Adam The God

I agree. I just don't rate Tomlinson.

If we get Hurley, a big 'if' I know, but, if we get Hurley, one of Frost or Omar will become depth. I think we have better needs to be trading for at this stage. The midfield (despite all the buzz after the terrific performance against Hawthorn) still needs reinforcements and depth. I'd also go Hurley or stick with the young guys we have playing at the moment.

I'd entertain Hoskin-Elliot if the trade was right, but Tomlinson is bog ordinary. He's one of those guys that looks like a footballer, but doesn't play like a particularly good one.

It seems to be either he's too slow (pull the other one, picket) or it's his skills and decision-making (both of which improve with experience).

I hope PJ is first in line to knock this one on the head, given Brisbane did that to us.

A few anti-Oscar's still clutching at straws this week. It's been said a number of times, but bigger guys take time. Rance was a butcher two years ago and hopeless three years. Frawley was ordinary when he first started out. It's experience Oscar needs and at the moment he's getting it.

Just produced a series on slam poetry. It premieres on the ABC next week. Thank you very much. :D

I agree, but isn't the Brisbane situation more a coaching problem and less personnel?

What a cop out. Get off the fence if you're not going to have an opinion yourself.

I hope you're right and my fingers are crossed that it'll be a total reversal and they'll spend years in the jungle when they fall off this impeding cliff.

I'd rather dream of doing a Hawthorn next year and pinching one.

The big strong competitors in the air will always be needed. Particularly in Grand Finals, where games tend to be more contested and congested. You could aruge Frawley was a massive reason why Hawthorn won it last year. Tommy's not that sort of player. My feeling is Hurley will speed up our development as a football team simply because he'll allow us to win more games. But at the same time, I don't believe his recruitment is make or break. I also wouldn't be offering him anymore than $700k. If you're going to come across, we'll pay you a little bit more than our other defenders, but we'll be taking you under market value, because as a club, we can offer you success during your remaining career. By 2018 we believe we'll be challenging. That gives you a year to learn our system and develop chemistry with your new team mates. Take it or leave it, Michael.

Vandenberg is easily our worst handballer, by quite a way. Misses one or two simple targets every week without fail. Oscar's occasional poor handballs are a result of a couple of experience things. 1) the speed of the game & 2) knowing what to do in a pressure situation (experience).

If there's truth to this, I can't see them challenging for the flag in the next 3 years. Brilliant. If we could land Hibberd, Hurley and another top mid from an opposition club, we'll give the top 4 a shake next year.

It may have little bearing, but it was also mentioned on 3AW on Saturday that Hurley grew up supporting the Saints. They look pretty good now, despite being carried by a lot of their older players. Still, I think a footballer with little foresight would see the Saints as being the better destination in the long run. They'd be wrong.

Melbourne, North and St Kilda.

Yep, fair enough. Certainly don't discount the EFC connection. PJ is a bloody genius.

As a 30 year coach of the VFA or whatever you are Picket, what do you think improves with more experience (ie game time)? I'll give you a clue.

Tom is far more creative, but Oscar is a better kick. Probably because he keeps things simpler.

Despite what some Demonlanders have been banging on about for 27 pages, Oscar has improved with every game. He makes the odd error back there (see Frost and TMac too), but his contested stuff is getting better, as is his decision making. This year is a vital one for his development and I'm glad the FD have got as many games into him as possible. I hope that trust continues into next year. As I've said before, he looked completely incompetent in his two games last year, but outside of a few contests where he's been outmuscled this season, he's done well. And much like his brother, he's a very good reader of the ball in flight. In terms of being outmuscled though, I'm sure they'll be aiming to build him up in the gym, so his strength in the contest is enhanced. He also seems to stand taller when his brother is around. I think they really do love playing together. I hope he's as durable as his brother. Backline continuity in a new system cannot be underestimated. Anyway, sit tight, picket et al.

Don't burden Watts with the captaincy. FFS. This is the first season he's played consistently good footy. Let's just allow him to play his role and he'll be far better for it.

Yep, it seems to be the Bulldogs connection that has really added something to our club. First - McCartney. Second - Jennings.

Spot on, mate. I'd argue Viney was equally as influential. His outside run was stunning, but both are going to become A grade as of 2018.

Brendan McCartney's influence on many of our players is vastly underrated. As soon as he came to the club our blokes started standing up in tackles. Coincidence? No.

Where do people rate Tyson now? Anyone rate him yet? Has had an outstanding and, dare I say it, 'elite' second half of the season. Averaging 25 disposals this year too (career best). I reckon he's going to be special, because when he's on song he's a goal kicking mid and they're worth their weight in gold. Imagine him playing alongside a more experienced midfield too.