deelusions from afar

I'm a fan of Spargo but he does have limitations (lack of size, lack of speed, doesn't get it enough etc). I like what I've seen from Chandler (at VFL level) too and hope he gets a crack - but don't think he necessarily has Spargo covered in these areas? Bedford has them both covered for speed but doesn't seem to be as reliable with ball in hand - not sure if its skills or decision making.

It means we've given up the strategy of kicking to the pocket! We might not break the defensive records anymore but it will mean we'll be playing an attacking brand

I like these tactical discussions (mostly because they would only work in theory). But to counter your response, what if the team that had 5 forwards run into the centre square then (assuming they win the ball with weight of numbers) run and carry the ball forward to goal rather than kicking to the deep forward? Surely they would get through each defender with handballs and shepherds.

If there's one there I hope we can snag one. But we might have the players we need on our list already. If Grundy is coming in as reported then we would like 2 key forwards (in addition to the 2nd ruck). This is out of TMac, Brown, Petty and JVR. If it were me I'd be pencilling in Petty and JVR over summer and see how they go training a full pre-season of this. In defence we have May, Lever and the last spot to be filled by one of Turner, Smith, Tomlinson and Tmac (if injury free and not first choice forward). Petty and JVR would take time to develop chemistry but both can take a mark, have good skills and are good with follow up efforts. I think in terms of flexibility it wouldn't be a terrible thing to have TMac and Petty both in the side where either could be swung forward or back depending on the game / matchups etc.

Why would he come to us if we have Gawn and Grundy? Surely other than Freo any other club would offer more opportunities

If Grundy comes, I'm hoping he brings across a bit of the pies IP from this year particularly re ball movement. He's meant to be an intelligent footballer... has he been in the coaches box while injured this year? I imagine not if they always planned to offload him.

I was keen a few years back after he kicked four goals in a game. But he doesnt seem to have done much since then in a team that has needed tall forwards. Is he really an improvement on Weid?

No worries - sounds like we're on the same page then

C'mon mate - it was (I think) his first AFL game. We wasn't coming in to dominate against the best ruck in the game, he was coming in to compete. And by Gawn's own admission, Gawn didn't have the greatest of days.

Think it also depends on the what he's capable of. He was not the same player in 2022 as he was in early 2021. In early 2021 he had the best 1 on 1 record (or something) in the league. Coming back from a serious injury he may still get back to that level. Needs a 2020-2021 TMac style summer working on agility and speed and we may lose little in defence if Petty goes forward.

I agree with your point. The gun forwards that you can build your side around are generally top picks. If we are in the position to draft Cadman, then along with JVR we have a good chance of having at least one gun KPF over the next 10 years. Look at how quickly Richmond and Geelong are able to rebuild on the run - it is in part from having quality key position forwards at the peak of their powers. It is easier to bring in midfielders / defenders when you have the big key forward sorted. And who knows, Petty might become a gun forward himself if played there regularly next year. Will be interesting to see how this plays out - if could all be for nothing if North rate Cadman highly and draft him with their first pick (should they retain it).

Looking at those highlights I'm thinking maybe we should be looking at his teammates that can kick inside 50 to a moving target 😆

That's a bit harsh for mine. No team has depth in every position on the field and we are no exception. To make the cutoff at 195cm conveniently rules out JVR and Turner who are both promising young KPP. Weid hasn't come on as hoped (but was a high pick) and Jackson has performed well beyond his years when compared with other ruck/forwards at the same age. The reality is good players over 195cm are rare - the good ones generally get snapped up pretty high in the draft and a fair portion of them end up as busts anyway.

