BW511

Absolutely, this type of Ruckman is exactly the one that stifles us. If you can’t beat them, join them

Surely Hunter is done. If Goody picks him his selection integrity will be questioned forever. Think this is a bit of a blessing for Caleb, can hit preseason fresh and really hit 2025 hard. He’s been immense this year, we haven’t seen that kind of excitement and youthfulness for a few years. Very refreshing

Absolutely it has, look at Sean Darcy. He looks like a very unfit club ruckman, he’s just enormous

My bulldogs supporting mate thinks this was their entire recruiting strategy for a few years, chase anyone that had one decent game against them (Hello, Tim O’Brien)

I think we need two, so there’s genuine pressure on Clarry and Viney for their spots. Both can be great, no doubt, but if we go into next year heavily relying on Gawn, Trac, Clarry and Viney again, we may as well pull up stumps before it begins. They are not dynamic enough to compete with the best midfields every week

Fair grab from Danger on the 3/4 time siren

I’m not sure why everyone thinks Judd McVee goes to the midfield any time soon. We have no one else who can lock down on the dangerous small forwards and he’s very important to our ground ball game in the defensive half

In an era where first and second year players can have a genuine impact, I’d be looking to split Pick 9 for two picks in this draft. Particularly with the depth being spoken about. We’d be best trying to find a deal for Houston with a player and future/later pick.

Are you suggesting Barrass doesn’t fit into our side?

Two firsts for a HBF seems excessive

Really like the possibility of this happening, a prodigious kicking half back is something we dearly lack at the moment. McVee, Rivers, Salem and Bowza all favour the dinky, safe kicks. Houston was an All-Australian last year driving the powers ball movement, would love him to come over and be given some freedom to keep doing his thing.

Following on from @dazzledavey36, I can easily see a situation where the current version of Clarry is the best version, from a mental/personal wellbeing perspective, and that takes priority over his former manic preparation and ball winning ability. If Clayton the person had to devote a lot of time/energy to being the best version of himself, footy could easily fall down the pecking order. After all, it still comes pretty easy to him so all the extra 1% things he used to do don’t happen anymore. This situation would really test the clubs strength due to the conflict of enormous salary versus club led mantra that people/family come first. Regardless of the emotion attached, it’s still business and very cut throat at that

You can bet the club is looking into the Oliver situation closely, no one in their right mind would be keeping a bloke on that much money for the output he’s giving. Yes, his stats are ok compared to others but he’s not getting paid ‘ok’ money. After 18 months of no return on investment, something has to give. It may even be from Olivers side to test the waters

I recall last week he copped one and really winced, yesterday he had plenty of times where he protected his hand

No doubt he can/could do it but who does he replace? Has to be the Sparrow role and whatever that is, it is obviously considered quite important because he is definitely not doing anything with the footy. Will not be ANB or Chin, their running appears to be the cornerstone for our defensive structure. If not those he’s in a fight with quite a few blokes with more modern skill sets

Someone has to go out of the midfield mix to get the required skills or speed in there. For that to happen, Clarry, Viney or Trac have to be shifted out. Trac has to be there because he can win games on his own. Viney has to be there because it would rip the fabric of the club apart and also, he probably can’t play anywhere else. Clarry has to play because of his insane contract so where to from there?

Hypothetically speaking, if Clarry returns to his best, does he help or hinder our future team? I think if we front up next year with Trac, Clarry and Viney as our starting mids, we will see results more like 2024 than 2021. The midfield mix that Freo had today was streets ahead of ours in terms of speed, skill and two way running. Including Andy Brayshaw, who isn’t known for his disposal by foot

I had a laugh at Whately saying the hawks were the 4th best team, he might not be wrong

Proper nosedive from the pies, wonder how long they stay down low following this finals exit

And the other name thrown around at #1, Smillie, isn’t in the side

Calling Rayner depth is bold. He hasn’t quite lived up to the hype but he’s definitely more than depth

If BigFooty is to believed, his off season made Clayton’s issues seem tame. It’s been a very abrupt drop off

I am in agreement, I think his media persona is quite stiff and rehearsed. The more personal, humans side is obviously very highly regarded internally and it’s good to see that in this light. Kozzie could not possibly sell himself any better at the moment, he’s a very grounded and mature kid for his age and fame

He’s already had a couple of career renaissances, think this one is a farewell tour at best. Shame because he was very valuable last year when he got injured

I would be excited to watch Melbourne every week if he continued his early 2024 form (if he came over)