DeeSpencer

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.

Good luck to Sam going back to coaching and a small role at the club. I don’t understand why the Casey job is going to be part time. Surely it’s too important not to be a full time person even if they split their time with more at AFL development level. There has to be a strong connection with the AFL and VFL sides. We can’t go back to players doing one thing at Casey and another AFL level Edit: Unless this means it’s a part time role moved in to someone else’s job portfolio. Ie. Someone with more afl experience

It’s good to know we can sign our highest priority acquisitions but we need to get rid of Tom’s contract. It’s dead money that we just can’t carry. Whether it’s front loading existing deals, extending current players or even just signing delisted or mature age players there’s so many ways to use the cap space.

He could do a 2 year extension with an option for another 2-4 on top, that type of deal will become more popular. Gaff and J Kelly started that. Either way, if we could get him signed until 2023 that’s long enough for now!

Mahoney to North and Richo in to his job has been doing the rounds. Personally I’d see that as a mistake. Richo’s a coach, find him some players to coach up. Don’t shoehorn him in to a different job

I like the way the Bombers implode so aggressively. Meanwhile we just slowly smolder along

He spent 3 quarters avoiding contact and then he went back with the flight and dropped a chest mark. Which I said he does. But watch him running at a high incoming kick, he doesn’t get his arms up and open his body. Jackson’s a year older and Petty should be back. 4 key forwards is enough, use the extra spot on developing players.

There's nothing honest, consistent or reliable about him. Apart from the occasional strong chest mark he refuses to put his body on the line and jump with outstretched arms and therefore can't be trusted to compete in the air. He'll play well one week when given time and space, he does lead hard and well for the ball, but the entire structure of the side falls down when you've got talls who don't compete. He was dreadful against Sydney, which led to him being dropped for the Freo game and them trying Preuss (a predictable failure). If we trade for Ben Brown I wouldn't bother keeping Mitch on the list. We have assume BenB, Weid, Jackson are all ahead of him and Petty should be too if he's progressing well. 4 key forwards is enough. Use the list space elsewhere.