Akum

When you put it like that, makes you wonder how highly Port & Swans must think of their first two picks. Although I don't think either us or Tiges would have given the offer a second thought.

Got enough time on your hands?

Luke Ball, the Silvio Foschini of 2010. Expect him to do almost as well.

Nailed it completely IMO. I was convinced of the need for more mids but was more surprised they didn't take Jetta at 11. But thinking it over, Gysberts is a much better fit - or perhaps it's more appropriate to say that Gysbert's type is a much better fit with our other mids than Jetta's type.

I'm more bothered about PA making him an offer after next season that he really can't refuse, especially if he has a good year. And about the possibility that him being given only a 1-year contract was for this very purpose.

Didn't somebody from the club say recently after this year's draft we're unlikely to pick up too many new players through drafting for 2 or 3 years, and instead we'll be looking to the rookie list? Or did I imagine it? Even if I did imagine it, the situation remains that next year there's likely to be much less available through the draft and even thru trade (sure, we'll try to trade with GC17 for some draft picks, but every other club will be doing the same). And next year quite a few "fringe" players come out of contract - as well as Newton & Meesen, there's Bell & PJ & Miller & Bartram. Add Junior maybe retiring, that's seven. This presents us with a golden opportunity to seriously improve the quality of our list. But where are we going to get the 5 or 6 or even 7 good new players to replace them? OK, maybe this is looking too far ahead. But the immediate issue is that our current rookie list really needs major strengthening if it is to sustain us through the lean years ahead. Given that there is still some potential talent around (Grimes jr, Panos, Patrick, Daw), this could be a one-off chance to load up our rookie list.

Couldn't agree more.

We've now got our second fast-leading KPF "Jack" who has tested as exceptionally quick over the first 20 metres. Needless to say, this will be an extremely valuable attribute for both Jacks in future.

Hey Ingo, do you have a baby too? Or just insomnia?

Another reason why Gysberts & Tapscott are good picks - both are tough and tackle really well, so are capable of applying major defensive pressure from forward line or midfield, which does need to be more of a feature next year & thereafter. Scully & Trengove seem good in this respect too.

Yep. His position could just about vary week by week depending on where it's going to be hardest for the opposition to match up on him.

If Pickering is Talia's manager as has been suggested, it's very interesting if he bagged US for not taking Talia at 11 but didn't mention the team that passed him up at 12. Could it be that Talia was more keen to come to us than to them, despite supporting them? Or that Pickering himself was more dirty that Talia was passed up by us rather than them? It's been said on other threads that several of the young draftees, knowing what a great young side we're getting together for the future, were keen to come to us.

DB will have definitely stowed away Morton's 3-goal last half from CHF against Geelong (I think) in the memory banks. That was one of THE most significant events of the "experimentation" phase of 2009. He'll be damaging in any position sooner or later - a nightmare to match up on wherever he plays.

... Not forgetting that Blease and Strauss a number of times combined so well with Watts &/or Scully in the 2008 champs.

Know what you mean, but it's the "both ... and" that's exciting.

Point taken Bob, but it did seem to affect him more this year than last year. It can be such an unpredictable & frustrating condition, sometimes getting worse or better for no apparent reason, and sometimes what you do can make a big difference and sometimes it's marginal.

Chronic fatigue sydrome would do that to anyone. It's a matter of whether this year, with CFS, is a better indication of his true form than last year, without CFS. That is, whether or not he can throw off his CFS, like Alistair Lynch seemed to do. If he can, then we might have picked up an absolute steal.

Like the post kozi, but CC's tongue must have been so far into his cheek it was almost coming out the other side. Which of our coaching staff "manufactured" our hero Jordan McMahon's only decent kick for at least half a season? Anyway, that's ancient history - now we can just sit back & enjoy the fruits for the next decade or so.

Agree, but even more so because Morton is rarely mentioned as a forward option. He got 3 straight in a half against Geelong (pretty sure it was Geelong) playing CHF in lousy conditions. OK, he's not the "pack-crasher" option, but he's great overhaed one-on-one, very mobile and a great kick (notwithstanding the occasional scrubber). He needs to be considered in everybody's "forward options" mix IMO.

Classic analogy, agree wholeheartedly. More than happy with the Luke we got.

No doubt about it though - rpfc with help from AoB and others beat all-comers hands down

GM, you nailed it well & truly with the OP. The principles were there, if not the individuals. Good effort.

Sez it all

Agree majorly.

Thanks a heap BD, Fn, HM & others, this is gold for we who weren't able to make it. Fantastic result overall.