MadAsHell

Cheers PSD, good to hear from someone that's seen him live a few times as opposed to only seeing him on the net. Could be a Harry Taylor type success story from the WAFL IMO.

Sorry jazza, public school system in Franga all the way for me!

My take: 1. Jesse Hogan: Future gun and is in the Carey/J. Brown mould. Reckon he could do some real damage next year getting the 3rd tall defender with Clark and Dawes taking a lot of pressure off. 2. Nathan Jones: Heart and soul player and a much improved player over the last 2 years. Needs more help in the midfield. 4. Jack Watts: Great talent and is starting to show a sense of urgency in his game that we haven't seen previously. Will become a vital utility, mainly playing HFF with stints on the wing and off half back. 5. Jimmy Toumpas: Will be a good player, just needs some time. Looks composed with ball in hand. 6. Chris Dawes: Great addition to the club in terms of leadership and structure. Will be a permanant CHF/FF for many years to come. 7. Jack Viney: Loved what I've seen of Jack, a fierce competitor and in time will be a great midfielder and will play a big role in helping N. jones out. 8. James Frawley: Although he's lost a bit of his creativity he's still one of if not the best shut down FB in the comp IMO. A must kee and the sooner we extend his contarct the better. 9. Jack Trengove: I've liked what I've seen this year, is slowly getting back to some of his best and after a full pre-season am hoping he'll be back there next year. 10. Shannon Byrnes: Next year will be his last. Has played an important role I have no doubt in helping provide some leadership, experience and showing some of the young kids the right way to go about preparing for AFL football. 11. Mitch Clark: Monster and love the man. Hope he comes back bigger and better from his injury but will have to play the role of our 2nd ruck for team balance to allow all he, Dawes and Hogan to play together. 12. Colin Sylvia: Playing the most consistent footy I've seen him play. A good club man who's popular amongst other players and supporters. I hope he signs on for 3 more years to be a Demon for life and help out in our midfield while the likes of Viney, Toumpas and soon to be new draftees develop. 13. Jordie McKenzie: Good player to have at the club who always gives his all but certainly has his limitations. Is contracted for 2 more years and will see them out. I feel that once he starts to struggle to get a game then that means we're getting better, and I mean that in the most respectful way. 14. Lynden Dunn: Has served the club for 9 years now and over 100 games. Is contracted for next year and will likely see it out as I don't think he'd attract much attention at the trade table. Handy depth player, but a limited future at the club IMO. 15. David Rodan: Has been a very handy player since the Hawthorn game, especially with Viney out IMO. May potentially get 1 more year and like Byrnes I'm sure has helped out off the field with the young players in a big way. 17. Sam Blease: He's a player that teases with the skill and ability that he has but is still yet to put it together consistently. Has still played under 50 games and has had his injury set backs so more time is needed. Could become one of the most damaging players in the league with the right coach. 19. James Strauss: Pretty sure he's contarcted next year and it will be a big one for James. Like Blease has had his injury issues, yet Blease has probably shown more glimpses then Strauss. Had a very good game in the VFL the other week but currently will struggle to remain on the list beyond 2014 IMO. 20. Colin Garland: Is developing into a very good leader and 3rd tall defender and if he was playing with a better team would probably be getting talked about as a potential All Australian this year. Critical player for us going forward with his ability to play tall and small. 21. Cameron Pedersen: Has shown he's a very good VFL player but has struggled so far at senior level with his hardness at the contest being questioned more then once. Contracted for 2 more years and looks like he'll be a depth tall defender. 22. James Magner: Very good VFL player, but lack of pace and questionable disposal puts big question marks on his ability to make it at AFL level. I suspect he'll be delisted at seasons end. 23. Josh Tynan: Some question marks also over his pace and disposal but has age on his side and has only played 2 AFL matches. 1 year contract extention for mine and liek many on our list, 2014 will tell us a lot about Josh. 25. Tom McDonald: Struggled a little early in the year after an injury interupted pre-season but has been back to his best of late. Certainly don't agree with the 2nd year blues as mentioned in the OP. Will be a very good player for this club and will tidy his disposal up over time. 26. Daniel Nicholson: Great pace and endurance, but disposal is poor. Going forward is in a batle with Jordie McKenzie for the tagging role IMO. Again I'd look to give Nicho a 1 year contract extension to try and tidy that kicking up. If he does he could become a very valuable player. 27. Tom Gillies: Questionable selection at the end of last year. Given the depth we had of Sellar, Davis, Joel MacDonald and the fact we've discovered Pedersen's a backman and not a forward. Can't see Gillies with us beyond this year. 28 Joel MacDonald: Has been a solid player for a few years now, and have never questioned Joel's endevour. Disposal has let him down, and he's struggle to get on the park this year. Think he'll be delisted. 