DeeSpencer

Not these days, but it certainly would've been part of the problem in 2011-2014. In 2010 we were really building something, the easy answer is to say the tanking itself had made the culture rotten, I don't think it had. Most clubs would've moved onwards and upwards from there, instead we went backwards at the rate of knots because the club was so under resourced.

Have you seen the contract numbers thrown around with Papley - they are huge. And the reason he wants a big contract, well I've heard rumours he's in need of some money, possibly like some other traded players of late. Warning bells there. As for Jack Martin - I'm a bit of a sceptic. He's now played a lot of years of nothing footy, has to be considered a gamble and I don't want to gamble that kind of money on him either. There's also the issue of the salary cap. I don't think any of our overpaid players are trade-able for anything like good value. Who are we paying too much for - Tom McDonald, Brayshaw, Viney, Lever - we have to keep all of them unless we want to trade them away for 2nd round picks and pay salary. I think we desperately need pace and run through the midfield or we wont' be able to defend. You can have 60 inside 50's but you won't win if the other team has 40 and scores a goal every time because your midfield leaks like a sieve. You can't put on forward pressure or play an aggressive backline zone without the midfield sealing the gaps. Yes to plans B+C with goal kickers and pressure players (preferably both in one). Dan Butler for a cheap deal aside I'm not seeing a lot on the market.

We had more top draft picks in 2007, 08, 09 than any other club I'd imagine - Richmond were the only one who would be close. Unfortunately we were operating with a football department and club without anything close to the resources. We were left behind when the rich clubs started spending money and the AFL had so much cash that they didn't know what to do with that they invented 2 whole new clubs. Our supporters rallied for the debt demolition campaign but that was only to get us back in the game. The likes of Morton, Grimes, Maric, Trengove, Gysberts, Tapscott, Watts, Strauss and Blease should be [censored] as hell they were drafted to Melbourne and weren't given proper facilities, proper coaching or proper fitness/medical staff. The same issues that hindered Gold Coast's start up hurt that generation of our players. The only ones who made it through - Gawn and Jetta - spent most of the time injured. Oh and what was our reward for taking all those draft picks so we were prepared for the new clubs - we were slandered in the media for tanking years after the event, furthering a rift between the coaches and administration. Our club name was turned to mud for doing the same thing several clubs had and have done since. Where were our handouts in 2012-2014? We were as bad if not worse than the Suns are now and instead were given a small amount of extra funding for Roos and told to trade, draft and develop our way back. We had to give up prime draft picks and list spots for Tyson, Vince, Hibberd, Melksham, Frost, Garlett, Cross etc to get back to being a competitive side. Now the Suns can have their cake and eat it too? They can trade draft picks for experienced players whilst still getting access at the top of the draft. Damn right I'll say it's unfair.

Absolute farce. To gift them pick 2 and then throw in 3 more picks, plus the unknown benefits the academy picks could become, plus extra rookie spots. This is disgraceful. It either goes 2 ways for the suns: 1. They squander this and ruin the careers of 4 footballers for no reason 2. It works out and they become a super team comparable to GWS and the AFL have both of their darlings in the top 4 for years to come. Outrageous.

Former AFL players like Corey Wagner were able to opt out of the draft ahead of time and sign as pre-season supplemental players. Guys like Lockhart and Stack had to be entered in to the the 2018 drafts and not be selected before they became eligible. Will be interesting to see what happens with mature age recruits. The chatter before the mid season draft was that the state leagues had been pretty heavily raided the last few years and that there wasn't much talent left. That said, Pickett's success in the grand final will probably see every team scrambling to make absolutely sure of it. I can't see a 60+ goal forward lasting until after the drafts if he's got anything like AFL level athleticism.

Has something changed between last year and this year? Last year it was only players who were formerly on AFL lists who could sign via that method. Everyone else had to go through the drafts first no matter how many times they've been overlooked in drafts.

Big difference between a 23 year old ruckman and a 26 year old key defender who played in junior squads and has spent a long time on lists at two different clubs. The upside to Frost was this year. Defending improved, marking drastically improved, short kicking was better. Decision making still awful.

The game is getting way faster and we're going to sign Dom Tyson's good mate to replace the missing spot Dom Tyson filled in the side? With many of the same faults. Signing him on any more than the average way does raise a pretty big question about how we are ever going to bridge the gap in speed the Tigers have on us.

