whatwhat say what

Not looking at key players, but from the interstate clubs, here’s some names to think about. From the Crows: With Walker their key forward and Lewis Johnston a young SA boy, Josh Jenkins and Luke Thompson would be nice to bring back to Victoria. Can’t see the former leaving however – he and Walker should be their key players up forward. The Crouch brothers would be unreal, but extremely unlikely. Sam Kerridge is the epitome of a big-bodied mid, but he’s also their #1 tagger in 2014. Jarryd Lyons seems to be on the outs. Wouldn’t go near McKernan, but Sam Shaw would be okay for a later pick. From Brisbane: Jordan Lisle can play forward and back as a KPP, while Ryan Lester is the sort of prototypical big-bodied midfielder that we seem to be keen to bring into the club. Brisbane are like us a few years ago – lots of senior bodies, lots of kids, and not much in-between. If they lose more players at the end of this year due to mass walk-outs they’re in for a world of pain. From Fremantle: Tom Sheridan and Hayden Crozier are two of their 22-26 list players, and like Michie last year might look for more opportunities at a club back in Victoria. They’ve been subs a lot. One of Zac Clarke / Jack Hannath / Jon Griffin might look for an opportunity to play elsewhere. Lachie Neale is a pocket dynamo, but I can see him back at the Crows rather than heading to Victoria. Matt Taberner and Tanner Smith might be looking for greater opportunities. From GC17: Tim Sumner fits the prototype, but hasn’t shown the athletic capability to run through the middle of the park. Daniel Gorringe can’t get a look in as a ruckman; I expect him to head to the Crows. I don’t know why Jesse Lonergan hasn’t played a game this year (injured?), but his form for Tasmania two years back was terrifically exciting – he’s very strong and hard at the contest. The Suns have to start to trim their list to meet list requirements, but there’s enough fat on it that other clubs might not want to touch. From GWS: We’d all love Dylan Shiel, but it’s going to be tough to prise him free. The one advantage is that the likes of Coniglio, Greene, Smith, Treloar and some bloke who doesn’t warrant it based upon performance per $$ are all way ahead of him in the pecking order of midfielders. Will Hoskin-Elliott is super-quick, but very up and down in terms of his application – reminds of a taller Blease. Adam Tomlinson or Kristian Jaksch would be handy as versatile KPP options to bring in. Matt Buntine and Jono O’Rourke were perhaps surprise top 5 picks, and are a long way from establishing themselves. Would have either of them at the Dees as they’d add to depth, and I think O’Rourke will eventually be a very good player. He ain’t no Macrae tho. From Port: Andrew Moore has been tearing it up in the SANFL but cannot break into the Power midfield. I remember him being very loose defensively, but it’s two years since I was close to the Power boys. He grew up a Demon supporter too, even tho he was the bloke who broke Blease’s leg in the school playground. John Butcher is a big risk but a potentially big reward. Cam O’Shea is a perfect third tall, he’s like Rivers reincarnate, but can’t get an ‘in’ in a tight defensive back six at Alberton, and would slot straight into our backline. Jarrad Redden has had a rotten run with injuries, but is a big unit and a big talent; he was rated as a better talent than the Lobster, and might be looking for a change of scenery. Ben Newton is a WA boy, but is a ball magnet just getting over a raft of injuries. Aaron Young has been used as a sub a lot, but has pace and guts. From Sydney: Tim Membrey is a KPP in a midfielder’s body; I have no idea whether he can become a strong inside mid or not – Cameron Ling did. I don’t believe Ryan O’Keefe will be able to go around again as a delisted free agent, as much as his pride might want him to do so. I’ve always rated Craig Bird, and he can’t get a look in as a starting mid for the Swans but he’d be a walk-up start at the Dees. Gary Rohan’s leg seems to be holding together, but his confidence seems shot – a change of scenery might do him the world of good? Would love to get Sam Reid or Luke Parker or both. Dan Hanneberry too. The Swans aren’t going to be under as much salary cap pressure as you might think as the likes of O’Keefe, Goodes, Richards, and Shaw will not play forever, so enticing players to leave is going to be harder than it would seem due to the Franklin / Tippett mega-salaries. From Meth Coke: Mitch Brown is talked of returning to Victoria every time he’s out of contract. Unlikely now, given he and McKenzie are their key defenders with Glass likely to retire at the end of the year. Andrew Gaff and Luke Shuey would be brilliant additions. Ashley Smith seems to be out of favour as a running defender. Matt Rosa as we know is an unrestricted free agent – but I can’t really see him picking the Dees as his club of choice. Scott Lycett would be very handy – again, another SA-born ruckman I’d expect the Crows (or the Power) to target. Some bloke called Nic Naitanui wants $1.1m every year for the next 5 years and some club might be just crazy enough to pay it and engineer a trade for him. Personally, I’m hoping he gets that sort of ridiculous coin to stay in WA and the likes of Gaff or Shuey are forced out as a result.

hawkins was also rated as one of the best prospects of his year, he just wasn't available to anyone. pretty sure the cats got him for a third round pick under the old rules? what a dream run they've had with father-sons.

westhoff has been an absolute gun since his debut season - when he was 21. if he was in victoria, he'd be considered a 'superstar', for want of a better term. he's not of course, but watts isn't a speck of grey on the hoff's beard by comparison.

I can't ever see Jack Watts playing in a finals side.

stan alves was similar questioning his commitment on abc grandstand today as well.

Amazing, isn't it? His form turnaround is heartening to see. Amazing what a bit of application and good old g&d will do for a good ordinary player.

His draft year is actually starting to look decidedly third-rate. Watts - tried down forward, tried down back, tried in the midfield...failed everywhere, just soft and not a footballer Naitanui - not a footballer, he cannot read the play Hill - soft, but can play - lovely kick but doesn't get enough of the ball Hartlett - injuries early on, but a sublime footballer Hurley - tried down forward, tried down back, midfield is his next pit stop Yarran - soft, up and down from quarter to quarter, let alone game to game Rich - a smaller version of Moloney, can play but not a smart footballer Vickery - soft and not a footballer Ziebell - constantly injured but can play Davis - constantly injured but can play Sidebottom - deadset gun, clearly better than all players within the top 10 picks, bar perhaps Hartlett Beams, Hanneberry, Shiels, Sloane all taken post pick 29, all better than the top 10. Overall, that's not a great hit list.

Terrible quality game. At least we continued our ability to not get belted off the park due to inaccuracies from the opposition.

I love watching Goodes play.

Nice idea Watts but DO THE SIMPLE THINGS.

Salem puts his body into the contest. JKH doing some nice things around the packs. God Viney is tough.

Salem!

Beautiful stuff by Terlich to a seemingly fine M Jones. He snuck it home. NOW GET THE NEXT ONE!!

Swans down everywhere.

Has Matt Jones just done his knee?

floodgates opening up.

oh get stuffed!! that should've been a free TO US. and now jack goals. unbelievable.

fantastic goal.

buddy working up beyond the 50m arc now. they're going 1-on-1 in contests - we can't get our spare back.

oh! so close. it doesn't warrant a review.

c'mon skipper. great build-up.

why does watts always look to handball first? we want him to kick - he's supposedly one of the best kicks in the league.

great work by pedo to run forward into the centre square then and lovely mark from dawes. boy we needed him to kick the goal. gotta finish as a forward. he's a gem.

this umpiring is disgusting.

what prior opportunity was there there ffs??