Adam The God

That'd kick off a conversation for one of them, but not two of them, unless we can get the Saad deal done with the second rounder we have. Why not put the future first rounder on the table too? I know it's likely to be around pick 9-10, but I think most of us are in agreement that we need to be aggressive here and plug needs. Saad gives us the run off half back and Merrett gives us another winger and genuine midfield rotation. If we get a second or third rounder for Tom McDonald, maybe that gets a deal done for Hurley? Such a blue sky junkie at this time of year, AF.

Would be a dream, but can't see it. Hurley is 30, so they can't exactly ask the world for him.

Nah. I reckon he's re-signed.

As usual, I'm already enjoying the off season more than the season proper. Typical Melbourne. The trade season is the regular season for us poor mugs. Backline: May, Hurley, Lever, Rivers, Salem, Saad. Midfield: Oliver, Petracca, Harmes, Merrett, Viney Forwardline: lacking... West Coast 2006?

Hurley is mates with May, Harmes, Hibberd and Melksham too. Interesting...

Why would we give up one of our more outside, balanced mids to bring in Merrett? Imagine Oliver, Merrett, Petracca. ?

What?

Probably, but can we sustain that game style?

Definitely needs a mate or two like Ryan in our forwardline though.

I've heard enough from Lewis in his commentary position to be comfortable saying he'll be best placed in the media. He's tried to discuss what we're doing a number of times this year and his lack of insight was noticeable. Not only that, his understanding of players on his most recent team was staggeringly poor.

I think this year is not like every single year though.

Quite possibly, although I had thought they'd done a bit of a back pedal on this. Anyway, we'll see.

Fair enough. That may be so. Viney is our only mid I'd consider giving up to the market. Who would you give up for McKay, hypothetically speaking.

Jeepers, people are suggesting a lot of changes. 10 is a lot to go off your primary list at this stage in our evolution. Possible, I guess.

Nowhere near it, but Oliver should be in the conversation IMV. Had an excellent and underrated season again. Will definitely finish top 3 in the BnF. Agree with the rest of it, but not good enough.

Look at the way Freo are playing under a first year coach. Lyon had them stagnating and had run out of ideas. He's done IMV.

Jesse is very capable of holding his own in a contested aerial situation without jumping on someone's head. He's a mobile CHF as the best CHFs are. I'd have him in my side before Brown and I think we could actually play Jackson, Hogan and Weideman in the same team.

Gaz just said Jesse has never been a CHF or FF. He plays his best footy on a half forward flank. Not sure that's right, Gary. Sure, he's no Tony Lockett, stay at home forward, he gets up on his bike.

There's something a bit banjos about Hunty, but good on him.

Two girlfriends? And all I'm saying is I'd prefer anyone to Ross Lyon. Over the hill.

I wouldn't. Lyon's well past it.

Not sure what we're going to go with next year. Are we going to focus on winning the contest and moving the ball quickly, or are we going to continue with the slower chipping game? The more outside pace we add, the more our game style changes. Not necessarily for the worse, adding that to our inside grunt is a good thing, but I'm not convinced we know how to harness that game style. There's still far too much learning on the job for my liking. We never settled on our team and we appeared to make constant tweaks throughout the year. Will be fascinating to see which element we favour (inside or outside) and whether we go more attacking or more defensive.

Watching the way Freo set up and their rising midfield, it shows you how past it Ross Lyon is.

Yeah, you''re right.

Not sure we want him though, mate. Thinking on it further, I'd absolutely take him back for a future first, so effectively it's May and Hogan for the future first. ;)