Roost it far

Just get George in the list pronto

If you’re in your 3rd year as a key forward and part of your role doesn’t involve those things then you’re a bust already. Hitting packs with ferocity is the absolute bare minimum for Jefferson, it’s why I think Johnson may be currently ahead of him in the clubs planning.

I think the reason clubs tend to go mids first is that the best first round mids are often plug and play whereas key position players tend to take 3-5 seasons to reach the ability to hold down a key position for 23 rounds. Currently the league is incredibly even and it really feels the top 12 teams are all jockeying for what ever immediate boost they can get and with current game style that comes from ready to roll mids. If I were at the bottom and commencing a rebuild I’d target the spine first and then fill in around it. Hoping to get a list profile that develops together. We’ve added some elite mids and runners over the last few off seasons. If Allan were to come available, which remains a substantial if, I’d chase him as I reckon his role, age and skills, including his leadership, would be great for our team. Of course the club would need to consider the costs involved but if I’m 3 goals down with a quarter to play in the GF, it’s players like Allan who get you the win. On top of all this you have Tasmania coming and that’s going to cause 2 things to happen. Clubs will be reluctant to give up high picks and there’s going to be some serious pick and player trading.

I don’t think Johnson is ever going to be a high possession player, that’s not his role. He needs to relieve the pressure from our other forwards and Max. He needs to run hard, compete hard and hit packs with a real ferocity. This is why we got him, these are the things that Jefferson doesn’t appear ready to do.

Firstly I think I was very careful not to snipe, even adding humour to my reply, which even made me laugh but laughing at my own jokes has long been a habit. I’d take Allan as I’d take any A grader for any key position. The best players make the team better. I agree regarding JVR as I also see him becoming a top liner. Key position players are the hardest to come by, always have been. Allan is a 75 + a year goal kicker and I just can’t see how he wouldn’t make us a better team. I’m also looking around for a May replacement and there’s a couple running around for GC and GWS who surely want to play for a real club.

I need more reports….More!!!

It’s feeling very 2021 around here. Just got to manage the injuries, bank the wins early and come home hard and strong. 💪

I’ve had them a few times, they’re pretty good imo

So you wouldn’t put Allan in the team because of Turner…..Right, got it 🤦‍♂️ C’mon Binman, you know that we know that everyone knows that he’s well worth the conversation.

Fair call, my main point being that he's contracted and thus it'll take more to pry him free than what it would if he was uncontracted.

Geelong

I think they'll try very hard to replace ANB with either Sharp or perhaps Spargo if he can get fit. Can't see us playing Tmac, Laever, May and Petty at the same time. Imagine what an agile attack and quick entry would do to them especially on turnover, we'd get destroyed. We'll likely play 3 talls forward as we did last year, so JVR, Turner and Johnson/Jefferson will play with Fritsch, Pickett and A mix of Melksham, Petracca, Langford perhaps McAdam.

Freo are very likely a top 6 side so they're ability to get us good picks is severely limited.

I'm not sure the 25 version of a a fit Salo is anywhere near A grade. He hasn't had a good stretch of form since 21, that's a long time ago. Personally I see others going past him and he'll need to be at at least 80% of his best to remain best 22.

I absolutely think he has the hunger. Whilst you might not get a highlights reel and 4 goals every week you do get a 4 quarter effort. His harassing, tackling and chasing efforts are never questioned. Undisciplined? Maybe but his last report was a clown show. Since when is a player liable for another player ducking/diving into a contest at the last minute?

It’s about which club holds the power. If Geelong had come to us and said we’ll give you 2 high first rounders and take his salary I think Oliver would be in hoops right now. The only way Freo land Pickett is if they stump up the picks, which they don’t have. Geelong were into Oliver for 12 Months so it’s no different.

If our mids can lower their eyes and hit a target then JVR, Turner, Petracca, Langford and Fritsch all become more dangerous. Johnson or Jefferson will get a chance and if they both fail then I see TMac replacing Petty in the backline and Petty moving forward. The problem with Petty is he can't ruck. Johnson is the wildcard for mine. If he can reach the level then we suddenly look a whole lot better. He doesn't have to star, just compete hard in the air and help lock the ball forward and then chop out in the ruck allowing JVR to stay forward. This allows Petty to play back. Johnson needs to become our meat and potatoes third tall who on occasion gets off the leash and kicks 3-4 although kicking goals wouldn't even be his number 1 task, structurally we'd look so much more dangerous in this scenario. I'd love an AMW or Kynan Brown to go to another level and there's still Chandler, Spargo and and McAdam. Personally I don't see it with McAdam, for mine he's a highlights reel rather than a 23 round, goal a game forward who works his butt off keeping the ball locked in. All in all it remains to be seen if out forward-mid connection can improve enough for us to seriously challenge. I think it can, we've had some really classy additions the last 2 off seasons and our young forwards are another year older.

As a fee agent you might be right but as a player with 3 years on a contract its highly doubtful the club would accept much less.

Windsor, McVee, Lindsay, Salem, Bowey, Sharp, Billings and Sparrow need to find homes on the HBF and wing. I see Windsor and McVee running off HB and Lindsay as an interchange with those 2. The others are looking for a home on the wing. Salem is the interesting one for mine. He's easily best 22 when humming but his position is under threat if he pops a hamstring and Lindsay gets on a roll. Sharp can play HHF and Bowey can play through the HB/Wing, Sparrow can maybe take a wing roll or HF/Mid/Interchange. He'll really need to lift this year if he wants to be best 22. Langford may well push him out. From all reports Billings is fit and running well at training. He's had a year in our system and there's no doubt he has talent. Currently I see him at Casey but always happy to be proven wrong. Not convinced he loves our contested game. Lindsay is the interesting one for me. The thought of a classy left footer gracing the HB/Wing region excites me no end. Isn't that just the player we've been crying out for? The inclusion of Lindsay, Windsor and Langford could just turn us back into a serious threat.

Tell that to Petracca and Oliver and Petty, they pushed and they went nowhere.

A contracted Pickett is worth 2 top 10 picks is he not? WC can conjure that but whether they'd want to spend it all on Koz is highly doubtful. Freo don't have the capital to make the deal so they'll have to get creative. 2 top 10 picks is very creative in a landscape that is pre Tassie and will see clubs hold high draft picks. Personally I just can't see it happening until his contract expires. By then he may well have changed his mind.

I don’t agree. Carlton are too high, as are the Suns and Geelong. Seriously how can they be above us? The Dogs is the same as in 21 bar Richards as is ours bar Rivers. I’d have us 5th but when you add Max it takes us to 3rd.

Tend to agree

Don’t forget an easier draw and a longer preseason are massive. Our top end talent is as good as anyone’s. For mine it comes down to Max and May staying fit and our young players stepping up. I’m also hoping that one or more of Laurie, Billing’s, McAdam or Sparrow take that step that their talent says is possible.

Points taken but I think you’re underestimating what Windsor, Langford, Lindsay and Tholstrup will bring to the side this year. I’d add a fit Bowey and maybe even Salem and our defence to offence looks much much better.