I think you're right - and maybe Max also wants to prolong his career and playing with another ruckman is the only way. With Trac and Clarry signing long term deals he prob wants to stay in the team as long as he can. Re the strategy though, while it makes sense, isn't this making it a little easy for the pies. They are a rival next year (not to mention beating us twice this year). Grundy has barely played for them - is not in their finals side or the sides that beat us twice. By paying 70% of Grundy's salary and locking that in, it allows them to go after players that will plug holes in a side that has already overtaken us. Geelong and Port are (reportedly) out of the race for Grundy and the pies want to move him on to sign De Goey and bring in McStay/Hill and whoever else they're chasing. What's the rush? If the cap is so tight for them then we hold all the leverage. Having said that, I feel like this is already a done deal with most of the details nutted out - it's just a matter of waiting for the pies season to finish / trade period to start to announce.

If we can get Bedford for 22 then that is a steal IMO (unless there is truth that Kozzie does want to go to SA)

I don't boo unless they make negative comments about the club, our facilities, our supporters, etc etc This is why Scully, Howe and co deserve to be booed

He's drawn comparisons to Cameron with his aerobic ability, and footskills to go along with his contested marking and goal kicking. Haven't seen him live so have no idea how realistic those comparisons are.

I know we were huge wraps on Georgiades when he was drafted. But Port haven't exactly been setting the world on fire - how is he not best 22 for them?

And while on the Freo topic, is Blake Acres someone we would look at. After recruiting Langdon, we were going after Isaac Smith to have another genuine wingman. Since then we've largely persisted with Brayshaw / Jordon and a little bit of Harmes and Spargo. But I don't think the wing is the best position for any of these players. Blake Howes is meant to be a winger but I wouldn't expect him to be playing regular senior footy next year. The rumour is that Acres is going to Carlton. Would he be of interest as well?

I love Spargo because he makes good decisions with ball in hand and gets the most out of himself - he chases, runs hard both ways, tackles, drops the shoulder when tackled etc. I've learnt that when he has the ball in hand we will usually score (probably moreso than anyone else in the team). But he has limitations - he's short and can get pushed off it easily, not quick (for a small forward) and can't kick more than 35m We could be a better team if he was replaced with someone who doesn't have these limitations but I don't know of an obvious option: - Bedford - is electric and has x-factor but his kicking / decision making lets him down. - Chandler - yet to be given a proper go at senior level but wouldn't be much faster Spargo. Better ball user than Bedford. - AMW - developing nicely at Casey. Not sure what his ultimate position is. Regular Casey watchers would have a better idea. - Bowey - played forward / wing as a junior. He could be dangerous kicking to our forwards - but I still think he'll have similar limitations to Spargo due to his size.

Apparently Liam Henry from Freo may be exploring other options after being left out of their finals side. Was rated as the best small forward in Kozzie's draft and clearly others such as Kozzie and Weightman have gone past him. In my view it seems like he hasn't shown the sort of aggression needed for that sort of role but has a lot of upside in terms of skills and athletic ability. Potentially he may be more suited to a flank or wing role. Is he a player of interest (potentially part of the Jackson deal)?

Don't disagree that we would like to get more out of our small forwards... but I actually don't think they're doing a heap wrong. Yes ANB fumbles / makes errors but he runs harder than anyone which is critical to the team defence. The way we are currently playing (unless centre clearance or on turnover), we move it slow up the wing till it goes out of bounds. We could have the best small forwards (or tall forwards for that matter) in our forwardline and I don't think the result would be that different. It's a defensive strategy that is designed to maximise our clearance beasts and ruck dominance. I'm just hoping they move the dial slightly more attacking this week (and beyond). Aside from being better to watch it will bring all our forwards into the game.

This has been going on so long that I've lost track. They are obviously re-doing Gosch's Paddock and we have our facilities etc there at Aami park. What's the problem with it currently? Is it: that we are sharing our facilities with other teams? i.e. what we have at Aami park is too small / compromised? that we can't have closed training sessions? Plenty of teams eg North don't have this there isn't a social club attached to it? that our administration are separate (at the MCG)? Something else

I know a lot have followed this guy and he does have a number of good attributes. But given the hawks picked him up and let him go in a short space of time is a concern for me. THey've got some decent young promising talls already but you don't let them go if they're a potential gun

agree but dislike