Skuit

I'm thinking that AFLHQ are softening on the issue - or at least wishing to be less pedantic and illogical in their application of the rules (I find it hard to believe that an idea akin to our red-back clash of 2017 was never floated before - but rather that it's just now been accepted). However, any attempts at logical discretion on their behalf will no doubt be accompanied by further cries of bias and corruption.

Paging Simon Goodwin. As stated before, despite the understandable universal desire here for polish and speed, I believe this will be our primary precondition along with competitiveness when selecting potential draftees.

If by grassy knoll, you mean from behind the Viney household's front hedge with a telescopic lens, then possibly yes.

Interesting that a number of potential draftees who have been advocated on here with a reasonable degree of passion have fallen immediately after each one of our Knightmare second-round 'picks' - Petruccelle at #30, Fritsch at #32, and Starcevich at #37. I'm of the belief that Knightmare hasn't concerned himself too much with club-needs on this occasion (with us hypothetically taking two more young KPFs) and that maybe the collective wisdom on here might be closer to the pin (although that doesn't account for Knightmare maybe also not accounting for other clubs' needs so much and then the availability of certain players at each selection). In the least, I can't see us passing up Fritsch if he truly is rated just one spot behind our pick. But above all, I think Goody will be doubling-down on last year, and the directive will be a) competitiveness, and b) some additional leg-speed and the capacity for quick decision-making/ball movement. Foot-skills be damned.

Yes in that you didn't place the conditional clause first. No in that every club will be fighting for and driving up the price of our discards the following year. Perhaps that's why we kept JKH, Kent and McKenna around for 2018.

I thought he was pretty good when he was back there originally (particularly in regards to contested marking) - except painfully slow to move it on. It was different times, but it's kind of the opposite of what Goody is looking for. I personally think we need to look at the strengths and make-up of our key forwards (inc. the medium-talls) and work a forward game-plan to fit the personnel.

Red hair or white pants and black loafers without socks? Either way the future looks bleak.

To say nothing about whether Ryan tackles or not, it's not entirely uncommon that tackles are left off the highlight reel. Unless you're the PAFC and putting together a propaganda package, in which case some poor intern has to sit through nine years of footage to piece together a minute's worth of cuddles.

And all reasonable responses. I think we have just set our scopes a little differently. The jump up to the absolute top eschelon for me is a huge one in terms of both making that leap into rarefied territory and then the level of impact generated from such a player - so it in a sense from my perspective distorts the categories - a potential 100% improvement from Oscar would constitute a high scope but in my mind so would 20% from Viney and Oliver. I'm probably one of the few that thinks Viney is capable of more than the best we've already seen from him (not just in terms of achieving his best consistently - which would be massive in itself if he can). I'm also probably one of the few who believe Hunt's poor disposal is overstated (although he did nothing for my argument in a couple matches toward the end of the year). As to Vanders, I'm aware of my own likely delusion, but I am rock-solid in my thoughts on JKH simply not having the physical attributes to make it. I won't mention Oscar as we all know where that discussion leads. Lastly though, I should clarify my thoughts on Stretch: 2017 was a genuine disappointment and I do think he has a decent scope for improvement as an AFL player - but I've come to the conclusion that he may not have the speed of decision-making and disposal required for the Goodwin Hot Potato Game-plan (and the pressurised frantic atmosphere it creates along with the unorthodox movement when the opposition seeks to break our press in response). I think that it may ultimately hamper his development and limit the scope of his improvement with us.

Who are you expecting to slide jnrmac?

