Fat Tony

Harvey is a no brainer "yes" for me despite his age. He is the 26th best player in the AFL according to Champion Data. And he has pace and skill, which we lack. I wouldn't go after Petrie because his production has waned this season. And I think we need to get AFL games into Weideman. Dal Santo is still producing good numbers but would make our midfield slower. He is still worth considering given his skill level IMO.

People have been known to change their minds. Such a silly decision IMO. Still a top 100 AFL player.

As I have said on other threads previously, I would seriously consider looking at adding veterans to round out our list provided they didn’t come with outrageous salary demands. While I older players get slower and their production declines, I feel that clubs are making dumb decisions to cut older players who are still playing good footy. It makes sense to offer veterans a one-year deal as they don’t cost anything in terms of draft picks and only take up a list spot/salary cap space. Steve Johnson has been talked about as a potential All Australian this year and has been a bargain. Geelong should rue the decision if they come up just short this year. Harvey (92 Supercoach points per game) and Dal Santo (90) are both still in North Melbourne’s top six players statistically and are still playing good footy. In comparison, we have only Gawn (121), Viney (98), N Jones (98), Vince (94) and Tyson (92) ahead of them.

I think it is correct to say we would need everything to go right to win the flag. But we also need to be quick enough and skilled enough to compete with GWS, the Bulldogs, Saints etc. and this is what I am more worried about.

I know the midfield is where most games are won and lost, but it is not priority IMO. I think Oliver could become every bit as good as Cripps. Brayshaw will also eventually develop into a top line inside mid IMO. Petracca will hopefully eventually be able to take turns in the midfield. We need some pace and skill on the outside for these players to give it to.

Certainly worth thinking about. I think he is dominating the NEAFL. I am not sure Steele is lightning on the outside, but he looks a good outside player who will go when it is his turn. Unfortunately we don't have a lot of currency to trade and our salary cap is difficult to manage given Hogan's indecision.

I agree 100%. We need a classy wingman with pace. Our best outside midfielder with pace at the moment is Matt Jones. Stretch is coming along well but isn't really quick. Bugg lacks class. Salem may move to the wing, but isn't quick enough to break lines. Melksham may play the role, but hasn't been classy to date. The problem is every club is after an Issac Smith or Josh Kelly type.

Surely the clubs it hurts to the most are the northern clubs.

North Melbourne are looking at potentially not offering contracts to Harvey (92 Supercoach points per game), Waite (92) and Dal Santo (90). Fremantle are looking at offloading Barlow (98). Adelaide are yet to offer Scott Thompson (88) a contract. At Geelong, Bartel (92) has an option on a contract, but is not feeling the love. GWS will look at the future of Johnson (84). Hawthorn is still weighing up the futures of Mitchell (105), Burgoyne (94), Gibson (92) and Hodge (89) (although I think they will all go on and I doubt any would leave the Hawks). Essendon must cut Kelly (95), although it is possible he gets picked up again. All these players average over 80 points per game. In comparison, we have only Gawn (121), Viney (98), N Jones (98), Vince (94), Tyson (92), McDonald (88), Grimes (86) and Watts (86) who are managing this. While I am conscious that as players get older, they tend to get slower and their production declines, I also feel that clubs are still too willing to cut older players who are still playing good footy. IMO it is a good strategy to offer veterans a one-year deal as they don’t cost anything in terms of draft picks and only take up a list spot/salary cap space. I will also add that I am of the view that it is generally better for the MFC to aim for short-term gains because the higher we finish up the ladder, the more the club can position itself as a destination club for recruits the following year. The counter argument to recruiting veterans is that they will take the spot of younger, developing players and deny them AFL experience. The question is if we should look at any veteran recruits given where we are at as a club? And before we get into a debate as to the merits of average Supercoach points as an indicator, I will say I like them because they provide a single data point as to a player’s production. (I am not sayig they are perfect.) Unlike AFL dream team points, they also take into account ball use with clangers counting as negative points. I would add that any debate on this should take into account the fact that the top ranked Supercoach players this season are also generally the ones leading the coaches and media votes.

