old55

Exactly. I don't think any one here who has proposed striking a deal with GWS and GC was suggesting we first go to the AFL for approval. If it's a win-win-win deal no-one tells. The trades with GWS and GC have to look reasonable. Something like olisik's U17 draft deal would be hard to definitively call draft ta,mpering - it could just be a good deal.

I think that's good - it's on the table. We can now start discussing a deal with them to do otherwise.

What next ???

OK ...

The Sydney Swans believe otherwise.

Merging player threads from the main board when they run out of steam there.

Jamie Bennell went back and according to reliable reports is making progress working on his game, particularly last week. He's been rewarded with 1st emergency this week. That's how it works IMO.

Morton has shown signs of progress in this area this year, including last saturday night - there was a fair contrast between Cale's and Jack's intensity.

Who do you have in mind and which matches? I would have bitterly disappointed if Watts wasn't dropped this week because it would mock everything Neeld has said about what he expects.

Can't see Geelong's vaunted depth and smooth transition to replace their veterans in that group, but it's true that I'm not very familiar with them. Sure they've got plenty of their youth into their 1sts but they've still got plenty of veterans in the twilight of their careers. Our side looks much stronger - result will be fascinating.

Maybe we should saw one of Jack's legs off - that might create enough doubt in club's minds whether we'd take him at 3.

Correct decision

Passed it through the google Swahili converter but nup ...

It's definitely an improvent over the current system - I'd leave ladder positions based on win-loss not conference standings even though this favours weaker conference teams it's less complex. I'd also go for permanent conferences to retain derbies and blockbusters: East: Brisbane, GC, Sydney, GWS, Collingwood, Carlton (having the Pies and Blues fixtured twice would accelerate game development up north) West: WC, Freo, Adelaide, Port, Geelong, Western Bulldogs South: Essendon, Hawthorn, St.Kilda, North, Richmond, Melbourne Each team plays their conference teams twice H&A, teams outside their conference alternate H&A each season, that way for example we play Freo away/WC at home, Adelaide away/Port at home, Sydney away/GWS at home, Brisbane away/GC at home one year and vice versa the next. It's a bit more travel for the Victorian teams in the East and West conference but they could live with that - alternatively split the WA and SA teams across conferences with 4 Victorian teams in each. East: Brisbane, GC, Sydney, GWS, Collingwood, Carlton West: WC, Freo, Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Melbourne South: Adelaide, Port, Essendon, Hawthorn, St.Kilda, North Anzac day, QB, Dreamtime etc could be retained with this plan.

They want to trade him for Ferg?

Do tell the tune you hear?

Watts efforts last Saturday night were a significant move in the wrong direction, highlighted by the efforts of his team-mates in the right direction. Any progress he may have shown in the first four weeks was completely negated for me.

It's pick 2 to GWS which is massively valuable, they'd have 1 & 2 2 & 23 is quite possibly better than 5 & 6 which is the absolute best alternative they could get.

That's pretty good - nice work, would take some topping, I think everybody wins big.

Suggest some actual scenarios rather than the hypothetical generic gobbledegook ... Which free agent? Which "right" player for which picks? Which "non-kids"?

Which ruckman are you suggesting we trade and for what?

Good thinking - there's a few kinks - GC gets too good a deal - I think they get the U17 pick for free. One of the hurdles in coming up with a good fair deal is that GWS, GC and MFC have specific picks and to get the trade mix right is not always easy. The fair value might be a half a round upgrade but if you don't have those picks then you can't do the deal. Working the U17 picks in gives another dimension. BTW, it's great to see you suggest a practical a scenario ...

Yes, skin. Although they've got an extended list there's still a limit to the number of players they can have and it reduces each year back to the standard number - list spots on their list will be at a premium, they can't fill them with players they don't really want. We'll need to offer them quality players they want or picks.

Looks like the 8 is going to be very tight this year - Adelaide, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Richmond, St.Kilda, Sydney, West Coast - 12 into 8 won't go.