The Chazz

This is the key, DJ. We need more than 12 months of work to base our argument on, because if you have a look at the 5-10 years prior to that, we consistently drew poor numbers to those types of games. The other key is to know what contractual arrangements we have. You are wasting your breath about flicking the NT games if we have committed to two of them until 2020 (for example). I don't know when the current contract is up, but hopefully it gives us time to show we are maintaining that crowd-drawing ability.

First and foremost, we're not a big club. Yes, we had quite a successful year on and off the field in 2018, but we now need to maintain/sustain that momentum in consecutive years. The NT agreement had a significant financial benefit in our dark years, which has helped contribute to where we currently stand. But at this stage, we still have much to achieve. Is the club taking away anther two games from fans? Maybe, maybe not. Yes, it's difficult for most fans to travel to the NT, so we do miss out on those games. That said, the reciprocal games that we are given means that I probably go to two games that I may not have done so previously. There could be an argument, especially this year, that us playing two games in the NT helped provide us with the opportunity to play two extra games after the season finished. We won both games in the NT this year, which helped us make the finals and play 2 extra games at the MCG. Would we have beaten both Adelaide and Freo if those games were played at the MCG? While likely, it is irrelevant, because it can't be proven. If we win both games in 2019 in the NT, then all of a sudden we are starting to prove difficult to play against up there. Time will tell on that point. With regards to the travel for the players. Most players and coaches comment about how they enjoy the break in routine, especially getting away interstate where they can create a different bond within the group. While it could be just media speak, I could (and do) believe them when they say this. My last point (which was your first point) about the bottom line is an unknown, and I'd doubt we would find exact information on this. What can be said with great confidence is that five years ago, if we played West Coast/Freo/Adelaide at the MCG, we'd get 20-25k people at best. From all reports, those sort of figures would see us lose money, so the NT deal was a no brainer. Given our 2018 performance, I'd imagine our crowds for those games would draw more around the 30-40k mark if played at the MCG in 2019, so we would be making money on these. That said, and as I referred to in my opening paragraph, we've had one good season. Let's see us do it for two or three seasons in a row, then we could look at selling one game out instead of the two. My main concern with this is that we'd want to be very careful how we ended the relationship with the NT, mainly because if our onfield performances turn to poo, we will then see a drop off in members, crowds, and profit, meaning we'll need to go back to the well to stay afloat.

So give up the Anzac Eve game then. And don't give me the "We play Thursday night, Richmond play Friday" argument that @Demon Spofforth floated - it would mean one ot the two teams would have an extra day break. You want marquee games like this, you have to be willing to give something up for them.

We won 14 this year (exc finals). I see this draw getting us 15-16 wins.

If we're to be a serious Top 2 team, we'll be 5-0. Top 4 team should see us 4-1 at worst. Anything less than that and we will be in the middle tier again. I can see us being 10-2 or 9-3 going into the bye, then winning 5 of the first 6 after the bye.

Luckily we play St Kilda the week before so that we can rest our "A Team"...

The consequence of finishing higher on the ladder. I know it will take some getting used to that sort of thing.

Great draw. But alas, there will be some that will complain.

McGuire raised the alternating of the QBD game earlier this year, I'm amazed some are surprised by the decision. That said, I would've preferred it to start next year given the Anzac Eve game is our away game in 2019.

Yeah, because Pert was responsible for us alternating the hosting rights of the QBD game, and for us having to play in Geelong. ?‍♂️

I did this one a couple of years ago...

Clearly that's the simple solution league-wide. But the AFL won't do that, so best some get over it.

The young bloke off Doctor Doctor has a bit of Clarry about him I reckon...

Geelong have to play a certain amount of games at KP. Would we rather they play those games against the weak interstate sides basically gifting them a finals spot? F-them I say, let's go down there in Round 2, get the job done, and that's one less free ticket to September for them.

I think to further expand on that question, I'd like to know how far in advance they start making enquiries about a player. For example, I think we said that we had been monitoring May for a little while, so at what stage did they circle 2018 as the year to attack? This could explain why sometimes they don't bring future picks in to the equation, as they are planning on making a play for someone else that following year. Hope that makes sense!

Petracca should be the project player of Max Gawn's dietician.

Stayed in a Deniliquin caravan park in the early 90s for a long weekend. As a one-eyed, young teen, Demon supporter, it was a great thrill seeing Darren Cuthbertson staying in the caravan behind us. Had my Demon footy, and he happily obliged to sign it for me.

In 2012, May kicked 3 goals and took 12 marks against Hawthorn. Could he, when match-ups permit, play a swinging role?

Now let's get May, KK and pick 24, for pick 6 and 46.

The below saw him miss bulk games; Knee injury that saw him miss approx 6 weeks (2013, when he could only play for Casey). Back stress in his first season (2014). Testicular cancer (2017) Broken collarbone (2017) Hamstring injury (2017) Navicular injury (2018) For a 23 year old, this is extensive.

I realise that, but he's got an extensive history of breaking down. Jesse could go on for the rest of his career injury free, and good luck to him (personally) if he does. But I have my doubts.

Prepare yourself for bad news...

Whose body has let him down, in one fashion or another, ever since we drafted him. He's a beauty, Jesse, but he's a liability in my view.

And some on here will still think we are getting shafted. It's amazing, yet disturbing at the same time. It will do some heads in on this site. Some will be much happier that we didn't cough up 5 for May, but then they will feel agony at getting 6 for Hogan.

Which would mean pick 6 and 15 for Hogan, then Pick 6 for May. JT goes to the draft with pick 15. Loving it.