30. James Sellar: Similar player to Pedersen in that he's a reasonable defender, not much of a forward and can ruck if you need him to. Wouldn't question Sellar's hardness, but he is a limited player. As he's OOC at seasons end and Pedersen is in contract I suspect Sellar will be delisted and Pedersen will survive. 31. Jack Grimes: Has really gown with the cpatians role IMO and we really missed him the last 8 weeks. Will become our longest serving captain, premiership captain and very solid and reliable HBF who rotates through the midfield. 32. Michael Evans: He reminds me of a young Leigh Montagna the way Pickles goes about it. I have high hopes for Evans and hope he can get his body right. 33. Dominic Barry: Jury's still out but I do like the look of him. Wait and see. 34. Dean Kent: Love his attack on the ball and the pressure he puts on. Can see him playing as a small forward who rotates onto the wing. I can see a long future for Kent. 35. Luke Tapscott: Some concern over Tappy but a lot of upside also. I can see Tappy playing a bit of a Campbell Brown defensive forward role where he plays forward but tags the oppositions best running defender. If he can work on his running could also rotate through the midfield and off half back. Could be used as trade bait but I hope we hold onto him and turn him into the player I've mentioned. 36. Aaron Davey: Ageing vetran who's best is past him but he still has great skills and was wrapped to see him run down Ted Richards on the weekend. Reckon 1 more year is on the cards given the young age of our list. 37. Max Gawn: Absolutely love big Maxy, and some of the things he did on the weekend agility wise were fantastic! If his knees hold up he could become on of the best ruckmen in the comp. 38. Jermey Howe: Given we'll have Clark, Dawes and Hogan as our 3 key forwards next year and Watts also, one could argue that one of Howe or Watts should be traded given they can't both play as a 4th tall off half forward. However given Howe is our highlight reel and Watts number 1 draft pick I'd like to see the club keep them both and use them as utilities rotating between HF, wing, HB and in Howe's case even on ball. I think this has been a good year for Howe's development in that respect that he's played different roles and see both Howe and Watts as valuable players going forwards. 39. Neville Jetta: I like Nev Jetta, however he's been on the list awhile now and just doesn't seem to do enough when he's had his opportunities. Think he'll be delisted at years end. 40. Mark Jamar: Ageing warhorse who has 2 years left at the end of this year and will have a battle on his hands with Gawn and Spencer to hold onto the number 1 ruck role. Will se out his contract to help with the development of Gawn & Spencil. 41. Troy Davis: Young KPD who's now in his 3rd year on the list but yet to play a game at senior level. Has shown improvement in his defensive efforts and kicking in the VFL and has also shown an ability to go forward and kick a goal and he seems to love the rough stuff. With Frawley, McDonald and Garland holding down the key defensive psost and Pedersen contracted for depth, Davis does face a challenge to hold his spot. May be delisted, but even if he is I'm hopeful the club will re-rookie him in case Frawley doesn't sign on at the end of 2014. Reckon he could be a decent player. 42. Jake Spencer: Earlier this year I would have said he's a list clogger and it was a waste him being on our list until the end of 2014. However his VFL forms been very good and his game against St Kilda was the best I've seen him play, so there's still hope for Spencil. Will be an important player to keep the pressure on Gawn as the new no 1 ruckman and can still learn a bit from Russian. 43. Rory Taggert: Jury's still out. Has shown some glimpses in the VFL but consistency seems to be an issue. Given he missed most of his first year with injury a new 1 year deal should be given to see what he can produce next year. 44. Rohan Bai: See comments re: Joel MacDonald. Had hopes Bail may be able to become our tagger or defensive forward, but injuries seem to be getting the better of him. Is contracted so next year will be the make or break year for him I reckon. 45. Matt Jones: Has been a valuable contributer to our midfield this year and with our lack of depth in this department will be valuable for a few years to come. Another player who I think could be good in the role of tagger as he can get plenty of the ball himself and his disposal isn't to bad. 46. Dean Terlich: Has been a fantastic addition to our half back line and will finish top 5 in our B&F. Will play 150 games + and his disposal will only get better to go with his run and carry. 47. Tom Couch: See comments re James Magner 48: Jack Fitzpatrick: Could be one of those players that attracts some interest at trade time. Has shown some real promise over the last few weeks but next year with Hogan, Dawes, Clark, Watts & Howe all up and about, Fitzy will be relegated to Casey as depth for Mitch I suspect. Would love him to stay as I'm a big fan of Fitzy but he may see the writting on the wall himself and request a trade? I'd imagine Carlton, St Kilda and Bulldogs would all be very keen on him. Hope he stays but may go and I'd imagine the price would be reasonable. 49. Nathan Stark: Poor guys hasn't had a decent run so hard to tell. He may be an unlucky victim due to the want to add players to our list but who's to know? 50. Mitch Clisby: Has been quite impressive in his 3 games so far with his run and carry and willingness to put his head over the ball. I'd go down the road of McKenzie, Evans & Nicholson and give him 1 more year on the rookie list before upgrading him, but he looks a likely type and could be a long term player in the back pocket.

