The Jackson FIX

In a draft-based professional code we should not be relying on club’s to nurture talent (and protect talent from other codes) at the grass-roots level. The AFL should have been investing more of their growing pool of funds on a meaningful, centralised grass-roots system across the country, rather than lining the pockets of its executive. As a junior footy coach in Melbourne’s west, my first-hand experience is the AFL is completely asleep at the wheel, and completely absent. I’ve never spoken to or sighted anyone from the league (nor has my club actively sought feedback) on the risks to our game, the first one being kids (who fall into an ‘nga bracket’ and also those who don’t) fleeing en masse to both soccer and basketball. We know why but I have a good feeling the AFL don’t. Fix this and we’re not sitting here arguing about rules around academy picks. Over to you Dillon.

SEN’s young core of journalists is 15th (of 15) on my list of Australian sports radio stations

Kalani jumping all over Luke Jackson in the future would be nice thank you. Just another reminder of Freo losing Jeff White

By the time Kalani is ready for us the AFL will have changed the father son rule and we’ll have to give up a decade of 1st round picks to access him

I’m not asking him to train the house down, but to show up early would have been a huge sign of commitment to his teammates and the club and that he is going over and above what has been asked of him. So yes, Clarry is one I was hoping would make a statement in a November. He still can and he may well be working on himself in a positive way this week but I can’t help but feel disappointed we didn’t see him back at the club early with Max & Trac & Fritta & Jake & others who weren’t required to be there.

I agree with Volcano on very little, but I do agree it is a missed opportunity to make a strong statement to your teammates and to your supporters that you’re leaving no stone unturned in overcoming recent disappointments/let-downs.

After the club’s train wreck off-season (and post-season), it would’ve been nice to see some more of the 4+ years players back at the club. Clarry in particular, in fact I am actually surprised he didn’t make a statement by coming back early.

Just out of shot, arguing with Selwyn

Was expecting lots of ‘stoked’ and ‘super excited’ and ‘get around it’ and 18yo kid with a mullet and rude sports sunnies. None of that. Great listen, he sounds like a gem, hoping he can play like one too!

Jaka 2.0

Our pick 42 gone apparently. To stk for a future 3rd

I think that ship has already sailed… Appears moving up to pick 4 is most likely our most-achievable priority tonight

He is small, yes, but he plays a different role to Kos. Kind of like saying why did the Doggies recruit Weightman when they already had Caleb Daniel

I think this is more system-related than personnel-related.

Nah I thInk he has more dimensions that that. I think they see him further up the ground as a connector. That’s why I query whether we take Kolstrup if we snagged Watson as Kolstrup appears strong as a high half forward delivering it in

Current plan appears Windsor (6) then Tholstrup (11) but I wonder if we look at a different type of player with pick 11 if we manage to get Watson in earlier?

Cal’s latest mail is that we’ve offered (or will) Pick 6 and F1st for Hawthorn’s pick 4 in a bid to get Watson. He didn’t indicate whether he believed this would be successful or not.

“From the 4 minutes-in-total of TAC Cup highlights I’ve seen on some grainy YouTube footage, here is my assessment of all 120 players in the draft pool and where they will fall on the evening”

Young lad surely named after a cold tin so I’ll be going with ‘tinny’ as his nickname. Might even have one lined up to consume as they call out his name.

Plenty of nickname options, I’m favouring Knotty though (or Harry if he slides down the board)

Went on a fishing trawler with Jaka somewhere out that way also

Or 6 for: Wet Toast future first + 3rd rounder this year

Agree but perhaps plan A for the acquisition of 11 was more about an attempt to bundle something up for pick 1. Plan B is a bundle for pick 3. Plan C is a good quality young player with 11. Plan Q is reeling in Demattia

He looks short in the clips

warming to the idea of this guy. The draft isn’t for finding an immediate solution (Nick Daicos and a very-select few others are an exception to the rule) so we should have an eye on building for the future and May’s end (and highly likely Petty departure) is the obvious issue over coming years