Fat Tony

I am not against this decision given the compromised draft this year. Hopefully Jones rewinds the clock and gets to 300, but at least we know he will provide depth and leadership. Surely he is on base wages.

I know that future picks are worth less in general, but does that hold this year? We have a compromised draft, no junior footy and list sizes reducing. I think it might be wise if we just take two very late picks this year and save our 2021 assets, filling the rest of the list with base wage free agents on 1 year deals. If we really like a player still on the board, we could potentially push up the draft order on the day. The point about playing hard ball with Brown makes sense, but it hasn't really been our style. We have taken the view that we can be a 'fair' trader to enhance our standing with player agents. It will certainly be an interesting negotiation because North have no leverage and #23 is really unders for one of the best goal scorers in the AFL.

Brown will nominate his club and a deal will be done. Other clubs sniffing around won't really change the negotiation, as no club will want to pay much more than #23 anyway. Next years first round pick should be on the table, but we would want to get something back in a deal for Brown.

I think the view is that players who win the ball in the air, but aren't that good on the ground and/or apply great tackling pressure, can be a liability. Cameron's athleticism and ability on the ground means he can fit in a forward line alongside almost any player. Brown is more of a focal point and needs players around him to win ground balls and apply pressure. Also Brown's injury and form are a concern. In saying all this, #23 for Brown would be a great value trade given he is one of the best goal scorers in the AFL.

Brodie Smith is a good player, who was on my list of players we should target. I would not offer a long contract though. 2 years max.

The Pies have doubled down with another shocking contract for Grundy (which is even worse). They have been lucky that they have had great academy and father son picks, plus ex Collingwood supporters who want to play for them for under market rates.

Thanks Doc. I think it would be a mistake to let Hunt go, particularly given Hannan will depart. I often wonder if he scratched Goody's car or something, because he averages more goals than just about anyone in the side.

What about Jayden Hunt?

Smith passes to Smith, who goes long to Smith. I hope I pronounced that correctly.

It smells a bit like a Shane Woewodin scenario. Good player but a bad contract and a salary cap squeeze.

Agree with Bolton and Castagna being the type of player we should go for. (Not easy to find.) AVB has played forward a lot for us and I still think he is still the best pressure player we currently have. He only really gets a game because of his intensity and tackling.

100%. Players like Dusty, Trac, Cripps and even Danger, Bont and Fyfe are amazing in the contested work but don't have a big advantage when the ball gets into the open. The key is to maximise the number of contests they get to and minimising the energy they expend to get there. Playing forward also maximises the gain from winning contests.

Petracca a B grader. Please!

I would prefer Petracca spend more time forward. Let him start in the middle and drift forward like Dusty.

While I still have reservations about the impact on our forward pressure, one of the possible advantages of recruiting Ben Brown may be the potential ability to play him as a third ruck option if Gawn and Jackson both get injured (at least for centre bounces). With Preuss departing, it means we don't really have to carry ruck insurance and so more of our salary cap is in our best 22. It also could be interesting how we can set up in a defensive zone with Gawn, Brown and Jackson behind the ball. This could be a bit of a nightmare for the opposition if we can get them to kick down the line. The other thing I was thinking is that AVB could play a key role if we go with Brown, Weideman, Jackson and Fritsch, because we are going to need someone who tackles like a mad man.

Thanks Doc. I think L Jetta and I Smith for nothing would fill our needs and not cost very much in terms of capital. I know they are short term solutions but they would give us time to find long term replacements.

We didn’t need to give 3 years though.

Lewis Jetta any chance?

Brown is a good player and will be relatively cheap to recruit. I think the main concern is that our Plan A will become 3 tall forwards (Brown, Weideman and Jackson) plus Fritsch. There is not a lot of tackling pressure in that group. Is that capable of being a premiership forward line? Is it even a good strategy in the modern AFL game? I have my doubts but it’s not impossible. The other worry is Brown’s form and fitness. Are we buying yesterday’s man?

If the Cats win tonight, they will be known as a great side. All premierships sides are. Even the ones that bob up and win out of nowhere (which Geelong clearly won't be).

More like a consistently great team that finally put it together in the finals.

Can’t see it given his contract would mean we would pay a big chunk.

They are a great team if they win tonight.

Do the Giants have academy players at the top end of the draft this year? Are they going to want picks or points?

It amazes me that people don’t rate Geelong. The Cats finished 2018 in eighth but with the second highest percentage and then came up against a side that was white hot in the finals. They then won the minor premiership in 2019 and blew a half time lead in the preliminary final against the Tigers. This year they are in the GF. And they nearly always beat us.