His names come up a bit as a potential free agent so thought he deserved his own thread. Promise I'll make this my last for today everyone! Just turned 30 earlier this year, 205 AFL games but hasn't played since round 8 this year due to the Bulldogs looking to add some youth to their ageing midfield. Over the course of his career averaged just under 24 touches a match and was still getting over 21 touches a match this year before being dropped. Could help with our clearances in the middle, especially if Rodan is moved on at seasons end and would probably have 2 years left in him I reckon. Brings in good experience and leadership and could also play the tagging role which would make McKenzie and Nicholson redundant, however unlike those two Cross can get the ball himself and knows his limitations. Wonder how people would feel about Cross crossing to the Dess? http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/player-profile/daniel-cross

193cm, 22 year old KPD with Perth Demons who's having a very good year in the WAFL. http://www.wafl.com.au/players/view/5007 I've seen a bit of him on ABC iview in the WAFL and he looks to have a strong body and reminds me a bit of Sam Fisher with his ability to set up play from the back half. Given i think we'll see the end of Sellar, Gillies and Joel MacDonald and our early draft picks will focus on our midfield wonder what our WA demons think of the man from Perth Demons? I reckon he could be worth a shot as a mature age rookie. Edit: Spelling

This is a guy who's worth looking at in the rookie draft IMO. 198cm 98kg 23 year old KPF who can also play back in if needed. Kicked 57 goals in 50 VFL games with Frankston Dolphins, however spent his first season (12 games) in defence and in his last match went off injured before getting a kick so it's effectively 57 goals in 37 games. Best season was in 2012 where he kicked 30 goals in 18 matches averaging a tick under 12 posessions and 6 marks a game. Missed the start of this season with injury but in his first 5 games back has kicked 12 goals and a tick under 13 posessions a game and 5 marks each game. Here's a snippet of what he can do taking mark of the day a few weeks back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNKH4yoQpp8 I know we have a few tall forwards, but if as some people have suggested we trade Fitzpatrick given his rising currency and if there's any issues with Mitch, Khan could be handy insurance.