Very minor changes from a personal perspective and almost not worth bringing up (in the hopes of avoiding a pointless derailment) But, personally, I think: Viney has some serious development still to come (forget perceptions of a limited skill-set - with a clear run at it this kid will be Brownlow material - the question being will he ever get a clear run at it?) - High Scope Oliver - ditto on the Brownlow material. Despite how great he has already been, and how I don't actually give a toss if he handballs or kicks it, I think when he does kick it more often, and when he starts moving forward a bit more, he's going to have a massive impact akin the the very upper elite of the comp - High Scope Hunt - is more of a gamble but he strikes me as just a kid still - a late starter with some serious and unique weapons. Can also see his role potentially changing over time to make the most of his abilities - High Scope Frost - Somewhat similar to the above - Medium Scope Omac - I don't believe is set for great heights but I would be happy if keeps improving - Medium Scope Vanders - I have somewhat blinded vision for based on one live pre-season sighting where he looked ready to bust open the comp - Medium Scope Kent, Stretch, and JKH are all hovering very close to the divisional margins for me, but - Low Scope

That was essentially my point. We finished 9th this year by a narrow few percentage points. We can't account for injuries next year, but there's serious scope for improvement (to whatever degree) from the majority of the list on this year's output - with the hope that a handful will hold their form and only few will slide (with those not massive contributors this year anyhow). Upside is huge. The improvement of other teams is of course a factor, but I think we have most of the league covered in this regard. *I forget McKenna exists on our list. I have no idea what he even looks like.

Problem is not consistency. It's role and fit. Pedo isn't a natural KPF and not a starting ruck. But he plays his best footy when he's primarily involved and moving toward goals. Yet he's not a wing and not quite a roving CFH either. He is a very good utility.

Nice work P-man. I would argue three of four assessments but this is a great model of categorisation and you've fairly well nailed the majority of slots.

Interesting OP (with the naturally expected quibbles as to player catergorisation). I keep a similar mental list concerning an overall idea of expected improvement - divided by individual gains, holds and decreases in form (based somewhat on proven potential and previous form). If the majority of the following occurs we'll be sitting very pretty. Players who it's not unreasonable to expect an increased output on last season (including effectively 7 top-ten draft picks with quite a number of combined years in the system): Lever Viney Hogan Petracca Oliver Gawn Salem Brayshaw Hunt Omac Frost Maynard J.Smith Hannan Vanders Players who it's not unreasonable to expect will hold their most recent form: Jones Hibberd (AA) Jetta (AA) Tyson Garlett Pedo Tmac Melksham ANB Bugg Harmes That's 26. Plus some wild-cards like Weeds and Balic as well as our draftees. Go Dees!

For anyone who couldn't be bothered reading the article, it also mentions Lindsay Thomas is expected to join Port as a rookie. The Power strategy is like the highly speculative crypto version of money-ball.

Welcome D4life. It's refreshing to hear one of our older supporters talk in such terms

Make that 2999-3999 memberships.

It is a worry. There's no hiding from the slump in comparative figures. There may be an innocuous explanation which will correct itself, but ding has fronted up and given his personal reasoning, which whether anyone agrees with it not, fits within the narrative of greatest concern - members are especially angry with the club this year over a combination of (late or post-season) factors and are prepared to bite off their noses (for the time being at least). Acknowledging such an occurrence isn't a criticism of the club - they would have had a pretty good idea of the impact in moving on Jack - but also would have weighed it up as a one-step-back-two-steps-forward overall strategic approach. Sustained on-field success is the only reliable tonic, and we have everyone at the club now driving toward this result. It may be the membership recession we had to have. Here's hoping some of the anger will subside soon after the boys strap on the boots for pre-season training - boys including Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver, Jesse Hogan, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw, Jayden Hunt, Christian Salem, and, drum roll, Jake Lever, and that chaps like ding will get back on board - but here's hoping more so that we finally win a bloody flag and don't have to concern ourselves anymore with supporters being in a huff.

This is a cool post. I wish I had posted it.

Straight to the wing at Casey will suffice. My point was more that there doesn't seem to be too many wing specialists to come out of junior-age level. Curious why.

I'm all ears.

Once again I'm sold on your say-so. Can we send him straight to the wing though? We're always looking to push someone to the wing. Are there no wingers at underage level?

Why's that?

I so desperately want this player - who I've never seen and know practically nothing about - that even this existence of this thread is making me anxious, as if the NMFC recruiters might hear of this bloke on Demonland and swoop in before us.