Dr. Gonzo

You really believe the coaches aren't all over the performance of every player in the squad? Come on.

My only concern is that with no 1st rounders from 2016-18 we may end up with a hole in our list from an age perspective 7 or 8 years down the track (similar to our poor drafting in the early 2000's). But if the strategy pays off with a flag or 3 over the next decade I'm sure I'll live with it

They changed the rules after that and it's draft tampering.

I think the AFL had changed this slightly haven't they? Pretty sure clubs can now only take as many picks to the draft as they spots on their list. So packaging up 3 picks in the 30s to give to Brisbane for pick 12 (for example) may not work if Brisbane then has too many picks vs spots on the list.

Agreed - was my initial reaction but I'm just happy we've secured him and can move on to other things this trade period.

Every second year is touted as the next "superdraft". Actually it seems "next years" draft is always the "superdraft" but next year never comes.

It's not really a gamble, he's a proven commodity. Overpaying is not the same as gambling.

Feels like we overpaid, hope lives up to the hype! Hopefully we have some more moves on the way to work back into next year's draft, 3 years without a 1st round pick could be costly.

That's fine Ron and I can definitely see that argument. I guess it's those who are using it as an excuse to take potshots at Goodwin, Mahoney, McCartney et al which could potentially lead to destabilisation at the club which is the concern.

Yeah exactly - I noticed you conveniently left out some another pick taken in that draft that turned out pretty well for us.

Wow you mean we just happened to get better all of a sudden after 2014? Lucky us! Must've found a 4 leaf clover or something

Didn't Oliver mention McCartney?

The highlighted part seems to be the footy departments issue

Thought I read Pies wanted us as a home opener and we split the gate with them

It's crazy isn't it mate. If this were Tyson being put up for trade instead of Watts would there be so much consternation?

Clubs should own players contracts and should be able to trade them wherever they can without players consent. Then once out of contract, players have FA status and can go where they like.

As 55 said, coaching is a two-way street. Ofcourse I acknowledge raw talent and intelligence is not enough, that was the point of my post! You can have the best coaches in the world but if a person doesn't have the constitution to push themselves to become elite then it ain't gonna happen.

O'Rourke was a number 2 pick as well. Toumpas was a number 4 pick. Just saying.

Don't think so, o heard Wallace talking about him on trade Radio the other day and he said if the drafted was redone now he definitely wouldn't go at 2, probably not even top 20 and possibly not top 40.

He has the talent but not the ambition, desire, application, single-mindedness, fervour etc to be an all time great. To be honest I think he'd struggle to make a best 22 this century let alone be an all-time great of the club.

You know or you're assuming based on what's in the public sphere?

Haha I know mate was just having fun. I'll chalk that one up to new dad insomnia

I don't think so. The situation appears untenable now.

I usually get your humour ET but this one went straight over my head

The QUESTION is why would Goodwin and the FD sack a fantastic player like Watts if it meant their chance of attaining success was lessened as a result? Why would they sack a player who the playing group loved and risk destroying the culture and lessen their chance of attaining success? Of course the answer is obvious, Occam's Razor and all that.