DeeSpencer

Unless the deal was horribly back ended and has big money left on it I can’t see us dumping Harmes. We gave him years over dollars surely? You don’t give 5 years for Harmes if you’re paying top of the market. He showed in the last 3 games of the year he’s clearly still a better wingman than JJ. And at the same time we missed his pace and tank through the middle. Brayshaw gets all the credit by moving to the wing for 2021 but Harmes selflessly played forward, 5th on baller and 3rd winger which is really tough going. No complaints. Never lacked effort. If we signed Karl Amon or some other versatile quick midfield then sure, move off Harmes. (Who id imagine still have solid positive trade value btw). But can we really move off Harmes when the best Casey player to fill his role is Taj Woewodin?

Hi Toby, you’re about to waste your career playing in the sub vest in your most important developmental years, can you stay longer just in case Kossie leaves? I can’t imagine that goes down well.

I think it will be Essendon. Bedford (3rd rounder) and Tomlinson (-3 rounder). We’ll give you Toby for free if you take Tommo and his 500k. We then tell Collingwood we’ve got an extra 500k to pay Grundy but we’re only giving you a 3rd round pick (or a swap of 2nd’s designed like a 3rd). They’ll probably be happy enough with that as it gets him off the books far more easily.

I really think we need to bring in some cheap depth players to see if they can crack the 22 or at least provide more cover than young kids given our window is now. Some options already have threads, like a Josh Corbett. Here are some other ideas. Darragh Joyce - 25 - 194cm - 95kg 25 year old Irish fella delisted by the Saints. VFL form has been strong. Good athlete. Could well provide cheap key defensive depth if we moved Tomlinson Liam McMahon - 20 - 198cm - 89kg Pick 31 in the 2020 draft, cut after 2 years. Played as a forward as a junior but the Pies settled him as a key back . Nice kick, skinny and needs time. Not the most physical or athletic but with his height and skills he wouldn't need to be. No point expecting skinny kids to be physical either, train him up and see if that develops as he adds bulk. Surprised the Pies didn't want to see a 3rd year with a bit more bulk. Jaxon Prior - 21 - 189cm - 85kg 3 years on the Lions list and hasn't quite locked down a best 22 spot, has played some half back or wing. With Dunkley and Ashcroft coming in and Brisbane needed picks and probably cap space he could be squeezed out for a cheap deal and pick I think. I like him as a winger with his big body. His long left foot would provide something different for our midfield mix. Wouldn't expect him to walk in to the best 22 but he'd provide some competition to JJ for a wing spot. Jack Newnes - 29 - 185cm, 86kg We all know Newnes, can play half back but wing is his best role. Just a very playable outside runner. Nothing special but runs, kicks, not the worst at the contest. If we want a year or two of solid wing play that allows us to use our current midfielders through the half forward line more he'll provide it.

They'll have McKay, Logue and Corr, with a mid season draftee Dawson taken last year. He'd be further down the depth chart at North than he would be with us.

A 3rd rounder for Tomlinson feels about right. But I think we'd be giving it up not receiving it.

Melksham kicked 4 and dominated the grand final, looked a class above everyone else on the ground. If JVR played the game Melksham did on the weekend the demonland servers would be melted in to the ground. ANB was a 35 touch running machine when he last played VFL. The idea that either Chandler or Bedford would be significantly upgrades on anyone just isn't true. Chandler might be a slight upgrade if he can drastically improve his defensive attention, improve his burst off the mark and start dishing quick handballs more often. Might. Bedford probably leaves, but won't have a long career if he decision making and composure don't drastically improve.

That's absolutely true, and once again I'd reiterate my enormous thanks for JT and his team putting together a premiership 22 with their early selections and trades. I think we had a number of backline injuries early this year and only saw Hunt step back in to the 22, with Smith and Tomlinson given chances they didn't take. Similarly Dunstan and Bedford had a go and JJ played most of the year despite being a fairly limited player at this stage. Same for ANB, Spargo all the other whipping boys. We didn't see much of Sparrow and JJ in year 2. They were hidden away in the hub but apparently playing very well in scratch matches and then burst in to the side in 2021 in year 3 with stronger bodies. I hope we've got or can find some youngsters who step forward in a hurry, I just haven't seen it from a long line or rookies and late picks so I don't have a lot of faith.

The Grundy deal is a sunk cost, they can either take 650k from it to pay McStay or not. I'd be more than happy to pay McStay that. We're paying Ben Brown and Tomlinson god knows what next year. Certainly more than the Pies will be paying Treloar and Grundy. That's going to be the reality of contracts now with so many older guys around the free agency age signing big money deals.

And in fairness to North I reckon we got overs for Col Sylvia (rip) to get that pick, which we forwards to the Crows for probably slight overs to get Vince. Crows had been punished for salary cap cheating and needed the pick. Classic afl win win arrangement. North have no free agents to fatten up. They’ve cut the list too deep and brought problems on themselves but this might be a fair compromise. They used a rookie spot on the retired Tom Lynch last year. Clearly didn’t value the spots. Now they get 2 more.

They might, but it won’t be because they’ve swapped Grundy for McStay.

