PaulR

No its not burst, and it is a worry. On freedom of movement, if I don't like my employer I can leave and find another employer. I don't see how we can deny professional footballers the same freedom. Player freedom mean clubs compete to offer the best program, facilities, support and culture to the player marketplace and they can pick. The period before the players become Free Agents, means clubs can reasonably reap their investment in the players they develop. The salary cap (and soft cap) are essential in restricting the few rich clubs from dominating the competition. I actually think the AFL have got the balance and limits in this space pretty right, for the benefit of the competition, and rights of the players. I know if I was drafted to play footy for the Pies, and they were doing things I found uncomfortable, I'd appreciate my right to leave them and decide where next i'd like to work. Unfortunately for us emotional supporters, it can be a bit heart breaking when one of your guns leaves... but we're used to heartbreak at Melbourne, and bounce back. :)

Maybe its how we see things, I don't see an economy growing its employment (lowering the unemployment rate) by 2% over two years as a "stagnant" nor "inefficient". Its not running at full capacity, and there is an ongoing human cost which is unacceptable so we agree on that. Housing is a worry i agree, as soon as we closed the borders to new arrivals and foreign students we killed the golden goose of an ever expanding housing market (the bubble burst). So the question is when will a vaccine allow mass migration to recommence and foreign student to return..? my guess would be late 2021, so the bubble will start to reinflate then... I'm sure the Banks will be ok.

Hard to get a clear read on the media marketplace, as the past year has seen the emergence of more aggregation streaming platforms (Netflix, Stan, Apple, etc...) all looking to competing with Foxtel for subscribers, and Aussie Rules demands a premium in this context as it brings with it a very large and dedicated subscriber base. I.e. it's bankable.

Rarely disagree with you AF on footy, but on the economy I think you're wrong. The Australian economy is well placed and will improve from here through 2021, and be back where we would have been in 2-3 years (i.e. forecast GDP, unemployment, trade, etc...). Data - https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/smp/2020/nov/economic-outlook.html

With the addition of Ben Brown, Luke has the best learning environment and mentors for his development over the next 2-3 years, in each of those areas where he could grow and play... Tall forward - Ben Brown Ruck - Max Gawn Ruck rover/midfielder - Christian Petracca/ Clayton Oliver Add the coaches and opportunity to play in a team just starting to bloom into a finals regular (i know NOTHING is gauranteed), and he's in the best place he could be.

I like the Geelong strategy, double down and roll the dice again, gives themselves a good chance when the alternative path won’t get them back in a GF for a decade... the fall will come (and be brutal), but they’re in the window now and are giving it their all.

I think the value gain we realised this trade period from recruiting then trading Preuss, the great deal we got for Hogan, and general trade craft recently, indicates if Luke decides to head West, then we’ll have a well developed strategy to ensure we improve our team in the process.

I think Tommy to GWS if Cameron deal done. Us to bundle TMac with 2nd round picks to land a teen pick from GWS in exchange...

I wonder if Freo feel the same, having paid pick 6 for Hogan..?

Could say we're also hoping for that result... ;)

So would we deal them in this year for their 2021 round 1 pick..?

Which other clubs with top 10 picks also have F/S or academy targets who'd go top 10?

Given Preuss is contracted, and leaves us exposed in the ruck if Max goes down, AND GWS are likely competitors for finals and flags, we should be driving a hard bargain, so 31 if they are lucky.

I suspect us trading Mitch for future 3rd is Part 1 of this deal... with Part 2 involving us snaring the Doggies pick 12 for equivalent (or just overs) in points, once the Ben Brown and Preuss deals are done...

Agree Whispering. And its reassuring which clubs are suffering from the ailments you've identified... Dons and Pies. I see it as a sign of a dysfunction in a club which (as we know too well at Melbourne) only results in years on the bottom. Bodes poorly for the Pies and Dons... ?

Could be worth a look, for a discounted price. Talent doesn't just dry up... application and appetite maybe, but like Harley, talent is talent, and you've got to take some risks sometimes to acquire it.

Maybe if the small forward fancied himself as a mid..? with other small forwards in play he can be assured of not being played forward when he wants to play in the middle, perhaps.

I'd suggest we offer Oscar and pick 43 for Adelaide's Pick 33

We’d be close to that over 60 years... ?

So Dr Evil, who's next on our shopping list..? Please tell. :)

The Dons would be deluding themselves if they’re thinking they’ll be in contention in the next 3 years. They should be aiming at the draft and building a team to conTend in 5 yrs...