is good for a young player even 25 sometimes. You have written them off already and we know they have ability so it’s a matter of development in time or trying another position. And I Like JVR because he gives Everything a good red hit go and competes which you should recognise from your years of watching youngsters.

Perhaps he was tired or needed a run down back to change his attitude for a quarter or two. It also we kicked only about 8 goals in 3 of those games we lost.