DeeSpencer

If we play 3 talls, McVee and good defensive flankers in Bowey and Salem (when healthy) then we really don’t need quality contested ability and marking for the 7th defender. Obviously Howes has to get stronger in the contest to become an AFL footballer but if he does make some improvements I prefer the balance of another runner and distributor. Maybe Rivers stays back and Salem on ball. Either way, more class on ball, fresh legs across half back.

Wouldn’t blame him, not sure the Hawks are better with Chol than with him, if I’m the Hawks I’m not giving him up for a future second without seeing him play another year. Did we consider an offer or only chase Fullarton? Is Kelly O’Donnell still our pro scout? And is he awake?

Kossie absolutely has the tank for midfield. He’s a great speed and endurance runner. He stayed forward as we had no forward pressure without him and because he’s had a long stretch where he wasn’t winning the ball. He fixed his contested ball late in the season.

If the Lions manage to prise Brandon Ryan out of Hawthorn for the ghost of Gunston I’ll be absolutely annoyed. He’s got a lot of upside as a forward/ruck. More natural than Fullarton.

It impacted Spargo all year and has lowered his value. Took Kossie some time to grow out of it too.

Here’s my plan on how we get better immediately: 1. Pickett and Rivers go in to the midfield and make us more dynamic 2. McAdam and Howes replace them, with similar output - whilst optimistic it’s not impossible. 3. Growth out of some of Spargo, Chandler, Bowey, McVee, Turner insures we have strong flanks. Again, not expecting world beaters but the competition for spots hopefully sees these guys keep us as a strong side. 4. Petty and JvR is a legit combo and JvR improves his tank and consistency - I’ve never thought JvR was going to be a super star but there’s hidden improvement from physical maturity and experience. Not buying that he won’t get better 5. Laurie, Woey prove serviceable midfield depth, maybe optimistic but these 2 aren’t skinny kids. Taj might still be a fraction light and Laurie a little slow, but JJ’s main attribute was his tank and that’s what these 2 can bring. 6. One of pick 6/11 hold their own at afl level, giving us both another depth piece and hopefully a star of the future. Ideally 2 depth pieces from day 1 and two stars but got to be realistic! Of course Jackson/Pickett is the dream.

He still has some talent but he had one move when getting the ball in traffic and it was throwing himself to ground and exploiting the umps. The moment they started actually enforcing the rules as written he lost a lot of his value.

Goodwin’s speech about culture at the B+F would look absolutely stupid if we got in to the Ginnivan business

FB: McVee May Tomlinson HB: Rivers Lever Salem C; Langdon Petracca Hunter HF: ANB Petty Pickett FF: McAdam JVR Fritsch Foll: Gawn Oliver Viney Int: Bowey Brayshaw Sparrow Chandler S: J Smith Depth (7) Back: Turner, Howes Mid: Woey (wing), Laurie (high half forward), pure mid? Ruck: Fullarton Forward: Schache, Spargo Draft: 6, 11 Old (3) Melksham, BBB, T Mc Developmental (7) Back: Adams, ?K Turner Mids: ???? (K Brown?) Rucks: Verrall, KFW Forwards: Jefferson, Sestan, ?AMW If we use 6 and 11 on guys who can contribute something in year 1 then we’ll have 32 guys who can contribute which is a fair number. Unless we draft a ready to go type like Sanders a capable on baller or wing and a back pocket would be the 2 positions I’d be searching the delistings/state leagues for in terms of immediate depth - JJ and Hibberd replacements. As well as swapping out at least one of the tall forwards for a mature ruck.

The reason we got him is because he’s a very good forward at VFL level and the hope is he’s not awful forward at AFL level. Most forward/rucks are ordinary up forward so the bar is low. Contest, be mobile, don’t get in the way of your own markers. Im as intrigued by whether he can hold up in the ruck. He’s never been tried as a starting ruck. He’ll likely struggle in hit outs and won’t be a dominant marking target around the ground but he could provide some much needed athleticism at stoppages.

I’m confident McAdam will be in the 23 if he’s fit and providing decent forward pressure. As long as he chases and tackles at a similar level to someone like Chandler he has more attacking talent. But we probably have to play Fullarton or J Smith for a fair chunk of the season to keep Gawn, Petty and JVR healthy. If they even stay healthy! It’s a lot to give up and I’m not saying it’s his only role but I reckon McAdam could be a really handy sub at times too. An impact forward who can contribute deep or up the ground is a much better weapon off the bench than most of our choices.

