BW511

Probably relevant to yourself and @DeeSpencer, the McStay deal was organised well before last year. He didn’t just pop up, Pies played a long game to bring him home

At the very least, he’d be a good stepladder for JVR and Petty to jump onto. Maybe even strap padding to his back inside the jumper

Salo was very good but I think the two listed have him well and truly covered in the air. Hear’s hoping he finds that form again after a horror two years

I think there’s been enough hints and suggestions about him to give an idea of why it didn’t happen.

I don’t know if it’s a problem on my end but I’d take Menegola > Harmesy every day of the week. What are the other clubs seeing?

Despite our best efforts not to be, I think we are. Collingwood ride the wave of their supporters very well and their discipline is excellent. If we went at them with Petty at full fitness, I think they would struggle. I also think we have serious flaws, like everyone else does, so that doesn’t say a lot for them.

From the highlights only, He looks like he’d be a few years off having an impact at AFL level. I’m not as big on him as some of the other projected top ten.

I think throughout the year I also mentioned McCarthy and Bailey as the type of player we desperately need. Half forwards who play as forwards first, are opportunistic and make their chances count. The Grand Final was the perfect example - I know they didn’t win but those guys (along with Joey) could not have done much more. Coleman has quickly become the player every team wants. He is sublime. If I was creating a team from scratch, he’d almost be the first player I would pick. He executed all the way through the finals too, very classy player. I think Wanganeen-Milera from the Saints is similar, at least he had a patch this year where he was. It looks like Reid/McKercher/Duursma could play the Bailey role from Round 1 and if there is any chance the Oliver trade happens, we are guaranteed at least one of that trio. The flow on effect from this positional upgrade would be enormous

Interesting that the crowd pitch involved him playing back. Wonder if he has a preferred end of the ground? He looked very happy kicking six snags against the Tiges

The article is flimsy at best. He says it won’t happen this year but maybe in the next few.

I understand completely that we can never compare potential with known talent but it’s not like the known quantities (Trac/Clarry/Viney/Max) are suddenly going to improve their ball use. Chocco was bought in specifically to focus on this skill, Grundy has stated he’s never done so much kicking work in his life. Also, many of the elite TAC guys have been training and preparing like AFL players for years leading into the draft, the jump is probably not as big as it once was. We’ve seen multiple first year players (Daicos/Ashcroft) transform their respective sides from year one. If the Clarry stuff ends up going anywhere and we have the chance to snag 3 top 10 kids or 2 and a known player, I believe we’ll be much better for it in the medium term. I mean Trac has been parked in the forward half plugging a hole for half the year, he’s an immediate replacement for Clarry and you know he’ll be breathing fire in ‘24.

It’s become increasingly clear that the MFC acknowledges our kicking skills have cost us over the past few seasons and in particular, 2023. With potential for significant change (Clarry out or a supercharged version) in 2024, there’s a hint of optimism in me. Just wish it didn’t take this long for the poor skills to be in focus. I’d love a mini reset for ‘24, if we did lose Clarry and landed Reid + one or two of the other top enders, we’d suddenly have more scope to expand our game by finishing off the hard yakka. The way we play the game seems to be emblematic of everything the club does, we’ve taken the difficult path for as long as I can remember.

Clarry out for Reid and the choice of McKercher/Duursma/Watson/O’Sullivan in would be a very spectacular trade period! Ballsy AF from a club that’s been lamented for its lack of dare for 3 years

If the finals version is his ‘feeling good’, I’d hate to see what he looks like with a knock or some soreness. I’m starting to think McKay, at a high cost, is better than Lynch for a desperate Premiership attempt. I’d rather invest long term and let him grow with our group post Max, May etc He can hit the wings and the neat goal kicking of Petty & JVR can stay closer to goal. Traditional CHF role.

I work with a reasonably thoughtful Carlton tragic, their supporters have wanted him gone for 3 years running.

That’s a whole lot of pressure to heap on Curnow in 2024, particularly with him being potted from everywhere about his poor finals series

Interestingly, Collingwood’s head psych/wellness employee sits on the bench for their games. They take it very seriously

How many roles did Yze miss out on prior to this?

This seems like it’s made for McQualter, very influential at Tiges over their successful years, was interim head coach this year and went close to landing the role permanently. He’s clearly well above a regular assistant

From the outside, it appeared this way. Thanks for confirming 😉

The Cadman talk should just reiterate to people how good JVR is/has been for a second year player. He’s not necessarily kicked bags of goals or taken marks but he’s up to the physical challenge of AFL already

I like the idea of recruiting Naughton to play a shared swingman role with Petty. Both aerial threats and could go either end depending on matchups. Wouldn’t mind Naughton being a bit more of an attacking tall back ala Darcy Moore. I have a dogs supporting mate who constantly bemoans the fact they don’t at least try Naughton at CHB considering there deficiencies at that end.

Nice to see an actual rumour. Anyone follow WCE enough to know what we are looking at?

I wouldn’t value the modern Brownlow as anything other than a bit of marketing for the AFL.