DeeSpencer

Chaplin strikes me as someone who was a well paid player and a well paid assistant who isn’t all that keen on taking a bad senior coaching job, especially in Perth. He’s done a fantastic job with our backs but they also need a new system and more attack. They’ve trialled both at times this year but it might take a fresh voice. So the question becomes can Chappy move to the mids or forwards? McQualter had very little to work with this year so it’s hard to judge him. Although it’s potentially not going to get all that much better and he might be suited to take a different line. Ive always found it hard to blame lack of forward personnel on Stafford, he’s developed talent when given it. But there doesn’t seem to be enough system with our forwards even accounting for the midfield supply. Leading patterns, blocking, the little attention to detail things go missing. I wouldn’t be shocked if it was something like Chaplin to the mids, McQualter to the forwards, new backline coach and Stafford either stays in a ruck/stoppages/development job or moves on.

With Carlton’s injury list if he doesn’t play this week it will be pretty clear what the coach thinks of him. From what I’ve seen he’s prolific but very outside and not all that damaging. A third or fourth wing option (depending what you think of Woey) would be nice but it’s not the same priority as upgrading our on ball and half forward options.

I was keen on Houston because I'd have plonked him right in the centre square and said off you go, you're a big boy now. Then I'd have looked to get at least 1 other midfielder with some likely best 22 credentials in (Peatling made a lot of sense). And rounded it out with some depth state leaguer/delisted types. We probably have to pick up some talls from the scrap heap just to cover off the depth but I'm not so worried about that. A back pocket, some forward line speed too. That's all secondary to fixing the midfield. Have a run at Perryman? Alex Davies? Ted Clohesy? Finn Macrae? A few options.

To me, despite the entirely different circumstances Oliver is exactly where Grundy was. Long expensive contract, injured, questions over his application and overall value when healthy. And Grundy was a second round pick with the Pies paying 300k a year. We signed Clarry a year ahead of free agency and long term, surely there was a discount for doing that. I really do hope it’s in the 900-1m range not more. So we burn 300k and take unders with the pick but we get 600k and the pick which could be 2 good players. Obviously that’s far from ideal and the best result is we get the real Clayton Oliver on field and happy Clarry off field, but it’s a plan B if we have to use it.

I think our plan would've been pick 12 and ANB (directly or otherwise). At pick 6 it just isn't worth it for us and Houston suddenly has to be worried about our future even though we nearly beat Port with no May, no Tracc, Oliver stuffed etc. I'd still really like Houston, but I can see why it might be off for all 3 parties involved.

Future of what? He can't defend and doesn't offer enough in attack. He's had an ok first season at the AFL level but needs a massive preseason rather than be gifted any extra games. Has to come back stronger, more physical and more willing to get the ball.

In: Bowey, Woey, Laurie, K Brown Out: Howes, Billings, Oliver, Melksham McVee and Rivers a half in the midfield each. Viney to do his thing for 75% of the game. Sparrow, Laurie, Kolt, ANB, Pickett all frequently rotating as the 3rd mid. Next week is the week for goodbyes or hellos. FB: McVee Tomlinson Hore HB: Salem McDonald Lever C; Langdon Rivers Woey HF: ANB Petty Chandler FF: Fritsch JVR Pickett Foll: Gawn Sparrow Viney Int: Bowey Laurie Kolt Turner S: K Brown

I’m sorry but I’m not really worried about your imaginary credibility rankings. I never hated Gus, I just thought he was a solid but overrated player that we could’ve moved on from rather than committing a long term deal to. For a number of reasons including his concussion history. But mostly to diversify the list talent by bringing in more outside run and skilled players rather than having so much tied up in similar types. This season has certainly raised the question of whether Gus was a bigger leader than I thought from the outside although those things are hard to judge. And of course I’ve missed him as a player this year because he would’ve been very handy.

There’s no major injuries here nor are there any indication any of them were at significant risk of worsening through playing out the game. Grinding out games and seasons is the life of an afl player, especially a combative inside midfielder. I think I’ve kept my criticism of Oliver relative mild this year and I spout off on a forum. A forum I’d suggest no one at the club reads. I’m not targeting the club or players directly. And I suggest the club have ways to protect players from a few critical forum posts. God knows they get a lot worse.