We have 2 future 3rds care of Harmes, no?

Rumours a few years ago, but nothing last year as far as I know. I’d have no issue with prime(ish) Gunston and Fritsch. Gunston could always defend well for his role when he was fit. I don’t like it now he’s older and seemingly uncommitted to a team. And when we’re almost free of the veterans and surely ready to target a long term solution if Petty isn’t the answer.

Probably Vince but at that stage it was absolutely required, I think the AFL engineered that deal to help Adelaide and us. Not Hibberd, was always the right price and a great deal. Absolutely Melk, and a few good games this year has made that deal look better, it was always a lot. Probably Langdon, didn’t like that we added a sweetener to straight second, we were much nicer than we could’ve been. He was well worth it, but needs to get back in form.

Turner upgraded just impacts the numbers of the various lists not how many players we have. It’s likely to be countered by Melk. I don’t rate Kynan Brown, nothing to do with pessimism, just think he’s a rookie level prospect. Neither is shuffling the list by chucking a couple of broken down veterans on the rookie list.

Should’ve been a future 3rd, especially after the nonsense Adelaide and their media cheerleaders pulled with Petty. But hey, we paid overs so let’s hope he performs to the overs too!

6 players gone so far right? Grundy, JJ, Harmes, Dunstan, Hibberd, D. Smith 2 players in. So 4 spots. Only 2 picks we really need to take. Personally I’d be happy to take another rookie over Kynan Brown, in the event Brown doesn’t make it to the rookie list. Melksham already rumoured to drop back. BBB and McDonald could join him too if we need main list spots.

Worth considering if Essendon pay him down to his proper wage (400-500k) and accept his right value (future 3rd at best). But I’d be worried there’s not much pace left and he certainly wouldn’t help our kicking.

Early days and no doubt JT will have some smokies in mind. But I reckon if we want them we might have to pick Caddy or O’Sullivan at what will likely be 8 or they won’t be there. I like Leake with the next pick. Wilson might be the back up plan. It does seem to drop off after that. I really like big Will Green but I’m not sure even the Dees would take another ruck.

Petty = Mihocek JVR < McStay (youth) Fullarton/J Smith < Cox ANB > Ginnivan but only equal to in form Lipinski Fritsch = Elliot (could be better if he defended) Pickett > Hill (but has to back it up) Chandler/Spargo << McCreery McAdam < Schultz Are J. Smith and the fossils as useful depth as Ash Johnson and Frampton - probably not. Does either side have great youth coming through, Jefferson and Reef McInnes both have talent but otherwise not really. They’ve got the advantage for experience and depth of useful talls for now. But with time that can change. In theory Petracca can go forward more easily than De Goey as we have a more explosive midfield mix.

Would like to know where contracts are at for Moniz-Wakefield and Kye Turner. AMW especially I thought had done more than enough for another year.

I reckon some teams will have Caddy in the elite crop, some teams wouldn’t even have him in the second tier. With the likelihood a team in the second tier (8-14) takes him on upside, which could even be us. Either way he’s not really contributing to the ‘super draft’

Petty 100% staying McAdam: think they’ve made a strong offer Fullarton - think he has upside, strong VFL form Oliver- see previous club statements Melksham staying, just a matter of which list. Thinks he can play sooner than expected Best wishes to Harmes and JJ Will try to move up. Pick 1 obviously up to the Eagles. Happy to take 6 and 11. Trading from 14 to 11 was a big difference in this draft. Not asked about BBB or McDonald. Not asked if they have any other targets

Pick 10 in this draft (which probably blows out to 13 by the pick) where we already have 6, 11. Versus a pretty solid likely worse case for end of first round compo in 2 years time. And we have a CHF/CHB whilst in flag contention. And I don’t have to cry watching Tom McDonald, Ben Brown, Schache or god knows who play CHF? What are we doing here.

I reckon the Eagles can squeeze North out of another first round pick, Reid really is that valuable. But I’ve said for a while now I think: 1. North: Reid 3. Dees: Duursma (or McKercher) 6. Eagles: Curtin Makes the most sense for all 3 clubs. The concern will be the Hawks or Dogs getting in the way, the same framework of a deal makes sense for the Hawks moving to 3 and the Eagles taking Curtin at 4.