Young Blood

Its what they get paid to do. Speculate based off of speculation. So many people here are getting sucked in. When I see the name McClure next to anything I simply just ignore it. He's getting paid to be an ultracrepidarian. His goal is to keep pushing a story beyond truth to get clicks and make forums such as this go mental talking about him. He lost a lot of credit for his Harley Reid statements last year when he said "I'm telling you they're not going to pick him" (referring to West Coast) and many other occasions where his speculation was just simply false. He doesn't care, he wins either way.

I do think this needs to be more of a talking point across the AFL. I follow professional sports in other countries. In the NBA, I don't think I've ever heard of a player asking for a trade due to family reasons or being homesick. Its all part of the job and being a professional player at the highest level. Its just a given that its a business and a job where sacrifices must be made. Perhaps the ANB situation is a bit different as he has been a servent of the club for 10 years. I wonder if he were only a second or third year player if such a request would have been accepted. Might be one of two times I've ever agree with Kane on this that if you put your name in a draft that you are accepting as a professional sportsman to be picked by any side, possibly interstate and that you need to make it work for the club that picked you. The only the only other argument Wade has is that he wants more of an opportunity to play AFL as he's been two or three behind the pecking order as a key forward/back. GWS/McCarthy is now saying that due to players leaving this off season that there is now less depth and more likelihood that he might play. I'd still be [censored] if I was Wade.

Its the obvious team on paper yes. I think Sparrow is going to really have to earn that spot next season with a huge preseason and add a few more strings to his bow. My only change to this would be IN: AMW and OUT: Sparrow Having Sparrow in will reduce the midfield rotation time for Rivers (and eventually Kozzy). But Rivers is like the new Gus as a versatile, more dynamic option to put in the midfield for longer periods. Get him in there as much as possible I say.

I can't help but feel there is some contrast between our two million+ per year mids in how they prepare/improve their bodies/games before a season, at least in terms of level of commitment and attention to detail. I wonder if this is part of the contention between the club and Oliver (and Trac's feelings toward this as well). I understand in the past Oliver has made commitments with a really dedicated approach to preseason. E.g. when he followed Billy Stretch's regimen all those years ago with diet and training. In his words he 'became addicted' to fitness and training where he could see the results in games with the high standard he was playing at. I wonder if that level of commitment dropped away in recent years and this is where the club are feeling underwhelmed with their star player. I would love to see Oliver over there investing his time (and some of that huge salary) along with Trac putting in this level of work and commitment to his body. Especially after the year he had last year, I would hope he is doing everything he possibly can to find ways to get himself in the best shape possible with some advancements on what he can do physically like we are seeing with Trac. Its hard to get a read from the podcast he did the other week with how casual he was talking about getting back to a better level of fitness. I don't discount the work he's putting in with his running. He's also working on his mobility with a specialist as you can see here along with Trac, Salem and AMW (https://www.instagram.com/112mvmnt/). But I just wonder if there's more he can be doing to get to to improve and get back to that obsession he had with his fitness...

The key to winning over Goody is to mention "contest" and "defense" as much as possible.

Yeah in terms of a straight swap realistically its more likely to be for GWS comp pick which will end up as #17 which I think is a bit risky with where we're at right now. Would we look at packaging out pick 28 this year and next years 1st rounder to get a little higher for our second pick? Anyone know what that might look like as a realistic trade with one of the sellers in mid first round?

I think we will be left with choosing between Lalor, Smillie or Armstrong. As skilled as he might be I think Reid will be a slider and be picked in the teens. If Bo Allan wasn't from WA I could see him bolting even further with one ours, Saints to Essendon's pick. Richmond - Jagga North - Langford West Coast - O'Sullivan Adelaide - Draper Melbourne - Lalor

Could possibly be the reason he does or doesn't join us, depending on what happens with Pert 🙄

I think this would be the most likely role for him

Well he's just stepped down as footy director of GWS where since 2018 he was key in the club's list management and coaching decisions as well as their restructuring of the football department. He was a member of the panel that appointed Adam Kingsley as head coach. You only need to look at GWS' recruiting, record and how they operate to know he's made a positive impact. He's also one of the most respected football media heads as well with his balanced, informed view points. Highly respected across the AFL with many useful connections and relationships across the league. If he's up for a new challenge then come aboard Jimmy!

Have there been many circumstances where a fringe/depth player nominates for another club for more opportunity or more importantly for better family support with his young children and the club simply says no? I think what we're seeing is GWS promoting publicly that he's an important player to them they would like to keep, simply to raise the asking price. Its all posturing I reckon.

Nah more like Darcy Forte actually. Campbell can actually ruck unlike Fullarton. Brisbane just won a GF because in a break glass situation where their no.1 ruck went down, they had an back up ruck (31) who was adequate, experienced and was able to compete with Grundy and help his midfield. If Campbell was playing for MFC this year he would have come straight in with how consistently he performed at VFL level.

Carlton want to push him out and now lack of suitors? I really hope we don't get involved. Over rated IMO

Released two days ago but I think they mention in the pod that it was recorded before the GF

Wait what were the strict set of guidelines? Is this going off of media speculation?

Forgive me. This thread has fried my brain. Appreciate it. Also not a fella 🙃

Oh please don't speak for all of us. I do not know exactly whats happening, nor do I believe that Pert or Goody should be sacked. I'm certainly not basing any of my understanding or opinions on media speculation or assumptions that keep being made by posters here.

Damn Peatling went with Adelaide Would have made all this a bit easier to swallow...

Hey come on now. That one goal on QB was pretty good...

Makes sense to me. Brutal but not sure there were many options at the time. His trade value last year compared to right now is stark in comparison. Wrapped our arms around him. Played him throughout the season to keep him engaged and motivated even though he wasn't in good shape. Talked him up to media every chance we had. I can see how the playing group including Trac would not have been happy with this. But its now time to move on.

Fair that the playing group might still be a bit unhappy with Trac and how the last month or so was dealt with. Hopefully that bridge will be mended over time. But how does this mean that Trac is on the table for trade?

I'd say its because at the moment its only the cats who are interested in him. You would have heard by now if other clubs were sniffing around.

The interview Claz did the other day was frustrating to watch/listen to in this regard. He kept mentioning people having to put up with him last year, especially Max whom he lived with most of the year it seems and mentioned he was like Max's third child for that period. He did thank Max for all the support but it definitely seemed to put a strain on those around him including Trac I'd imagine. This is a 26/27 yr old guy whose on $1 million+ per year. I understand there were personal issues last year as well as not coping well with injuries but there is a degree of professionalism needed and its clear that he hasn't been reaching these standards. Good luck to Geelong with all of that.

Everyone seems under the assumption that its only going to be a two club transaction. Geelong knows very well they will need to get at least one other team involved to get the draft capital to make it work. They are an excellent creative recruiting team.

Hopefully he doesn't!