Pepe Dee Pew

Longer term do not be surprised to see Bate at FB if no one else develops. He is a good size, quick, creative and has played FB at TAC level (FF and mid as well).

All the talk is of us not picking up KPP's. Morton most likely will end up a KPP. And a very good one at that.

Stopping goals starts from midfield pressure. So i am happy to pick up Morton and Grimes. Maric is touted as a FP who could develop into a mid. Morton may also eventually bE a KP or able to play mid or KP depending on team needs. The trend these days is smaller bascks who can run/have pace. We are setting ourselves up nicely here.

Agee re: [censored] slapping. Finals are won by the tough leader types. He will be a good fit no doubt.

Evidently Cale Morton is a gun kick as well. Good deliverydecreases the probability of a turnover. Forwards will love leading to Morton.

See todays Melb Herald Sun. "We would consider Cale Morton if he was there, but Rhys Palmer is a very good player too." There is a feeling that Morton will slip to 4 - so the paper says. CAC says we will take best available as we have been caught out picking certain types before.

A footy club is TOTALLY responsible for the culture within the club. Wce HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME that there were problems but put immediate success above the welfare of the playing group itself. They deserve far worse punishments than MFC and CFC as all we did was mess with money and not the lives of kids and young men. If the player in question has breached his agreement with the club concerning the recent allegations including refusing a test and in turn if the WCE has breached any agreement with the AFL then any penalty less than what we got would be a big slap in the face for the rest of the competition, anti drug campaigners and the public in general. I WONDER WHETHER THE CULTURE OF THE WCE was the real reason Judd wanted out? We voluntarily came forward concerning our breach of the CAP and still got slaughtered by the AFL. I have a feeling the AFL will find a way to go easy on WCE.

That's the whole point. Just why we wanted Judd so badly. Its the Supers who can make the difference when the going is tough and produce outstanding performances in finals. There is an element of luck when recruiting. CAC has a good idea a player will be good but just how good???? That's the luck because the AFL is cruel when it comes to evening out players abilities. WCE picked Judd up at 3. He was overlooked at 1 & 2 by expert recruiting staff. The MFC's turn will come. CAC's recruited very well IMO and it is only a matter of time before we get one or two out and out guns - who knows they may well be on the list developing now.

Our comparitive lack of funds in the recruiting area makes it very hard for CAC. He would not be supplied with the same level of reports as his counterparts in the wealthier clubs. Because of this the wealthier clubs in general have better strike rates with bottom picks and rookies becuae they mine deeper. All the same recruiting boils down to PROBABILITIES. You just hope you get it right. Also as with any game of probabilities there are the lucky and unlucky streaks. The bombers recruiting lately in general has been crap. They had a great run for a while. Same as Carlton - their luck has not been to good. Their only saving grace has been No. 1 picks. I note when Carlton lost picks they went for recyled. We went for kids with low picks - Bruce, Whelan etc. Our only downer which will hopefully change soon is that we have had heaps of good players but no Supers in the mould of Hird, Buckley, Voss etc. We are due for a change of luck in the Supers area and that is exactly why CAC wanted two first rounders. These days the probability is that they will come with these picks. Overall CAC has done a great job. OK, not much luck in the supers area but enough quality to play off in a lot of final series which helps $$$, retention of sponsors and members. Change of coach and a few risks are being taken in that some of our depth has been dropped off and we are going to try some kids. Better than playing safe and treading water. Good luck CAC.

Just heard a news report that the charges against Cousins will be dropped - not sure whether its a furphy though!

Given that Fergo has been delisted and Benny Holland has only one at a stretch 2 season left in him there is a chance that we will go for Kepler Bradley given he is a 'big' tall like Fergy. If the MFC think they can develop him further may be a chance here to pick him up. Whether he nominates for rthe National or PSD draft ? No doubt if we have been talking to him it will be the PSD given our early choice. The Dons obviuosly do not think he can develop much further.

The WCE would be hoping for just a big fine. They have heaps of doe. The AFL has to cut some draft picks but probably will be for next years draft as not much time between now and 2008 draft. I do not think anyone would dispute that this is heaps worse than our piddly salary CAP indiscretion in the late nineties. We still have not properly recovered from those draft pick penalties . This will test the back bones of a few at the AFL. Playing Cousins last season showed WCE put results over player welfare and team discipline and culture - not a good look. So i say take draft picks off them.

