DeeSpencer

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.

That's what it comes down and that's where I've had my doubts in the past. It's hard to say this and not sound like you're knocking him but Jones was a 1 man team for a long time and hardly the most successful or inspiring captain. Apart from 15 years on the list there wasn't a lot to be said for keeping him on as a coach and leader from what I could tell. But him embracing that role towards the end of the season demonstrates that he's keen for it. If he puts the same energy and enthusiasm in to mentoring the next guys as he has in to his own playing days this could be a very good decision.

Boak had a poor 2018 played as a forward and then went back in to the midfield in 2019/2020. It's unlikely Jones is going back in to the middle. Jones is a year older so next year for him will be the equivalent of 2022 for Boak if you're comparing apples with apples.

James McDonald was captain in 2010 and had played 16 of 22 games. It's not culture to extend Jones because of McDonald. Every decision is different, especially one made 10 years apart. The same thing applies to the 300 games. If the games are gifted the milestone loses its significance. I've been against Jones playing on for 2 years now but funnily enough I'm starting to change my mind. I'm actually ok with this because I think Jones made a couple of important changes to his game this year. 1. He seemed to embrace defensive efforts far stronger than he has in the past 2. He embraced a coaching/mentoring role more and got involved in that at the end of the season. Leadership and coaching are our best ways to improve this offseason. Experienced players are required to get the messages across and set the tone. If Jones has that in him he'll be a far greater asset than the list spot.

I’d rather go in to the draft with a useful pick and then trade out of it if needed. Clubs routinely overpay on draft night, it’s really hard to move up the order. I just don’t think we’ve taken enough picks in recent years. Obviously this year with list reductions and an uncertain draft isn’t the year to have a huge number of picks but I’d still like to give Jason Taylor at least 1 chance in the top 40.

North don’t have a leg to stand on when attempting to hold Brown. - He’s out of contract - They haven’t offered him a deal - There’s clearly been acrimony between him and the club It’s a farce he isn’t a free agent after 7 years of service and a year for their VFL side. He’s pretty close to a delisted free agent too when there’s no interest in keeping him. I’d be kicking off negotiations with a future 3rd round pick and might go to a future 2nd rounder and a swap of other picks. That’s in line with the value of Sam Frost and that’s about all they are getting. My message to the Brown camp would be we need every possible asset to build the rest of the list as well, so stay solid with us and we’ll get you in but we’re done being the roll over trade guys