rjay

For a so called power club that gets prime time games & privileges , Carltons membership is very average.

2018 might just be the year to keep it 'machine'...

Yep, and that's why he is an elite talent. We have the best young mid in the competition, the rest of the AFL will finally work it out in 2018...the opposition coaches already have, that's why they put a tag on him and give him votes in the coaches award.

Let me simplify it for you... Maybe none of these players are good enough. The FD would seem to think that's the case. We don't need more list cloggers but we can develop quality for our own needs and for future trade bait. You are looking at things in a very one dimensional way and we are far from done and locked out of trading or drafting in 2018...

Lever, Gawn & Oliver make the AA team. Hogan, Viney, Hibberd and Petracca make the squad. We finish top 4, don't want to mention the P word but... Kochie blasts Hinkley and the FD for Port's disastrous scattergun recruiting campaign, falls short of blaming Watts for the whole fiasco. Richmond have injury woes and miss finals. Buckley gets sack and Eddie stands down after more disastrous off field moves. The AFL muddle their way through another off field crisis after Dill assesses which way the wind is blowing...man of principle, organisation of the highest integrity.

This post makes little sense... You wanted us to draft 2 unknowns to boost our midfield depth when we have a few knowns in Brayshaw and Salem who at the moment have to bide their time on flanks where as you say we have them coming out of our ears. We will be in a good position to trade in class/needs over the next few years as Jones, Vince and Lewis move on. We do that by having better players on our list not by drafting/taking chances drafting players our recruiters and list management people don't rate to fill so called needs now.

Yet from memory you weren't that impressed with Bailey. Now this is only going by the highlights but Bailey to me was very smooth, looked to have good skills and vision. Baker, again by the highlights didn't really impress. For one thing his handball seems very mechanical and forced, almost like someone who is only just coming to terms with the skill. Anyway, it will be interesting to see who we take this draft. Lets hope we get a real gem here...

NEAFL though 'Dee'...players rack up the numbers in that comp. I think a lot of the so called experts have decided we need some run and carry and have been blind sided by this. They have us picking on a needs basis and as our own history tells us, this is a recipe for disaster. I just want us to get the best available prospect.

Above from Snoop dog... If he doesn't win a lot of ball in the NEAFL then I would be concerned with his footy smarts...

We've taken the basketball experiment and it looks to be paying off. Smith and Maynard look pretty good to me. We can't spread too thin...

Kent needs to play good consistent pressure football... Injuries haven't helped his cause but to date he has been a lazy player who picks and chooses. His set shot kicking is a real liability. Very one sided and doesn't seem to posses any real weapons. So far he has been over rated by many on minimal performance...lucky to be on the list. Make or break year for him.

I would think Lever, Viney and Oliver have a long way to go to reach their potential. No way are they fully formed players yet...

I think it's a bit early to talk non-renewals... The way the season finished left a bad taste but I'm sure the diehards will be back once the dust has settled (for all the BS being talked) and membership will take a big jump as we head for finals and top 4 is in sight. I've been in no hurry to renew but will soon enough.

Unfortunately 'McQueen', the umpires don't seem to pay these. Howe was always blocked in his run at the ball when playing deep, that's why he could never get a kick there. It might not be overt but non the less defenders are very skilled at taking away an advantage. Body strength and positioning are key. I know nothing about Ryan, just making an observation from the highlights, which were all big marks, getting a run at the pack. He will take the odd one same as Jeremy but he will need a few more tricks than that. He's from your neck of the woods, what's his ground ball skill like? is he smart around goal like Betts? does he apply defensive pressure? Is he very quick? does he involve his teammates? is he a good field kick?

Good work 'Big Carl'... Just off the top of my head I would have Neitz at CHB, Hardeman on a flank and Wight at FB... Jako moves into FF, needs to be the pea...

I'm sure we're across this, but he won't get that space to get a running jump at AFL level. It's why Howe couldn't make it as a forward and had to go back... Would like to see what else he offers at ground level.

I think Tony is taking a very educated guess...99.9%

Totally different situation...Carlton held the whip hand because Gibbs was still contracted for a few more years. Lever is out of contract, they can't hold him.

Looks like we've taken the basketball path. Smith & Maynard look good prospects and there are only so many spots available on the list.

Stanley had the job last night.

Another thing to be noted with Lever is that opposition teams have been running a defensive forward against him to try and take him out of the game, keep him away from the footy. It's happened in both finals, so it looks like the coaches rate him.

Never hurt Gibson, a very valuable player at Hawthorn. A couple of B&F's in premiership years. Look he's still a developing kid but with some runs on the board. I don't think we will pay overs for him and his best is yet to come. I wouldn't define him on his career to date apart from saying noting his talent, and I definitely wouldn't define him on last nights game where he wasn't a standout but played his role. He had some really good moments and a few average ones that you would expect from a player of his age and experience.

I shudder when I see an under age player staring in the SANFL. Toumpas was a gun for Woodville the year before his draft year...late debut coming into finals. Should also add Aish and a number of other kids who have struggled after good seasons in the SANFL. Unfortunately as we've found out, SANFL form doesn't necessarily translate.

Can I post a like for 'Rhino Richards' liking your post(s)...'Vogon'.

He will evolve as player in the next couple of years and we will see more of his kicking, marking and goal kicking game. He's already given us a taste of these attributes. That will take him to the elite level, quick mids or not.