rjay

No Trav about Toumpas, he is dedicated to his football and demands the best from himself. If only Trav had done the same.

I reckon Jack will be a good player for us and maybe even elite but Hodge he will never be, Hodge has a thirst for the contest that is innate, Jack doesn't have it. Some think he has to have it to be a champ, I don't but he does need to work a lot harder on his second and third efforts and he has to develop his attack at the contest consistently. Jack has elite skills, speed and decision making, let's hope he reaches his full potential.

Fred Goldsmith won it in 1955 from full back.

Funny thing is I thought clubs had to make a minimum of 3 picks in the draft according to AFL rules. What goes on here? are they in breach of another rule and further tampering with the draft?

He was quieter in the GF but very effective, what he did was class.

Fantastic, so hopefully no more of this sticking the arm out in hope stuff and stupid head high free kicks.

I hope it's right 'Ben', I've been wanting Toumpas since watching his SA finals last year. This would be a huge win for us.

He was a star in the finals series last year and still had another year of underage football ahead of him, this is what annoys me when people consider him a soft outside player not ready to step up to AFL. The kid has been playing against men for at least the last 2 years, you don't do that if you are soft and purely an outside player. He will be ready to go from day one, he's not Whitfield playing against kids he's been playing against men. Talking about him to my mate in Adelaide this morning we both can't figure why GWS would't take him, I'm not convinced they won't unless as some have said there has been a deal in relation to the Hogan selection.

Needs to play at least 8 years before free agency applies. ...and for those worried about the outside inside mid thing, Toumpas has played 2 years of senior football already and nobody was complaining that he was was soft in the premiership team as an under ager, he was in their best players through the finals series. I would be very surprised if GWS pass on him though no matter what the papers are saying.

Wasn't aware about the pre draft lies was aware of him being a fair dh. Stringer's injury issues are well known, don't know if he is a DH or not but he can play. Given he gets a medical clearance, discount this years performances due to recovery from injury then he makes for a good prospect. It's good reading and debate this whole drafting biz but in the end I hope that the club have it right and will make good decisions, as supporters I guess we have reason not to trust those decisions due to recent failures. New crew in charge, change in direction at the club, the proof will come over the next few seasons.

In those stat it's the inside 50's where he can make some big improvements this year with forward targets to kick to. If he can start to break the lines and use his kicking skills then he will be a real weapon.

I would have thought Thorp was not a good comparison at all. A key forward who had problems adjusting to playing AFL football. The same mythical recruiter also said Judd's shoulders weren't up to AFL conditions, Darling was a head case who would ruin a club's culture, Selwood's knees were gone....listening to a recruiter around draft time is like relying on a trainers tip for the cup. I wouldn't expect us to take Stringer if we don't get a decent medical report but his upside is huge as a mid and rotation forward, particularly when the AFL bring in capped interchange. We need some tall mids with grunt and class you can't have a bunch of sub 180cm mids resting forward at the same time.

...and why I wouldn't rule out Stringer.

This one has been brought up before. Connors can play but is poison, let him prove himself in the state comps (and not at Casey) for a couple of years then look at him. No!

Just what Hogan needs, a role model like Jack...

Misson's long game, not going down the Essendon path to fast track what can't be fast tracked.

Would be a big win for the Tiges, with him rotating through the midfield with Martin going forward they would be a powerful line up. No way he will get through to the Pies at pick 18.

I would, he's in his last years now and won't get an offer like that. His earning potential as a player has peaked.

Can also mark overhead and has 2 years at senior level under his belt which he wouldn't have played if he was scared of the contest or not strong enough.

Can't see Stringer going down that far but if the 'Pies' get him it will be a major win for them. If he slides there will be a lot of unhappy supporters at clubs next year, a little bit of Darling hindsight will be going on.

Stringer, unless Toumpas is available i would have Stringer next in line.

Yep, and I think that's the point. How many goals did Clark kick a season before coming to us. The new FD saw something in him and backed him, they see it with Dawes and I think they have the runs on the board and inside knowledge to make the call.

Beat me to it 'Ben', just about to post the same re Pav.

Too many here seem to think they know what Neeld wants from his midfield or talk about the Neeld team and rule players in or out. I don't profess to know that but I do think we will take Toumpas if available, he's a very good player that will step straight into AFL football. Agree 'Robbie', plus there has been a knock on his confidence and consistency. Sounds like Morton or a Trav. too much risk here. He may well be a player but...can we afford it? Can't see it either 'Ben', couldn't see the club making a commitment to something that is out of it's control. As you've said elsewhere the club may have an understanding with GWS re Toumpas but it is probably doubtful and we just need to see how the cards fall.

I would be very surprised if Toumpas was available, very surprised if GWS don't take him and very surprised if he is and we don't.