Adam The God

I wouldn't mind Melksham as a forward coach. But I think he plays on one more year at least.

I'd expect this trade is still on. Alternatively, however, if an in principle deal was struck where we said at, say, the half way mark of the season, we'd give up our first rounder or even our future first rounder for him, and now the season has panned out how it has, you could see why our FD could have got cold feet. And with cold feet, told Dan sorry mate, we're going to take our two first rounders to the draft this year. If this happened, what would Houston's management do if he wanted out of SA? They'd spin it that he'd got cold feet at Melbourne's on/off field situation and apparent internal disharmony. This gives him an out to save face and we cop it, because we essentially reneged on a deal. Nick Gieschen at Connors Sports reps Houston, which adds a bit of spice to all this. I'd say more coincidence than them being [censored] off with reneging on the Houston deal and a [censored] off Trac though.

I wouldn't be ruling out Houston just yet...

They manufacture your consent pretty easily don't they?

I agree, it's more likely it'll take trading one of our players to get another pick in the top 10.

I don't know if it's just his number 5, but O'Sullivan reminds me of a less explosive Trac, but still nimble with good vision and smarts. I agree, I'd definitely have Langford ahead of him. I'd be happy with either Langford or Lalor. Wouldn't be disappointed with Draper either. If we could somehow nab two of these guys, particularly the first two, Lalor could play forward, and Langford at half back and in the mid rotation. I want Houston as well, so we're likely to swallow our future first with a trade for him, but if we can use Nibbler and a future second for Houston, and trade our future first into this year's first round, getting Langford and Lalor would mean our midfield under 22 would be set for the next decade, with Rivers, McVee and Windsor. It'd then just be about filling holes in that 25-27 list demo over the next 2-3 years.

Wow, okay, huge coup for them.

If he hadn't already been with us, I'd say Jennings, but he's obviously at GWS. Leppitsch would be a great get given he's strategy at Collingwood. That would be some good offensive IP. Or conversely, we move McQualter into this role and bring in a new midfield coach. McQualter's Richmond IP would still be massively helpful.

I completely agree. I wonder if we could get a ball movement coach who doubles as a strategy coach.

Factually not true though that Goody doesn't change things. He started as an extremely attacking coach and has reverted to defence, and won a flag and had 3 top 4 finishes. It'll be hard to move away from that, but maybe a lowly finish like 2024 will shift the dial towards more attack.

That's true, but Charlie is an elite kick and user. Swings and round abouts.

When you lose certain players, it can force you into changing game style and method, which Nibbler's departure may do.

Nibbler has been better at it but many more pre seasons on Charlie. Charlie was playing wing and high half forward all through 2022, so has good endurance.

Great post mate. I know this is a thread about Nibbler, but for me it's Spargo. Was basically playing the other flank with Nibbler, now Chandler has played that this season. It means Spargo and Chandler both get spots. Spargo is one of our better kicks too.

Losing the leadership of Gus and now ANB will be huge. A vacuum will need to be filled.

Gutted to be losing Nibbler,but that certainly gives us something to offer Port for Houston.

I know haha.

Rivers, Koz, McVee, Windsor, Kolt, AMW, Howes, JVR, Turner, Bowey and now Jefferson all sit in his program. And Petty, Chandler and Spargo have all come through it recently. Not quite sure if you're serious...

I'm not sure how long Choco has on his contract, but I hope we're extending him. Development at Melbourne, particularly of players 1-4 years, is a strength.

I'm hoping the fallout of all this (alleged) discontent vis a vis Trac, Clarry and Viney is one of the positives to come from 2024. A bit like 2020, where there was murmurings of alleged discontent in the ranks, and we made some smart off season choices, re-galvanised, had some honest conversations around the fire place and snapped our 57 year streak. Obviously there are other wins this year like the emergence of our younger brigade and the small margin between being in the top 4 (losing by a goal to Carlton, Brisbane, GWS and Port) despite never really getting going and playing some really poor football. I've been again really impressed with our development program as well.

And a good little Harry Potter fan will know who Tom Riddle(r) is.

I think old mate might have been famed @The Riddler. Hi Tom.

Yep, that's what Commonwealth austerity will do to the place. I notice the weeds bloody everywhere for the last 12 months. We need to get creative with funding sources and find angles that attract government funding.

I agree with you that the forwardline talls are fine. I'd also argue that the backline talls are fine. I'd like more class at both ends of the field, but that's not absolutely necessary. It's the midfield. I'd like Callaghan as well. I wrote this on the other thread, but we'll have a future 1st next year, and it's likely we'll be able to trade 2027 picks as well. I think we can win it next year and we owe it to guys like Trac who signed long term deals to dip our toes in both pools (Houston and an elite talent this year). I'd be backing our list management team to work our way back into the 2025 first round if needed.

I was expecting more dynamite in this thread. Look, to be honest, it is hard to know precisely what Kate is like as a leader, but I'm not a fan of the board. They had one important job RE facilities and very little has happened. And to put it mildly, they appear hostile to differing views. I much prefer leaders to operate quietly and collaboratively in the background, an Eddie McGuire or Jeff Kennett type would [censored] me up the wall. So I prefer to hear less, but the president and her board need to ensure the facilities are sorted by the time the likes of Trac are done. Any longer would be a disaster.