BDA

His purple patch this year came when Jackson was sharing some of the load. Once LJ was injured he had no help and his form dropped away. Let’s see how he goes in 2021 when BB takes the best defender. I’ve reservations as well but I think his output will improve with BB on aboard.

I’ve no issues with Judd turning down the Demons. We were a rabble at the time. I reckon I would have done the same. I don’t like the way he used the club for leverage. I would not have done that. Childhood loyalty matters to me.

The opportunity to win a flag trumps boyhood allegiances from what I can see. The chance to wear the red and blue wasn’t a factor when Mr C Judd returned to Melbourne. In fact IIRC he used the Demons link to create some competitive tension and improve his deal with Carlton. What an A**hole.

There’s no point worrying about what Trac may or may not do in 2 years’ time. Coaching and game plan are the immediate concerns for me. If we get our act together and are successful on the field then contract extensions will take care of themselves. If not then our best players might leave as is their right under free agency.

They're dreaming.

It’s worth trying reduced rotations but I think making rule changes in the hope of returning to some bygone nirvana is futile. That time and place is no more. Coaches have changed. Players have changed. Sports science, strength and conditioning, data analysis are all light years ahead of where they were. If the changes create more space and attacking play then great but I reckon it’s far more likely that Titan is proven right. I think you may as well try to uninvent the internet tbh.

Unless we’re set on Nik Cox then I don’t see us trading up the draft. He looks a player but I’m not sure he is worth the premium (or any other prospect for that matter) because I think we’ll have to trade out both 18 and 19. There are good players in our range that fill needs so my preference is to go with what we have. That said JM is the pick swap master so I wouldn’t rule anything out.

Wise advice

True but I think Shaw was a young inexperienced coach and he was appointed after Fagan started having success with Brisbane. Talking of Fagan I’m not sure we can say he’s been a complete success just yet. I think Brisbane are still a ways off winning a flag. They had all the advantages this year and were still pumped in the prelim. They were knocked out in straight sets last year. Daniher is far from a certainty to stay fit so I’m not sure using Fagan as a successful example is true. Might be in the future but not yet.

Fair point but just to clarify I don’t think he’s an immediate replacement. He’ll get stronger with proper strength and conditioning which should improve his depth.

I think 17 games was the right call. I’m no great fan of Gil but other competitions didn’t have to deal with border closures in country to the same degree the AFL had to. It would have been a big ask of the 10 Vic teams to prolong the hub by another 3-4 weeks to fit in more games. Hub life is far from ideal for families never mind wanting to get back home to see extended family, parents, brothers, sisters etc.

I wish him luck. He'll need it. North are a basket case.

It’s a worry that he hasn’t been seen in 2 years. It’s not like the team have been shooting the lights out in that time and opportunities to break in were limited.

You sound like your speaking from experience ?

Only played the 2 games and looked lightweight. He needs to play a run of games to find out if he has it or not. No point taking up a list spot and not giving him a proper run. Ditto Baker.

Recruitment is an inexact science SONS. No need to defend your honour. We’ll all get our fair share of calls wrong. Thanks for posting all the great information on draft prospects. Keep it coming!

Noted and agreed. Let's move on.

Agree except for the father son rule. I like the romance of generations of the same family playing for a club.

The AFL sold its soul a long time ago OD. Way before Gil came along. The fans are rusted on and they know it. The best type of customer.

Fair enough. I’ll take your point on board. From this post onwards no more politics from me. I do wonder though. There have been numerous comments about Trump supporters on the footy forum that are allowed to pass without comment. Would posts about Biden supporters be let slide in the same way?

If it wasn’t for the broadcast money in 2020 the AFL would be in dire straits. He who pays the piper calls the tune.

Oh dear! Just as well the recruitment decisions are made by the professionals. Although LJ is only 12 months into his career so they could be proven right yet ?

Lifted from the AFL website this morning. I reckon its about right except for Harmes on the wing. I'd throw Baker in from the get go to see whats he's made of. Use Harmes off the inter-change and AVB as an emergency. "The addition of Ben Brown from North will give Melbourne's forward line a different look, particularly if Luke Jackson can build on the promising start to his career. That leaves 2018 breakout star Tom McDonald in limbo after the club tried – and failed – to find him a new home. Adam Tomlinson looks best suited to a key role in defence, leaving a wing spot open that can be filled by James Harmes after he failed to fire in the backline in 2020. With speed and skill set to be a priority, Jayden Hunt adds pace on an attacking flank, while Charlie Spargo provides forward nous and pressure. Look for athletic wingman Oskar Baker to push into the side early in the season, but much-loved warriors Nathan Jones and Neville Jetta seem best suited to providing squad depth these days. Harry Petty and Marty Hore will add competition for places in defence, assuming their return to fitness after injury-ruined seasons. B: Jake Lever, Steven May, Michael Hibberd HB: Trent Rivers, Adam Tomlinson, Christian Salem C: James Harmes, Angus Brayshaw, Ed Langdon HF: Jayden Hunt, Sam Weideman, Christian Petracca F: Kozzy Pickett, Ben Brown, Bayley Fritsch R: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney I/C: Luke Jackson, Charlie Spargo, Aaron vandenBerg, Jake Melksham Emerg: Oskar Baker, Jay Lockhart, Nathan Jones, Tom Sparrow

If he kicks on in development I saw the long term replacement for Melksham.

I was about to hit like on your post until I read the final sentence. Have a pop at Trump by all means but can we please leave the voters out of it. You’ll never unite if you disparage the other side. They had very good reasons for not voting Biden. And there's zero relevance/comparison between Treloar and Collingwood and Trump voters as if half of America voting republican is some sort of big surprise! Plus I thought the footy forums were supposed to be apolitical anyways?