Nascent

I'll be there as well split between a saint and bagger friend. I'll be on the other side of the fence on this game, sorry 31. Hope it's a good game.

Don't disagree. I strongly dislike the sub role in general. Hoping we see improvements out of Laurie, Woewy, K Brown and AMW inside the 22 next year.

I wouldn't be completely opposed to this so long as we don't pay more than a 3rd rounder and we get a good report from the Richmond doctor. Likelihood is his body is cooked so I'd be incredibly wary. $1.5mil is a huge price to absorb but that would come off immediately at the end of 2025 then we could make high price offers again to say a Finn Callaghan who's out of contract. Lynch JvR, Turner forward. Petty returns to defence alongside May and Lever. Can Lynchs body stand up to some relief ruckwork or does that still fall on JvR?

Woewodin played 16 (10 as sub) games this year, Laurie played 6 (3 as sub). We don't have to jump off either but both clearly have flaws in their game that have prevented them from cementing a best 22 spot.

Every player turned the ball over horribly on Friday, turnovers are a part of the game. You can't expect perfection, particularly in the conditions they played in. Any comments on what he did well? Like him beating both Daicos brothers and sidebottom at the ground ball contest and gettingthe clearing handball to ANB? His in-board left kick showing his ability to be dual sided? Or his handball to Viney resulting in a centre clearance. All in the highlights below. Check out Bailey Laurie's Highlights from MELB v COLL, Rd 24 2024 https://www.afl.com.au/stats/stats-pro#/Watch/CD_I1012826/CD_M20240142406 FYI I don't think he's best 22, but I think he should be pushing hard for it next year. And just on that turnover after watching it again, Petty looked flat footed and neither committing to a lead forward or back. Kicking error is still on Laurie but I don't blame him for trying to draw him to the ball rather than kick it 55+ over the top in the rain. Edit: not sure why the link doesn't take you to the highlights but can be found via the AFL app

I'd be very surprised if Lombard goes top 5. More likely 10 - 20 range.

Though the did beat Geelong and Sydney not long ago

Their starting point in negotiations.

Exactly. We've been trading out our future first most years for the better part of a decade. This time it could be for an established best 22 player. Given the depth of this years draft pool, it makes absolute sense to me to trade our future first for a quality player like Houston or someone as equally likely to be best 22 and an upgrade on what we have. Then take pick 5/6 to the draft (if we haven't split it) and still bring in a couple more kids with 2nd and 3rd rounders. What's not to like? There's risk involved, sure. But I'd rather upgrade our list as best we can with established talent and simultaneously bring in another 2-3 kids.

Bold prediction, sadly unless they work out how to cryo-freeze humans we will never know.

This tigers v suns game is sub-standard

Get a 200 point win Geelong and make it so Harley Reid wants out. And that's the last time I'll encourage Geelong on anything.

I'm bullish on Tholstrup developing into a serious on-baller. Has power and thirst for the contest. Probably won't move there full-time for a couple years though. If we get a top 5 pick I hope we use that at the draft, or worse case split it and keep at least one first rounder while bringing an established best 22 player.

Laurie had only 26% TOG and ended the night 7 disposals, 5 contested, 4 clearances, 3 tackles and going disposal efficiency of 71% in the pouring rain. He's not the problem most think he is, particularly as a depth player. He also scored top 5 for speed in attack showing he's got good repeat efforts. If he spent more than 5 minutes in the team I suspect his defensive running patterns and positioning would improve. I'll drop it for now as most don't want to hear it and seem to have made up their mind about him after last year. He's earned his spot on the list as a depth player.

Finn Callaghan is out of contract next year... doesn't help for next season though.

Not sure why Laurie is always coping it. Considering he's had the most inconsistent run of games and been sub more often than not I thought he acquitted himself ok for a half. The one main turnover was clearly a misunderstanding with his connection to the leading forward who doubled back towards goal. Pretty sure I saw woeful kicking skills from 22 other players out there tonight who seem to escape the same levels of criticism. While not quick, he's not as slow and outside as people think. Was hoping he would have kicked on a bit more this year with greater senior opportunies but alas that wasn't forthcoming. But for anyone that watched Casey he was clearly our most consistent and best performed player. Despite re-signing this year I thought he may be on the trade table considering our reluctance to play him through the year and our decision to play K Brown and McAdam over him for a run of games, two players in lesser form and clearly weren't ready. However given ANB is on the move, he'll most likely stay on the list and provide midfield and high half forward depth. Hardly worth stressing over him filling that role.

Pick 5 = Houston?

We're already winners by not being Collingwood.

Then the other for Houston. 2025 would certainly look better with those two in our team.

Agree, Petracca is not going to want to go there and its not going to happen. But if any team could satisfy us from a picks only perspective, it's them. Maybe St Kilda if they get high compensation for Battle.

Good shout

I don't think it happens but I reckon they could pull it off if they wanted to. They can't draft 8 kids and expect to be competitive. The question would be is Petracca happy going to a bottom 4 team, I suspect not. Richmond has currently picks 1, 21, 30, 39, 41, 48, 57, 64, 73. They could easily lose all of Baker, Bolton, Rioli and Graham. Speculation/suggestions from cal on Gettable proposed these scenarios... granted this is an educated guess. Rioli to Gold Coast for pick 13 (some say could even be 5). Baker and Bolton to freo for 9, 10 and 17. Graham to net a second round pick 22. That could potentially leave them picks 1, 9, 10, 13, 17, 21, 22 and a stack of later picks. They could use some of those later picks to target gold coast or Brisbane's later first rounder (14 or 20). They could offer say pick 1 and 9 for Petracca and still have 4-5 first round picks left over. And that's not even using their future picks.

Re-signed through to 2028

My only concern with this is it will then be two weeks in a row where a midfielder is replaced with a half-back. Perhaps not an issue if they make McVee play the game full-time on ball? Otherwise it's out of Woewodin, Laurie or K Brown.

@dazzledavey36, @ChaserJ thoughts on Josh Murphy? Saw he kicked 6 goals again on the weekend for 30 in 9 games. Looks more a mid sized tall prospect but perhaps one that can perhaps compliment two taller targets?