Skuit

Now my turn for an admission. I have no idea about Brown's knee injury either and it's silly for us to take that path if there's any risk at all. I assume though that the MFC's medical team would be all over it before we went in that direction.

I'm confused. I know many of you have strong opinions but what is it about Carlton that gets players to the club? Simply $$$? Unbelievably, they've performed worse than us over the past decade or so. And why do we complain about salaries when they just dish out whatever to whoever? Have they backed themselves into a corner? Something seems off.

I disagree (and they're getting another NGA this year, right?). But I tend to see the good in people. Eddie was pretty magnanimous this year in some ways, and while baiting over the journey has been pretty good to our club. I doubt he would ever remotely support our extinction unlike Kennett - and I believe he would respect an equitable outcome as to NGA. As long as it's not a direct disadvantage or market challenge to the Pies.

Picket - I know you're happy enough being the class clown but I also know you're astute enough to already know the above without the backing of a VFL/AFL veteran. The only difference in my opinion is putting Oliver in a top-4 team to realise his potential. His potential will put us in the top-4. Trac didn't need to go to Richmond to step up and take responsibility.

I'm of the belief that Tomald has stunted Omac's development as both a footballer and human being. It's not a massive criticism as I would apply the same to me, constantly looking up to a much older brother. Also, I'm allowed to post irrational garbage occasionally if everyone else gets to.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet but I'm of the personal opinion that this is great news.

I respect you as a poster LH but I think this is complete fantasy-realm. I could obviously be wrong but the notion of TMac getting back to 2018 form seems so far removed from my expectations that it would be derelict of our club to even consider that might be happening and then plan around it as such. The ramifications are bigger if we don't cut our losses and address the issue now. What makes you think that TMac isn't completely broken? Had no agility to begin with and it's even worse now - with the added bonus of no confidence. We signed him when we should have. No one erred. But every club has to suck it up on certain players not performing within the cap. In my opinion, he was the single biggest factor in us missing the finals this year (from a personnel perspective). Ben Brown: yes, easily. For a second-rounder, I would be over the moon.

Love Bailey. He created enough opportunities vs Essendon that he could have easily kicked 7 or 8 (a couple of close missed marks on the goal-line, a couple hand-offs, and some poor shots on goal), but there's not many players in the AFL you can say that about. I'm pretty confident he will come back from the yips. Add an extra key forward to the mix and he slides down a spot in terms of defenders - such a difficult match-up. Would hate to play against him. Happiest signing since Trac for me.

I know, and I agree, but outside of commercial interests we do still run the fairest elite competition in the world and I believe everyone involved accepts that it's an important and fundamental principle of the AFL. I'm not automatically anti-AFL HQ, so I believe that if we presented the case on evening up NGA concessions into the future then the league would listen. But the case needs to be forwarded. Those clubs arguing against such an ideal would be exposed pretty quickly, and as such I think for the most part wouldn't protest.

Thanks for the chuckle AmDam. Much appreciated.

Offer de Goey the world (I haven't been paying attention to his criminal charges so there's obviously that to consider). Worst off: the Pies have an extra cap-squeeze and we can maybe pry a Daicos or Mihoceck loose, or: we have Trac and Jordan in a single team which I don't think has ever happened in the history of football as to two top-five game-breakers.

Hey KLV. I don't want to be an annoying optimist but it rained in Darwin this morning and the frogs are chirping. Life will go on whatever may come. Whisky at lunch while working from home is also fun.

Clarry demonstrated his ability at times this year to rectify some of his short-comings (he is capable across the board). It came on the back of a lot of external criticism, but was obviously addressed internally, i.e. the coaches put it on him (in particular to drive out of contests) and he responded. We all know he still has a ceiling well beyond what he's currently producing, which is already extraordinary in itself for a 23 y/o. Goody described him as the hardest-working player on our list: I would be gobsmacked if there were any tensions between Clarry and coach, as everything else suggests there's been a great working relationship since day one. One of the most underappreciated players in the AFL, but I'm certain our club doesn't feel that way even if they apply especially hard expectations. Right now, absolutely first-picked in my team.

