old55

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

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.

Points only go out to pick 54 in the revised system, we're not doing that deal.

No-one is going TO Essendon and they don't need more draft picks in a weak draft. They and Merrett are in a tough spot.

Yeah but that means absolutely nothing - damned with feint praise. It would be a huge story if one or other of them wasn't in the best 25. They need to be in the best 5.

Pretty sure that's the answer to your equation Ethan.

It's very common to apply and interview for a new job while in a current job and if you get offered the new job you often work out the notice period of your current job. If the existing and new organisations are in competition then it's possible that the existing organisation will choose to let you go immediately, commonly on "garden leave". But that's not up to you or the new employer, you need to report to work out your notice - it's up to your current employer. Please don't try to tell me AFL is a special case.

There's just been a hell of a lot of colouring in of James Kelly's attributes in this thread without any basis except a report that he impressed the selection committee and he's been at Geelong so must be good.

Daisy was an assistant at Geelong AFLM, she's been promoted to head coach of an AFLW team, the next step for Daisy, if she wants it is head coach of an AFLM team.

Luci, yes I think it's 3 Senior slots, but only 2 A-Rookie slots so far because we have Henderson, Kentfield, AMW and Culley?

so it continues ...