AaronDaveyChipsAndGravey

Definitely would consider Pittard as a depth option. Really baffled he was among those let go.

Yep agree with all of that. No doubt an important piece if we're signing him up for a further 2 years. Hearing that TMAC's body was in a sense out of shape and too big this year for the style of game he was playing in 2018 gives me some hope that he'll return to some form next year, but realistically I feel its too big of a risk of the club to publicly state we need another forward, only to miss out on one and back in what they've already said is inadequate.

I think we're in strife if we're prioritising Petty (a promising player who has played less than 20 games and missed all of this season) as a centrepiece to our fwd structure, over proven key forwards who can help propel us back up now when we can still get the most out of the list we've built. As much as I hope the kid comes on and plays well and becomes a great key forward, by the time that happens im afraid we will have lost other key players in that period so its all for naught really. Really looks like the gamble on TMAC has fallen flat and bitten us in the A big time.

On face value it really seems like Carlton are streamlining themselves into an Essendon like scenario. Undeveloped youngsters are going to languish on the sidelines behind these new big name, big money recruits. Maybe they start challenging for genuine finals chances over the next few years but fall short and big money players end up restless. Either way they're going to max out their cap without a doubt, despite all this talk of saving up over the last few years by front ending contracts, and may end up like we have now with seemingly nowhere to go.

Will certainly be some restless supporters if we fail again next year without having done much during trade period this offseason thats for certain! Let's hope the couple of smaller fish we take along with some general improvement across the team and coaching staff gets us back where we need to be.

If we're right at the edge of our cap, surely we're doing everything in our power to jettison some of the deadwood elsewhere? Just cannot see how this list recovers to even challenging for a decent finals position with the pieces we have now. Seems like extremely poor list management if we've backed ourselves into a spot where we cant even make finals with zero room to bring quality players in during the off season or even shed players that aren't required.

Hasnt committed to anything yet. IMO unlikely he leaves, but maybe YZE can put in a good word for him...

YZE HOME !

Mihocheck and Gunston

Again reported that the Pies and Mihocheck are miles off in terms of money. Collingwood will have to give a piece up to keep both Moore and De Goey on money that will leave them untouchable for years to come. No doubt the pies are also in the same camp as we are in needing a good key forward. Would come at a fraction of the cost of a Ben Brown, a much more competitive player (imo) and hard as nails. Could be the missing big body that straightens up our forward line. Isn't going to kick beyond 40 goals a season but the structure and competitiveness he would be bring would be enormous.

Hang on a second. You're saying that someone who hits a target 70% of the time is a rubbish kick simply because his technique's funny? Stats simply don't lie. What is the long term solution then? We have barely anyone with enough run who can actually kick, and there's a bloke staring us in the face who has the leg speed to improve our game, hit targets and kick goals and is being squeezed out of his club. I'd be taking Phillips over a Polec, who would come at a fraction the cost. Polec clearly has baggage and given our mental fragility how is he in any way the right fit for our club.

I dont see why we'd be after this guy. Hasnt shown he can blow the lights out. We already have another 200cm forward in Jackson who even at this point in his career would have roughly the same output as Wright next season and isnt a total spud once it hits the deck. Massive no from me. If we're going for a key forward in trade, we need something that is an immediate improvement on the stocks we already have.

Was always a risk on both parties but regardless I think we made the right call to give him a shot. His goal after the siren against the suns was one of the highlights of the year for mine. I really hope despite his latest indiscretion, that he's got his life back on the right track.

My mistake ! Thanks for that. If we can get him in for a reasonable price I wouldnt mind it in that case.

On paper I dont mind it, however the club would have to be dead certain about contending within the next 2 or so years to justify brining a player in of his age on half decent money and for a half decent pick (I doubt Hawks would let him go for anything less than a 2nd and we don't have much to spare). Smith does look like he's slowing down a bit and injury at back end of this season may be a bit concerning. We certainly could do worse, however I'd rather we spent that 2nd round pick looking at a much higher priority like a Key Forward. Pass for mine.

