DeeSpencer

Hately’s a younger, smaller Tomlinson. Caldwell could be good, he has some class, but he’s an inside mid that we probably shouldn’t chase. O’Halloran is the one for us to look at. Good size and good runner, could play wing or half forward. But other clubs seem more interested

I thought the forward line was eons better than last year and did a lot right. The midfield is my biggest concern. It’s where we are stacked for talent and can’t get consistent results. As I’ve said in other threads I’m happy for Mahoney and Goodwin to have one last year and win or lose together.

The reasons for Jones are whether he actually does a selfless role and whether he is a good influence and has anything of value to add. I think in the games Jones did play this year he finally started to tackle and accept a more defensive role the he hadn't previously. And he seemed to be more interested in coaching when he got injured. Not that he was selfish before but I think the penny started to drop this year that he couldn't just move to a wing or flank but he has to change his game and outlook. The cost is a spot on the list, but we've still got plenty of spots free at the moment. It's hard to judge that worth until we see how many players we have coming in and going out. Just too early to tell.

Not sure anyone will take a chance on Brayshaw with a dodgy foot and Harmes is the kind of solid clubman who rarely moves teams. Sparrow looked to have more composure than Harmes and far better speed and defensive pressure than Gus. There’s room for him in the midfield. There’s room for all of them if the balance is right I think we’re judging his accumulation skills off a few quiet vfl games where they asked him to tag afl level players and afl games where he’s played half forward a fair bit. His first 3 games this year playing limited minutes he averaged 14 touches. That could easily bump to 18 with normal game time next year

Smith’s listed as a cm taller but his reach and leap gives him a lot more range, plus the speed to go with quick talls.

Better coaching and some consistent VFL footy could unlock Smith. He’s not nearly as far off making it as people think. What are the alternatives? Hibberd in his final year, Hore who’s too short and slow to switch on to talls, Tomlinson who’s too slow for quick guys? Got to give him one last chance to see if he can make it

I’m very surprised that the added weight story is true. Still don’t think it’s anything close to 10kg. Half of that at most. But it’s baffling he’d change anything from 2018, especially with the game only getting faster. I have my doubts that it will make him any better. Gone are the days of Nick Riewoldt burning opponents at CHF. But any improvements in mobility have to help

I’m not saying he’s not a good player but his first half of the year was bog ordinary and have 3 if not 4 mids better. And the point is he finished second in the b+f despite being half the player he was in 2018. So Frost finishing 7th doesn’t mean much

We can add a superstar or a mobile player who tackles and defends to complement what we have. I don’t think Brown is either of those options

Not in the first half of this year, a shadow of the player he was in his brownlow. Completely ineffectual and can only play on ball. Probably battle through on a flank like Harmes or Gus.

You aren’t watching close enough. He does 5 silly things defensively. Can’t mark, can’t spoil, can’t catch anyone at ground level, gets caught boundary side.

Oscar yes, Frost no. The contract we gave Tomlinson was worthy of a best 22 player who impacts games. Tall bloke who paddles around the backline and can’t defend or intercept isn’t that. A summer training with the defenders might help, he can run and he’s not the worst kick but he wouldn’t get a game in any of the finals sides.

Tomlinson was a mistake many of us saw coming. The Saints bought in 4 nice additions. 3 of which they paid a pretty hefty price for and a bargain in Butler. Plus 32 year old Ryder who’s a nice short term sugar hit. We added Langdon and 3 nice draft picks. Apart from the Tomlinson mishap we’ve done well adding guys who will improve the list for a long time. Isaac Smith could be our version of a Ryder. If we find just a couple of capable role players whilst maintaining draft picks the list we’ll be in decent shape.

Not comparing Petty to those guys but I’m predicting if Brown comes in and takes the full forward spot then Jackson will be the CHF over Weid. Petty also has a strong chance to be preferred over Weid. He has more mobility and versatility.

