DeeSpencer

You can always get new coaches. We've had a lot of poor coaching over that time but have we ever had a top quality list with a lot of skilled players? Some quality in the 90's and in the Daniher years but never anything top notch. The President seems to think we've got a top 4-6 list but I don't agree. A Phillips type would help, but there's still plenty of other gaps that need long term solutions.

He’s absolutely walk in to the best 22. The question is whether a Langdon/Phillips wing duo has enough hurt factor and class to win it all but he’d certainly help short term.

I’m not convinced Weid, Brown and Jackson works. But if it does then Fritsch should probably spend at least part of the game somewhere else because 4 taller non tackling players certainly won’t work. Melksham’s never played wing for us. Or at least not with his career at stake. Harmes played wing pretty well in 16/17 I believe. If Sparrow comes on or Rivers/Salem have to be part of the midfield mix then we could move Harmes. Phillips is a clear solution that makes him attractive, but I’m just not a fan of the list strategy of plugging holes. Another one will always open up. If Phillips is so cheap that’s he’s a 3rd rounder and 3 x 400k deal or similar then I’d get doing it. But overall my strategy would be search for genuine quality smart skilled players and trust the coaches to make it work.

Josh Daicos went from a fringe forward to a better player than Phillips last year. There’s a lot of clubs without proven options on the wing who can train them up. Apart from Baker we’ve got Harmes, Melksham, Hunt, Fritsch and even Jordon as internal candidates. Richmond took Marlion Pickett (A career half back/mid) and made him a very good wingman in 1 season. With the right coaching it can be done. Personally I’d stop spending useful draft picks and hefty contracts on players who can’t kick. You get short term improvement but lose long term.

You just can’t pay some 700k who’s clearly outside the best 22. Far better off paying 200k for him to play elsewhere are putting those dollars to work. Extensions, front loading, saving for big names, even just making sure you get a delisted player or mature ager who has competition for their signature. There’s so many ways to use the money. If a team will give us a useable draft pick and take on a fair share of the cash it’s not even a debate.

The thing Geelong have historically done well is not paying overs because guys are happy to head home. Sneaky little land package opportunity and they’re happy. If Cameron is on 900k the question is how much is that overs? Not sure it really is for a big key forward. Their list is light on depth, light on young up and comers who get big pay rises and heavy on over 30’s who have made good money for a long time. It’s a good strategy if you want to always be in contention and constantly restocking with talent. And with so many players keen to head down to sleepy hollow they have a steady supply

My initial reaction was absolutely not. But then I remembered just how good he was in year 1. And his problems since - gambling and glandular - both could be behind him. If he got back to anything like his best even if it's one dimensional it could be a steal to get him. At least ask the Pies what their price is and kick the tyres a bit. After winning the Rising Star he probably would've cost a first round pick and more, now if the most he's worth is a 2nd rounder and everything points to his issues being fixable it's the right time to buy.

Worth 600k, free agents always cost most which makes him work 700k. Then they’d have to trade for him or could pay him 800k and get him for free. Smart work from Carlton.

I'm aware of that, but if the Hawks wanted to establish a culture of experienced players mentoring the kids they would've actually drafted some kids and kept the veterans around for longer. Instead they went down the route of trading for a raft of experienced players and cleared space for them. Most Hawthorn supporters would prefer it wasn't the Cats but don't begrudge Smith for leaving, I doubt it makes any difference to his legacy.

Narkle has a bit of class about him but he isn't a great pressure player as a forward and not all that dangerous, he really has to rotate in to the midfield to be the best player he can be. Would we be willing to play him as a mid/forward rotation guy? He's not slow but no one would call him quick if it wasn't for his skin colour which is one of my pet peeves.

Yeah he should've stayed at Hawthorn forever like Hodge, Mitchell and Lewis did.

Clark's a lot more talented than Baker. Still rumours of a trade back to Freo so he might be gettable but I do find it odd Geelong would really be interested in dealing him

They keep having such an over supply of talent. Less so now but a few years ago they had the most ridiculous list you'll ever see. That's why they keep losing guys. They kind of stuffed themselves by creating a culture of players leaving for lack of opportunity but will eventually normalise, playing hardball won't change that. Let's see with the Williams compo, if they really are paying him 900k it will be first round.