Have no idea where people are pulling this nonsense out about him being a rubbish kick. Has consistently been around the 70%+ disposal efficiency for 5 years now. Work rate is immense and knows where the big sticks are. Definitely would be a lock on the wing, however I think that classier inside midfielder to compliment the bulls of Oliver and Trac should be top priority.

Preuss for Ben Ronke. Both players on the outer. Fills a need for both clubs. If not a pick in that 30-40 range would be ideal considering how both these Sydney clubs are in that desparate need of a ruck.

6 Langdon 5 May 4 Petracca 3 Rivers 2 Oliver 1 Gawn

Harmes for ANB Hibberd for Jetta Jackson for Brown (if fit) Harmes has to be the mid rotation through the fwd line, AVB just couldnt offer anything from the centre offensively and ANB just doesnt give us enough across the board. Jetta looked off the pace regardless of his ankle injury (his body on the line in the last was massive but if you cant offer much more than that you just cant play), however if the Pig isnt right, Lockhart would come in. I liked Brown's game. Was a good high high half forward and work rate was great so would be stiffed to be dropped, but if Jackson is right to go he offers our structure a lot more with Gawn able to go forward.

Cheers to that

If you followed his efforts all night you'd realise how far off that comment is. Was our best afield by a country mile. Only one who decided he'd have a crack for every minute of that game. Bloke was f*ing cooked by the end of it from working hard both ways all day. Dont think those goals would have changed much in reality. Coming back from 5 goals down into a breeze would have been a miracle and the kickout he stuffed game was already done. Selection just baffling. Cannot say any 4 ins contributed anything apart from making up the numbers. Jones is done which is a very sad thing to say given all that he's done for this club thick and thin but tonight and last week has just proven he's just not up to it anymore. If you're slow and cant kick, youre done. Smith should get moved on or at least have one final crack at a forward position where he can play unaccountable football. Can't defend to save his life. ANB, Wagner are just eh footballers, who you worry with ball in hand. As for the rest of the side, purely expecting the game to fall their way with applying zero pressure or grunt. Why does it consistently take us to be on the brink, to bring either decent footy smarts, skills, tackling or pressure? Either the messaging from the coaches is that far off the mark or they just cant stand up. Either way, it happens far too often and serious questions needs to be asked of this mob and some absolute no nonsense coaching to this group is absolutely neccessary. No doubt they'll show up next week and get our hopes up again. The cycle will inevitably continue....

I never meant implied it was all Essendon's fault, simply referring to the fact that bc of how that situation panned out we are now playing fixture catch up unfortunately.

No doubt we've been stiffed on the fixturing this year, all thanks to Essendon really. Unfortunately there's not much we can do about it, but if we cant make finals given the quality of opposition to come in the next four games then we've really only got ourselves to blame. The added bonus for this fixture squeeze is our relatively healthy list, as long as players can come in and play a role (as many did last week) then we have the strengths to manage the roughness of this fixture.

We already have the 3rd tall defender - his name is Tom McDonald. We should instead be looking at that classy outside ball winner who can either play off a wing/inside or off half back - Whitfield, Gaff, Williams come to mind and a tried and true key forward who can just clunk marks and kick goals - Finnlayson and Gunston seem two gettable options. We should steer well clear of Polec - enormous price tag, and for someone of his "talents" shouldn't be on the outer of a side struggling to even make up the numbers. Something is wrong there and the MFC should give him a wide berth. Scrimshaw has only been on the hawks list 2 years after coming down from the Gold Coast so no idea why that would even be an option especially given Hawks rebuilding around their young talent.

Give Max another week of rest, Preuss more than capable at the level. Tomlinson was ordinary but cant offer up much of a replacement. His flexibility to go back and take a tall forward has been great the last 3 weeks even in spite of his ball use. Unchanged for mine.