Deelectable

Have no idea why the wrist slashing from some on here. A superb performance from an incredibly undermanned team against a now top 2 team who trounced the ladder leaders by 20 goals last week. If someone said to you at the start of the season May, Brayshaw, Smith, Bowey, Petracca, Spargo, Hunter and a massively underdone and injured Oliver we're going to be missing we'd settle for a competitive 8+ goal defeat. The team we're brave and unlucky. Add the fact that a narrow loss is more than creditable and with the Suns winning we go 12th and will probably stay there I'm rapt. Don't like losing but this is different. Praying we rest some guns for the next two weeks and see ehat Jefferson has got. We are not the spent force like many suggest. So like forward to to draft and trade period and an early return to the track after a well rested off season.

Based on that alone simply cannot give our first pick for him. This draft is jam packed with gun midfielders. Cal Twomey saying that any of them could be considered puck one. Lunacy to give that up for a half back. Yes, his kicking us elite but we have viable options there already. I will totally lose faith in our recruitment department if we cave on thus one. Having said that not sure how the deal gets done if we're hellbent.

Really sick and tired with all and sundry, commentators included, slagging the champion that is Clayton Oliver. Issues well documented and 14 pins in his hand and still our highest possession gatherer for the season. He'll be back bigger and better than ever. Champions are rare. Give him the respect he deserves.

Direct swap for LDU and I'm down for it.😉

Barely VFL standard.

Very happy to take your money re no goals. His intensity at VFL level has come in leaps and bounds. Really hoping to see him in the last two weeks of the season.

No Demon media vision announcing Jefferson's debut as yet. Seems unlikely. Disappointing. Seems ridiculous to follow the JVR model. We were in the finals battle and the not the right time time for him. We are out of contention now.

Is this an AFL thread?

I would rather go to the draft and get the best midfielder.

Why not see what he's got? Imagine if he explodes onto the scene and kicks a bag in 3 games!! Wouldn't that then change our recruitment strategy/ thoughts? eg Jake Waterman. Agreed, small sample size but we have unearthed another key forward it could be a game changer.

Perfect time to play him. May out. Petty down back. No Casey game. Have a feeling it won't happen. Hope I'm wrong.

Yes,too many talls. Back up ruck is a must but we need midfielders, midfielders, midfielders!!

The last time we missed finals was 2020. Early finish to the season, early restart to pre season. We all know what happened in 2021. Same scenario this year. Same outcome next year.👌

It would be great to see Jack not play again this season!

Really hope you're right about the compo the Saints will receive for Josh Battle. He's certainly out the door after that performance. Don't want to be shunted back a spot in the draft.

Everything needs to go well for most teams in the comp to make the top 4. 2024 has been our 'Annus Horribillus'. Not much more could have gone wrong. You need luck in this topsy turvy comp. October trade and draft period is crucial. Get it right with a longer break, earlier pre season and good fortune with injury and I'm bullish. Heard Hodge and Del Santo completely writing us off for 2025. Not me!

Is it Retro Round or Clash Strip Round? Seriously! Firstly our game, then last night and now this. Virtually impossible to differentiate. AFL just about the only sporting organisation in the world that would allow this to happen. Unfathomable.

Very sound reasoning. Rest them all. Unlikely I know but why not? Results matter little. Don't want blow-outs I guess but so be it. The benefits of an extended break, draft pick, fixture etc far outweigh anything that will happen in the next few weeks. Out- Gawn, May, Oliver, Viney. In : Jefferson, Verrall, Laurie and Hunter for his 200th.

Assuming no long term I'll affects May's injury is a blessing. Some were happy to go to at least week one of the finals. His body is battered and rising 33. He now gets a minimum extra 5 weeks break. Surely Viney gets a break also. Makes no sense to play him with a bung shoulder. Send him for surgery if required. Same with Clarry and his hand. Rest all veterans.

Pies won't make the finals.

Interesting. If the Dee's were playing like the Swans tonight and recent weeks there would be calls for Longmire's head. Only missing Papley and Rampe. Nowhere near the problems we've had but are playing really poorly. Sure, they're on top but have had an absolute dream run. We have had completely the opposite. That's how close it is. If we get it right in the off season in all aspects we're right in it in 2025.

McAdam looks a bust but I haven't given up on him completely. Had no pre season. In the unlikely event he stays injury free he does have talent. Same can't be said for Fullarton and Billings.

Fullarton is on a 2 year contract.🙄So is Billings.🙄

Good to hear. With the exception of Ashcroft to the Lions and possibly Lombard to the Suns we're looking at a top 8 selection at least. Plethora of quality mids available is exciting. Most interesting off season ahead with seemingly a mass exodus of our players. Brown, Schache, Hunter, Tomlinson, Melksham, TMac, Sestan , Brayshaw and Smith all likely off the list. Unfortunately we're saddled with Billings and Fullarton. Very interesting October ahead.

Oh,of course. Thank you. So it's just Josh Battle to be concerned about unless of course we finish lower than StKilda.