Thanks for that. For some reason I thought he was a much younger brother like Andrejas and Shaun were to Peter Everit and Corey McKernan. Egg on my face!

For our 4th round pick at the upcoming draft I reckon we should look for a crumbing forward who can also get a bit of the ball and that leads me to Michaliades from Sandringham Zebras. http://www.sandringhamfc.com.au/player-list.aspx The stats there don't take into account what he's done this year which is 14 goals in 11 games, averaging a tick over 7 kicks & 8 handballs a game. So for his current short career he's kicked 20 goals in 25 games. This guy knows where the goals are and if anyone watched the state game VFL v WAFL this year you would have seen him kick 2 very classy crumbing goals. I'd use our 4th round pick to secure him and not a rookie pick given we certainly lack small forwards and neither Byrnes or Davey are setting the world on fire at the moment so he could puch for selection early if he's on the list. Curious as to other peoples thoughts on him are that have seen him go arounf in the VFL.

Given I've jus posted some potential 1st & 2nd round draft selections I figured I should keep going into the 3rd round. I've heard a bit of Eli Templeton and found the following info on him. Height 182cm, Weight 67kg, from Burnie Dockers. Templeton is a high motor midfielder with the versatility to also play forward or back. Has a very light body but despite this has a very advanced game and having dominated throughout his junior footy with his form in the u16s particularly dominant. Templeton stands out with his ability to accumulate the ball in hand he can do some real damage with the penetrating kick he has on him allowing him to hit the scoreboard wasily as a midfielder. Templeton can win some of his own ball but given his light frame likely finds a role as an outside player. Reckon he could be a handy small utility as an upgrade on Neville Jetta in that he can play in all parts of the ground but has a better ability at finding the ball. Any of our Tassie Demons have anymore info on him that what I've found, and if so would our 3rd round pick be to high for him?

As for our 2nd round selection, Trent Dumont is one player who I would love to see fall to our pick if Dunstan and Sheed go earlier then the AFL website suggests as many of us suspect. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-07-05/phantom-draft-form-guide 184cm, 84kg. Strong bodied running half back who can also play as an inside mid and has a really good kick on him. I'd compare him to a more polished Nathan Wright at St Kilda. Would start half back but will eventually play in the midfield, either inside or off a wing. Could stay at HBF also if need be. Any of our SA supporters know anything more about him and if he'd be a good addition. From the bits I have seen of him I like.

Suprised there isn't a thread on him already given in the TAC Future stars program he's been listed to go at pick 2 on a few occasions now in the rolling draft. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-07-05/phantom-draft-form-guide 182cm, 73kg outside running midfielder who's been listed on the AFL website at Pick 6. If one of Dunstan or Sheed are likely to slide to our 2nd round pick would people be happy with Kelly or do we prefer Aish? Anyone got anymore inside info on him if he'd be a good addition? Any chance his older brother may want to even come across and play some of his final seasons with him before retirement? Lets not forget James Kelly was taken at Pick 17 in his draft, a selection we held after getting it from Fremantle for Farmer before trading it to Geelong for Bizzle. Only justice that we have a Kelly on the list after all these years.

Patrick Cripps Height: 188cm Weight 88kg Club: East Fremantle Strong inside player with a physical edge who goes hard every time and wins clearances consistently. For an inside player Cripps is an above average user of the footy with his outside game above average for a strong bodied inside midfielder. That info given to me from a work mate who I assume got it from Bigfooty. From what I've heard elsewhere he's a likely 2nd round pick. So possibly an option if neither of Dunstan or Sheed are available by our 2nd round pick which the AFL website had both ranked going late in the top 20. Trent Dumont was another I was looking at with our 2nd round pick. Don't know if Cripps will still be there by our 3rd round pick but you never know? Certainly one of the options for 2nd round though.

