Hells Gates

Garland & Rivers back, Cook to debut up forward?

Pick 47 in the draft too - What a return!

Toumpas in for hip surgery. http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CG0QFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fsport%2Fafl%2Fhip-surgery-wont-hinder-jimmy-toumpass-draft-hopes%2Fstory-e6freck3-1226421254942&ei=DkT6T5bKA8G1iQeRkfHpBg&usg=AFQjCNGOLBafjx2NoFlNghB19JPHweRlNw&sig2=9QtaCEcRa0QvGiqH1r3Adg

Which team is on the up?! i dont think the cats will slip back as far as people think, a couple of years around the middle & then they'll be there abouts again. Got some good kids down there.

Oh yes I forgot footy was all about $$$ these days!! How could I forget!!

Im sure you could see where I was coming from. He has been playing at a premiership dynasty for years and will go down as one of the greats (underated) of that era. 3 flags, 2 b&f's, 4 time AA team member, I'm sure he would love to end his career where it started.

I like the idea but what possibly has the MFC that will attract a FA from a club like Geelong?

Our skills or decision making in recruiting?? I'd have to say both!

FWIW here is my mates opinion, whos a fanatical hawks member on Ellis: "Showed a bit early, average skills & too fragile, always injured. Even if fit wouldn't be in our best 22". Hes knows more than me about the Hawks so I take him on his word.

Hilarious!!!

Excellent write up Maldonboy38, it's refreshing to hear positive & informing comments about the Casey games. Great to see Lucas Cook play his role well, my mate described his game just as you have. Even Paul Couch said to me the other day that Lucas is going to be a real talent & from what I've seen of him I agree. Must be close to consideration with no Clark surely. Its not as if were going to play finals so put the kid in and let him grow. Great to see Green, Davey, Couch, Gysberts all doing well & well done Scorps!!

As I said in another thread.... Neeld has done nothing to impress me with his coaching side of things!!

Lucky Tiges have kicked badly

Yes, I know him reasonably well. He did his knee mid season and never performed to the same level as earlier in the year. Played mostly ruck later in the year also. Recruiters didnt want to take any risks with him as obviously there was a big go home factor. Was very skillful when ball was in his area but never chased or tackled and moped around when things didnt go his way. Class talent though.

Thanks for the info, I didnt know much about him. I like your quaddies above, especially the first one!

Everything I've read about him says he was an inside mid now outside mid.

What about Nick Vlastuin? Anybody? He never seems to get a mention.

Alot of people on these threads are just p!ssing into the wind naming any old player that comes to mind or is fringe at best. We already have enough of our own. Please people focus on needs, remember we arent going to win a flag in the near future, don't get your hopes up that Jack Viney will automatically come straight in and be a superstar, I'm still not totally sold on his disposal quality myself. He will be consistent and always give his all and put his head in the firing line, but I'm not so sure he's elite class personally, I have him rated about 8th in the draft. We desperately needs mids, quality/classy & maybe pacey mids. You can have as many big bodies grunt players as you like but if they keep turning it over then its not going to win you games of footy. We have a few big bodied mids who when they actually do turn it over are too slow to give a good chase. On turnovers our disposal is atrocious for AFL standard, I'm sure I could hit a target better! I thought over the years this may have improved but to me it doesnt look like it will (which frustrates me) so hence why we need to draft mids that are accurate disposers of the footy. So classy mids & maybe a couple of rookie/late draft small forwards, theres normally a few around late draft as theyre either considered too short or too much risk involved. Ive put up stats before about small forwards & Milnes stats are way above anyone else for consistancy etc. Betts not far behind, but theres not too many that make it & kick goals consistantly. We need a big influx of goals from our mids from next year onwards, alot of the top teams have their mids kicking a couple of goals a game whereas we struggle. Eg: Swan, Pendles, Beams, Thomas, Sidebottom always snag a few between them, they dont really have a designated small forward who pops up week in/week out kicking goals. Unlike some on here I actually think Lucas Cook will make it, probably at FF with Clark as a damaging roaming CHF. Lucas has all the attributes & skill levels & is impressing at VFL level with his marking, leading & creating contests, just because he hasnt kicked bags of late doesnt mean he isnt doing his forward role well. I was talking to Lucas the other day and he said hes keen to start round 1 next year and make the FF position his own, he said he just needs to get a bit bigger/stronger and he will be all good. He said he was 195cm & 88kgs. He said hes really improved his leading to the right areas & creating a contest. I rate Neeld, he is the culture changer that this club desperately needed, still not totally convinced he can coach yet but I will give him his time, its been a bad year. Also the poor bugger just doesnt have the quality & intelligence he probably had at the Pies so I reckon his coaching will come to the fore when we draft some elite mids, hopefully! All going well pick 3,4,13 & Viney, plus a fit Gysberts, Trengove, Jurrah, Cook things might start turning our way. By all means snag a couple of free agents along the way, some late draft fringe players if need be & dispose of the rubbish that is making "OUR" football club look pathetic. Remember our mission to be the "club of the decade" anyone?? Expect big changes at seasons end & I can say I know the club is targetting another power forward & 3 quality mids, could be from draft, do not stress, our recruiting is in good hands & I wouldnt be suprised if we didnt snag Matt Rendall in the future also. Have a good day!

I'm sure Lingy said himself on TV a couple of weeks back that he intends to coach, maybe I heard wrong, been a bit busy of late!

I would rather Scott Lycett than Quinten Lynch!

As a club we have to not get trapped into a "jobs for the mates" club. If he is the best available midfield coach by all means then yes, if not then go chase one who is highly recommended preferably one from a successful outfit. We are after premierships, not to keep people happy.

Why don't we just draft as much talent/class as we can first this draft.....then maybe pick up some fringe players late in the draft if theyre available No need to waste early draft picks on "fringe" players, they're quite often a fringe player for a reason bar injuries.

Yep spot on. I was down the club the other day and Tom's father Paul said that Tom was competing with Magner for a spot. Said he was very disappointed that Tom wasnt getting a game, but is still excited/hopeful that he might.

F/S bidding happens "before" the draft or trade period. You "can't" use any compo picks on a F/S pick. It is either pick 3, second round pick or we don't take him.

If Melb give up pick 4 for Travis Boak I will be horrified!! Maximum of pick 12 plus a player if need be. This thread is off it's chops!!!