ChaserJ

Love Nibbler, he’s been such a great leader and role player. The way he went to work on his game after we put him on the trade table (unsuccessfully) is pretty darned impressive. Could have dropped his head, but he committed to improving and became a critical component of a premiership team. His defensive coverage in midfield has been critical to Petracca’s mid fwd role over the last couple of years, we’re really going to miss that accountability and coverage when he’s gone. That said, can understand that family comes first and don’t begrudge the move. We’ll always have ‘21 Nibbler.

That makes sense. JUH’s last month has been very impressive and his year overall has been pretty good.

Very tempted to drive down the Princes and watch live @dazzledavey36, but may have to settle for watching the live stream. You playing finals footy?

Not this year’s crop, but if anyone’s interested in having a look at our highest profile NGA kid in next year’s group, Tairon Ah Mu, he’ll be lining up for Vic Country in bottom age trials this weekend (will be streamed):

Wright could play 5 games for the year and be an immediate upgrade on Brown and Schache in season ‘24. That alone makes it a smart depth play. Even if Jeffo graduates, I don’t expect him to play out every game next season, and we are sorely in need of a viable second ruck to take some load off Max’s shoulders.

On the open market I could see Bolton netting 2 first rounders (with one being inside 10) and Baker being valued at a mid 1st rd pick. I’d do the deal if I’m Freo. Dockers list profile is very young, so draft picks not necessarily required to keep the list profile ticking over. To be approaching contention now is impressive and they have most bases covered positionally. I’d do the deal. Both players have premiership experience and can provide succession from Walters and O’Meara in their starting 18, which is actually pretty scary. Cap wise, it’s hard to know in the new world of the ‘23 CBA, clubs have a fair bit of space to play with in the cap now, but I’d love to shake Hayden Young out of there.

The SA clubs have been chasing Cumming as he apparently has ties to SA. If Houston’s leaving Port, would absolutely make sense that they are keen for IC to replace Houston. Pretty sure Cal Twomey (last week) said it feels like Cumming either resigns or goes to SA.

He's a beast on the inside, has the strong fend off and has f50 smarts. There are a lot of Petracca comps and there are times when he reminds me a little (in game style and aggression) of Michael Voss. His ball use is very good for an inside mid, good punchy kick. After watching us get beaten up in contest this year, I'd love his physicality in our mix and see him and Tracc switching between fwd & mid working an absolute treat. Given his interrupted season he's sitting in that 8ish range, but can see him climbing rather than falling (which wouldn't be great for us, but would mean someone else slips down). Marc McGowan (who has a slightly different ranking to the other draft watchers) has Lalor at 5: 5. Sam Lalor GWV Rebels/Vic Country Midfielder/forward, 187cm, 30/8/2006 U18 champs stats (avg): 11 disposals, 4 tackles, 1.3 goals Lalor is one of several top prospects who has endured an injury-interrupted year, but there is excitement about his upside. Him being likened to Christian Petracca should give people an insight into the player recruiters think he can become. Lalor, who also has a high-level cricket background, is a bull in the contest, and similarly impactful as a midfielder and forward. He had only brief on-ball bursts at the championships because he was short on match fitness, but kicked three set-shot goals against the Allies. One to watch. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/an-eye-to-the-future-your-guide-to-the-best-players-of-this-year-s-afl-draft-class-20240724-p5jw84.html

Whilst not as good by foot as Merrett, Draper’s not a bad kick, especially when he gets on the outside. The more I see if Sam Lalor, the more intrigued I am by what he could become. Has serious power in his game.

Coming into the season the club were really happy that Riv had gotten his running up to the point where he could play some midfield minutes. Necessity has meant he’s had more time through there than expected, but hopefully he has a real taste for centre square minutes now and really attacks the preseason to build that running capacity further.

I think it’s time to have a look at Jeffo at AFL level. No point sending Maysie back out with sore ribs next week, plug Petty down back and bring Jefferson in for the rest of the season. AFAIK Casey only have the one game left in the season, so he’s better off playing and developing in the main team rather than sitting idle 2 of the 3 remaining weeks.

Correct, although given the new CBA and the adjusted compensation rules announced during the week (length of contract to be factored in to compo, but capped @ 5 years along with avg guaranteed money over life of contract) the hill for band one compo for Battle looks very steep now.

Goddammit! Anyways, with the DVI changes not coming in till next year, there’s still a good opportunity to use our 2 picks in the 30’s and early 40’s pick to wrangle a first rounder out of one of those teams with f/s or academy players set to go in the 1st rd (looking at you Brisbane, GC and now Essendon).

3pm on Friday. Do they even care if people attend these games anymore? This game is basically around the corner from home and I absolutely would have gone if it was fixtured at a decent time (that didn’t clash with the AFL Dees playing) but the game will probably wrap at around the time I knock off work. Ridiculous fixturing.

Key defenders seem under represented! Houston’s ratings (particularly kick related) have been lights out for 18 months, so no surprise to see him there for Port.

Been a while since Ricky Mentha's come up anywhere. Gippsland have moved him to half back and looks like the switch paid off last weekend: Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 7 rebound 50s Mentha had perhaps his best performance of the season to date for the Power, constantly providing dash and drive coming out of his side’s defensive 50. On numerous occasions he showed great speed and composure under pressure to get the opposition off guard on their transition. His silky skills, pressure acts and decision making were all features although at times his disposal by hand missed targets. Mentha showed great pace especially when it came to reading the play with loose ground balls and at times stood at the last line of defence where he saved a certain goal in the second quarter getting a hand to it before going over for the score. * from Rookie Me's CTL scouting notes https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2024/07/31/scouting-notes-2024-coates-talent-league-round-16/

I think we've both mentioned him @Binmans PA! Tairon Ah-Mu. Has been very good for Haileybury this year and shown a bit when given a run at the Stingrays.

Houston’s not out of contract so can’t imagine the leaking is a tactic to squeeze more out of Port. WC on the other hand didn’t include TPP uplifts in their contracts to players, so a lot of the guys signed before the last CBA have fallen behind the rest of their AFL peers pay wise. That’s the reason Barrass’ name keeps coming up, he’s getting paid a decent amount below market value r/n. Some of these Eagles may be using oppo interest to drive up WC offers, BUT maybe someone can have their head legitimately turned.

Worth keeping in mind that AFL are a good chance of approving draft picks from up to 2 future drafts from this years trade period. Our solution might be 1st rounders from ‘25 & ‘26 drafts.

The obvious ones are Sid Draper and Sam Lalor, but the guys that kept drawing my eye were Tobie Travaglia and Joe Berry. I think Travaglia is one of those guys that lifts when the game is on the line and finds a way to impact. Good all round game and think he can go through midfield in time. I view Bo Allan similarly. Berry’s not just good around goals but uses the ball well up the ground and was pretty handy around clearances for Vic Country. Smart, quick and efficient around 50. The current game is accommodating to teams that have a fleet of small, skilled forwards and Berry’s a v good one.

Thanks @WalkingCivilWar, feeling human again now, which is a win. Will make sure I get him to Marvel next week!

Food poisoning and spent most of the day throwing up. Little bloke was shattered, first game at the ‘G we’ve missed for a while.

I’m REALLY hoping we have a first round pick to use in this draft!

Yeah, saw it. Feasibility study will move to a ‘full on business case assessment’ with an aim to be complete by end of finals. Glenn McFarlane thinks it will get up and ‘it has to get up for Melbourne’ (as they have the worst training facilities in the AFL).