hells bells

Adelaide and WCE raised the money and purchased the AFL license. They were set up from a groundswell of support in SA and WA. If these teams failed it was on the people running the clubs, but they were never going to fail because they had such strong backing, supporters, sponsors, etc. The AFL granted themselves the licences for GC and GWS. If these clubs fail it is their own money badly invested. That's why they must succeed, to the detriment of all other clubs.

They haven't really lost decent talent, they have just moved it into the next draft. Treloar, Boyd, etc, they got high picks in for those players. They have played the hand they were dealt beautifully. I think better and more cunningly than the AFL envisaged. The genie is out of the bottle and there's not much now 17 other clubs can do.

I think the Hawks are rolling the dice. Mitchell is/will be a good player. Jaeger could be a star, may be finished already. Tyrone is a solid player but he isn't nor will he ever be Roughy. They already look slow IMO. Lewis, Hodge, Sam Mitchell, are going around next year but we've seen with North how quickly things can change. Like them or hate them these players are champions of the game and they won't be replaced by those currently on the list or those they are trying to pick up this year. I think the doggies will roll them this week. If not I can't see them beating GWS who I think the Hawks fear.

They were given much more than the GC. From memory GC had access to 1 year at the draft, GWS were given 2. No doubt GWS have played it very smart, but they weren't the same concessions.

I read that they have 3 first round picks again this year. Plus something for Marchbank and McCarthy. The concessions they received were ridiculous and we are now seeing the results.

How impressive is Brendan McCartney. I think his impact on the group can't be underestimated.

Can you explain what this meant? I seem to have missed something... ?

afl.com.au article stating that we are looking at bringing in another developing ruckman. Not sure what impact it has on the two Kings, in particular Max.

May say more about the chances of Roughy coming back.

Port can pay part of his contract.

I had this impression too, but I see he played 22 games in 2013, 2014 and 2015 which is pretty reliable. He missed 7 games this year.

Good point. Forgot about that

Straight swap for Grimes?

I have similar thoughts on him. My concerns would be related to work rate and attitude as they are the only things I can see that would be keeping him out of the Tigers side.

Wing

You know when Watts gets the ball at Half Forward it will more often than not hit the next target. Salem will be another like that off Half Forward. Hibberd, Melksham and Jetta off Half Back. Bernie becomes a role player/tagger. Thats how I see next year.

I'd like to see him given the Dean Kent role. Similar physical attributes but a better decision maker and user IMO.

Of all the rubbish at Richmond he'd be the only one I'd look at seriously. But as others have said I think he'd be too expensive.

I felt sick even opening this thread.

There were 2-3 holding the ball decisions in our forward line in the 1st quarter that weren't paid. It's the 50:50 ones that [censored] me. Where one side seems to get them and the other doesn't. That the frustration. Blatant ones which are missed are obvious errors.

At the ground now. Very light drizzle

Thanks KC

Apparently Roosy prefers smart players. Tyrone is anything but by all reports.

KC is Joel Smith playing development league or seniors?

If Casey were struggling and there were no players pushing their case, then yes I'd agree that no changes would be the best result. The fact is there are 4-5 blokes absolutely tearing that competition apart trying to get into the AFL side. If the coaches think they would improve the Seniors by bringing someone in then the worst performing players are naturally the ones who are going to miss. I don't see why you'd be against this. We are all trying to see the team improve and give the best chance of winning.