Ins: Matt Jones, Garlett Outs: Kent (ankle), Bugg We lost on Sunday because of our conversion, poor clearance work and over use of the ball in the wet. Our team changes have been blamed and also didn’t work out as we hoped, but I feel we should still persevere with Michie, Neal-Bullen and Weideman now that the season is shot. It can often take more than one game to come to terms with the tempo of AFL footy. We are a better side with Matt Jones in it because he is our best outside runner. I understand he has been squeezed to give the kids a go, but it has hurt our balance, with not enough pace on the outside. Kent was hobbling around and I don’t see the need to take any risks with injury now. I don’t think Neal-Bullen has the athleticism for AFL, but I am willing to give him more time before casting final judgement. Michie didn’t have a great start to the game and was a bit off the pace, but he uses the ball well and deserves at least one more chance to stay on the list IMO. I don’t mind Michie because he generally makes good decisions with the ball.

I hope we manage to hang on to Viv Michie and I have him ahead of players like Trengove, Grimes and Newton. IMO he is better value than a fourth/fifth round pick and is an good depth player. He has been stiff that we have drafted so many inside mids that look like being top line AFL players.

There isn't much in it but M Jones has been better than Harmes this season IMO and is a better kick. (FWIW I would have neither of M Jones or Harmes off half back, where turnovers kill you.) I think M Jones was a bit stiff to be omitted two weeks ago and has since had two 40 possession games in the VFL. IMO we need to push N Jones and/or Vince to half back to give us more skill back there. This opens up a midfield spot and I prefer M Jones on a wing to Harmes, who hasn't been able to win enough ball when tried in the midfield. Long term I see our biggest need is to find better skilled outside players to replace players like M Jones and Harmes (unless they can improve).

M Jones for Harmes - Harmes is just not precise enough with his kicking for the half back role. I don't think Salem is fit enough based on the VFL reports. M Jones to play on a wing and N Jones or Vince to play at half back. Weideman for Pedersen - I know a lot of people are worried about finals, but it is only a long shot and we need to give Weideman another taste for next year. I think we will win easily anyway.

Is there a link to the commentary?

I am not in favour of drafting another ruckman unless they are clear cut above the draft pool. Sure if Max gets injured we would be very long odds to win the flag. But I see ruckmen like wicketkeepers. You can only have one in the team. I would therefore prefer not to pay for insurance and bolster our defence or look for another outside midfielder. Readymade ruckmen are also able to be easily traded for IMO.

I think Hoskin-Elliot is worth strongly considering. He has pace, which is so important given the number of goals being kicked over the back. Also contracted I think.

Lobb is a talent but he is contracted and GWS won't let him go easily. IMO we don't really need a second ruck option. Gawn takes 80% of the game and Watts adds another dynamic to our midfield when he goes in the middle. I feel our side would become too slow with Hogan, Gawn, Weideman/Pedersen plus another tall.

He is in both sides I think. Will play seniors I would think.

Correction - flags

How delightful would it be if we keep Hogan and get Fyfe.

It is worth noting that our second round pick could be pushed up the draft order due to the academy bidding process.

Brisbane should definitely be given a priority pick (and will be). While we should have also been given a priority pick two years ago, it wasn't possible given our tanking history. And so the AFL over compensated us when Frawley left. The current discretionary priority pick system is a shemozzle and the AFL needs to rejig the draft give the 10 non finalists two picks prior to the other teams.

Hogan must come back in if fit. I love the look of Weideman as a prospect but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sent back to the VFL (or rested) for this week and then return against Carlton. Pedersen played a very good second half and Weideman faded out of the game after a great start. Pedersen also offers us much greater flexibility than the other alternatives. I called for Harmes to be tried down back when he was playing forward, but I now think it is a failed experiment because his ball use isn’t up to scratch. As such, I would look at dropping Harmes for Wagner.

Hullet kicks his third

Hawthorn have won a lot of close games this season and they aren't the force of previous years. They have only the sixth best percentage in the competition and Carlton were in the game against them last week. I am not saying we should expect to win, but we shouldn't fear playing a first gamer.