Nascent

Captain in waiting

Looking ahead to 2025, May will be 33 and entering his final contracted year. Still playing good footy and could possibly get another season or two beyond that. However, we would be remiss to not plan for life after May. Watched Gettable today and they discussed two free agents for 2025 in Weitering and Taylor (GWS) with the former being an UFA. In my opinion, obtaining one of these players will be absolutely crucial to us competing for a flag beyond 2025. Unlikely as it may be, we need to move heaven and earth to try and secure one of them.

He's been injured to start the year. Was best 22 last year and will work his way into the team shortly. Has played >20 games for them each season for the past 3 years. Can play wing and back and actually think we're thinner than we release for medium defenders. Salem is getting on, we've lost Brayshaw and with an injury to Bowey we are relying on Howes and Woewodin to hold the fort who have both looked put of depth at times. We have nothing beyond that beyond Hore and developing AMW in that position as Casey. Then we have Langdon/Windsor/Hunter as our wingers with Hunter maybe gone at seasons end.

Yes. Unrestricted FA as well I'm fairly certain. Can play wing as well and is an excellent user of the footy.

It sounds like McAdam only played 10minutes in each of the first three quarters and didn't play at all in the last. Surely needs another run at Casey after only playing approximately a quarter of footy.

Hope that some combination of money, home factor, senior opportunities will shake someone loose. Most likely they'll wrap up their superstars but there is so much talent on that list playing in the ressies.

If it's not going to be us then GWS all the way. You only have to look at the alternatives in Geelong, Sydney, Carlton, Collingwood. GWS would be far more tolerable as premiers. Then we should pick off some of their talented youngsters.

There's a GWS team on there

Does anyone get gut-punched more than Oliver? For a bloke that has great sportsmanship on the ground he gets some rough treatment off the ball.

So in summary... Rest and preparation = good No rest and no preparation = bad

I'm as eager as anyone to see some development from Jefferson but we should remember that not only is second year skinny key position player, he missed a huge chunk of pre-season training. Clearly playing catch up with his fitness.

Did Tholstrup get injured? I missed parts of the game but didn't spot him in the last. Perhaps carry over for tonight?

This is where my line of thinking is tracking too as well. The person running back with the flight is not only disregarding their own safety but they have no regard for anyone else who might be in their path. Nor can they do anything to protect themselves or alter their course unless they take their eyes off the ball. It's full of risk and shouldn't be encouraged.

That would be nice wouldn't it. Just pointing out their two first picks they have for trade bargaining, not what I think the trade would be. Can't see them being willing to give up a top 5 pick for him, despite the premium placed on key defenders and his contracted status.

Update 6 rounds in now that everyone has played the same amount of games. Melbourne: Pick 13 Sydney 2nd: Pick 36 Saints 3rd: Pick 43 Bulldogs 3rd: Pick 48 Petty to Adelaide watch Adelaide have picks 4 and 23

It wouldn't surprise me if we see rules come in at the end of the year that penalises people for running back with the flight towards marking contests. This used to be the most celebrated act of bravery to put yourself in harms way to contest the footy, I think this attitude has to change. A player leading up to the ball has good field of visison and is coming up towards the ball, and if a player is coming hard in the opposite direction they instinctually brace for impact, as evolution has hard wired into us. Compare that to a player that is often sprinting into oncoming traffic with eyes only on the footy. Not only are they putting themeself in danger, they are showing no care for whoever they might run into. They are essentially driving a vehicle at high speed while blindfolded. Is this not reckless? Of course there are nuances with every contest and varying speeds and intent on genuine marking vs deliberate attempt to bump.

Indeed it was Kelly, I stand corrected. I'll reiterate that I don't know for certain why Yeo despises melbourne or if still does, or even if he did. Certainly there's been long standing rumours about it though, not that in itself means much. But I think you maybe giving too much credit to some players logical reasoning. Without trying to sound offensive, some footy players can be fairly simple creatures.

I could be wrong but I think it's more related to him having no respect for us after 8+years of being shizen. Similar to Stevie J pretending to falling asleep while singing their song after beating us. No idea if that attitude has changed over recent years.

Looks like the Eagles just won the flag at 3/4 time against freo. Can't imagine we will here any more draft assistance talk for them.

Currently holding pick 5

Wish we had these umpires when we play Adelaide

How long until we get the Jed Walter thread going?

Highlights video of the AFL academy team vs Coburg. Our NGA prospect Ricky Mentha in #10 makes a few cameos