Ron Burgundy

Traded him for pick 14, which we used on Jack Grimes. Probably the only trade we've nailed in the last 50 years.

Not trying to be too clever here WJ, but I don't reckon that game means anything anymore. At all. That we now have Roos at the helm. Well, I reckon that will prove to be an absolute game changer for this club - possibly the dawn of an era of finally being taken seriously.

Over the course of a season, increasing a team's inside 50 count by 12.3 entries a game would constitute a simply massive turnaround. I'm not saying it's not possible, or that we're incapable of doing it, but I don't think one can simply say, based on those stats, that 'we're not that far off'. We were less than one inside 50 entry a game above GWS last year who took the spoon - far closer to them than to every team that finished above us (ie, every other team in the competition).

The way you finished your last post was wholly unnecessary and immature. And offensive. It had absolutely nothing to do with any interrogation or assessment of the truth. And, for what it's worth, I absolutely share the sentiments of the majority on this thread. Neeld's appointment as head coach, in retrospect, was a woeful decision, but it arguably facilitated the genuinely exciting clean out and rebuild that we've just undergone, which looks to be a great thing. I otherwise wish Neeld and his family no ill will. He tried. Perhaps too hard. But quite clearly he just wasn't up to it.

Tres ordinaire post.

Some of you should consider the definition of myopic. Dead set - this now national competition would still be based in Melbourne and Geelong if some of you were bringing this ship into port. Decisions for the future need to be made ahead of time, not when it's too late. And that applies more broadly than to the AFL. As an aside, GWS has an absolute belter of a club song - hats off to the MFC supporter who apparently wrote it.

GWS was an absolute no brainer for the AFL. That Australia's most popular football code should have 2 teams in Sydney is beyond debate.

Tom Rockliff and Rory Sloane. The irony.

Whilst on the topic of MFC rejects, what's Barry Prendergast up to these days?

This too.

Thanks. Makes sense to me now.

I'd love to know why the club didn't seek to pick up Hunt in the rookie draft. On the basis of the reports I've read, it seems to me that he's unlikely to get a game in the seniors this year (ie, he's in a development phase), and it seems unlikely that any other club would've picked him in the national draft. In short, Hunt seems like an obvious rookie selection. I would've thought it would've made more sense to pick Harmes in the national draft and Hunt with the pick we used on Harmes in the rookie draft. Anyone able to shed any light on this?

Is Michie still eligible?

Totally agree. This forward line looks great, especially when you compare it to our forward line in 2011, which consisted of the likes of Rivers and Garland. A forward line which, for much of the season, was vaguely VFL standard. I reckon this forward line has the potential to be a really dangerous, effective forward line. Just need a good run on the injury front and a Blease, JKH, Byrnes or Barry to own the small forward position. Could be one of the better forward lines in the comp all things going to plan.

The reality is we got very lucky with Tom Scully. I understand that virtually every club (perhaps excluding Richmond and Sydney) had him at number one. That we picked him at number one was not negligent - not even remotely, unlike certain other of our selections in recent times. To date, he's not lived up to expectations. Yet, we got fantastic compensation for him. We literally got out of gaol on this one. That said, GWS reckon he's set for a very big 2014.

Every club in the competition would be happy to have Toumpas on their list. He was considered a steal at pick 4. And I expect by this time next year the doubters will start to see why. Quite simply, he has class.

Tom Scully wasn't GWS's first choice 'big name' signing. GWS approached plenty of other better players proposing massive uplifts to their existing contracts, and none agreed to leave their clubs. You can enter the names of pretty well every high profile midfielder in the slot when you ask 'well, who exactly?'. To say that all players make decisions based on money alone is plainly wrong.

Sylvia's a good player who would still be in our best 22. He left. Without landing Vince in return, I'd be mighty unhappy. That we landed Vince in return however makes me mighty happy. I'm really looking forward to seeing him running with the ball out of the centre square assessing whether to kick it to Clark, Hogan, Dawes or Howe. Or whether to take it himself and nail it from 55 metres out. On balance, a win for us. The bashing of Sylvia here is pathetic though. He's given us a lot more over the years than several other of our high draft picks.

Spending pick 21 on Vince was an absolute no brainer.

To be fair, I think it's a pretty good assessment of where we're at (ie, it's hard to know really - on paper, we've got a pretty good list and a proven coach - against that we're coming off only 2 wins and an astonishingly bad percentage). One take out for me is that we have added some really good players to the list and, Sylvia aside, we have also exited players who were no longer/never in our best 22. The list now seems to have a good overall balance to it - experience to inexperience, and mids to talls etc. Re-signing Watts, landing Vince, Cross, Michie and Tyson (and possibly Riley) all equal top work IMO. Not only do we now have an engine room, but it should also give us more effective half back and half forward lines given that players such as Grimes, who are not genuine mids, can now play roles to which they are more suited. In short, it was a really good trade/draft period for us. I'm quietly optimistic about 2014. And, for that, I thank Paul Roos and Peter Jackson.

Agree. I don't see Terlich as consistently being in our best 22 if some of the new recruits come on as intended/hoped in 2014.

Exactly.

He hasn't shown enough to date to suggest he'll ever be in our best 22. It seems to me he was originally recruited to be the third tall forward and perhaps also to assist with some forward 50 rucking duties (despite his height). BUT since that time Fitzpatrick has come on like a steam train and essentially owned this role. I just don't see where he can push for selection. Perhaps as a CHB in the mould of Craig Ellis (remember him).

Great reports. Thanks - much appreciated.

I also love whisky. Laphroaig.