Fat Tony

I prefer Smith to Polec. While he is older, I think he’s better and think he’s likely to be able to have a very long career.

Think we can trade our picks. The rule is designed to stop clubs blowing their future in one offseason.

This plus the draft is a crapshoot given no junior football and the academy selections.

Better outside players would help. Sure. But we can’t jump from middle rung to contenders unless our inside midfielders tidy things up. This is a fundamental issue holding us back and it’s wishful thinking that just improving the bit pieces will be the fix.

Oliver definitely has an issue with his disposal. How does a player lead the league in contested possessions, pressure acts and clearances and finish so far off winning the best and fairest? The reason is he turns it over too often.

I know there is always a lot of talk about trades and improving the list at this time of year. But I believe that the path to our next premiership can be from internal improvement by a small number of our key players. The coaching, the list construction and our depth is not the major issue. While I think a better winger and forwards will improve our side at the margin, really what we need is our best young players to take the next step. The 5 key improvements we need to have are: 1. Oliver’s disposal Clarry is obviously one of our best players, but I don’t think we will never win a flag unless he improves his disposal. He so prolific at winning the ball (top 5 for total possessions in the AFL but top for Clangers), and turnovers are what kill you in modern football. When Oliver gets possession all the other Melbourne players are working hard into space, so we are out of position defensively if he turns it over. Clarry is the source of our greatest strength and our greatest weakness, so our destiny is heavily tied to his disposal. 2. Petracca improves his consistency Trac was great this year and he has now learnt how to win the ball consistently. The next step for him is to improve the consistency of his kicking. We will be almost impossible to beat if Oliver and Petracca have high disposal efficiency. 3. Jackson needs to transition from talented kid to star player Jacko moves like a gazelle and is well skilled. At the moment I describe his game as being similar to Bontempelli, Blicavs and Mitch Clark, but he currently also possesses all of the flaws of those players and just glimpses of the best bits. If he can improve his marking, to be able to catch the ball at the highest point, it won’t take long before he is a top 5 player in the competition. 4. Weideman takes another step Sam took a major step forward with his marking this year. He also improved in bringing the ball to ground when he was out of position. But he needs to do this every week. And he needs to improve his goal kicking because his set shot technique is good. 5. Fritsch transforms from dead fish to deadeye Has there ever been a player who has been talked up more as a great kick to miss so often? Fritsch will always be just an ordinary forward pressure player, so he needs to capitalise better when he gets his chances in front of goal.

He would fit our needs, particularly with longer quarters on the MCG.

Brown has been a very good player and is probably going to be traded for under value. But we have invested a lot in Jackson and Weideman and they both need AFL games for development. I am not convinced that a forward line of Brown, Jackson and Weideman can work. Brown and Weideman are basically non chasers/tacklers. We need a third tall who can also apply pressure, because Weideman isn't able to do it.

Jackson offers the ability to double as a forward and back up ruck. I think we will get a second round pick for Preuss, which is fair. IMO Preuss could be a starting ruckman at GWS and Sydney.

As with any player, the question is risk reward. If the coaches and fitness staff really believe he can get back to full intensity running, they will probably forgive him and offer him another contract. He obviously made a big mistake (again) which probably is linked to his inability to get back to his best on field. We have to trust the club to make the right call on Harley.

Zero. But he didn’t get much opportunity to show his ability given the VFL was canceled. I would not take many picks in this draft. It’s compromised and hard to select given no junior football. And draftees get two years vs Dunkley one.

I think Dunkley showed something last year and I would not be delisting him yet.

Noted. He wins a lot of uncontested possession. But he also ranks highly on centre bounce attendances. My point is he is more an onballer than wingman and we have a logjam in the midfield.

I would say he’s inside.

Not the type of player we really need IMO but a gun.

I think Gunston would add a lot to our side 55. Not only is he a good mark and great finisher, but he also good on the ground. We have invested too much in Weideman and Jackson, for us to not build around them as talls. We need a mobile third option that can compete on the deck. Fristch is the most frustrating player on the list IMO. Misses far too many set shots for a "dead eye".

I don't see Bedford being a consistent AFL player. Not strong enough or super quick and tiny hands.

I think it will be a boring week (as per the last 6 months). The Hawks would have to release Clarkson from his contract. Why would they do that? And changing the list manager at this point would be crazy IMO. He might be moved on, but not until the draft and contracts are done this offseason.

Surely the decision on Goodwin has already been made and he is staying. We can't afford to sack him. And Mahoney has done ok in building a list and this has to be the worst time to change that role.

Thinking about this some more, adding a forward who can fit alongside Weideman and Jackson is key. Cameron would obviously fit because he is a superstar and very mobile. De Goey would be the best pick up, legal issues aside. Gunston would cost our 2021 first rounder and more, which is a lot for a 28 year old. Mihocek would also be able to play alongside Weideman and Jackson. Ben Brown would probably make us too slow and top heavy but would cost the least. Daniher is hit or miss and seems to want to get out of Melbourne. The other option could be to swing May forward and play Petracca 70% forward. We could then go for a key defender like Robbie Tarrant, Hooker or Carlisle.

This is not a year to be doing a massive list cull. We have no first round pick, the draft is heavily compromised and will be a chook raffle given no junior footy. We would be better to go with minimum wage one-year deals on current players or DFA than lock ourselves in to two year deals from the draft.

Pretty much bang on. We don't necessarily need a KPF. A very good small or mid sized forward would also improve our side. And I must be less confident in Baker than you. I know he did ok on the weekend, but he is 22. I just don't see him ever really making it. (Hope I am wrong.)

It is interesting to see who is after Cameron. The Pies could do with a KPF but wouldn't seem to have the cap space with Moore, De Goey and Mihocek out of contract and Grundy on a monster deal. The Tigers, Dockers, PA and Blues don't need a KPF. The Bombers are trying to keep Daniher but could target him if he leaves. The Dogs are getting a young gun KPF in the draft and have Naughton and Bruce is on big money. The Crows, NM and Hawks are rebuilding and would not be that attractive to Cameron. The Eagles might want a replacement for Kennedy, but surely they haven't got the cap space with Nic Nat, McGovern and Kelly on big money. I can't believe the Cats have the cap room either. The Saints seem to be locked in to building around King and probably want to focus on the midfield. The Swans, Lions, GCS and Dees would be the most likely external bidders.

Saad is rated around 50th in the competition this year according to AFL player ratings. He would add speed and skill to our side, which we need both of. A second round pick in this draft would be a great result.

It looks ok because we drafted well and have won enough games this year (with no injuries). Just because you win at blackjack doesn't mean you are a good player.