Slartibartfast

How did you want him to respond Dazzle? What would have satisfied you?

Good to see there's no paranoia there WCW! The tribunal has a long history of not suspending players in final series particularly if they a stars and if they are part of big teams. The most notable example was Barry Hall punching and decking a player in the PF 50 yards off the play and being cleared. Swans won the flag that year by a kick and Barry kicked a vital goal in the last as I recall. That tribunal decision won the Swans the flag which was fantastic for AFL footy in Sydney. AFL involvement? I say no but many will disagree. That GF was balanced by the one they lost in 2016 when the umps carried the Dogs to a GF and you just have to watch the umpiring in the PF they played against GWS to understand why #freekickdogs became a hashtag. The umpiring in the GF was the only time I've ever thought the umps had an agenda but if you believe that then there is little reason to follow footy I think so I reject it. But that game made that difficult. But in the end the Dogs win was probably good for footy too. And WCW the tribunal decision to clear Maynard (and I share your feelings on that topic) didn't impact us at all unless you argue that him being cleared affected us in the next game, but I don't think that is the case. Anyone who questions our effort in the Carlton loss just didn't see the game.

So can Maxi, wow, just wow!

Yes we can, and I don’t think it was staggering. Nor did the FD.

WCW was referring to the non selection of Grundy casting us the game.

I never said it was ideal, I don't like it. Perhaps Brown doesn't move to us if we don't offer the length of contract we did, perhaps if Tmac doesn't extend we can't afford to sign Trac or Clarrie to long term contracts. Perhaps this is the unfortunate results of other decisions that have benefited greatly, like flags, like having our elite players on long term contracts. All I'm saying is there is more to it than just "he won't play a part next year let's try and get rid of him somehow" and we don't know what the "more" is. And I agree that the Schache decision is odd, I wouldn't have done it. As for Grundy I think most recognize that it was something that we tried and it didn't work. Grundy wanted out, we didn't push him and for getting him where he wanted to go for what I and others think was well "unders" is a good thing for culture and that would be recognized by the players.

I think what many are missing is the cultural aspect of keeping him on, and Tmac as well. It's very hard to ask Petts to stay and honour his contract if you force BBB or Tmac to take early retirement particularly when it will most likely cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars. I like the fact we are honouring our word, it sends a strong message that can have substantial benefits in unseen areas. These issues are never clear or easy but a balancing act to find the best overall solution. We don't know all the facts and I suggest you support the Club in its decision.

Paxy Mackin West Purcell McNamara Mithen

What a horrible mean spirited post. You don't rate him, fine, but why post this tripe? It casts you in such a poor light which sadly, for someone who has a bit to offer, happens far too regularly.

What happened to Chris Grant? Do rookies count? Junior Mac, Dean Cox and there would be many more.

I agree. They need a pick in the first 3.

I reckon they’d be after the best player in the draft. If Curtin is genuinely outside the top few I don’t think being from WA would be a primary consideration. I’d want the best player, but that’s just me.

Everyone assumes WCE want Curtin. Where is the evidence?

I've little doubt that we are trying. But you can only buy what people are selling. We won't know for a month.

Delist him, have him as a train on and then take him in the PSD because we move Melk onto the long term injury list. Does this work? him = Kye Turner.

I think the attraction of Billings is for mature depth and to pressure Langdon and Hunter, both who didn't finish in the top 10 of the B&F whilst playing 49 games between them out of a possible 50. That indicates to me that the FD didn't rate their performances this year given the B&F strongly favours players who play games. Some will say "they play their role" but if they did then they'd have finished higher in the B&F.

But at least you gave it a go!

Well I think you can discuss things while being optimistic but that's just me.

You're a smart man, Old.

Discussing was exactly what I was doing, but there were a few posts pointing out the dangers so I presented the other side of the discussion. Oh, and I didn't mean to infer that all our youngsters would improve but that as a group we'll get more out of them next year than last. It's interesting you mention Daicos and Ashcroft (with another coming next year). both FS. It's hard to counter that sort of influence. Daicos x 2 and Moore. With no FS Pies don't win the flag. Ablett, Hawkins and Scarlett. Geelong don't win the flags. FS stink for mine but it isn't changing.

I agree our mature midfield depth is shallower now that it was last year. But you can't both keep depth and regenerate the list. It's one or the other. And my point was that perhaps we do have the midfield depth, we just haven't used it. We can't totally control what happens with Gus and Clarrie. If both are unavailable it will be a body blow but there's no real way to deal with that for next year. It's a risk. And our ruck situation is now exposed, but the alternative is to have someone playing at Casey taking $650,000 of your TPP. Of course I'd like to be better covered, particularly in the ruck but what were the alternatives? Keep Brodie? He didn't want to be a back up ruck and I can understand that. We may well take Lycett or Teakle as backups, that to me is much more sensible than putting another backup mid in. No list is perfect Dazzle, we make calls given who is available. If we have no injuries we have a great team. We have reasonable cover but not perfect cover, we make our best judgement calls. All clubs are in the same position.

Did you say the same about Vince, Hibberd and Melksham (and perhaps Langdon)?

Turner to be upgraded. Oh, and you're welcome to be a pessimist, you'll just be unhappy with no recourse to do anything about it. And then if your right you've just been sad for longer. And if you're wrong you've been sad for no reason.

For all those advocating we trade players in, how do we create the list space? The only way I can see it happening is if we consolidate 11 and 6 but in all likelihood we won't know that until draft night or shortly before. Kye Turner is the only other player I can see us delisting and he's a rookie and as far as I'm aware we can't trade onto the rookie list. We are very tight for spot and yet we've got people lamenting letting JJ, Dunstan and Harmes go.

I don't subscribe to the views of @JimmyGadson, @fr_ap and @dazzledavey36. If we had lost our finals by 5 goals each there would be serious cause for concern. But we didn't and the majority understand that fortune did not favour us during the finals nor in the lead up to them. It was a throw of the dice who won both our games. Even with a decimated forward line we were very competitive. Secondly, it's folly to suggest there isn't significant improvement to be had from players like Rivers, Bowey, Sparrow, Chandler, Kossie, JvR, Petty and McVee. That's one third of our current team who will improve and doesn't consider those playing at Casey. It also doesn't include two of the top tier of talents that we will secure this draft period (as it now stands). We have been seduced by the way we won the flag in 2021 where we thought we were significantly in front of the opposition. But we had everything running for us in terms of a settled team, no injuries to key players and a patch of form that was never sustainable. I'm bullish about next year. I don't think we've had much luck in the last two years and I think if we have normal fortune we are as good or better than anyone. We will have an influx of talent this year that our opponents will envy. As for depth it's funny isn't it. JJ was deemed by most to be very disappointing at the end of the season when he was given a good chance. Harmes couldn't get in the team and nor could Dunstan. Many called for Rivers, Bowey and McVee to be given runs in the midfield but recognized we are so strong in that area it was difficult to do. But now our mediocre depth midfield has been let go to allow for young talent we are exposed. Really? There are so many really good opportunities to improve next season. Natural growth, a settled forward line and the influx of two highly talented players. That's the flip side to the three I've mentioned above. I think there is room for optimism and frankly I can't see the point, as supporters, viewing it any other way.