Nascent

I only caught the last couple minutes of the live stream of the afl academy kids vs Geelong reserves. Academy kids got smashed 19 to 149. Nothing of interest happened late in the game but the commentators mentioned Mac Andrew played well in the last quarter.

The 2022 out-of-contract list is an interesting one. I don't really want to lose any of them on current form and in my view only Melksham and McDonald are at risk due to age and fluctuations in form. Both could easily earn contracts beyond then however. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few one year contracts given to fringe players to have a delisting buffer for next year.

Can anyone that keeps tabs on junior footy give any insight to potential mid-season draft prospects? I reckon we've been smart to hold over a pick for the draft (we now have two I believe) in case an over aged player kicks on after limited exposure last year.

Another factor to consider is the bombers could get a top 5 compo pick depending on the offer and how their season goes. Would beat any trade outcome you would think.

Concerned? I hope they surpass 186

Does look good. I never understood why they didn't go with charcoal on the back of their home jumper to begin with.

It would be either A. In the case of Merrett being a RFA, most suspect the Bombers would match and force a trade considering their previous trade period behaviour. And/or B. A presumption we have little cap space to entice a free agent and need to trade out players on coin to bring others in. Both are justifiable thoughts in my view.

I had an AFL notification about a live game. It was for what appeared to be a vfl game between Carlton and STP which I presume to be Southport sharks. It looked like the AFL game centre complete with live stats and all the named players. However I accidentally closed the window and have not been able to find it since. Can't even find a simple link to the vfl pages on the afl website and when I get there most links seem to come back to the afl games.

Wonder if Chandler, Bedford or VandenBerg will come into calculations for the forward half.

Would be a massive get, here's hoping he's more disgruntled than Oliver was and the Bombers season goes belly up. Salary cap a whole other issue unfortunately.

In fairness to Oliver, he's probably had media training from the club as well as direction from his manager to go with a certain dialogue that would appeal to the Melbourne faithful the most.

We actually have Brisbanes 2nd round pick rather than our own after the tade period last year. As it sits we have pick 21 as well as pick pick 38 (tied to Hawks 3rd rounder) and pick 54 (tied to bulldogs 3rd rounder). Here's hoping hawks and lions continue to have a bad year.

Merrett would compliment our midfield nicely with inside/outside capabilities with pace and good disposal. Just can't see how we could afford him unfortunately. And can't see the bombers not matching a bid for him unless they capitulate for the rest of the season and get a top 5 compo pick for him.

Thanks to hells bells and others who have made the effort to get down there today. Your updates are much appreciated. Is Hibberd playing as far as you can tell?

Robertson just started getting games for the Lions and didn't look out of place.

We identified Lever and Langdon in their drafts years and worked quietly in the background to bring them to the club. I'm hoping we are trying to do the same for Butters and Georgiades. Not that Port lose players they want to keep unfortunately.

Didn't the afl change the nga rules so now clubs can't match a bid that's made within the first 20 picks? Would be just our luck to finally have a highly rated kid come through then not get access to him.

Swans make it 3 from 3 with Chad Warner this weeks rising star nominee. Nominations Round 1 - Errol Guldon - Sydney Round 2 - Braeden Campbell - Sydney Round 3 - Chad Warner - Sydney

I was referring to the kangas. Collingwood are still a dangerous team and no easy beats.

I'm looking forward to seeing them get flogged by 100+ points ?

1st world problems but I'm finding the lack of team announcements on Thursday very irritating. Was hoping that would be reinstated for this season.

I'll admit I had reservations about using a high first round pick on him but thank god we did. Absolute gun and doesn't need many touches to influence a game. To think he was only seen as a third rounder + to rookie chance until quite late in his draft year.

Was keen on him during his draft year but haven't closely monitored his progress since then. From memory he's a skilful lefty with pace which I thought would compliment our midfield nicely. Can't see Sydney giving him up easily though.

Not so much keen on Smith but the rest are interesting prospects. Wonder if our interest in Weightman from his draft year remains. Ash and Stephens from the same draft are also unsigned thus far and ones to keep tabs on as well, although their cost would be quite high. Pretty sure someone here mentioned Ash had itchy feet and was considering a move from GWS already, hopefully there is some truth to that.