rjay

...and Tyson carved them up in the clearances early in the game. He will either win or come runner up in our B&F, I don't think we made a mistake here. Kelly really got going when the game was done and dusted.

Tyson has already turned the tide of games, I wouldn't be too worried about him. What is x factor, I would think it's someone like Jurrah, the ability to do the extraordinary. Kelly will be a very good footballer, so will Tyson, that's the least of our problems. Salem had serious health problems in pre season that gives him some let out plus he is a first year player, but he really does need to get involved in the game a lot more, can't argue that.

So did Tyson, was our best player until injured and the reason why we were in the game in the first Q. Rating a player for their performance against us yesterday is nearly as bad as rating them on NEAFL form. We were that bad.

Will still be surprised if the Saints take him but GWS are pretty likely to. So it's either they lose and take him or trade with the Saints for pick one and take him. Of the top rated mids available Laverde interests me, bit of real x factor with this kid. Height, pace, can kick but does run himself into trouble at times so maybe not a great decision maker. To me he will either be a real gem or at worst someone a bit like Murdoch at Geelong. Still rate Gore as a pure mid....

I think he will come out ahead of those 2 (Boyd & McCartin) and Patton and give Cameron a more than good run for his money. My money on Hogan.

I don't think so 'Machsy' but I guess it will be there for all to see in the next number of years. I do think we've got the best one in Hogan though.

I think they would regret missing on McCartin, can't see them passing him up.

No, but it hasn't hurt Aish or Dunstan. It's part of an overall picture.

I'd be happy to pick him up there too 'Machsy'. I think he has a better kick on him than Riley, sprayed a couple but also nailed some beauties. I also like the way he sets up at stoppages and isn't afraid to spread and get involved on the outside.

I like this kid, will be a good get as a 2nd or 3rd round pick at the moment. Good size, strong inside, quick hands.

If you want some one with mongrel then McCartin is the man. I would take McCartin if he was available to us.

...and we were going to take Sloane and Wines.

I think his beep seems to be rising by the week 'Chaser', will be interesting to see how he goes when they do the testing.

Would like to know where that key position depth you are talking about is. If Frawley goes as seems likely we are very light on and really have no quality key position players at all to call it a strength. Clark is gone, Hogan will be a quality KPP but hasn't played a game yet and McDonald is very much a work in progress.

Maybe Laverde although if we had 2 picks I think we are more likely to trade one.

If we don't get Cameron then I would seriously look at McCartin if he was available.

I don't think it would have mattered that much, he was lacking in too many areas to be a top line player. I think that's true. I see it as a player able to do the extraordinary and not just once or twice in a career that's why I named the players I did. I don't see this in Col, I do get what you are saying though based on your definition.

Agree with you, he is not a natural footballer for all the reasons you give. His skills and attributes in isolation are good, he can mark, he can kick, he can run, he is strong...he just can't put it all together to be a good footballer. I think there is doubt on what the recruiters look at though, in particular ours of recent past. Maybe if they had looked at things a bit more clearly we wouldn't be where we are now.

I was talking about his X-Factor and I never saw it, to me that is the ability to break a game apart. Cyril has it, Motlop has it, Gary senior had it...mercurial footballers who could turn a game with something out of the box. Col has never had this.

When did he show it 'Bob'? He is a well built player who rarely used that strength at AFL level and I never saw the endurance you speak of. He was (I think he may have played his last senior game) and is a very limited footballer who has been highly over rated by people who thought he had this amazing ability that he has never had. It wasn't in his mind, he just wasn't good enough.

Don't agree with this, I know it's been said on a number of times and I've said this a number of times. Col has never had the ability to be the player many seem to think he should have been and he's proving it this year as he has every year of his career. He's just not that good, he has no x-factor, he's a long kick to no one who can take an occasional good mark.

Yep, agree. We are light on for KPP and if Frawley goes it only makes the problem worse.

Thanks 'P-man', just brilliant mate.

I agree with what you say with the exception of the last bit. Yes we do have a desperate need for a KPP but not at the expense of the best available. It's trying to pick and choose on needs that is mostly responsible for where we are now.

Thanks 'Chaser', I think he's worth watching. I was impressed with how he positioned himself for clearances from ruck contests, centre and around the ground and as you say he has good hands in close. Also noticed he had a good turn of pace and seemed to cover a lot of ground. Could be a real bargain. Laverde is an interesting one. He has some good tricks but I'm not sure of his footy smarts. Ahern has a lot of talent no doubt about that, might not need high possessions to impact a game.