ChaserJ

I’ve got a high degree of confidence we’ll extract a first rounder from either Brisbane or GC. Where I’d go with a 2nd first rounder, I’m a bit torn between a small fwd (Joe Berry) that will help with groundball and ball movement in fwd half with a key back later on or flipping and selecting a key back (Alex Tauru my preference - scope for improvement is v high), and taking someone like Hannaford or Alger later on. Would rookie Mentha & Andrew as well.

Yep, 10 touches and 7 tackles.

Add in Brisbane, they’ll def trade their first for multiple later picks, Levi will get nominated well before pick 14/15. Another 30+ touches and a goal for him today in Sandy’s big wildcard win over the Jets, Murphy Reid with 32 & 3 goals. Harry Armstrong had a good game up forward, 4 goals from 16 touches. Jagga’s Oakleigh Chargers got up in a slight upset over Calder. Smith with 24 & 1, Finn O’Sullivan DNP. Waylon Davey-Motlop kicked 5 (has talent, but a long way away from AFL conditioning), Jasper Alger kicked 4 (skilful small forward). Elsewhere, Josh Smillie and the Ranges crashed out to the Northern Knights. Smillie got himself 26 & 2, but didn’t have a heap of support. Jesse Dattoli best on with 35 and a goal and could push well inside the top 30 range.

Player can still be traded in contract if all parties agree. The intent was to stop players coming out of contract so quickly that clubs would have no leverage if their high draft pick from interstate doesn't settle. If Harley really wanted to go next year at least the Eagles have him under contract to either hold or sell high. The rule change wouldn't have changed the JHF situation at North, he had a year left on his contract, North decided to take the best deal possible and move on.

My response to that article:

Work rate and running capacity have been the knocks so far.

I actually think that’s part of the phenomenon. So many current fan bases grew up with the notion of Melbourne being ‘irrelevant’ or a basket case, that when we put it altogether and became a consistent contender, we moved out of our ‘station’. Any goodwill dissipated quickly and we were viewed to have gotten too big for our boots and the resentment came quickly. Add in that we’re getting wall to wall negative coverage (disproportionate some might say) drowning out their clubs coverage and we’re likely to experience Essendon levels of derision (when they hijacked the news cycle). What a time to be alive.

Only wants to go to a big Melbourne club to further its brand. Other picks not happy with how pick 5 has handled things. Tune in to Tradies for the latest…

I wonder how often we’ve kept tabs on Harley over the year and whether he’d be keen to push for a move. I reckon unlikely at this stage. However, what if start doing the groundwork now with Harley? Ask Koz to come back and give everything with the knowledge that we will look accommodate in good faith if a good deal can present (and work to set that deal up over the course of the year). Neither club will want to lose either player, but each player would fit the other club very nicely. Doesn’t happen without putting the time into Harley. JT loved him, so wouldn’t be surprised if he kept some sort of contact, but not sure what the impact of this Petracca situation would be on his thoughts (given he and Tracc share a management stable and obviously have each other’s number).

All good mate!

Ixnay on the oking jay...

You thought I was serious about the pigeon English thing?

Maybe try in pidgin English...should at least get you through the filters..

Jay Clark saying that we’ll chase Caleb Daniel if Bevo can’t guarantee he’s in Dogs plans going forward. The Dan Houston alternative.

He won the James McDonald trophy last year at the b&f didn’t he? Club obviously rates his leadership attributes.

And on a big salary at around 1 million pa. Lukosius has his virtues, but I’m not sure I’d be investing so much cap space there.

Speaking of:

Riley Beverage went through the weekend performances of 5 players when answering an audience question re: pick 1 contenders. They were Jagga Smith, O’Sullivan, Langford, Lalor & Smillie. I’d have any one of them (or Draper, who you’d think the Crows or Eagles would consider). All have either built cases over time or are building their cases to be the best in the crop. We’re in a great spot at 5. Right now I reckon Jagga’s leading the race for p1. Has been so good and so consistent at multiple levels for a long time.

I would.

Well if Carlton lose to Brisbane their pick will be 11…if Freo did their bit would have been bang on 10!

I'm starting to think maybe we shouldn't be so open to trading our future first...

Slated to go in that 5-9 range, but if he plays like this through Coates finals, will go higher.

Really don’t see pick 5 going on the trading block. Given we currently hold Swan’s 2nd round and a further 2 3rd picks, we’re well placed to target Brisbane’s (currently) pick 14 or GC’s pick 13. Brisbane’s pick will def get swallowed up by Ashcroft bid and their next pick is after the 3rd rd pick we got from the Dogs. They will trade that pick 14 for points and possibly a future 1st. Lombard touch and go to be bid on before GC’s pick from the Dogs (currently 13). There’s a pathway for us to take two first rd picks to the draft along with whatever we get back from Adelaide for ANB (or keep p5 and still have good assets to trade).

Jordon is 187cm’s. I mean, he’s smaller than Paddy Cripps I guess, but wouldn’t call him a small mid.

I reckon the top 8 has enough quality to not worry about giving up assets to push up 2-3 spots from 6 or 7.