old55

That's not confirmed yet AFAIK - he's in the squad of 25

I don't think you can take those player positions literally - Mitch King in the ruck excepted.

Filipovic has a hip flexor injury http://www.afl.com.au/news/injury-list

I'd be interested in looking at him if they traded him to us for "free" because we picked up his final year contract salary ~$800k

Is Nathan Jones "half-arsed" and "not pulling his weight" when he misses targets under no real pressure against North Melbourne? Is Tomas Bugg "half-arsed" and "not pulling his weight" when he misses easy set shots against North Melbourne and Gold Coast?

Is Jack Watts "half-arsed" and not "pulling his weight" when he rucks against Aaron Sandilands, when he always goes back and nails the clutch goals under pressure, when he invariably hits an attacking target in traffic?

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-31/key-dee-stays-indoors-but-ruckman-making-progress

"Business Class Hero" ?

1. Goodwin's post match interview - he genuinely gives information and he hasn't descended into protective "coach-speak" 2, Coaches votes 3. Plapp's Casey report Traja Dee - in addition to contest and transition when we have it there's defence when they have it.

There's more than an insinuation from you and other posters that Jack Watts somehow lacks the mental toughness that other players have - but I dispute this. Players regularly miss set shots from positions that I could easily kick goals from. It's not because of a lack of skills, it's because of lack of mental application in the face of great pressure. Jack Watts kicks the goal that Isaac Smith missed in the Qualifying final after the siren with 90,000 baying fans. It's because he is able to calm his mind and execute his skills under maximum pressure. Even when he's kicking from 15 out directly in front he goes through his mental process and he never misses. He's the one guy in the whole AFL that you want kicking for the flag. In field play he consistently finds time and hits targets. It's primarily about his mental toughness and secondarily about his skills. Mentally weak players do not fly courageously at the centre bounce against Aaron Sandilands.

Petracca has been playing injured and he needs another pre-season to really get his endurance up. He plays a very unselfish, team game - likely on specific coach instruction - which I think is great. There have been some glimpses and cameos this year to show what he is capable of. When he gets his body right and is licensed to take responsibility to own the play then he is going to absolutely explode.

You have to be joking. Since mid last year he has rucked consistently and courageously against much bigger opponents and has had to do it for extended periods of the game this year when Gawn and Spencer went down. That has clearly taken a toll on him and it's showing but he is still able to make a significant contribution to the team. He's a vital component in our quest for a flag. Jack is our Cyril, they're different players but the value is the same.

So if we acquired May you'd trade one of them?

I'd prefer Zak Jones to May, price considered.

I've got Salem and Lewis named on the wings for that very reason. When I look at that line-up I see Vince, Lewis and Jones nearer to the end than the start and likewise for Pedersen. TMac and Frost are both yet to hit their prime. Mid and forward are where the issues are IMO.

Injuries allowing, we're going to be playing a 22 something like this at the end of this year: B: Jetta TMac Hibberd HB: Hunt Frost J.Smith C: Salem Oliver Lewis HF: Petracca Pedersen Hannan F: Garlett Hogan Watts R: Gawn Jones Viney I: Vince Tyson Melksham Stretch OMac and Weid aren't in that team. I just don't see the great need for May or Lever. If they push someone out of that back-line then we end up with one less mid and that's less balanced IMO. There's Brayshaw and VDB to hopefully get over their injuries too. I think more midfield class and tall forward is more important.

I think we need more "Salem" i.e. Stretch ahead of more "Hunt" i.e. Z.Jones

Coaches votes.

By the end of next season. Stretch is 18 months younger than Jones.

It's very frustrating - he kicked important goals against Adelaide.

He's very, very good at what he does. But 6 games, 3 tackles total?

Let's see who is right. It's not about capability - it's about the 3 consecutive 6 day breaks with a trip to Perth. IMO we are no chance.

I like OMac more than most on this site - but if a ruckman was available he wouldn't be playing. When Frost and Hibberd became available and played well, he went out and he only came back in when Tmac had to go ruck/fwd. He's played to my expectations this year, he's a young developing KPB and he'll be a good player for us. With a full list he's depth right now, which is very good. Weideman has generally played below expectations though and Pedersen has played very well - his marking has been very strong. Even with our tall shortage Weed can't get in. He needs to work on his game at Casey. It will be interesting to see how we go with Hogan, Pedersen and Watts as the tall forwards when a ruckman comes in. Salem has to come in versus Collingwood but it's tough to nominate the out - I'm no Bugg lover and his conversion has been woeful the last 2 weeks but he is getting it in dangerous positions. Bugg, Wagner, ANB, Harmes - someone will be unlucky. Melksham not in this list - I think he could be a good contributor in the midfield/wing.

Three consecutive 6 day breaks with a trip to Perth in the middle - that's as tough as it gets. Ink in a loss to Sydney.

Jake injured his right shoulder which I'm guessing is his main tapping arm so full range and power is critical.