Redleg

You obviously missed the words after "better" which were "atm." I have no doubt Sparrow and JJ will be "better" than Dunstan at some point in the future.

Apparently their list managers have been having long lunches with Dodoro and he has rubbed off on them. According to Sam Edmund, Clark and List Manager Wells at Geelong just had a heated phone conversation and in the end Clark hung up on him. It is really rich to demand pick 19 for a player you don't play in your side most weeks, after several years with your club and especially as you have been offered pick 22. Some clubs are creating trouble for themselves in this trade period. I note that our policy has been to pay a fair price to get a deal done, as it will come back to help next time. Some clubs are creating trading enemies over their "must win every trade" philosophy. Players and managers are watching this happen with great interest.

The way I look at the Dunstan pick up is, who would be the next mid into the side, after the 23 in the GF. I can't think of anyone of note and Dunstan is arguably better atm than Sparrow and JJ, who we all rate and who were in the 23. Additionally he came as a FA, costing us no picks. That is great recruiting.

We certainly need another ruck.

I seem to be on my own on recruiting Brander, who we would get for basically nothing. He would come at a low salary and for probably as low a pick as there is. His manager is suggesting he might become a DFA and that is a free swing. Seems like the other clubs don't rate him. I would rather him than M. Brown or Baker for that matter but that bird has flown.

Pies did well getting Lipinski for 43. Wonder why the Dogs agreed to that.

Yes. Given the crap I copped in the 2nd final in 18 from Hawks supporters, I am happy to see them destabilize.

1

No you only get points on the spots or picks you actually have. Otherwise the points are meaningless.

Looking at club lists yesterday and I think we are the club with the least ruck options after our main 2. We don’t have another player over 198 except BB, who is a forward, not a ruckman. Daw our back up, is 195 and will be 31. I am still surprised they let Bradtke go this year. Most clubs have 4-5 200cm players who can ruck. Also we were the worst disposal efficiency club in the AFL this year. That is an interesting stat for the Premier, as normally you would think the Premier club has pretty clean ball use.

I really hope Clarry wins the B & F.

And Lobb coming, who can also play forward with Jesse, Himmelberg and Riccardi.

We will know with Mac in a few weeks where he is taken in the draft. I am with WJ in a very, very small minority, who think he will get past top 10 and maybe even top 20. You are with the majority, including the draft experts, who think he is now top 10 and maybe even top 5. We will find out soon enough. BTW, I hope WJ and I are right for obvious reasons and nothing to do with bragging rights.

Brody Grundy, who was 10 times the footballer mac is now, when he was drafted, went at 19. Luke Jackson also was a far better player than Mac is now, when he was drafted. Mac weighs 70 kgs and was 13th in the B & F at his club. Mac may or may not become a good AFL player, but he is a risk IMO, with a top pick, as those players are expected to play early. I am not sure "all the talk" is actually accurate, or mischievous.

I wouldn't be shocked if Mac was there at our pick 17 and we bypassed him. Maybe even getting him after 20.

I would. Don't need or want them.

That is a very good question. Given their recent high priced acquisitions and their already highly paid players, it is difficult to understand how they are fitting in so many more not cheaply paid player. Maybe a lot of new employees/consultants at Visy, who are related to Carlton players.

it suggests that their plan is in place, whatever it is.

I think your first line is a bit harsh Picket, especially given the post above this one. I think he went with them simply because we couldn't get a deal done.

Unless I have miscalculated, we have 2 picks atm, with Hore and Declase unsigned, meaning maybe 2 more spots if they are not kept. I think we are waiting to see if Melk gets a gig somewhere else. If we are using 17 this year and hopeful of getting Mac after 20, Woey Junior and Moniz-Wakefield, we will need 4 spots.

I wonder if there is anyone who we drafted at pick 1 years ago, who did the dirty on us and never won a flag at his next two clubs, who is thinking "what if". Karma indeed.

Agree. He is the one that could be very handy for us, at a cheap pick. I posted as much a while ago and at 22 and 195cms he is the right age and versatile.

Froggy open the doors and windows and let it blast.

Agree. We are really lucky to have JT and his team, because there are better players coming through, that will not necessarily be high draft picks, who will be better than many of the players currently changing clubs. Good development and shrewd drafting are the foundation of future success and we are now good in both those areas. Given we have a good young list, we can cherry pick a player or two and otherwise draft for the future. That is why a Mac Andrew is less of a risk for us, than other clubs using a high draft pick, as he will not be an instant AFL player. Clubs below us want an instant return, whereas we can take some time to develop players to replenish the list as our current list is a young one that has proved itself.

Carlton looms as one potential candidate for Lewis Young as it searches for key position depth. The Blues have also been linked to a possible play for West Coast's Jarrod Brander. With Cerra and Hewitt, it looks like Carlton will get every player changing clubs in the AFL.