Looks about right Macca. Although I feel Bird would suit the conditions down to a tee, fact of the matter is, Siddle has the runs on the board, Starc should play given Cook (our biggest target) looks to have a bit of a weakness against the left handers and Pattnson's our most dangerous bowler. As for Warner he clearly is in our best team and the no 6 position should suit him I reckon. Me to Jazza, just one more night to go! I've stocked up on the ice coffee's and coke zeros to get me through the 5 nights. No coffee due to the the noise the boiling kettle will make and my sleeping 10 month old in the other room. I've also worded my work colleagues up that I'll be not much use Thursday & Friday and next Monday due to the cricket so I'm set to go! It does make you wonder, despite the change in coaches, how the likes of Watson, Pattinson & Khawaja (especially Khawaja as he'll miss out for Warner) will feel if Warner's allowed to play when they missed a test for much less. Fingers crossed the noises about the team being much closer now are true and we can move forward! On another note though what are people hoping to see on Day 1? We bat first and bat out the day making 300 odd with the loss of no more then 5 wickets? Or we bowl first and knock them over for less then 200 and get to stumps 1 or 0 down for somewhere between 50-100? Both would be ideal starts to the series.

Way ahead of you rpfc with my suggested last two rookie picks. Jared Risol mature age, rebounding KPD playing with Perth Demons in the WAFL, 23 years old I believe and having a pretty good year. And throw in re-drafting Troy Davis also. Just as insurance until we secure Chip long term.

Sorry mjt, but by that logic half way through the 87' season you would have been saying Fitzroy were closer to playing finals then us. If you think our list is pathetic now with the likes of Hogan, Viney, Toumpas, Kent, Frawley, McDonald, Grimes, Trengove, N. Jones, Dawes, Gawn, Evans, Clisby. Terlich, Garland, Blease all with their best footy ahead of them, plus throw in Mitch Clark then you must be a glass half empty kind of guy and I'd hate to think what you thought of our list back in 2008. Unless Carlton manage to steal a premiership this year or next which is highly unlikely then they're going to sink faster then the titanic with the likes of Judd, Waite, Scotland, Simpson & Carrazo all getting to the later stages of their career. With our young list, if we can get the right coach and admin in place then there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to launch a serious assault on finals and then a premership from 2015 onwards while Carlton occupy the position we have for to long now.

Wonder how Smith, Khawaja and Faulkner feel if he does play as they're the three that will likely miss out if Warner gets the no 6 spot. I reckon Cowan will get first crack at 3.

With a brand new coach coming in I reckon list turnover wont be as big as we were initially thinking as the new coach (unless it's Craig of course) will probably want to have a first hand look at the players. Hence outside of Jack Watts (3 year deal), Colin Sylvia (3 year deal) and Max Gawn (2 year deal) I reckon we'll see a lot of 1 year deal contract extensions. My very early prediction would be. 1 year deals: David Rodan Josh Tynan Daniel Nicholson Aaron Davey Rory Taggert Jack Fitzpatrick Mitch Clisby (2nd year on rookie list) Delist: James Magner (rookie) Tom Gillies Joel MacDonald James Sellar Neville Jetta Troy Davis Tom Couch (rookie) Nathan Stark (rookie) Upgraded 17 year old: Jesse Hogan National Draft: Pick 2: James Aish (Norwood), Jack Billings (Oakleigh Chargers), Luke Dunstan (Woodville West-Torrens) or Dominic Sheed (Subiaco) Pick 19: Trent Dumont (Norwood) or Nathan Freeman (Sandringham Dragons) Pick 36: Eli Templeton (Burnie) Pick 54: Chris Michaelidis (Sandringham Zebras) Pick 72: PASS Rookie Draft: Pick 2: Khan Haretuku (Frankston Dolphins) Pick 20: Jared Risol (Perth Demons) Pick 38: Re-draft Troy Davis (Melbourne Demons) That's just the way I'd be looking to build the list though.

Thought that myself, unless of course the AFL pay a large slice of Buddy's and Swan's wage as promotional players. Coleman medalist & brownlow medalist?