Subbing out one of the 4 mids we had in the team (2 of which aren’t even full time mids) for Melksham and overloading the forward line would’ve been just about giving up. And Melk was sub because we’ve got Gawn half injured and young key forwards. Plus no one better at Casey. No issue with asking Clarry to push through. He still won more contested possessions than the rest of our mids.

We get Burgo, we make Petty happy, keep Nibbler, play at our favourite ground, bonus home game with gather round. I mean, maybe we should just do it.

We had no need for Peatling in 22 or 23. Certainly did this year with JJ and Gus going out. Definitely agree that we should’ve aimed for younger and higher upside recruits the last few years. Although they would’ve been dice roll types like Oleg Markov types not sure things. We can now offer cash, picks and importantly best 22 opportunities.

Has all the hallmarks of a future whipping boy but can do enough as a half back or half forward to fill a role and does his best as a tagger. And all signs point to us having at least 1 if not 2 or 3 midfield/defensive half forward players.

I think Nibbler and a future second is wildly optimistic for Houston. Nibbler and a 2025 first sounds spot on. Even if they allow trading 2026 picks I can’t see us getting back in to the first round with picks alone. It’s too far off for teams to want that pick, unless they’re a deep rebuild side somehow ending up with 15-20 and gambling that we’ll be awful. I suspect it will take another player to get in to the first round again, which may well happen. But wait and see on that. I’m pretty confident that barring any off field concerns or injuries that Langford goes top 5. Lalor has a wide draft range that generally will be influenced by interviews and 2km time I think given the production just hasn’t been there for a variety of reasons. O’Sullivan’s such a strange one. About as well rounded as a medium sized midfielder gets - run, speed, sharp skills, overhead marking, balance, kicks goals. Everything you’d want in a 182cm midfielder. Exactly the kind of midfielder we need to balance our midfield. Comes in to the year the presumptive number 1 pick then just hasn’t had the year due to injury. But he reminds me a lot of a young Trent Cotchin and I wonder if the Tigers will ultimately think the same. If he just has 2 or 3 dominant Coates league games he’ll go back to pick 1, but if can’t put anything on tape he’s suddenly a bit theoretical.

1. Langford - I think the athleticism doubts are overblown and he's so good around stoppages and with a marking outside game and penetrating boot 2. O'Sullivan - pure class 3. Ashcroft 4. Lalor - I'd go this high on him, just so explosive 5. Draper -good speed, hands and vision 6. Jagga - he's rock solid but a bit meh Not a huge fan of Smillie and not sure where the talls fit in just yet.

I hope so, and I’d trust Port to be reasonable. Adelaide certainly aren’t.

I’m fine with letting him go and even acknowledging the trade request before the final round. But you got to play the trade week games and get the best deal. That’s the business. Why are we acting like he’s a free agent? Tim Lamb gets offered peanuts from the South Australian clubs, how is he meant to hold out for a real offer now?

Seems to have done very well in football and schooling giving you have to assume his parents couldn't read or write.

Not sure Jack will be the Macrae we want. His brother makes more sense to me.

Swans got 33 for Adams last year. Was a rubbish draft but Nibbler's healthier, better. If anyone wants him it has to be a 2nd. Otherwise, sorry Alex, you signed the contract.

Can kick a nice little 15m dart inside 50, but around the ground it's 30m up and unders, generally after folding out the back of a stoppage and ruining any decisive attacking momentum. We've got worse but he's high efficiency, low impact.

That was a mistake off the back of Laurie putting in a great preseason (he looked excellent over summer) then resuming being bog ordinary come games. I wonder if it explains the Kolt draft pick. Kolt has Nibbler attributes.

The good news is we can get our second round pick back from the Crows, or lower the cost of the Houston deal

Not many can do it as well especially in their prime and good teams need them. GWS took years to find Bedford and steal him from us for example.

Serong, Brayshaw, Hayden Young haven't missed a game. Fyfe has missed 1, I believed they used that to give Neil Erasmus a go who's a top 10 pick who dominates the WAFL and has barely played. How many midfielders in top 6 teams / top 4ish quality midfields like Freo's fit the description of one paced, average skills and poor running? He's pretty much an identical player to Dunstan who we gave a bit of a look at in his first year then never got another go because we knew what we had. If we can't field 4 better mids next year then sure, bring him over, otherwise don't waste the spot.