Adam The God

Sure, but unless we get Reid, I can't see us having enough list spots.

This is pretty much my view. I think McAdam will add x factor to our forward half and therefore improve us, so it's then about getting continuity forward of centre with Petty, Fritta, McAdam, JVR and Fullarton. Ideally, we get 10 games out of TMac or BB, but I think they're both done.

Adelaide might want to remember that they do not operate in a closed market. The longer they [censored] around, the less likely we are to be accommodating next time.

The thing about the Naughton deal is it's like Clarry and Trac's deal. Such a long term that it provides flexibility and certainty to list management strategy and TPP management. If Naughton had signed a shorter deal, say five years, then I think JUH would have been gettable. That said, Croft coming in is another that threatens that key tall post. I wouldn't be surprised if Naughton and Darcy end up taking the key back posts.

Really? I hadn't noticed.

Our last 4 or 5 games against them we've had 'all duck, no dinner' (Langdon); 'see you in two weeks' (Mcrae); football action (Maynard); and now we have May's we're better than them. There's definitely a fierce rivalry building. That said, I'd much prefer our players letting the football do the talking. May has to back that up now.

Haha, love him. Does not suffer fools.

Agreed.

And what will it do? Make you feel better? How will it help the Melbourne Football Club?

I'd go top end talent. If we can get that gamebreaker/gamechanger like Trac or Clarry with Reid, go hard for it. We have, I'd argue, 25 or so players that are AFL quality and we therefore have a strong bottom 6. The more we turn over the list and replace those guys that we have question marks over (Harmes, Dunstan, Grundy), and replace them with McAdam, Reid etc, the stronger our bottom 6 will become. And draft picks are just that. Draft picks. If we had to give up 3 picks and we got another Clarry or Trac, what would you say? The punt is worth it.

Why? I don't want the club showing their hand. Downright dumb. 'Hey, rest of league, here's our plan for next year.' Why do some supporters think the club owes them a response at every turn? And don't give me the 'I'm a paid up member' claptrap. It's dumb. And the club should STFU and get on with trying to win premierships, not spend their time placating neggy nuffies who [censored] the bed every time something doesn't go perfectly.

Haha, I know, sorry 🤣

I don't disagree entirely, however, Collingwood were gifted the best player in the draft via F/S during that time, Bobby Hill was seen as inconsistent and had never really got going. Had a good season and a superb finals campaign. McStay is just a goer and didn't even play in the GF, and struggled to get on the park this year, managing 14 of 26 games. There's no reason McAdam can't have an impact as big as either of Hill or McStay. As for the Lions, they too were handed one of the best players in the draft via F/S and landed Dunkley who no doubt improved their midfield. But again, there's no reason whoever we take with our first pick this draft couldn't equally improve us structurally, like Dunkley has for Brisbane.

So the second flag wasn't about their ability to back themselves in and keep Judd. It was that they happened to maximise value for him after one flag.

They got one premiership out of Judd, Cousins, Kerr, Cox etc.

Jim never has a second cup of coffee at home.

I think we'll be able to find a spot for him in our forward half just quietly. McVee May Lever Salem Tomlinson Rivers Langdon Oliver Hunter Petracca Petty Fritsch Pickett JVR Reid Gawn Viney Sparrow Brayshaw Neal-Bullen McAdam Bowey Smith or Howes for sub. Chandler misses out.

Surely not. Unprecedented at the very least.

I think it was a joke mate. Unless you're joking too? Well, yeah, but most teams would know who's taking who.

Agreed, we won't get or want Darling.

And if this is true, there you go. This is precisely what I'm talking about. This'll be interesting. It's not like West Coast can sell a fast turnaround. They're a basketcase.

Sure, I'd take Reid, but he's a Victorian and we're a Melbourne based team. Conversely, there's Curtin who is said to be a ripper, who is a local lad. If there's any doubt internally at WC about Reid's desire to return to Victoria, that may factor into decision making here. I'm entirely speculating here, but I think that's one of the reasons I think we started rumours of Reid not wanting to go west. It's limited leverage, but implants a concern / variable in the minds of WC recruiters that must be considered.

Because, as I wrote, it'll be pick 1, 2 or 3 next year in all probability. That means, there's nothing to fall back on with a poor season. I don't see that as a responsible list management strategy. I've been wrong before though...

Agree that it most likely stays with WC, but based on your analysis, I'd say the second most likely destination of pick 1 is us. I think you're right in saying North won't want to trade a F1 (1/2/3 in 2024) and I don't think they'll trade both 2 and 3 either, so their best offer will be 2 or 3 + 15. Whereas, our best offer could well be 6 + 11 + F1 (18 😉 ), and WC could still pick up Curtin at 6 with no go home factor, whilst getting another potentially good player with 11. If pick 1 is traded, I can only see us getting it.

My old man says watch this space on Darling, haha, so here comes Darling.