5 spots below Mitchell who wouldn’t get a game for us. I’d still prefer Frosty over Tomlinson, but not crying over split milk

Smith's likely too old to draw compensation unless the money is a crazy amount. If Viney goes there's still a chance we match and trade. If not and we are keen to sign Smith and it won't draw any compensation due to his age we could always trade for him instead. Give Hawthorn a token late pick upgrade. We can protect ourselves by making the second year conditional on a number of games in the first year. Or add other incentives. The most important questions are whether Smith has anything left and if he makes us noticeably better and helps us become a contender. Most things after that can be worked around.

Absolutely Jackson and if he returns well from injury then Petty as well would make more sense in that CHF role. Brown has a big tank too and comes up the ground to contest, he's an excellent endurance runner, but he averages 1.1 tackles a game and Weid's not much better at 1.3. We've seen Weid play in a 3 tall set up or Weid with Preuss and none of it's worked. He needs to be one of the main men crashing packs and complimented by a player who has different skills. I can't think of a team that plays 2 big key forwards that don't get involved at ground level. The Saints are tall but both their ruckmen and even more so Max King are great on the ground as is Membrey. Riewoldt was struggling for a while earlier this year but he's got an all round game. Kennedy teams up with Oscar Allen and Darling because they move like midfielders. The Cats don't even play a second key forward, they rotate Stanley or Esava down there for a contest and otherwise use Danger and Rohan. Jackson is that kind of Oscar Allen/King brothers type athlete that you pair with a less mobile marking forward. I don't think Brown and Weid go well together at all.

We weren't 13th at stoppages, but anyway. There's an argument to be made ANB could've helped the midfield balance providing two way run but how was he going to help at the clearances? He fumbles, he doesn't commit his body down over the ball and he always attempts to kick even if there's traffic right infront of him. He has no step, no left side and often even struggles to handball because he doesn't even gather and hold the ball properly. He's a good midfielder down a level because you get away with all those things and he can accumulate. Unless he makes big improvements I can't see him mixing it at centre clearances with stronger, faster and smarter players.

If we signed Brown then Weid would play in the 2's. Can't have 2 big forwards who don't get a lot of the ball, don't particularly excel in the ruck, don't move well up the ground and can't defend.

I can see that logic, but I also think we've got Pickett and a rejuvenated Spargo as the starters in the half forward spots. Then some if not all of Hannan, Hunt, Bedford and Chandler on the list to fight for spots. If we keep ANB and he isn't a consistent part of the side then we've really got a collection of speculative talent as is. If there's not a lot of confidence that he'll be a regular in the side then we're losing a lot less for moving him on. There's ways to replace the list spot with a less speculative pick as well - delisted player, mature ager, trade up picks etc.

What is this stat and where is it available?

You've named 3 guys who aren't ruckmen as capable depth ruckmen - 2 of which don't even like contact or contested aerial situations, the other is our full forward - and a 20 year old basketballer. Unless we think Bradtke has come a fair way we'll need to replace Preuss. Rucks get injured, especially older and younger ones. A 3rd proper ruckman being required to play is not remote.

I'd be in no hurry to sign him but he did become a half decent key defender prior to his you know what, which is the reason he barely played this year. If he passed a medical and could train with the club to prove his health I'd have him as key defensive depth ahead of Oscar on the basis that he's not Oscar. There will be other key defenders available in the state leagues or once good sides start cutting their lists.

Small, light body but a nice left foot kick and a good tank. Wouldn't really be in line with our recent recruiting philosophy of contested ball winners. He's pretty much left footed Billy Stretch with a crisper kicking action. Have to think he stays at Essendon they are just working through higher priorities.

We've only had 1 round of delistings from a bunch of clubs that missed finals and I'd have no issues if we replaced the 3 you mentioned with Shaun McKernan, Wylie Buzza and Majak Daw. The rucks and key defenders in particular should bring better names than that as well.