It’s simple for the Pies. Cameron and McStay is a far better combination than Grundy and Cameron. Mostly because Cameron is equal to if not better than what we can expect from Grundy. But also because key forwards are more important and harder to find than rucks. Not convinced by Hill, Frampton, Fiorini or Mitchell but they’re future proofing their list for Pendles, Howe, Sidebottom all going. I wish we were doing the same thing, dumping an overpaid experienced player and finding a good crop of useful role players that fix weaknesses.

Need a 3rd tall to replace McStay. Gunston makes a lot of sense for them.

The media (shock horror) were wrong. Plenty of us were saying we didn’t do enough to change the list last year. Our depth talls were questionable, hence why we targeted JVR in the draft. Ruck was so shallow and we stuck with Maj. Our mids were so shallow we had to get Dunstan just to have a physical body. And we attempted to flick Melksham. We had the premiership 22, JJ and Hunt. Then some mild hope for Bedford and Chandler. Tomlinson was expected to bounce back and it was year 15 of hoping Joel Smith got through a year without a serious injury. 12 months later and the only fresh young players who look like impacting next year are JVR and Turner and they combined for 0.5 of a game and need time as young talls.

And that. If anyone cares about baseball any more

The first year kids look promising but apart from JVR can any be seriously tipped to contribute next year? JVR is what we need. Turner is what we need. Bowey is what we need. But mostly they’re taking over from the ageing guys. I don’t think we’ve got enough young talent to cut best 22 players unless we’re trading in ready to go replacements is my point.

I’ve listed all of the picks. Not cherry picked in any way except stopping at Turner. A run of 0 from 15 at this stage from Hannan to Turner. Yes, no one expects a great return, but a return better than 0 would sure be nice. Of course some have been ready made types. Majak went so well he quit when we needed a ruckman! When we needed a key forward we went with Melksham over Mitch Brown. Lack of 3rd rounders has been partly because of shallow draft pools, mid season and pre season listing and other factors limiting the draft. I have no issue with JT not taking many of them. Means more rookies and other ways to fill out the list. I don’t understand why you’re so aggrieved. The strategy has not been to completely wipe out on late picks. We’ve added guys who were a slim chance to make it or contribute and none of them have.

He played 1 game last year against North in round 5 as a forward/ruck. Tell me how that influenced his season this year?

So much competition that the coach won’t play them. And say what you want about Goodwin let’s stop with this idea he doesn’t play kids or has no idea what he’s doing. He just won a flag with a bunch of young players. Key back: Turner, if he can add to his game and string together, wasn’t really ready this year Small back; Bowey Midfield: nothing. Forward: Chandler and Bedford are ok, but Chandler’s slow and Bedford lacks composure Our VFL won the flag because our list management has flooded the list with good VFL players and Casey players were very strong. It says little of how many future AFL players we’ve got developing.

And I’d have driven him to the airport. It’s been a failed marriage since 2018 and we’ve got the dog (wing), we’ve tried sleeping in separate beds (half back) and now we’ve gone and had 6 kids in the hope that saves it. I still can’t believe it.

Double post

Bedford might be alright but he hasn’t got a permanent spot in 4 years. Same for Chandler. And early days for Deak Smith but it’s not looking great. Baker, Nietschke, Hore, Bedford, Chandler, Lockhart, Wagner, Bradtke, Walker, Dunkley, M Brown, Bennell, Daw, Deak Smith, Declase. So far it’s 0 from 15 from 2017-20. In 2016 he went 1 (Hannan) with 5 strike outs (Johnston, Filipovic, Smith, Keilty, Maynard). 0 from 4 in 2015 unless you’re a Joel Smith believer or really liked liked Josh Wagner. 1 in 24 played 50 games. Not expecting miracles here. But a couple more 50 gamers would give us a deeper list.

Disagree. Stewart is awesome, and Cameron’s had a fantastic year. But Selwood and Danger flash in and out and Hawkins is excellent but only at one thing - plonking himself 30 out from goal and winning a one on one. Takes a lot of system around him. Guthrie, Blicavs and Atkins have been the consistent driving forces of their midfield this year. Their small forwards have been excellent. And whilst Stewart (pick 40 btw) is the key to their backline they’re no name guys all do the job. Its all irrelevant though. I’m not looking for stars. We’re looking to upgrade or create more competition for our bottom 6

I better dig out the thread from late last year when I got howled down for suggesting Sparrow is a solid role player and not a future star. So many of you attacked me for dare questioning a grand final hero. Now you’re all lining up to trade or relegate to the reserves the same guy, who plays the same way and I’m having to defend him! Sparrow’s an excellent role player in the high half forward/midfield mix and that’s absolutely fine. He’ll never be the cleanest or most skilled but there’s other spots to upgrade to bring more out of his game. To begin with getting some proper mobile key forwards will help the decision making and skills of every player in the side.

When Oscar is in the notables you know you’re struggling. To quote myself: Geelong have picked up Close, Miers, Henry, Atkins, Zuthrie and Stengle. That’s over a quarter of their side! That’s how you stay at the top for so long. Jason Taylor’s done a heck of a job with the first 2 rounds. Recruited us a premiership 22. But you, me or a drawing names from a hat could’ve done just as well in the later rounds.