If criminality is alleged then i do doubt whether WCE can be punished without an admission of guilt or an order of the Court. This means without an admission WCE could not be penalised picks until the 2008 draft if the Court were to make an adverse finding. IMO if the worst happens then the AFL would have no option but to cancel picks as a lesson to clubs to ensure they know what is happening in their player groups and weed out problem players ASAP to ensure the ongoing safety of the kids coming thru. Surely these issues are far worse than salary CAP breaches for which a few clubs including ours have been dacked badly by the AFL in the past.

The good thing about a new coach is that he can expect a season of building whereas incumbents cannot have an off year (except ND 2003 when we started to put together some good kids). Trading TJ was the only sensible thing to do. Apart from picking up a good kid with 14 it frees up a spot in the team for a developing youngster.

Picks 4, 14 and 21 - BEST AVAILABLE in my opinion.

I'm happy so far: Got a good deal for TJ. Once a player hits 28 the value drops big time. I reckon to trade TJ this time next year we would be looking at pick 35 or worse. NOW was the time. Well done CAC - sentiment is for losers. The decision to pick up Meeson - time will tell. CA/Bailey must think he has upside. Could have got Wood for a straight swap but we would not be able to pick up a kid with the pick 14. So its a balancing act here. Hopefully the probabilities are that Meeson will be ok and we land a good kid with 14. Hopefully we can add some quality with picks 4, 14 and 21 - to go with: Brock, Col, Dunn, Bate, Newton, Jones, Frawley, Bartram, Pettard, Rivers, Bell, Davey, Miller, Moloney...etc. The future is looking great. IMO a good result. The rest will be on draft days and hopefully we will do ok. Again, Well done so far CAC.

Pick 14 and R Shaw. OK in my book. Pick 14's ok for a 28 year old and maybe Ryce will flourish at a new club. He has pace. Must be satisfied will get Meeson otherwise straight swap for Wood from Lions plus something extra for us. Also must think Meeson is ok.

The time is now to trade TJ. As started we will build around our 23 and younger players. We have a number of older players. TJ will be 28 next season and have almost zilch trade value by the end of next season. Trade'em while you can still get something half decent so we can build. The maggs were smart trading Tarrant into last years super draft. I would even consider Green and Bruce as very tradeable for the right deal.

In my view due to White's age and the fact we do not have any ready made alternative we had no choice but to Sign Jamar. With a little luck he may step up a bit next year.

Take Meeson because we need to try out new rucks. Buchanan is worth a go. Apart from that not worth brining in any 'flawed goods'. Trade for picks and try to get players who may be gun(s) thru the draft.

No, we need to build with youth. Chick will only put us behind a few more years.

Draft best available no matter who it is. Most likely midfielder with pace. Trade a couple of players for another first rounder, eg TJ, Wheats and best available again. Go for a ruck eg Meeson or Wood as a trade.

Now is the time to make some tough decisions. A new coach and assistants with no emotional attachment to any of the players. We have some very good players but basically NO out and out guns. We have young players who may develop into guns shortly, eg McLean, Jones, Bate, Newton but another couple off class players with a good attitude thru this draft would set us up well in 2 or three years time. Note it has taken a while for Geelong to develop the list and for players to come on. I think we should trade a couple of players for an early pick (first round). Two first round picks plus pick 21 used wisely should set us up well especially as we had 2 young players 2nd and 3rd in the B & F. There is no point saying how much potential Bartram, Pettard, Newton, Dunn, Bode, Frawley have if we play some of them at Sandy week after week. Trade a couple of good players, create a couple of spots in the team at get the future into the team ASAP.

We desperately need to trade for a good pick. We have to many good players and not enough guns. TJ for pick 11 looks ok. If we have to throw in something extra. We have to fit Wheels, Bartram, Rivers , maybe Pettard back in . Plus keep Newton, Dunn, Bate etc in. I say get early picks and use them well. Let the Maggs trade themselves out of this draft. I would give the Maggs our pick 4 for Ben Reid if they want Judd.

Yes we need to be carefull in giving up to much. A number of players have moved on now and we have 4 or 5 spots to fill in even if we get Judd. If we give up to much we will fill them with crap draft picks - a lottery. I think pick 4 plus another first rounder is OK for Judd. We will need to trade for another first rounder but that's ok.