Nasher

Meh, don’t think it’s really against the rules. Just a personal gripe.

I dunno, as a teenager growing up outside of Victoria, I had no idea where “Waverley” was. I don’t know where Burswood is either other than being able to infer it’s in Perth from your post, and my map doesn’t show any towns called “‘Gabba”. Those names are all just as meaningless to me than if they were called Fred Flintstone Stadium.

Hey, in addition to being bombarded with gambling ads on TV and social media, I can get it on Demonland too! Sweet! Also I love how this industry refers to itself as a “market”. LOL

Two ruckmen worked for West Coast because of the specifics of their personnel. Specifically: - Vardy is a competent forward in his own right - They’ve got two AFL elite forwards, so their ruckman in the forward line is third tall - Neither of their rucks are that good as actual rucks, nor are they huge runners, so the load needs to be shared. It will be interesting to see how West Coast look when NicNat returns next year. I’d expect him to be an 80% ruckman, with Vardy to have a role akin to the one Weideman played with us during those few games he played with both Hogan and TMac in. If we get Preuss, he would want to offer something as a forward if he wants to play seniors.

That was brilliant. Was ambivalent at the start and didn’t care about the result, but glad I watched now. Well done both teams - either would have been worthy premiers.

Liam Ryan s*** himself real bad going for that mark. Oh dear.

This reads exactly how I think I should feel - disappointed but circumspect. Jesse has been our symbol of hope and has blossomed in to a fantastic player. For some reason though I’m just feeling excited by the opportunity. As @ProDeeand others have said, there’s an opportunity for us to use this to actually improve the list further. It also feels like a weight off - the constant speculation over his future has been pretty wearing. I hope flog supporters don’t boo or abuse him when he lines up for Freo for the first time. He stuck fat through those tough times despite his incredibly tough personal circumstances, and goes when it hurts us far less. For those who like to wail about loyalty, he’s shown it in spades. He goes now because the club has changed its message from “we can’t live without you” to “you can explore opportunities”. He has waited until the expectations of saving the day have been lifted. He’s still a favourite in my eyes.

Reality is they’re in a grand final and 16 teams ain’t.

Hope he stays, understand if he goes.

If he leaves this year it will be with be by mutual agreement. It’s possible for players to exit the club, or stay, without them “doing a Scully” or “doing a Jones”. If a deal is struck that suits both parties, you could argue he’s demonstrated loyalty by facilitating the trade.

They always pronounced Illja Grgic “Griggitch” but Brent “Gergitch” - I could never work out if they were actually meant to be pronounced differently or if dumb commentators were dumb.

The old “our team sucks so let’s fix it by filling up our list with every other club’s rejects” strategy. I’ve seen a few clubs attempt this (Pagan era Carlton, Voss era Brisbane, Neeld era Melbourne) and I’ve never seen any result other than complete disaster. Garlett’s more likely to go to a club that can afford a punt I reckon. I think it’s more likely that his career is over.

I think the sticking point would be the three years. If I’m Josh Mahoney and I’ve got Dean Kent in the room saying he’s got St Kilda offering three, I’m saying “no worries, thanks for everything, we’ll get the trade done for you”.

Has anyone actually confirmed the reason, or are we all just calling Bartlett churlish based purely on speculation.

Yep. In addition, with the prospect of being involved in complex trades such as a Hogan one, Mahoney and Viney will want to spend precisely zero minutes on guff trades. They’ll turn up to the trade table with St Kilda with a pen ready to sign whatever is put in front of them, say “hey look everyone, we look after our players, even when they’re fringe players wanting to leave”, and get on with actual business.

You’re kidding. I’d take any reasonable offer. He’s not quite at “free to good home” level but not far off it for mine. A third rounder is probably around the mark. Given we’re moving on quite a few this year, I’d also consider any moderate risk mids they had on their list (ie classy but injured, or hasn’t quite come on), and whatever exchange of later picks; I don’t know what they have in stock though. I like him when he’s going: he’s tough and quick, but he’s so unreliable. He’s in the infirmary as often as he’s out of it and he is capable of being a total passenger when in the side. If the shoe was on the other foot, would you want to give away a second rounder?

If we receive a top 10 pick I’d say we wouldn’t take it to draft, it would be used in a package for another player.

I find myself far more ambivalent about this than I would have been three years ago. That said, we don’t need to delude ourselves in to thinking we don’t need him or he won’t be a loss; he will most definitely be a loss. But if it has to be, it has to be. Early in the rebuild, this would have been an enormous setback. Right now, we’ve got two other lesser but competent key forwards in TMac and Weid to mean we can still kick goals without him. We’ve got shrewd list managers who know how to get the job done in the trading department. There is an opportunity to use this situation to fast track development in other areas of the ground we are lacking, such as Tyson and Jones playing wing or going in to the VFL grand final without a ruckman. I still hope he doesn’t go, but if he must, we’re in as good a position to deal with it, and possibly even use it to our advantage, than we ever have been.

He’s been a good servant of the club over the years, and developed himself in to a handy player after an ordinary start under Neeld. He’s probably the type of player that perpetually needed a fire under him to keep him performing, but that’s okay, we’re all different. He was the ultimate spare parts player and would jokingly make reference to it whenever interviewed. His best effort was no doubt in 2017 when he single-handly had to carry us in the ruck when Max was injured through the middle of the season. This was a Herculean effort that shouldn’t be understated. He comes across as a team man - always seemed happy to share in others achievements that didn’t involve him, like grinning from ear to ear in the rooms after a win he didn’t play in, or his embrace of Harrison Petty in the video the club put after the Petty was told of his debut. In the latter case, Petty’s selection was ahead of Pedersen himself. Thanks for your services Cam and all the best.

WTF? Surgery on BOTH shoulders seem to indicate he is actually quite destructible.

Ever considered changing your username to dropkick? It would be more fitting.

Yes. I truly hate the telecast of the Brownlow. Can’t help myself though.

I’m amazed at how well you guys remember who played well in what games. I’ve got a pretty good memory but I reckon I’m doing alright when I can remember whether or not we won the game, let alone who played in it and if they went well. It shocks me every year.

When has anyone said we were guaranteed a prelim? We could get smashed by injuries next year and finish 14. Everyone with a brain is aware there are no guarantees. It doesn’t change the fact that our list profile is still heading in the right direction (towards peak), which maximises our *chances* of doing well. Chances being the operative word.

As others have said, the initial disappointment for me faded quickly. I was through the worst of it by the time I’d polished off my pulled beef and gravy roll when the third quarter started. I’m just excited now and miffed that I have to sit through another long off-season before next year. It’s a month shorter than normal this year though! Regarding leadership and culture change: Jack Viney is about as hard to listen to as any skipper I’ve seen, but his post match with Burgs is worth a go. To paraphrase he mentions that he’s proud of the effort and growth of the team, but that we absolutely have to take our chances when they arose. To me it’s the first sign I’ve seen that there’s more to his leadership than “leading by doing”. I truly think he gets it. This team to me has a track record of learning from its poor performances. It’s becoming cliche when Goodwin says you win or learn, but I think the team’s actions match. Bring on 2019.