whatwhat say what

Everyone seems to be variations on a theme - H and Garlett definite ins, Frost likely (Roos' history is that you don't recruit a player from another club without playing them), and a combination of draftees from the last several years and potentially this year making up flank or bench positions. Personally I'm hoping that Brayshaw can come in and play a role as a midfield rotation pretty much instantaneously - same goes for Petracca if he slides to us. At this stage, as they're undrafted, a bit hard to include them! We are super light on for midfield rotations. Viney can play forward and through the midfield as the 5/6 pushing up into the middle, with H playing the 7 defensively from the wing. Garlett, Salem, Kent and I think Michie will all need to rotate through. I'm also of the opinion that Howe will probably remain a defender - he's just about our best kick coming out of the back 50. It's super hard to squeeze him in there alongside trio of talls, and the addition of Lumumba, but I suspect might be used as a wingman pushing back as a defensive 7, Grimes and Garland. Col is an interesting one coming into the final year of his contract after which I believe he's an UFA. Surely we can't lose another defender at the end of 2015, can we?? Given that Dawes is out round 1, he or Howe might play forward initially, while Pedersen is the obvious 'in' there to fulfil a role. There's certainly going to be quite a bit of pressure on Hogan to step up immediately as a leading forward. I know we say it every year, but we desperately need Watts to play to his potential on a consistent basis. B: Jetta - Dunn - Frost HB: Grimes - McDonald - Howe C: Lumumba - N Jones - Cross HF: Watts - Hogan - Viney F: Gawn - Dawes - Garlett Foll: Jamar - Tyson - Vince I/c: Salem - Michie - Garland Sub: Kent Emerg: Pedersen - Kennedy-Harris - Riley

Morton wasn't left field. At the time he was considered right up there as top of his draft class. Due to a variety of factors it just didn't work out that way.

I think we should be factoring in the likelihood of Freo throwing massive coin Hogan's way when he's next out of contract. It's why we need to commit to a big to go with a mid if Petracca slides. If he doesn't, like most I'd love Petracca and Brayshaw. The other thing to factor in is that in all likelihood we are going to be bottom few again in 2015 and they say next year's draft class is strong for mids but weak for key position types.

Beaten to the post to tip us as last! 18th - 75.9

what a bummer, was hoping he'd be there to help develop the mids for the same tenure as roos.

Sign Jones and Garland, pinch Treloar and Shiel.

He has been talked about as a top 3 pick along with Wright and Petracca for about 12 months. Brayshaw has only come up into that upper bracket in the last 6 or so months, while the likes of Durdin and Goddard have slid big time. If it's not Petracca and Brayshaw, it would make the most sense - in terms of where players are rated over a long period of time - for it to be one of Wright or McCartin. Wright is my personal preference, but either way we should be getting a very highly rated big man.

Unlikely that Maynard will be available. Harrison Wigg would be a fantastic pick up, and he might slide.

Fantastic stuff, thanks.

If Petracca has gone, I expect it'll be Brayshaw and Wright. Cal Twomey on afl site is still of the opinion that Wright could go #1.

Also, Saints had indicated that if we didn't trade they would get Membrey as a delisted free, then use PSD #1 on Frost.

I did like Mahoney's call that getting Stretch for 42 enables us to utilise 23 for Frost, 40 and 53. Otherwise it could have been Stretch for 23, Frost for 42, and no further pick til much later in the draft.

Wright is a lovely kick from what I've seen. McCartin is probably more aggressive by nature, but I think Wright has some plusses too. Either way, it's likely we'll pick up two blokes who are very highly rated. Even down to including picks 40 and 53 it's not who you draft but how they develop.

Laverde could be the surprise at 3. We'll know in about 45 days I guess!

so no offers for picks 2 and 3. wow.

it's actually frost, 40 and 53 for pick 23. that's....nope, still overs.

We shall see whether that's true or not. There's class to be plucked at 2 and 3 - be it two midfielders (of Brayshaw, Petracca or Laverde) or grab a key position player (Wright or McCartin) - we're hopefully setting ourselves up with class. Just gotta develop em into afl players!

There's no guarantee until 2pm today as to how it's going to play out. So far I'd describe it as astute recruiting. So far we've added Lumumba - our immediate most experienced and best attacking defender / wingman - for nothing as Clark was off our books and not part of our total player payments in 2015. Garlett should be best 22, but he's speculative- however, he was added for a fourth round draft pick. Nothing of major value lost and hopefully an immediate best 22 player in. Stretch continues a family lineage for a third rounder - and don't forget he was all Australian and tested very well in the combine. I know Mahoney and Frost's manager says we are working hard to facilitate a trade for him - but I hope not too hard, and he slides to PSD or as a delisted free agency pick up, so again something for nothing and addressing an immediate need of covering the loss of a swingman key position player as a direct replacement for Chip. We've tried for other trades and failed. We must keep working to get better as a club so that this time next year we are a preferred destination and can land a free agent like Dangerfield. Huge challenge to do so, but you gotta try! Methinks Adelaide might regret not trying to trade him out for picks 2 and 3 in 2014.

you'd presume so. otherwise, they have no talls. he's actually their third most experienced! scary. they can add a mid at 21.

ultimately, we got something when we gave up nothing. wish we'd got greenwood.

pies have done okay. brisbane still ahead.

I can't understand Hallahan wanting to go to gc17. He won't be in their first, second or third midfield rotation.

ol' boy chook mclean has been cut adrift by carlton. god football turns quickly. amazing to think that not too long ago - seven seasons? - he was being touted as the next melbourne captain.

players are commodities. i think it was neil balme who called them as such last week on trade radio. football is not only a business, it's a big business, and ideally the clubs are in the business of winning - it's just a matter of actually being able to win that's the tricky bit for teams such as ours.

Kennedy is a super player. Would do 2 and 3 for him, but 2, 3 and 23 seems a bit much unless there's something else included. Would obviously prefer it was 3 and 23! As a matter of interest, where other than Demonland has this rumour come from?