CHF

Tom

I am hearing that the rest of the trade period is starting to come into focus for the MFC now that there has been more detailed discussion on a number of situations involving players. I understand that we have a bit more clarity on what might be on offer for both Hannan and Preuss and that marks a way ahead for us on a couple of other deals. I hear we are looking more closely at Phillips.

I reiterate... Only whispers but I understand that these two plus swap of picks to move up the draft.

I mentioned a couple of days ago and the whispers will not go away. TMac/AVB package to GWS. Not really solid info.

From what I am hearing, I don't expect much to be moving on trades for the MFC until there is a bit more clarity with regards to the Big Macs possibilities and what might eventuate with Preuss. I believe that we have looked at Treloar and it is all a bit messy between him and The Filth. Not sure when/how that will all play out.

If 10 people say that they are 90% certain something will happen, does that make it 900% certain to happen? if so, I just need to find 9 mates.

Sorry. The club I heard involved was GWS

I have heard whispers of a possible trade. Nothing confirmed ( a long way from it) and information is very thin. I did hear it from two different people. TMac/VdB packaged with a 2nd round (this year or next) for their first round 2020. No idea where this originated.

Nah.... 9 times out of 10, given the present situation, a deal would get done. So, 90% confidence.

I believe that, unless there is a very big u-turn by him or us, Brown will be a Dee next year. 90/10 rating.

As I understand the way it has evolved, The MFC have been talking with Smith off and on for some time with a view to looking at getting him in the door at this time. Talking progressed to negotiations and an outline of a deal had generally been agreed. It is on the table but as the discussion progressed other opportunities in the market opened up as teams began to finish their seasons and player/club positions gained a bit more clarity. I do not think the MFC want to, at this stage add any sweetener to the pot for Smith. the market has also changed for Smith with Geelong looking hard at framing a deal and Hawthorn also wanting to do the best to retain him. The market for both parties has evolved and it is not finished. I did hear a couple of player names, Phillips being one, But I do not want to name them at the moment as the information was flimsy at best, and I have seen the beating the Doc is taking and, to be honest, I do not have the time or the inclination to defend myself every other post.

These things are always very fluid at this time of year with a lot of variables and different influences. A week ago the information I had was that there was a better than 80/20 chance that Smith would become a Demon. The last I heard on it earlier in the week was that it was back to 50/50 because of two factors. One was the entrance of Geelong into the equation and the other was from the MFC side with other opportunities and possibilities opening up. I understand the deal is still on the table and that from MFC side, it is the final iteration. Personally, I do not see value for money in a deal for Smith at this stage of hie career given our list at the moment..

Bing, That may not be the final situation, there is a lot of water to flow under the bridge before it becomes clear.

I heard nothing on Hind. Regards Phillips - I believe we have spoken to him and I have no idea of the situation except that he is well regarded .

As I said, nothing to back it up. Just a hunch based on past performances.

From what was related to me, the change in coaching at Norf has had an impact in Brown's decision making timeline.

So? It was obviously a very quick exhaustive process.

I have a couple of friends that are close to the admin at the club and in the past I have heard some of the names that are being looked at and chatted to. This year it has been very quiet and there has not been much information to pass on. Everything I have heard is really in the public domain. Preuss and Hannan moving out are deals that MFC believe will be relatively easy to sort out and, as I understand it, will be simple deals standing alone. I have heard that we are into Brown big time but that the situation at Norf has muddied the waters. 60/40 that we get him is what I have been told. Phillips ahead of Isaac Smith is our preference, But a hard hand to pay to ensure we do not miss out on both. Big Macs on the table and not a lot of interest. Oliver is not going anywhere and nor is Brayshaw is what I have been told. As I said, really only what is out there in public. Nothing to back this up but I think there might be a surprise for the MFC with a relatively well known player wanting to come in the door. As I said, I have heard no whispers on this but over the last couple of years we have had some long term nurturing of opposition players pay off for uou and I would be surprised if we have not done a similar thing looking at this year. I hope so.

Out of interest, who would be your preference out of Cameron, Brown and Wright?

I think that this is very good news for the team. Viney is a tough player that needs to refine his skills and work on his delivery and not getting caught with the ball. I consider him to be limited by these two elements of his game. However, he is an essential part of the team make-up and brings an edge of aggression that we need. Viney, Petracca, Oliver and Brayshaw will be the core of our midfield for the next few seasons. I do not see them trading Brayshaw.

Very pleased with these signings particularly, with the signing of Petty. I liked what I saw of him in the few games he played. Has a bit about him that seemed to get into the oppositions heads. Will be interested to watch his progress and to see where he ends up playing. Sparrow has a good set of players along side him in the midfield to learn from.

I think that to improve in comparison to the other teams it will always be a combination of upgrading the list and also internal improvement. Last year we brought in Langdon and Tomlinson at the trade table and Pickett, Jackson and Rivers via the draft and all 5, even the first year players, I believe improved the team. Individual player improvement from 2019 showed with Petracca and May having top years, Lever, Hibberd and Weideman improving on last years performance and Gawn maintaining his usual high standards. Some went backwards due to age and/or injuries. Players like Jones and Jetta I do not believe will be any better next year and both dropped off in form and performance this season. T Mac followed on from last season with a very poor season and I do not see much improvement next year. I was encouraged by the performance of Baker in the last few games as I was with Hunt. These are the players I see as having the capacity to improve. Oliver - with Petracca stepping up his quality this season I think that it may free up Oliver to be a bit more creative out of the stoppages, It is going to be difficult for opposition teams to shut down both. Viney - At the moment he just gets caught too often with the ball. not sure you can train 'vision' into a player but if that is not possible he needs move the ball on quickly and that means support. Brayshaw - To me his lack of top speed is mitigated by the way he finds position and seems to have time and space to use the ball. He needs to be fit and confident. Harmes - get him back to a run with role and set him free. Weideman - Honestly, I have him in the 'not sure' basket. He could be better than he was this season but I am not sure if he is going to improve through a maturing body, a better structured and supporting forward set up or getting a good dose of confidence. Maybe all three. Fristch - he looks to have all the tools but I am not sure that the tools are sharp enough. Another pre-season, a lot of kicking practice and someone to tel him about tackling. Young players like Jackson, Rivers, Sparrow and Pickett will be better after another per-season and some coaching. Another area of improvement is in the overall team performance. I believe that we were fitter this year and with another year of well structured training I think we can have even better fitness levels next year. With that should come some improved decision making deeper into games. The last area I can see internal improvement is in the coaching and tactical areas. We need to get our structures right at stoppages and center bounces and we need a good, simple effective forward structure with some built in game day restructures (plan B, C, D.....etc) as required. Not all of the players listed above will improve and some will go backwards.

What I have a problem understanding is that if the opposition can work out how to rove to max, why can't we work it out? To me, this really is a major weakness.

We have three players in the AA squad; Gawn, Petracca and Oliver who would be the min three of the four at center bounces and at stoppages and yet we are ranked 15th for clearances. Ranked 12th at center bounces and 16th at stoppages. How can this be so when we have max in the center and we are ranked 3rd for hit outs? Whoever is in charge of Midfield coaching is either not doing his job, the players are not doing what they are coached to do or we are just too damn predictable. Each game this season I was so annoyed that we we not doing better with clearances. How do we fix it?

Agree with that! Where are our goals going to come from?