deelusions from afar

Hmmm...From memory we have an extra third and fourth from last year. We seem to be open to some of our less critical players to be shopped around (Hunt, Tomlinson, Bedford) who will net us late second rounders at best. It's reportedly a weak draft (particularly after the first 30) where we are unlikely to use many selections. So what are we going to do with all our selections above 30?

To be fair i think he's saying that if he tries to mark every kick to him and kicks 2 goals a game but otherwise the defenders either outmark him or are able to clear the ball away, then that's less valuable than kicking less goals if it leads to 3+ goals from the crumbs he creates. Having said that, I don't think this has worked overly well - partly because once the ball does hit the ground, Brown is a liability.

That's assuming the points system is an accurate way of measuring the value of draft picks. Only those that know the draft talent well enough could say for sure. But if (hypothetically) West Coast traded pick 2 for picks 13 and 14 this year, most people would think they are nuts. When we did the Salem / Tyson deal we effectively turned pick 3 into two top 10 picks as tyson was previously top 5. That was a tough enough sell to supporters. If you're wanting a key forward then it sounds like there's one standout and then it's a lottery.

Don't know why North have to give up their second from next year in that deal. Pick 1 for Logue, 13 and a future first is fairer IMO. Though given they only have one high pick they can use, I think they would most likely want two early picks in this years draft rather than next year - unless next years draft really is that much better than this years'.

You might be right CS. Wouldn't be terrible for us given next years draft is "reportedly" stronger than this years and as others have noted, there's good reason to think Freo will slip a bit next year. If that does play out (we get pick 7) it will be interesting if we try to move further up the order - if we do it will suggest we have our eye on someone at the pointy end.

Don't disagree... though it does say it's only focusing on 2021. Not 2022.

I suspect Hunt was told in his exit interview that it is likely Bowey and others will go past him next year

Same as our gamestyle - go conservative and give nothing away so it can't come back to bit you on the rebound.

Given a number of trades involves North / Brisbane and its unclear if their coaches will remain the trade situation will be interesting. Eg Does Logue still want to go to North? Would people want us to package up what we get to try and get higher up the order (Pick 1 is tradeable) or more just go scatter gun approach with 2 first round picks?

I think (hope) the difference this time round is that the coaches say day 1 of pre-season that they start as a blank slate and everyone has to earn their spot. There were too many players that were given the benefit of the doubt based on past performance that never turned the corner... while our 2nds lost only one game for the year. There's about 5 of AFL quality that didn't get a look in last season plus one or two more from the draft / trade period this year. That should be enough

Out of interest, if a player such as JDG did breach the behavioural standards in their contract and (due to pressure from sponsors) the pies decide to rely on the clause and sack him. If St Kilda still want him the next season do they have to trade with Collingwood or do they draft him or ??

Gil has done some great things for AFL but his handling of numerous racism related issues has been a failure (From Adam Goodes at the start to this and everything in-between). This is not something he can fix. He needs to go and let the next in line resolve this as they don't have the baggage he has accumulated. It won't happen of course because Gil is too worried about his legacy.

If I was coaching the Dogs I would play him in defence next season. That's where he played as a junior and that's their weakness. Up forward they already have JUH, Darcy and Lobb/English with Bruce as backup if he can recover fully. Unless they've told him and he wants to be a forward, can't see any reason why he would leave the dogs.

If Cerra were available this year, would we really want him for Jackson though? Not sure he is really what we need in any case.

So if we're going for at least one top 10 pick, do people think this will be for a trade of our own or we have our eye on someone in the draft?

If the AFL had it three weeks ago the ARC might have had a different decision on the Thursday night!

I think that's it - if he does a TMac style 2020/2021 pre-season and can get back to his early 2021 form he is definitely a best 22 player. If he can't get there (might be hard to know at this point) then he should be encouraged to seek opportunities elsewhere. Petty should be played forward regardless.

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