Roost it far

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.

Agreed

I don’t think the forward line is too bad JVR, Turner, Fritsch, Pickett, Petracca, Langford, Chandler, Spargo, speculate on Johnson or Jefferson proving handy, Petty can swing down there. I think there’s enough weapons to kick a winning score especially with the strength we hold through the middle and defensively where we’re as good as anyone.

I wouldn’t think so but I like hypotheticals

It’d be a pity to miss on a talent of the potential of Roy George because we’re hoping an NQR ruck might make it.

Another question. If you put a player on the LTI and then the original player returns can you keep the add on on your list in any capacity or are they delisted?

Thats my thinking. Bar Lever, Spargo and now Chandler we've got a list who've enjoyed a longer and way less interrupted preseason than we've had since 2020. Then you add a softer draw, some very strong new recruits and a solid Max back up and I honestly think we're going to be challenging at the pointy end.

I find it interesting that there’s quite a bit of talk about the pies winning the flag. Personally I think they’ve got zero chance.

Tell them to postpone

TC is the perfect backup for Max. I just hope the club can be smart enough to periodically rest Max during the season and have him cherry ripe for the QF against Carlton