rjay

That's what it was when we gave away a top 20 pick for him...now he has absolutely no currency on the trade market at all. Play him at Casey next season as a backup until his contract runs out then delist, if he doesn't like this negotiate a pay out figure with him.

Why? He's a good player no doubt but I don't like the idea of throwing a lot of cash at one player. Seems that Sydney may be paying the price for that now...

This NikNat elite conversation started with a post that he was a show pony. Elite or not, and I don't see him as a elite, he is a good and important player for WC and I wouldn't think considered just a show pony.

I just think it's a bit early to go on big Max and use stats for an argument. He's a very different player to NikNat and not just in looks. I'm happy to see Max take up the 1st ruck position and have been calling for him to play there even back at Casey. We were trying to make him into something he wasn't, a forward/ruck. Now he's been given the number 1 role he's really started to develop. We also need to take into account in his current run in the AFL, 2 of those games were against undermanned ruck divisions. The game against the Lions was a good test against 2 good rucks, he had a good one. Let Max be Max, he's developing well now.

Looks like Watts has now morphed into Gawn for the purpose of recent posts... Happy to see both NikNat and Watts playing good footy for their clubs. Let Max be Max...

No...He's been lucky to get on the park. Spent a lot of his career injured. Whilst I think Watts is playing good footy now I don't think you can just write of NicNat as a show pony. He's a critical part of WC improvement this year.

Jed Anderson may be worth a look?

So was Beams at the Pies

Not sure we would want him but also not so sure he won't leave the Tiges.

We might as well bring back the Ox then, solid mature body. Only difference is I think he could still hold a grab. It's not a good enough reason to keep Dawes. Frost or Tommy Mc are better options and maybe a trade for someone like Tomlinson.

I don't think this is right. He went to Goddard for the 2nd Q and stopped him, unfortunately he was then moved off Goddard and he got away again.

Not sure if you're referring to the Dawes comments here 'rpfc', but as a forward yourself you must be disappointed in his output and how a first year forward is copping the attention of the opposition defenders that Dawes should be at least minimising. At the moment I don't think op coaches put much work into Dawes and focus on Hogan. The only focus they put on him is how they can use him to run off.

I think it's always been on the table 'Dockett' but only once was the offer good enough. Can't wait to see Salem back either...by the way.

You're right 'Adam', he really did need stick the tackles... Dawes, well I'm not s fan and can see why Bucks was keen to move him on. Unfortunately we were too willing a buyer.

Watching a different game to you 'steve'... He's been pretty good today, defending well and spreading to create an option. 88.9% DE by the way.

'steve' you can't just dump Garland in with the likes of Sylvia, Frawley and Howe, he offers far more than any of them.

...and in what's considered a shallow draft.

Mine too 'Machsy'.

We don't have to chase everyone... I'm sure we have some irons in fires.

Whole different story...think Cooney

Agree, the knee worries me too.

I would say that Burgoyne, Gibson, Hale, Lake and you're forgetting Gunston have given the Hawks real value. McEvoy maybe lucky.. Spangher a good backup, Frawley and O'Rourke are yet to prove themselves with O'Rourke coming from a long way back I would think (may not make it). Burgoyne was all but gone at Port and has had a new lease of life with the Hawks...great player. Their recruiting has been excellent and proves my point that you don't blow it all on one player.

He was certainly big and a big part of the Geelong premierships but really came of age with the Cats. Couldn't be considered a big fish in the mould of Judd, Danger or Buddy and wouldn't have cost Geelong anything like these guys. I would say he was one that they needed to augment a good list. Pies similar with Jolly and Ball...

...and how well did that work for us???

Just a note of warning for those looking to land the big fish. In other words Paddy Danger... None of the premiership teams of the last 10 years and probably further back (Brisbane being an exceptional circumstance) have won on the back of landing a big fish. What they have done is built their team on the back of good drafting and augmenting the team with key players to fill specific roles. As we are seeing at Sydney, the loss of Mumford and others forced out by their big fish recruiting is causing issues in the ruck and their depth. Can they win it this year??? If Geelong get Danger then they risk Motlop and others. I think we keep on doing what we're doing, it's a slow burn but is starting to pay dividends. Build the team on the back of the kids we've brought in over the last few years, look to fill roles (which have so far been in adding experience to the list but will broaden from this year on) and keep spending up on development and drafting more quality kids.