Nascent

8th round pick, lol

Maybe with some creative accounting both clubs could get some salary cap relief but can't see it working to be honest. Pies will want us to pay a fair chunk of McDonalds wage then throw in Phillips on top of that then we probably won't be in much of a better position salary cap wise.

This years trade period really is shaping up as an interesting one. We traded out of the first round citing the numerous players spoken for via f/s and NGA, consensus here is that was a wise move. Now with COVID wiping out the Victorian U/18s year and limiting the exposure of a large portion of the draft pool, that also brings further questions about how to research and project players into the draft. Now it appears we have focused our trade targets to Brown and Smith, while something else may yet come out of the woodwork as well. Smith is an Unrestricted free agent and won't cost any picks, however there is still some conjecture about the worth of Brown considering his interrupted year as well as being pushed out the door by North. Some suggestions include late first rounders through to something in late 2nd round. Regardless, we would appear to have the tools to facilitate a trade with the selections we have in either this years and next years draft or a combination there of. Salary cap space is the major impediment to any trade for Brown it would seem. So after actively trading out of the early part of this years draft, limiting our involvement if you will, we are also willingly shopping around multiple players, some contracted some not. ANB, T-Mac, O-mac, Preuss, Hannan and if some posters are to be believed, Brayshaw has been put on the table. Speculation around Oliver continues, however if there is any truth to the rumours I would fully expect the club to hold him to his contract, additionally I can't see anyway the Blues could entice us. In the hypothetical event he does request a trade next year, I would be expecting Judd like compensation. So what is our aim in facilitating so many player trades? Is it largely for salary cap relief? Are we targeting more players we're yet to hear about? Have we now identified someone in the draft and aiming to make our way up the draft board? Will we invest in next years draft and request future selections? I suspect the answer may be a combination of some of the above, but it's interesting nonetheless. Complicating things further is there still seems to be no confirmed details about list sizes and Salary cap space.

Melksham was tried at half back in his first year and was dropped very quickly. When he returned to the team he was placed in the forward half and showed far better form. I doubt Goodwin will experiment with Melksham down back again, particularly with so much riding on next year. Salem, Rivers and Hibberd are enough runners off the back line as well so if Melksham can't make it in the forward half then he plays twos.

Jack Higgins is ooc in 2021 but he's been mentioned in some articles about clubs enquiring about him. Think tigers hold onto him this year but would definitely be interested next year.

This would be my favourite outcome.

Any mail on this in particular Patches? I don't mind the idea of moving on next years first for an aggressive push towards finals. This is all within reason of course with a quality player or early 2020 pick coming in. In my opinion we should be courting Merrett with offers now and throw out our future first out there + extras to get Essendon thinking. It won't happen of course but we will be laying the foundations for a hard play for him as a free agent next year. As others have said our time is now, we have enough talent on our list and if we're successful in getting to finals and grand finals repetitively then we'll be an attractive free agency option. We have plenty of talent on our list that will net us first round selections should we choose to go back to the draft as well.

That's probably fair. Pointless to speculate really.

This concerns me if true. Back when we acquired May in 2018 it was said we still had space to acquire another big fish with Gaff being the target. That was post re-signing McDonald which was done throughout the year. Where has all that gone? And if we are tight on salary cap space now, what chance do we have next year in re-signing Clarrie, Gawn and Salem not to mention Jackson and Weideman with a potential reduction in salary cap allowance? Obviously I have no idea what goes on behind the scenes but can't help but feel we have mismanaged our list somewhat as we aren't competitive in acquiring services of players that would improve our 22. Both Saad and Williams would have been fantastic for us off the back half but we were barely in the conversation. And now it appears we have to break contracts just to be active in trade week.

You are right that most player movements are known before being made official, however there are exceptions. I don't think there was any speculation about Tyson, Bugg or McKenna prior to our trades with GWS. And with them being our trading partner yet again, and with the Giants forever in a state of players being starved of opportunities, there is every chance a fringe player could be involved.

If we can get McDonald off the books then I'm all for it. Not sure where Jackson fits into that forward line but with his mobility and skill I'm sure they'll find a spot for him. What's the latest talk on trade price? Not keen on giving up a future first at all but would happily give a second for him.

Nothing official as far as I'm aware but they seem the likely destination. From a players perspective Geelong would be more appealing for a shot at a premiership and that's probably what he's after at his age. Still, if Goodwin is desperate and looking for missing pieces to roll the dice on a potential premiership in 2021 then Higgin in the forward half in place of ANB or Hannan must be enticing.

If we could work one of Caldwell, O'Halloran or Hill into the deal we will have done well.

Chook in Perth last year mentioned that we baulked at a three year deal for Smith. If we are seriously considering it this year then it has an air of desperation around it. Surely it will be 2 + set kpi's for a third. And if we're looking at 32 year olds, why not look at Higgins?

Giants will most likely get pick 28 for Corr, which of course will be eventually pushed out to 30+ after academy bids and further compensation picks for Daniher and Williams. I'd imagine that's what we'll be after but Giants will play hardball and only offer 39. As an alternative, could we offer Preuss + 23 for Caldwell? Edit: Giants have clearly identified him as a need and intend to play him as a starting 22 player. As he is contracted for another 2 years, we shouldn't be accepting anything less than significant improvement in our draft hand or a best 22 player ourselves. Otherwise keep Preuss and starve GWS of an opportunity to improve their list. 2nd Edit: Giants are also likely to receive pick 29 from Adelaide for Hately. Might make moving on a second rounder easier for them.

Any idea what he's not happy about @Chook in Perth? Lack of finals/direction of the club or other behind the scenes stuff?

Well [censored], we better make finals next year.

Thought as such, cheers for the info mate ?

Any idea what we're offering? I suspect they want our second rounder while we wouldn't want to give more than a 3rd? Or is it haggling over how much of the contract each club will pay?

Now that he has signed for 5 years we can trade him for a better return

Happy.

Disappointing, would have been brilliant for us on off the backline. I do wonder if Carlton are leaving themselves open for a raid of their younger talent with the amount they are spending on flankers.

I've got a suspicion this kid will go through the middle at some stage of his career and star in that role. Kids a gun.

Why are you wearing 3D glasses?

Can't remember which article but they mentioned GWS have doubts about his endurance and ability to cover the ground. Reads to me that they're trying to downplay his trade value. With Hately requesting a trade to the Crows today, I can't see them willingly including Caldwell or O'Halloran in any form of trade. We should be pushing for a second round pick in my opinion.