old55

Agree. Adelaide needs to take all or most of Trac's contract for 14 + 41 + F1. They're trying to buy a flag with that trade.

May IS happening - firesale - so yes it was good business.

May generally took the toughest match-up though. I wouldn't like to see TMac on Jamie Elliott. I think his playing capability is being undersold here by many - I think there's cultural reasons for trading him.

When we re-contracted TMac it was pretty clear we knew May was on the way out. We need some KPB depth: Turner, TMac, Adams, Lever?, Petty?, Derksen? - Lever has been injured a lot, we haven't got Derksen yet and Petty will only be freed up if we get Mihocek or someone similar forward. Recontracting TMac was smart business.

You could say similar about Mihocek. They're about equal value IMO.

What's "real" thinking then?

They've offered Mihocek 2 years but he's not taking it. They'd offer those 2 years to May who only has one year to run at MFC.

We've really got two "6 of one" alternatives: Trade May for Mihocek and bank the end of 2nd round compo for Spargo. Collingwood forego compo for Mihocek leaving as FA. Trade May for Collingwood's 2nd rounder (33), take Mihocek as a FA and forego the compo for Spargo. Then Collingwood get compo for Mihocek.

Here's an estimate of the Suns Academy selections requirements this year with the new draft points scheme. Here's the new draft points scheme (scroll to the bottom): https://www.afl.com.au/news/1223455/the-draft-change-adding-another-element-to-upcoming-trade-frenzy Here's Cal Twomey's September Draft Ranking that came out today, it's a ranking not a Phantom draft but I think it's the best guide we have on their players: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1427257/cal-twomeys-phantom-form-guide-top-draft-prospects-september-ranking 2 - Zeke Uwland = 2481 4 - Dylan Patterson = 1962 26 - Beau Addinsall = 561 Total = 5004 with 10% discount 4504 points Gold Coast's current Draft hand: https://www.draftguru.com.au/years/2025/provisional-draft-order/final-before-draft 6 = 1659 13 = 1080 16 = 924 31 = 429 Total = 4092 points Currently GC are short 412 points for their Academy players, that's equivalent to pick 31. They really need to retain pick 6 or get greater pick value from trading it. They can get more points from trading Flanders to make up the deficit. People think they are the ideal trading partner for Petracca but that's simply not true, they're short of points. IMHO Adelaide are a much better trading partner in a 3-way with GC, as suggested by @GS_1905 : MFC - Out: Petracca + 23, In: 6 + Flanders Adelaide - Out: 14 + 41 + F1st, In: Petracca GC - Out: 6 + Flanders (1659pts), In: 14 + 23 + 41 + F1st (1915pts) That gives GC very close to enough points to cover their Academy players with a very small 2026 deficit (all they need is for Uwland or Patterson to be bid a pick later and they're fine) and Adelaide's F1st for Flanders. I think the other two deals for MFC and Adelaide are pretty fair, I know some won't agree.

Is that a Phantom or your ranking?

I think that's a very good deal all around if Trac nominates Adelaide. With the new points scheme 6 is worth 1659 while 14 (1024) + 23 (653) = 1677, so GC effectively get the Adelaide F1 for Flanders and retain the points they need for Uwland and Patterson. We get Flanders and an early pick for some JT magic. Adelaide get the key to unlocking a flag.

14 and Rachele or 14 and their F1 to GC for Flanders.

I think McStay and Hosken-Elliott in place of Mihocek and Pendlebury would have been a good move.

With the revised points scheme GC are probably going to need 6 to have enough points to pay for Uwland and Patterson - which is a good thing. 13 plus Flanders might be the best we can do. It's hard to see Adelaide offering better than that. If JT likes someone, we can probably trade 13 into the top 10 using some of 23, the May trade and Spargo compo. We don't have the list space to take many picks.

Gettable

Petracca is gone, if he wasn't he or his manager would be in the media saying he loves the club. That's partly why we're into Flanders and Simpkin - we'd need some midfield experience. Not that they replace him, but we're not in rebuild mode

I loved Goodwin and May at MFC, but it'stime to move on.

Great interview with Ooze on Garry and Tim's show today on podcast. He seems a ripper. Anyway he did confirm that Chappy has a year to run on his contract and will be staying at MFC.

Mihocek in, Petty back, May out.

True but even they started 4-5 in his first year before it clicked.

Agree, not more than Milera, Laird or Smith anyway. Judd's not going to be Daniel Rioli. I really hope he stays, he's a good player - clean ball handler, good movement and decision maker. I rate him.

I predict there will be significant initial pain as King implements gameplan change. In about R5 2024 we absolutely belted Hawthorn 93-39 and they looked miles off in system and talent at 0-5. Nek minnit they're winning finals that same year when it all clicked. I think early patience will be required, something Demonland is not renowned for. Turbulence ahead, fasten seatbelts.

The best thing for Petracca and his brand would be to meet enthusiastically with Steven King, pledge his future with the club there and then follow up in public. Commit to being the best teammate he can be and go on to succeed Max as next Melbourne captain.

Another club captain!

I'd prefer Petracca stays but that's the deal if he goes IMO, but they'd need to pay full salary or give us F1 back. They need points for their Academy players so 23 is very useful.