old55

I wouldn't guarantee that outcome at all. There's a lot of improvement in our relatively young midfield over the next few years. I'm not against making incremental change. I can see some value in trading Harmes for a player that suits our needs. I would be fine with moving Viney or Brayshaw if we could net Merrett. But I wouldn't do both. I think our current midfield has the potential to be flag quality.

Oscar has had good games and some poor games for MFC. The problem is that in the role he plays his good games are often invisible - spoils, blocks, postioning and things he prevents his opponents from achieving, whereas when it goes wrong it results in maximum exposure - goals deep in the forward line. He doesn't deserve the vitriol he receives. Other players in other roles are far less exposed when they make errors. Think Zac Dawson - much maligned but Ross Lyon loved him.

Match made in heaven. Battler at a battling club.

I do like the idea of a best 22 and a next 22, that gives some insight into the thinking process.

To be honest I didn't bother looking at your teams. All CAPS is difficult to read and the content would need to be extra good to bother. If your aim is to communicate ideas you would be well served to use mixed case.

There's no way a KP like Petty takes a bench spot. KPs play a majority of gametime. Either he starts on field or doesn't play. You're wasting a running rotation with him on the bench.

I think there's one too many there, particularly with giving Sparrow 2 years and chasing wingers. Brayshaw or Harmes traded if Viney re-signs IMO.

I'm guessing the reason the contract hasn't been inked is because we are chasing other high cost player(s). The term and $s are likely agreed but the FD may want the flexibility of backloading if they can land the fish or forward loading if they can't.

There would be some weird logic if they did win it. I will have ended up in some very low probability branch of the wave function.

Good get on Suckling. I guess Brad Hill is a live chance too ...

I agree in principle. I just cannot see Brown, Jackson, Weid and Fritsch all playing in the same forward line. Add in Petty is impossible. IMO we don't need another KPF.

I honestly think Lewis came to MFC with the intention to add to his set of flags. Yes there was a long contract but that was a part of it and would IMO be the attraction for Smith.

It didn't happen. Let's stick to the facts. Yes Adelaide may well have matched if Geelong bid FA but that is not what actually happened. Why not post that, which is the truth.

That is incorrect. A trade was made but an FA bid was never officially placed or matched.

Has any Clarkson era Hawthorn premiership player gone on to win a flag at another club?

Quoted for accuracy.

Shoulder injury though I think. Not an old man calf injury which would spell danger.

I think he's a campaigner but I may feel differently if he's OUR campaigner.

Sounds like we're trying to clear cap space for a big trade in.

He's been behind Goldstein and Gawn so it's not surprisng he hasn't played many games. Maybe he'll go to Collingwood next and get his Ph.D in Ruck Craft under Grundy before he gets a real job. As someone else posted, it only takes 2 interested clubs for an auction. I think we should be able to get something valuable back.

Always have had the impression he thinks we're a joke.

Agree, it needs to be for a player that suits our needs not a draft pick (unless that opens a player trade with another club). Small forward ideal.

I'm basing this idea on the belief that Viney has re-signed, I can see arguments both ways about that outcome ... I think my trade is like for like based on 2020 roles - Brayshaw wing-mid and Harmes half-back, although I acknowledge Harmes can be effective in the midfield. Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Merrett, Langdon. This means a couple of VDB, Melksham, ANB, Sparrow, Jordon and Baker (and Hannan?) have to play midfield in the 22 and I acknowledge depth does looks a bit thin. Using Tomlinson in the backline and adding Saad may free Salem or Rivers into the midfield. I believe that we can't trade our remaining 2020 picks because we traded already pre-traded our 1st this year - that's the rule on future picks and I'm not sure whether the restriction carries over into the next year. If that is the case then the only trade currency we've got is players or 2021 picks.

I'd do Brayshaw + Harmes + 2021 1st for Merrett + Saad. Essendon might go for that win-win.

Langdon has been a massive success on one wing but Tomlinson less so and maybe he's found his slot as 3rd tall back - anyway he provides decent multi-role flexibility on matchday. I'd like us to try Mitch Hannan for an extended period on the other wing in the pre-season and next year. He's a footballer, a nice left foot kick, has some speed, is a decent size at 189/87 and is quite strong overhead. Maybe his endurance and repeat sprints aren't up to it, but he's got a mature body and should be able to put in solid work over summer with Burgess to address this. We've got an oversupply of medium marking forwards and Hannan can go missing in this difficult role. I rate him and I think we can get more out of him.