Lord Travis

Possibly the most stale final four in modern times. Footy is in a pretty dire place at the moment. Probably more rule changes to come and ruin the game further. It's getting really tough to keep watching at this point.

It's actually bullish*t how good Will Ashcroft is. The kid can do it all on the biggest stage and is still only 21 years old. Getting access to superstars like him and Nick Daicos completely changes a club.

I'm surprised with the result but very excited to have a new senior coach locked in. Welcome to the club Kingy! Let's hope success follows you!

They've got Rowell and Anderson - both superstar midfielders. Even Touk Miller has been squeezed out into a part time mid and part time flanker. Flanders broke the club record held by the GOAT Gablett Jnr for disposals last season and finished third in their best and fairest at 22 years old. Flanders would be a great get for us. That's obvious to anyone who watches football. Instantly improves our midfield and versatile enough to play/rest on flanks at either end too. Question is how do we get it done? He's worth a first rounder, which we don't have. A future first may be a top 5 pick, and that's too much...

23 year old who kicked 58 goals this season. He's Port's number 1 forward, young, and is contracted for another two seasons after signing extension. He would cost us draft currency we don't have, and that's if he was even interested. We've tried before and been rejected. No chance this happens this year sadly.

Went through a divorce, so yes was impacted. Hardly financially hardship though, he's loaded. He got half of cash from a house sold for nearly $14 million... Add that to all the money he's made throughout his playing career, coaching career, and media gigs, as well as other investments... he's doing more than ok. Money isn't a factor in his decision. He wants to coach because he's driven, loves the sport, and wants a premiership.

Why are people surprised Trac is finishing high? Everyone heaps [censored] on him because he's not at his peak of being the best player in the league, but he's still a good player and had a good year. He bettered all his main career average stats bar marking and was our best midfielder. Talk him down and hate him all you want - he's still better than most running round in red and blue, even at his current level.

Jeez this sums up how poorly run the club is and how much we've been missing proper leadership at all levels. Couldn't write this stuff!

Campbell has been signed to another one year contract purely as a break glass emergency option. He wouldn't get game time ahead of Health. He'd get a game if Gawn and other options went down injured. He's 34 next year, at his fourth AFL club, and has played a total of 33 AFL matches in the last decade. If we traded in Heath, then it's because we see him as the potential long term replacement for Gawn. Those speaking of Kalani White as long term ruck - he projects more as a key position player. He's excelled mostly as a key defender and shown glimpses as a key forward. With all the 200cm key talls around, he fits the modern moulding that.

Buckley said the game plan isn't important. He's right. Our game plan had us in nearly every game this year. As Max said, we lost x amount of winnable games. What's needed is a mindset shift. That's tied to culture. Culture is set by the leaders. When on field leaders like Viney day in interviews we've got comfortable, then the environment needs to change. There's only so many styles or game plans a football team can try. Mental strength and culture are what sets the winners apart, and that's where we've fallen down since 2021. If Buckley gets the job, I'm confident he understands that and will have success with our club. I'd argue it's personel too. Nothing drastic, but a few core players need to change.

Holmes and Smith slotting running goals from outside 50 were both class and skill. They're the exact sort of running midfielders we lack. Hoping Windsor and Lindsey can become that type. Pair that with a star tall up forward in Jezza and you've got a potential attack. Cats look bound for a grand final again.

Just goes to show stats can be pretty useless and cherry picked to suit any narrative. I don't dispute our three mids aren't great kicks, however Merrett and Horne-Francis are brilliant kicks. Merrett is amongst the best in the league. Trac, while he can be a butcher, has been amongst the highest score involvement in the league for about 5 years straight now.

Where's the riddler when you need him? Any bird related rumors this off season?

It hasn't. There's some people here hoping it will come to fruition.

Jacob Koschitzke delisted by Richmond at age 25. For some reason they were playing him in defence in VFL. We were keen on him a few years back as a key forward. Could be an option as delisted free agent on low salary as depth.

Difference being Harley Bennell performed at AFL level and was a match winner at the Suns before he went off the rails. He fulfilled his talent at the top level, even if only for 2-3 seasons. Elijah is nowhere near it and if it weren't for his draft pick number no one would be talking about him. The fact they're willing to pay out his contract just to keep him away from the other players speaks volumes to his negative impact on their culture. Considering we've had culture problems the past few years, we should be staying away.

Voss has said his off-field behaviour and lack of professionalism are disappointing and disruptive to the playing group. Too interested in the devils dandruff. He had potential as a draftee, but 24 years old next season and his AFL career basically has him at Tom Sparrow level impact and numbers wise. No disrespect to Tom, but you'd expect more from a pick 7 who's six years into a career. Add the off-field issues and it's a hard sell. A strong club like Geelong would take him as delisted free agent perhaps, but no club like ours should go anywhere near him.

Reckon he's a decent cheap option to build depth in our midfield. If one of Trac or Clarrys go, is be seeking him out of he was cheap. Trade demand would be low as they're not even playing him and hasn't nailed down a spot in their team for years. Equivalent to Laurie for us, but far more proven and upside IMO.

Looking forward to some new players in red and blue and a new coach next season. At least we fought out the last game. Might've seen the last of some stalwarts tonight.

Looking forward to watching some new players in red and blue next year onwards.

Insane Carlton paid him 800k a year to get him across from the Crows. He's one of the most overpaid players in history. He's 32 years of age, injury prone, and we have decent defensive depth. There's better options if needed. Sorry I meant

Will probably wind up at Geelong. They need a ruckman and his partner is from Geelong and wanting to move home from WA. They'll promise him a farm and life near a beach to surf and that'll be that.

Been our recruitment manager since 2012. That's a long time. Given the uncertainty and change at the club, I wouldn't be surprised if he looks for a new challenge or we seek out a fresh recruitment leader. He's done a great job and built the core of our premiership team. That said he's had a few misses the past few years IMO, some of them in the first round, and you have to nail those early picks. They're the easy ones, the elite talent, the game changers you build around. In years past that was the likes of Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw, Jackson, Salem, Pickett. Jury is still out, but we've had some less successful high selections in recent years such as Laurie, Tholstrup, Jefferson that we traded up to take. The fact they haven't come on to even cementing a spot, let alone impacting games, is a big reason for our drop off IMO. Would prefer he stay, but not the end of the world if he goes at this point I think.

Never in doubt. Will be great to have another developing tall on the list. His tied and love for the club are a bonus.

Agreed. Would take a punt at a low cost if North just wanted to move him on, but wouldn't go hard. 3rd round or token pick. Could become a nifty goal scorer, but he's similar to Fritsch. Should never be allowed midfield as he's too soft. I was staggered he went so high in his draft. Pick 4 was massive overs, and it's laughable he went ahead of Windsor, Curtin, Caddy, O'Sullivan, Sanders basically all directly after him. Clear bust of that top 10 and could see it a mile off.