Why exactly would the Suns want pick 3 to draft an inferior player to Ben King? There's not a lot of logic there. They'll get a good pick or picks for him next year if he wants to leave, in the meantime they can improve a fair bit next year and try to convince him to stay. Seeing him sprint by Frosty in the GF sprint (with some quick players behind as well) shows he's a heck of a prospect and both he and Max could've gone picks 1 + 2 in a draft most years. From what I've Ben would easily go pick 3 in the draft this year, might even go pick 2.

I do think a home base would help but really I think what we are lacking is a way to embrace and sell what we've got as a club. The Giants are so tight knit as a club because they've taken their disadvantages and turned them in to positives. Small club = community feel between the fans and the club. Fledgling start up = huge bond between players, coaches, staff etc. All the things we see as a disadvantage: Shared training base - great access to storm/victory etc Open training oval - easy connection for players to loyal fans Small membership - great heartland supporters Seen as toff's - embrace the city and top end of town image in a positive way I really think under PJ we started to get things right about how the club saw itself. Hard working, community focused, cared for each other, positive with a plan. Get back to those things and we can overcome things like training ovals and home bases.

He's going to give up money and be a cheap trade to bring in but that means he'll have an expectation that he'll play in and contribute to a good side, otherwise he's almost better off staying at the Crows and getting his cash. So what happens if he starts to struggle as most limited 31 year old key forwards do. He bounces in and out of the side with Weid? That doesn't help the team or Weid's development. The only stat he clearly outranks Weideman in is goals where he's 2 a game v Sam's 1 a game. An extra goal a week is nice but I think Sam could get to a 1.5 goals a game pretty easily and can do more with bringing team mates in to the game and that's without even making a big leap in improvement. We can't be operating under the expectation of a string of injuries, we have to at least assume a group of T Mc, Weid, Petty with some subpar but interesting options in J Smith and Preuss get through a fair chunk of the season. Give me at least 1 of the first 3 guys every week and pinch hit with one of the latter 2 if needed is what I'd do. Plus a kid or state league depth option with upside. If the current crop isn't working then I think we'll have to go hard at a permanent replacement and Jenkins is just wasting money and resources if that's the case.

They have twice as much talent as we did in 2013/2014 and we didn’t get a pick then. Let the league fudge their salary cap so they can sign Ellis and Brad Couch if they can get him. The problem with the priority pick is if it works out it’s a 15 year benefit when all they need is a short term boost. Brisbane were in the same spot, got pick 19 which became Cedric Cox. Imagine if they got pick 1 and got Andy McGrath or Tim Taranto!

Jetta - a heap of power, limited endurance, excellent overhead Stretch - no power, good endurance, poor overhead He has to go play wing, high half forward or as the up the ground back flanker. I don’t mind him in the sweeping flanker role but that’s a long way from a lock down defender.

His kicking on the run is technically bogus, he wobbles the ball as his runs and then his action is so mechanical that it makes it difficult to hit targets. Hence he favours going back over the mark. Fix the kicking technique and then get him backing his skills and he might just make it. I'm not annoyed we seem to be losing him I just think his development has been very poor.

He'll be 31, not chasing, not tackling, not crashing packs, bobbing up on twitter and SEN whilst playing for Casey. I don't care if he cost 500k or 5k I don't see the appeal. Take the chance with an athletic junior or state league player and save the cash for a shot at Ben King if Weid or Petty don't work out.

I agree, seems to me that for Josh Wagner to get a game as a back flanker we'll need a couple of injuries and for him to be preferred over shuffling other players to half back. He barely played this year with so many out injured!! Same to be said for C. Wagner, if he's getting a game that means either we've run out of wingmen and half forwards or he's getting a game over Jones, Dunkley, Lockhart, ANB, Spargo etc. I look at the tigers who had significant injuries this year and reshuffled senior players - Edwards at half back in particular - and then blooded kids in Ross and Stack. Then to add a cherry on top signed Pickett who will now debut. If we have injuries next year that's exactly what I'd like us to do - throw the kids in and use senior players around them. We still ended up doing that to an extent this year when Dunkley got games out of position just to play him over journeymen types and that was with 10-15 on the injury list! The Wagners or ANB or whoever you dislike worse from this bunch are guys 30-33 on the list as it stands, probably to become 34-35 if Langdon and Tomlinson sign. With preseason and midseason drafting it doesn't make sense to commit to so many limited players so soon. I get the sense we have to be trading out some players to explain why we've hung on to so much depth.