I've been reflecting of the proposed phase out of NGA picks in the first and second rounds and although I agree I feel rather aggrieved. One of the best aspects of our sport is the view to equality (as best as is possible in a commercial market) but the NGA was a total crap-shoot. In such an even competition with slight margins of advantage, some teams will massively benefit from a couple years of the programme while others - like us - completely miss out. I still support father-sons as I appreciate the romanticism unique to Australian football, but the NGA stuff is just freebies. I feel that our club should lobby for an alternative phase-out, where the draft-point concessions already given to the clubs which have benefitted apply to other clubs until the cookies are exhausted.

I'm not sure if I've ever uttered a statement as ridiculous as this (and I don't give any weight to these rumours), but if Oliver leaves the club they can factor me into the trade negotiations as well. It would be devastating to both my dwindling care about the MFC and football in general. Choo-choo-choose us Clarry.

Always loved Adem. One of my all-time favourite players. But I missed a bunch of football in the mid-2000s. Curious what prompted his move to the forward-line and if it was accepted by the supporter-base at the time and ultimately considered successful?

Crows attempting to poach Darren Burgess. Can we change the thread title please?

Jurrah snr. kicks his third of the first quarter.

He'd only be barely a teenager from memory.

A certain kid by the name of Ivan Jurrah is currently roving goals and flying for hangers . . .

Excited to head along to Traeger today to cheer on Santa Teresa in the Central Dessert Regional Council Division grand final. If you're missing footy this weekend you can catch a live-stream here, with the under 18s decider already underway: Further info here: https://www.aflnt.com.au/news/2020/family-friends-and-freakishly-good-footballers-to-finish-the-2020-tio-cafl-season?fbclid=IwAR2BvoFCSX1QgwijcSbqItvknrpo3VNogrgFN0J8yks29Sjb6PaklgC31Eo

Or don't overthink it. If we can't accommodate the game's most consistent goal-kicker over the past few years (legit reasons for the slump this year) then we may as well shut up shop. On the market for cheap in terms of trade cookies, late starter, will release Fritsch and co. to do things you don't think Brown can do. I'll say one thing: while we are a serious offender (albeit improved this year), just about every fan laments their club's inability to hit up targets and the bombing it long. You think North had sublime delivery skills all the years Brown was kicking bags? Straightening a team up is a fairly common phrase for a reason. Brown will be our TMac of 2018. Presents on the lead and opens up the angles and further options. You don't ambivilate when a KPF of Brown's quality is on the market for cheap.

One-trick pony. No thanks. All he can do is consistently kick lots of goals.

What a silly way to present the stats.

Had a demonstrably [censored] draw compared to other teams around our mark. Complained about the usual stuff but also addressed some things. Remember when we all hated five defenders going up for the spoil together? And when we just endlessly bombed it long into our forward line? Don't think I've heard one complaint about either of those issues yesterday. Simon never tries anything. Well actually he does and you complain about that too. We're in a good place right now and any rattling will be detrimental to our progress. I'll spell it out one more time. These are our players between 90 and 130 games: Viney Gawn Salem Petracca Oliver Brayshaw Lever Bennell Harmes Langdon Add in May (130+) and Fritsch and Hunt and Weid on between 40 and 70 games and then Rivers, Koz and Jackson and this is close to the best first 18 talent-wise ever assembled in the AFL. I'm serious. Give it one or two more years and we should own the league for the following five or more. Baker has played 11 games. Hunt kicked four yesterday. Preuss can step in when needed. We have decent depth and will add to that over the off-season, like we did last year in identifying our weaknesses and picking up Langdon and drafting Pickett. Saad will be first18 as well, and our senior dead-wood will be gone. Top four next year and I won't shy away from that call. Trac and Oliver will run the game. Two out and out stars of our sport, fed by the league's best ever ruckman. Fritsch neds to fix his yips (could have kicked seven by my count yesterday) and Weid needs to perform, but otherwise we need another KPF and then go. Sack Goodwin or Mahoney and all this unravels.