Slartibartfast

I know I'm a bit late to the party but I've been down to a couple of training sessions including Monday's, I enjoy watching the boys do their time trials but really it's not as indicative as some might think. Trac struggles in the time trials because of his physique but that doesn't mean anything. The younger boys, particularly the talls struggled. Adams and Verrell were examples of this. Sestan is not a natural athlete but is working hard on his fitness by the look of things as is Jefferson. For a bloke of Tomlinson's size his running is outstanding. He ran with Nibbler until there was about a lap and a half to go and then just went. I thought he was on his last half lap when he broke away but no. He was so strong and was really impressive. But that doesn't mean he's a different footballer to last year, he's just an outstanding athlete. When I go to these sessions I'm really only interested in the young blokes because in the main that's where the improvement will come from but it's such early days it's not really realistic to take much away. But in the wet last week I was impressed with how good the ball handling was from all players. Verrell did some impressive stuff below his knees and it just shows he's got some skills which are rare in big men. He may be a key position player prospect as well as a ruck. His issue is his stamina, he couldn't play ruck at AFL level purely based on not being able to get to enough contests. McAdam is another to impress. He's just got that magical indigenous ability to make the difficult look easy and I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do. But he was another struggling with his running so that will be a watch. As others have said The Kolt has swagger but it doesn't look like arrogance to me. And he can kick it, both distance and accuracy. He did a really good time trial so looks to have the fitness to play early. Windsor hasn't stood out but what he's done he's done well. Kicking is good and ball handling is clean. I've liked what I've seen Kynan Brown do but he's as skinny as so it will be a while before he's ready even if he's got the skills, and Marty Hore just looks at home. I've been a track watcher for a good long time now and I well remember watching James Strauss train and thinking he could be anything. Training form at this time of year is very problematic in terms of predicting players development but we look pretty good. As I've read the other posters comments the common comment is "I'm looking forward to seeing *insert player* get a go this year. The issue of course is there will be very few spots up for grabs if we have a reasonably fit list. Billings and McAdam can both play and would be in front of the young guys. Howes and Laurie (yes, I'm still a believer) have multiple preseasons under their belt and Woey looked promising last year for a second year player. The question is "who for". I mean how does Kolt get a go? Who does McAdam get in for and Billings as well. Spargo has been impressive. This brings me to my final point. At this time of year we have unbelievable depth with far too few spots for the players. But when we've lost a few games it's more like "we are just swapping the deck chairs on the Titanic". It's groundhog day.

I reckon there’s a good chance the Club has noticed😎

Gus!

Agree DS but I don’t think he’s rough around the edges at all. Seems like a level headed respectful young man to me. Like everyone I’ve really warmed to him and am hoping for a long and successful career.

Thank you.

Can anyone tell me what Adelaide gave GWS for pick 8? Is it right that we were offered WCE future 1st for pick 7? Thanks for any help.

Are you sure that wasn't Jed Adams? If it wasn't, was Adams there?

I thought I saw Petty but then realised it was Jed Adams. Reckon social media had it wrong.

I think we did and used the rookie list as it’s outside the soft cap.

Not in the top 20 picks.

@poita here are our picks for the last 8 year, those are the years you say we haven't picked a genuine mid in the top 20, and I agree, we haven't. I've also gone through and looked at which mids were available at our picks who you could suggest would have been better pics than who we took. I may have missed some but apart from last year, and it's far too early to tell if we missed someone good, I can't see anything to criticize unless you want to argue Serong over Jackson. Did you do your research before you made your comment? If so, who would you rather us take? 2016 Hannan, Johnson D (no top 20 picks) 2017 Spargo, Fritsch, Petty (no top 20 picks) 2018 Sparrow, Jordon (no top 20 picks) 2019 Jackson, Picket, Rivers (2 top 20 picks) 2020 Bowey, Laurie, Rosman (no top 20 picks) 2021 JvR, Howes, Woey (1 top 20 picks) 2022 Jefferson, Adams (one top 20 pick) 2023 Windsor, Tholstrup (2 top 20 picks) MIdfield options. 2019 Serong ahead of Jackson? 2020: None 2021: Soligo ahead of JvR? 2022: Ed Allan, Breydon George, Olli Hotton ahead of Jefferson? 2023: of those available who you you have taken ahead of the two we took @poita

How does WAFL and VFL compare in standard?

So we can, but we won't. I like the other explanation better but I'm unsure about list spots. It seems a bit strange to me that there isn't more love for him.

Why can't we match it?

One is Gillespie I think. Don’t know the second.

Thanks Dazzle, hadn't thought of that. No media comment on anything until we win our next flag and prove "actions speak louder than words". Brilliant strategy. We could save on our media department as well.

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.