BW511

And as many keep mentioning, if the MFC doesn't improve drastically next year, then it may be too tempting for him to ignore. Interesting that the whispers about Carlton and Oliver did and do have real substance- confirmed by Carlton themselves and were not just a made up BigFooty rumour like many screamed they were.

I'd much rather have Isaac Smith hobbling around than persist with ANB, AVB, Melksham, McDonald x2, Wagner x2, Joel Smith etc. He's from a better environment and a better player, he is from a culture where winning is the expectation not just turning up

This is the thing that most people don't realise in footy clubs and big business, they are always planning for the future, not reacting on a whim. Smart planning by Carlton and looks like they have had a good crack at all 4 and landed 2, great result for them

I have a mate that works for an AFL club in corporate functions, he mentioned a few of the players from his club that don't view footy as their entire life were really battling in the Hub. Some blokes go to training, meetings etc and then have nothing to do with footy outside those commitments, they need to unwind. They don't enjoy being around the boys 24/7.

I am a little concerned with Kossie's size for the long term, but he seems to be happy enough to throw it around. His timing is definitely not quite there yet, just felt like he needed a 3-4 goal game to get some confidence and start rolling.

He actually deserved all the commentators drooling over him for that one, he’s such a powerful bloke. In terms of standing up and taking his teammates with him, he would be near the top of the tree.

At least a fully outstretched Brown is a big target, makes it a bit easier to get it somewhere in his wingspan. As has been mentioned countless times, if he comes and takes a good defender, it frees up the Weid a little. If Weid is on fire and takes the number one defender, Brown gets let off the hook. How many teams have two elite defenders that could contain them both individually?

Fritsch gets plenty of looks at goal and he doesn’t crash packs

A lot of this is very relevant to our club. We have not had a strong and successful culture for a long, long time. I think May has been the first player to actually hold people accountable on field and demand better. The Trac, Oliver, May, Langdon, Lever combo could shape this club for the next 50 years - up to them whether they want to

This is the bit that seems off about the whole thing, Oliver could walk into any team so it would make sense to go to Saints, Dogs or Pies if he wants a Vic side. They all could use his help and will be a lot more likely to guarantee finals I doubt the B&F result is the thing that has him miffed, but I think there’s probably been enough evidence in his body language early on that he was unhappy

Would be nice to land Tippa, reports suggest he might be sniffing around too!

Thinking about the difference Langdon made, it’s exciting to imagine what 2 wingers will do for us

Oliver is definitely good at padding out his stats, looks good that he gets 30+ each week, but he could be so much more damaging with 20 & 2-3 goals. There was a few weeks where Oliver started to really drive forward, but it didn't last too long. Dustin Martin rarely has really huge possession numbers, but give him chance of space and he will hurt you, badly.

BT would have had a heart attack calling that much candy being sold

Known commodities to play specific roles versus unknown kids, it's a sensible play

Agree, but would take their record over the last 10 years of playing finals most years. They are always there about

Wasn't it stated recently that Oliver likes stability and continuity? Another full overhaul of the football department and assistant coaches is anything but that. Realise we are all just adding fuel to the fire, but the people that emphatically declare he won't leave are just as likely wrong as those suggesting he may be sounding other teams out.

Maybe he loves winning more than all those other things and sees a better chance of that happening elsewhere? It's all hypothetical of course, but plenty of people love partners and leave, love jobs and leave etc. If Carlton were to double his income and guarantee it for 5+ years, that would be something you could learn to love

When we target opposition players that are contracted, do you still believe this?

Interestingly, I have been keeping one eye on the Cripps situation for this very reason. For those who don’t know, Cripps partner has some serious health concerns and there is suggestions of heading home to WA to assist her. If Cripps goes home, you can bet Carlton will have cash and will want the best ball winner they can find (Oliver) If things go totally pear shaped and Clarry did walk, it would be him instigating it, not the MFC. It is not too hard to see that they could improve quite rapidly and accelerate past us. They have some elite big men and are not afraid to target big fish after years of picking up GWS off cuts. Perhaps this is what prompted the panicked call to his management from Petracca? If we all hope for changes in our midfield over the offseason to fix the balance and end up with 5 more years of Viney, but lose Clarry, I’m out. I can’t possibly accept that. I think we’ve all been a little concerned that missing finals could prompt a raid on our couple of top Enders. This could be and likely is just be a beat up based on the McClure comments, or maybe Gary Lyon thinks we’d all be shocked if Brayshaw goes to Perth? I’d hardly call that a ‘bombshell’ though

Of the 800 odd blokes that call themselves AFL footballers, there’s bound to be a few that don’t fit the mould. Getting shunted from the club that traded for him should be the kick up the bum he might not have realised he needed. If he can contribute each week, I don’t know that it will really matter whether he is everyone’s best mate. Finally, He’s up against no other specialist winger, so we are already ahead as soon as he pulls on a jumper

I’d argue Clarry and Trac are more easily replaceable than May, but wouldn’t trade any of the 3. I reckon the ruck role is less significant than ever, so Max could be done for the right deal

Big step up to the top four from these two teams, never been more evident

One of the biggest differences between Lions, Tigers, Eagles, Power and the rest is the whole team buying in. They all play as a group. Complete belief in what they are doing. We are miles off that, all our wins have been on the back of 2-3 individuals having good games. We don’t go out with the unity and desire to perform the task that those top four do

It was fairly obvious he was carrying more bulk now than 2018, he looks so heavy and really labors around. The interesting thing will be whether it was a club directive or if he took it upon himself? I said previously, if the club directed him to do so, he has every right to be furious with them. Looks like it will be a moot point, but I still don't think he is the answer either. He doesn't have any tricks and isn't a physical player