Jjrogan

He doesnt mind playing in front, eh. Great result

Not to argue with your point, as you still always need a competent midfield but if we are looking at GF, of the last 15 GFs, the premiership team has won the clearances 8 times. For these games, the 'stat' that best correlates with winning is marks inside 50 (10.5/15). Again, not to downplay your point but if there was one stat I could win in any game, it would be marks inside 50. Its the stat most correlated with winning percentage. The upshot is, statistically speaking, what you do with it is a bit more important than getting it (which has been our problem for a number of years)..

This would be elite shenanigans from WCE, effectively making Carlton burn an extra first round pick to match the bid for Dean (compared to if he fell to our pick)

He correctly picked the final 8 teams last season in March .... but broken clock and all

I think you are spot on. The departure of oliver and trac gives runway to pickett, langford, lindsay, windsor and rivers, guys Id pencil in to be above average or elite in future years. Meanwhile our key forwards output is below average or whatever the opposite of elite is. Folks talk about ball movement, but the numbers from this year simply dont show that. We were unable to take kpf marks in our forward 50 (our smaller players and medium mids had no such problem with ball movement) . Additionally, where we were terrible (league worst) was letting opppnents mark inside 50 per inside 50. May isnt getting better, Mcvee was off a pace, and without Lever we were often lost on transition. We have more problems at either end of the ground than people think. We need forwards who are atheletic and can beat their opponents consistently. Petty and Jvr and Mihocek can all have their days, but will go missing week in week out.

Melksham is my favourite player and the best kick in the AFL, I'm def not writing him off! But he is 34 and wont play a full season. If things dont work early, keen to see the magnets be moved around.

This would be a dream forward line for Steven May the defender, even he could keep up with them. I think Jvr, Mihochek and Melksham all together are way too slow if we want forwards to lead at the ball carrier. Id love to see Kentfield play Round 1, we need athleticism ahead of the ball.

Essendon won trade week. Tradition matters.

It's what happened to the game. Same boat as Oliver and Mcrae.

Yep. 7 + 8 is basically the value of pick 1 -2. The value of the later pick swaps will be dependent on ladder placings. Based on this year's order, it's the equivalent of them having acquired an extra 3rd rounder, but if we both finish in the same neighbourhood its effectively a wash.

I was a NO unless he was being given away or the year was 2018. Well, its column A. This is ridiculously cheap, its great trading. The cap issue isnt a big deal as it will be gone by 2028 (and we have to spend a minimum) Anyone we want to sign next year still can be back loaded into 2029 and beyond. Btw, where can I get odds on a Casey flag for 26?

Clarrie admitted mid year he felt the game had gone past him. (He was trying to get it back obvi) If JS was being honest hed feel exactly the same way i reckon. This year 3 out of the top 4 contested teams didnt make the finals. (We were 3rd) 3 out of the top 5 clearance teams didnt make finals (we were 14th with pies hawls and gws for company) Games are won by scoring from turnovers and marks inside 50. Making the most of your oppoortunies with fast transition, correct decision and execution. A huge no unless he is being given away or the year is 2018.

That we as supporters clearly dont know all the facts. Having said that, clubs are way too precious about "bad influences" and "culture cancer" and " toxic behaviour". Its an industry of young men with lots of free time, people make mistakes and people can change. Is he an absolute unrecoverable disaster? I find that extremely hard to believe. Cause his footy is definitely not 3rd round pick material for the next 5 years.

I cant believe there isnt another club out there willing to out bid that offer , take him for 700k and give up a 2nd round draft pick. Serious miscalculations being made here for someone who is still, at the least, an above average afl midfielder. Bizarre.

As a defender his kicking efficiency is below average. Wasnt top 150 last year and other metrics such as disposals per turnover or clangers per turnover he wasnt in the top 100 either. At best he's inconsistent. But not everyone has to be elite in everything. He brings some athleticism and speed. Our defenders were too slow last year. Hawks dont want him so we should be bidding a late 3rd or 4th rounder. There's really no reason to be paying up if hes not guaranteed a game at the Hawls.