They'll probably get first round compo from Williams. Cameron they have to match. Making it hard for players to leave isn't a real thing though. It doesn't deter anyone, you're just acting like fools. Gold Coast did it last year but only because the AFL for some stupid reason gave them 6 first round priority picks so a pair of 2nd round picks meant nothing to do them.

Super talent but contracted for 2 more years. He also looked quite underdeveloped in the grand final sprint, I reckon the Cats are deliberately trying to make him have a big summer and earn his spot back. You'd have to make Geelong an offer too good to refuse and I'd expect that would be our future first pick and maybe more.

I never really found him to be all that funny

Watts could get a game, just didn't want to and got injured. They tried Trengove, Toumpas and Dom Barry as well. They've taken and rejuvenated Trent McKenzie and Sam Mayes and they are in the market for a proper big key defender. I think he makes more sense going to a good side as mature depth than going to a bad team. Bad sides can start again drafting and developing players. A good side like Port needs to have someone step in as depth or to play on the big talls, that's the kind of side that should roll the dice on getting more out of Oscar. They also play a very high press/aggressive zone which Oscar generally does well in (or at least better than when he's forced one on one.

Oscar's actually better off getting delisted and becoming a life time free agent. Trading him just moves the process along rather than waiting for deadlines. I'm going to take a random guess at clubs just to see how I go. Bulldogs - always keen for tall defensive depth Gold Coast - played pretty much all year without a CHB Port - need a taller defender if they miss out on Aliir Syndey - if Aliir goes

Hunt has many impressive chains of play but the numbers are pretty clear cut, he doesn't find a lot of the ball even though he's in his prime and his forward pressure for a guy of his pace is dreadful. I'm ok with keeping him on for one last go but that has nothing to do with Spargo deserving 2 more years. Trac has been a good played for a long time, he found the fitness to go to another level. ANB's had top fitness for a long time but wasn't getting better, he had a few good games that are cause to reassess a little but I still feel he just doesn't have the smarts. I don't think you should read too much in to the GWS and Essendon wins. GWS were poor for a lot of the season. Essendon had 1 win in their last 10 games.

Spargo's 20, he can and (presuming he puts in the work) will get stronger and fitter as he goes from a boy to man. Hunt just doesn't get the ball. He isn't a great endurance runner either. And his biggest deficiency is he's just not a smart player. The same thing goes for ANB. Who did take some strides this year with his ball use but mostly has stopped improving his weaknesses which mostly stem from not being a smart player.

I assume it's a lot cheaper to fly Aspley and Southport frequently and the Vic standalone teams a few times a year than it was to run the entire NEAFL. This is a cost saving exercise for the NEAFL whilst trying to keep the notion of a top grade comp in NSW/QLD. Although I'm guessing the NSW and QLD top leagues actually do better just on their own. The quality might not be as strong as it was but they'll be better comps for more players.

Yes down back, but he can move on ball or forward if that’s the case. Spargo doesn’t have to be nearly that level of player though. His competition are guys like Dan Rioli and Luke Dahlhaus. That said, Spargo was also one of the very best juniors in his time.

Good luck to Aspley and Southport giving it a go. And also Northern Bullants coming back to life. (Why not Preston tho?). 6 teams North of the Murray, 16 below. Not sure how you make that work in terms of conferences/divisions whatever you want to call them. I can't imagine Aspley and Southport are keen to fly almost every second week.

Langdon and Smith can easily rotate through the high half forward spots. Langdon brings good pressure to that role, where as Smith has often played that for the Hawks to provide an outlet target from the backline. I like a lot of what Baker does but until he has a proper preseason I won't have much confidence in him doing it repeatedly. I think it's now two summers in a row where he hasn't been able to stay on the track and really take big strides with his endurance.

Hibberd and Smith are on one year deals and probably both outside chances to make it to 2022 and Rivers whilst a good size isn't going to be in the side as a tall exactly. We need proper defensive depth at every backline spot and until we've seen if Hore can be better than that he's worth a year to work it out. If Caleb Daniel can make an AA team then Spargo can be a regular player. Sure it would be easier at his size if he was lightning quick but he's a smart footballer, he can build endurance and strength to get to more contest and stick tackles as a high half forward. He took a step forward late this year.