Redleg

They could turn 1 into Curtin and 2 more high pick players, so that’s not bad and added a ruckman to replace the non playing Nic Nat and a talented forward in Brockman. That’s a good start.

If the player you get is a Bont, Selwood, Dusty type, who stays fit most of the time, it is understandable. My fear is that with all the eggs in one basket, if he is injury prone, or not as good as hoped, you have sacrificed so much. Anyway, as we say on here, in JT we trust.

Port needed rucks and key defenders and got 2 of each and lost Duursma who has been disappointing recently. Think they did really well.

So under your scenario, all the wheeling and dealing we have done is to get one player and it’s not Reid ( Duursma) most likely? That would be a lot of love for that player. I note your preference btw. I expect the 19th ( day before the draft ) and 20th of November 2023 to be interesting days for draft watchers.

With BBB, Tom Mac, Tomlinson and Melk likely to finish with us in 2024, we are probably banking another $2m in salary cap space.

The AFL has changed the rules on drafted players and they can be kept for 3 years, whereas JHF was on 2 years mandatory and he was causing problems, so North bit the bullett one year early.

Interesting comment from Ralphy, that the Saints would pay half of Billings' salary, presumably for the 2 years remaining on his contract. If the below quote is right we are only paying him about $250k a year for the next 2 years. "Now, you might say why would a club take Jack Billings? He’s on $500,000 a year over the next couple of years, he’s got two years remaining on his deal."

Lycett and other delisted rucks and State league rucks, will be around if we want to Rookie one, as further backup for a year or so for Max. I suppose it depends on where Verall is at and if he, Fullarton and Schache are sufficient, if Max is injured.

Assume that means they have a couple of picks at the end of the draft, if they have the spots.

Where is that coming from?

Well obviously those great picks 76 and 94 have made all the difference. Does Mackie feel like a winner now, imo he looks foolish.

To be fair, the umpires have stuffed up this rule. You don't get a head high when you duck, or cause it by lifting your arms, however a choke hold around the neck is a free and always has been. The above is a free every day of the week.

Billings is listed as 185 cms.

I can assure you we will not be building full training/admin facilities in the next 10 weeks.

Deal apparently agreed for F2 swaps and maybe some spice.

Yes it's the pick 6 exception rule.

But that could leave us with only 1-2 draft picks and Brown will be the last one, so only one other. We appear to need 2 more picks to use 6 and 11, unless I am miscalculating. LH where are you? I am confused.

Gil is gone.

Well if you got Billings, would you bite the bullett and try and trade Laurie. If not, we have one list spot for drafting, unless I have miscalculated. I am shocked he is 185 cms, I would have thought he looks about 178 cms on the ground. Just turned 28 so not old. Maybe if we get him for a late pick, or late future pick and his contract is not too high, he could be ok for us.

Not sure we even have a list spot and I would agree a no from me. I would rather give more game time to Woey and try Howes and even AMW.

Petty did throw in the line in one interview, that if he was happy he could extend at Melbourne, as he loves everything about the club, players, coaches etc.

There are probably bigger questions too, like lease or licence length, especially when you are spending a fortune to set it up. We would never own the land. Then how much of the area would we need and how often, more related to ovals etc. Plenty of things to sort out.

Our 11 and F1st pretty good for Cats and maybe even Giants for dropping back a few spots.

We are working through amber, but should be green soon. It is administered by a trust and community use is an indispensable factor.

You have talked me into Curtin. He really looks like Mr. Versatile. Mid, key position, flank. If we don't trade up for Reid, I would love to take Curtin and somehow trade up for O'Sullivan. I wonder what it would take to get GWS's 5 or Cat's 7. Our 11 and F1st. I would still even look at the Haynes GWS salary dump, if we could get their pick. We could then trade 11 for a F1 from someone.