Dr. Gonzo

Fix the draft (no more academies or father sons) Allow clubs to trade in-contract players without their consent Rookie contracts to be 3+1+1+1 (club option after year 3) Restricted free agency after 6 years Salary cap floor of 85% (95% is ridiculous) Tighten salary cap to disqualify all these outside the cap arrangements - the AFL really is a backwater comp with all the dodgy [censored] they sweep under the rug Create a fair fixture without all these marquee games pre-allocated That's a start

I disagree it's because we love the game too much. The game is a shadow of the game we grew up watching and loving. It's because we love our clubs too much. How many would turn their back on the AFL but to do so would mean turning their back on their club (non-attendance, membership etc) so keep up the support. We are suckers and the AFL take us for a ride.

I know how I feel 😂

I judge the worth of someone's info based on their posting history regardless of if they name their sources. Each person can believe what they want, it's up to them, they don't need to justify themselves 🤷

Who said it was "as opposed to"?

Or Casey

I don't understand what's wrong with the ovals that have been hosting AFL games for decades. The AFL is extorting the Tassie public, $1bn(++) for a stadium that isn't necessary is utterly deplorable. If the AFL want the stadium that bad, pay for it yourself.

Then we hold him to his contract.

Discussing a players development at an exit meeting/offseason and then refusing to implement that plan isn't letting players choose where they play. Perhaps we could continue rolling with Oliver Viney Petracca as our predominant mids, that certainly worked out well for Goodwin didn't it 🙄 You can't give a kid 5 minutes and then pull the pin. It's called development something we've been poor at for a while now.

Depends, some people have good mail from industry contacts whereas I would take anything a player said to a supporter with a grain of salt, they may be telling the truth but they also have a vested interest. I don't think anyone disputes people pass on the information they hear in good faith (whether people with contacts or supporters speaking directly to players) but people need to make their own assessment as to whether to believe the source (contact/player) of that information. I'm sure any reasonable person could understand why someone may have reservations about believing everything a player says to a supporter about their contract status.

Packers Falcons Texans

Is he still coaching? I know he was with the Cats for a while after retirement but thought he'd been out of the mix for a while.

Who would've thought a discussion forum would foster discussion.

You should be asking why would he want to stay?

It would've been weird if he left them out for Laurie and Sharp though.

Because Jones came in with no coaching experience and our midfield was garbage despite having the best ruck in the league. Bassett has been around the traps for a while and was relegated to the SANFL before being brought back by his mate Goodwin. Our defence this year was also garbage.

Yeah you are. The new job starts today, not next year.

Clubs should just own contracts. If a player signs for 5 years the club owns their contract and can keep them or trade them wherever they can get the best deal. Players should not have to agree to trades when in contract. Players have Free Agency and can hold clubs hostage with trade demands to preferred clubs even when wanting to return interstate due to home sickness, clubs should have some power when players are in contract. Long contracts give players security as they will get paid regardless of where they play but they are anchors for clubs especially if players request a trade mid-contract.

Agree with this. Once you're appointed head coach of one club you cease to be an Assistant at your current club.

To an extent but there is still the room/need to give a rocket when needed. Fagan, Longmire, Clarkson, Hardwick, Scott etc all capable of tearing shreds off the team when necessary. We have plenty of players who need to hear some home truths from time to time.

I thought this was another book related pun, turns out it actually is his birthday 🤣

Glad we didn't go with Buckley in the end, I could see the appeal but had cooled on him the last week or so. Surprised with King, I had a feeling we would go Kelly but King has an impressive CV. Hopefully he can bring a forward thinking gameplan and is strong on culture (but not love in; accountability). There's plenty of work to do so he should be starting ASAP. He's the Melbourne coach now so he should be clearing his desk at Kardinia Park tonight.

We picked Goodwin because he interviewed well, turned out ok. If you're not basing it on interviews then what are you basing it on/why bother having them??

Why 8, it's just an arbitrary number. If it was a hard and fast cutoff then they wouldn't have wasted time interviewing him but I agree, it makes the call look silly.

This is my preference now, Kelly/Bartel. I think back to 2021 and Collingwood going Macrae while the Blues went Voss. Neither went Lyon which was the right call. I won't be upset if it's Buckley but will feel we missed a trick passing on Kelly.