old55

No-one can replace Oliver and Petracca, add in Viney and that's out "A-team" We have Brayshaw, Sparrow, Harmes, Jordon and Dunstan as ready-to-go in the next echelon. This year we've introduced regular best 22 players Rivers and Pickett to the midfield mix and we've got Laurie and Woewodin developing at Casey. I agree that the depth seriously lacks the A-team's class, but it's a decently long list of "good players". Unless there's a solid block of multiple injuries in the Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Brayshaw, Sparrow, Rivers, Pickett set then Jordon is going to continue to get limited opportunity and will be gone at the end of the year, and he's competing with Harmes. If we lose him and Harmes, we would probably want to extend Dunstan and that would still give us 7 players in the depth chart outside the A-team. I think our draft hand, with a little help from Freo, is going to put us in a strong position to acquire some real A-grade midfield class and that's where I'd like to see us go after taking JVR with our 2021 first pick and the Jefferson, Adams and Verrall last year. As someone said elsewhere we don't need more "good players", we need A-graders. Look Harmes is a better player than Dunstan and Dunstan is OOC this year and Harmes is next year - maybe that's the exit path of least resistance.

I'm very happy that Freo is struggling this year and therefore enhancing our draft position. And I'm very happy that Brodie Grundy has come to the club and right now, in our flag window, he offers consistently more than Luke Jackson. The reality is that Jackson is a younger, better version of Grundy and is destined to become a very, very good player.

Seriously? We have 13 games at the MCG this season!

If I'm not mistaken WC, Freo, Adelaide, Port, Brisbane, GC, Sydney and GWS each play a minimum of 10 "interstate games" every season.

Me too ...

but Tom Scully ...

James will be 28 with 150+ games at the start of next season, his last in contract with us. He might snare a 3 or 4 year contract elsewhere at the end of this year whereas he will probably be looking at year on year with us from 2025 onwards. We'd probably trade him cheaply to ease his path, free some cap and provide more opportunities for younger players.

If we win the flag end of 3rd round is 55 (after plus or minus Academy and F/S picks), end of 2nd round best case is 37. As @ChaserJ says we could use the pick to pay for a bid on Kynan Brown or bundle it to GC for their Academy selections. This discussion probably belongs in another thread ...

Thanks @Lucifers Hero. The critical signings over the next 3 years are Pickett, Lever and Petty. Langdon and Bowey next echelon. Jefferson, D.Turner, McVee and JVR are likely to be important also IMO. I like what little we've seen of Verrall and KFW - I think they could become players. The rest I need to be open minded about. It's unlikely that we'd end up losing all the players in a category e.g. all of Sparrow, JJ and Woey, all of Chandler, ANB, Spargo and Laurie. But it's pretty certain we'll lose some of them

JJ is UFA so he can go where he likes. Competition for him has a silver lining because if he does decide to go it will improve his contract and our compensation.

Agree Red, players often say it's the 2nd game back after injury that's the toughest. Compounded in this case by a 5 day break.

Great interview Andy well done - very good preparation and smooth delivery. I got some good insights into Judd who spoke well and was very forthcoming.

Not for us if we sign Kossie. I thnk with Spargo, Chandler, ANB, Laurie and AMW on the list we're well stocked. However none of that latter list are game breakers like Papley, Kossie, Rachele. We need to sign Kossie. The prospect Cal talked about is: Nick Watson 169cm/66kg 24/2/05 Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro Small forward The 'Wizard' Watson delighted last year with his skills as a small forward. He kicked 18 goals from seven games in the NAB League, including nine goals in the first two rounds, and also featured prominently in Vic Metro's under-18 carnival win. Watson kicks goals from all angles, is classy and crafty inside-50, has speed off the mark, can jump on heads and gets in the face of opponents in true small forward style.

I have some very good friends who are Richmond supporters but they are their only two character flaws.

Cal Twomey in the latest ep of Gettable talking about the small forward-midfielder role e.g. Papley, Kossie, Rachele as the most valuable in footy currently https://www.afl.com.au/podcasts/gettable

Talented player prepared to sacrifice his own game to play necessary roles for MFC team success. He could be making more money playing midfield at another team but that's not his priority. He's stuck with us to win flags. Next captain IMO.

I got an email from the club inviting me. Thank you for registering for our 10+ year members exclusive training viewing.

Yes as @layzie says the $23 is for your reserved seat. In theory it's going to be in a better location than a GA seat if you just turn up. "Better" depends on where you prefer to sit though. I prefer to be behind the goals over the wing but that's not necessarily thought of as "better" by the ticket allocators.

My eyes aren't young either Bimbo. I could be mistaken and you could be right. Anyway it's early in the week and they might have just stuck with last weekend's sets and it doesn't indicate anything for vs Richmond.

I saw it differently Bimbo. I saw Schache, Laurie, Harmes, Hibberd and Howes with the "Casey" group, while TMac, Sparrow and Tomlinson to name three possibly in question were with the main group. Gawn and Lever were with the main group and as discussed above Viney wasn't and Spargo wasn't there.

Brown for TMac who is not consistent Schache for Melksham (sub) because we want two "rucks" Jordon for Sparrow Laurie for Spargo Lever for Tomlinson Really 4 changes. Jordon and Melksham are swapping in the 23. That gives us Gawn, Hibberd, Sparrow, Harmes, Spargo and TMac, if necessary, fresh for North off the 5 day break.

So is 186cm or 188cm "a bit short" for a player whose "AFL traits are ball handling, strength and kicking" I'm genuinely confused now.

There's a number of successful medium marking forwards in Sestan's height range: Rohan, Fritsch, Zurhaar, Membrey, Heeney, Melksham, Stephenson, Breust. Jamie Elliott is 178cm. They need some X-factor to succeed but that's what he purports to have.

A bit more investigation through the club websites show that Penfolds are a 3rd tier sponsor of both clubs.

What's going on here? Are Penfolds with us or Carlton or are they spreading it around? https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/blues-booze-schmooze-carlton-heavies-spend-1m-at-penfolds-20230416-p5d0t9.html