BW511

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

Could not agree with this more. Forget about Jackson as a permanent tall forward and let him be whatever the hell he wants/the coaches want on any given day. I really hope they keep him fairly lean and try and play him as a high half forward who has license to roam anywhere. He can take Melksham's spot and give Half Back Flankers nightmares for the next 2 years. This is why I am strongly in the get Brown/Gunston camp. Weid is starting to command a good defender, if we can get someone else who command the same, then Jacko as a 3rd tall is a dream setup for us

That trio or Rozee, Duursma and Butters are good to watch, they back themselves to take the game on and often it pays off

Power had too much intensity for the cats, they were overawed. Geelong seem to have the same issue as us with a whole lot of contested ball guys, yet not much polish

If anyone here has used GPS watches or computers for cycling or running, they are definitely not reliably accurate. Im not sold that Salem is our quickest for the year

Fogarty seems like a mini Tex, built like Tarzan and play like Jane.

Understand the role they are trying to give him, just don't see it in him. He was all but finished as a player at the end of 2019, so 2020 was a bonus.

Not quite sure how Jones managed that

I hope Clarko gives him a friendly nudge, the Hawks likely won't be winning many games over the next 2 years. If people don't believe he makes us infinitely better, I can't fathom that. Give me 10 quality touches from Smith over anything that wing has served up for the past 2 seasons, but we know he'll offer more than that.

As a very flimsy neutral supporter, I think it kills my interest in football. I am barely hanging in there even when Melbourne are playing. In terms of for the playing group, I think it probably helps the better sides more. The lower teams are often running on momentum into the last few weeks to scramble for positions.

Always very interesting seeing how people respond to trade targets. We’ve had how many players roll through the wing position in the last few years and still have one that is left empty. Smith would be a great addition for the role he can play, he’s been one of the best wingmen in the game for near on a decade. Ed Langdon has been talked about as one of the recruits of the year on here and has had an enormous impact on our game. Smith could take him to another level again with his knowledge and leadership. Fills a position with a much better option than what we currently have and will help Langdon/Baker become better players as well.Also keeps another one of our NQR blokes (Jones/Melksham/AVB/ANB etc) out of the side so our depth becomes better. I saw it mentioned elsewhere, but the way to improve our bottom 6 players is to keep recruiting guys that fit in our best 10-12. He ticks all the boxes.

Fair point, but it would be nice to have the luxury of one player that can go up a level

Just grabbed this from BigFooty for those who didn’t think he’s worth it: Would prefer to keep but would definitely be an astute trade for Collingwood. Obviously they'd be getting a classy, clever, versatile and consistent forward who has made the AA squad 5 times. However, they key thing from Collingwoods point of view is his performance in finals. Tall forwards typically struggle to impact finals but Gunston goes up a level. He has kicked 35 goals from 15 finals (12 of those in Grand Finals) and is pretty unlucky not to have a Norm Smith or 2. Compare him to the other forwards on the market... Jeremy Cameron has kicked 16 from 9. Ben Brown has kicked 9 from 7. He even outperforms the best forwards of their finals rivals... Hawkins has kicked 33 in 22 Riewoldt has kicked 25 in 11 Darling has kicked 30 in 16 Others (Lynch, Dixon, Hipwood, etc) are largely unproven with fewer than 4 finals. Kennedy is the only comparable one with 37 from 16 (but Gunston does a lot more around the ground).

I think the fact Bennell got on the park and AVB didn’t break down are glowing endorsements for Burgess. Those two have probably combined for 10 games in 5 years. He seems to have a great rapport with the guys too, I think he’s probably our most important recruit in many, many years

I’d spew if he played for a team I followed. Is going backwards at a rate of knots

I am fairly certain Ben Brown covers a lot more ground than the Weid too. He’s a 13-15km per game forward