If it comes down to those two then I'd take Aish, but I'm really keen on Sheed, Dunstan or Billings.

Did anyone see on the Fox Sports coverage after the game Paul Roos talk about Carlton's poor trading playing a part in their current position. He made mention of the fact that at the end of the 2008 season Ryan O'Keefe wanted to return to Melbourne and Sydney offered him to Carlton in exchange for pick 6 and they refused the trade. Thar amazes me to think that they could have had someone as good as O'Keefe but instead they decided to keep pick 6 and use it to draft a small crumbing forward when they already had Betts & Garlett on their list and added Buckley only a few seasons later. Good work Carltank, couldn't of happened to a nicer team!

Now I know it's early for this and this one doesn't even involve our club but I just thought I'd post this as it's a pretty big rumor. Filth supporter mate of mine is the nephew of a current filth board member and he texted me this rumour this morning which is pretty big if true. Collingwood & GWS allegedly already had early discussions about the following trade at seasons end" Collingwood trade Swan, O'Brien & their 1st round draft pick to GWS. GWS trade Patton, Adams & a third round pick to Collingwood The theory behind this being that the money Collingwood save on Swan & O'Brien (mainly Swan) they can use to match any offers for Thomas as a free agent. GWS by trading Patton would use pick 1 on Boyd giving them a forward line next year of Cameron, Franklin (who they're confident of getting) and Boyd as the 3rd tall/ruck. My mate doesn't normally give away to much, so not sure if he was out on the sauce celebrating the win last night, but would be a huge trade if it happened. I know Buckley was apparently a big fan of Adams when he coached or mentored him at junior level or whatever relationship they had?

Don't think we'll look at Duigan, we've got Grimes, Terlich, Clisby as running backmen along with the likes of Dunn (contracted next year), Nicholson and Tynan for depth. Saints do have a heap of small forwards but Saad may be tough to get especially with Milne likely not to play beyond this year and Schneider seemingly gone with injury Saad & Dennis-Lane look to be their 2 new small forwards going forward. We may be able to get Terry Milera off them though who I rate. Shane Savage is another who could be worth looking at, as for Siposs, my wife who's a Saints fan says they wont trade him. Daniel Cross is someone who may be worth looking at. Not getting a game at the Bulldogs more due to the fact that their midfield is so old and they're trying to get some youth and pace into it rather then Cross's lack of ability, he'd be playing every week if he was with us. Can play a tight tag and still get plenty of the pill and knows his limitations. Only issue is that you couldn't carry both Cross & McKenzie in your midfield, it'd be one or the other in your 22, the other would become depth at Casey.

Final days play effected by rain. Worcestershire 2nd Innings 5/274 Faulkner 2/21 (17 overs) Harris 2/60 (19) Agar 1/86 (27) Didn't get the result which is disapointing but a good hit out all the same. Harris, Bird & Faulkner all took 4 wickets for the match each and Agar 3 so we're probably no closer to seeing who gets the final bowlers spot. Rock, paper, scissors championship between Harris, Bird, Siddle & Faulkner maybe to determine?

I can see Carlton supporters doing this out at Princess Park today!

Stumps Day 3 Australia 4/396dec Watson 109 Rogers 75 Smith 68* Clarke 62 Cowan 58 Hughes 19* Worcestershire 284 Bird 4/48 (25 overs) Faulkner 2/57 (14.1) Harris 2/65 (21) Agar 2/79 (23) Australia 5/344dec Clarke 124 Hughes 86 Smith 43 Cowan 34 Rogers 26 Agar 10* Faulkner 7* Watson DNB Worcestershire 1/64 Agar 1/16 (7) If it wasn't certain before then it certainly is now that Hughes is a lock to play the first test. Harris getting a couple of wickets to wrap the innings up also keep him in contention for the final qucik bowling spot with Bird & Siddle. Then there's the big question of who will bat at first drop and at 6 out of Cowan, Smith, Khawaja, Faulkner (allrounder) and of course Warner? Anyone elses guess is as good as mine!