Short term improving, long term has me wondering if Keath and Bruce are actually better than Lewis Young and Schache who might be relegated to the VFL. Or if 3 talls at either end is the desired set up, down back maybe, up forward I don't like the Naughton, Bruce, Schache combination. Their coach does very well when given 22 adequate players who fill positional needs and play together. Start giving him options or deficiencies and the man goes a little haywire.

He's about to turn 28 and has bobbed around on cricket and footy lists for years without landing a big pay day. This was his one chance to get the kind of contract that makes over a decade of pro sport worth the effort (compared to his peers). He's taking that chance and the Crows probably can't do much about it. Adelaide are going to be paying Jenkins and Betts not to play for them next year as well as taking as many top 30 draft picks as they can get. It's as an aggressive a rebuild from a non hopeless team as I can remember and I think it's very wise.

Somewhat heartwarming, somewhat taking the [censored]. No doubt plays like a tough cookie. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-25/anzac-day-2017-boys-named-anzac-in-family-tradition/8469914

The most likely situation with all of that was that he got scans for the medical that showed re-injury before he had started experiencing symptoms. There's a chance of incompetence in not checking but it might've just been he was doing well in recovery and another scan wasn't on the surgeons plan. By putting him up for trade we'd already admitted he wasn't going to be the player we hoped so in some ways we weren't totally stupid. Surgeons, physios and doctors all collaborate for rehab plans, it's hard to blame the club. Where the club seemed to fail was having so many foot injuries to begin with. Injury prevention and managing game time is what the club staff are there for. The management of long term chronic injuries usually includes surgeons and other specialists. The same Tigers excellent medical team gave the tick of approval to Chris Yarran when he was hooked on ice so it's not like they were flawless.

He's been about as close to terrible as a slow limited player who doesn't hit his targets (despite being a very good kick) can be. To me the only way to see the positives in retaining Josh Wagner is to think of him as a leader down at Casey and to recognise the club is valuing experience on the list and culture.

So by my count that's 7 list spots free right now assuming Frost, Stretch and JKH don't stay with us. Sign Tomlinson Trade for Langdon At least 3 draft picks (1st, 3rd, 4th round or split/move the picks) Possibly 1 rookie draft pick Possibly 1 open spot carried over summer Wouldn't surprise me if there's at least one contracted player traded to clear some list space and cap room.

I'd actually be interested to see how he went at a new club. Unfortunately he's just been completely paralysed as a footballer at Melbourne. Unwilling or unable to take the game on and improve his skills by learning from mistakes and building confidence. He played 16 games in 2016, averaged 18 disposals with 1 clanger a game and looked set to have a solid career. Instead he loses his position to captain slow from Hawthorn and bounces in and out of the team and now is either out the door or the last man signed up.

Richmond's team: 2 ruckmen - Nank and Soldo 2 key forwards - Lynch and Riewoldt 3 lock down defenders - Grimes, Astbury, Broad 1 intercept defender - Vlastuin 3 rebounding defenders - Houli, Short, Baker 2 wings - Caddy, Ellis 3 inside mids: Prestia, Cotchin, Graham (Ross) 3 forward/mids: Edwards, Lambert, Martin 1 pacey defensive forward - Castagna 2 small forwards - Rioli, Bolton Is one part of the puzzle bigger than the other? Our shopping list should be: - Outside run - Midfield pace - Half back skill - Tall depth - Small pressure forwards - Extra goal kicking option It's highly unlikely we get all of those fully fixed in one off season, most premiership teams aren't perfect yet alone teams rebounding from 17th. But starting from the midfield deficiencies with trades and then using draft picks to fill the other needs probably isn't a bad idea. Remember Richmond kicked off their bounce back with Nankervis, Caddy and Prestia traded in.

These two things don't really go together. We need more spread and pace through the midfield and we need to get speedy little forwards, plus a zippy back flanker and we'll need that whether we have Frost or don't have Frost. I'd gladly trade Hunt and Frost - our fastest 2 players - for a couple of speedy flanker/mid types that bring the speed to the positions that matter. Yes closing speed is important for defenders and yes Frost's big runs can occasionally pay off nicely but more often than not he's not bringing the speed that we really need. Our midfield were terribly unfit this year and ANB is our fittest player but almost no one on here is pumping up ANB for his elite fitness making him a vital player. Everyone rightfully thinks our midfield should get fitter!