Lucifers Hero

So you expect us to finish 14th - 18th ? Don't think so! I wouldn't be surprised to see Hawks, Coll and Ess in that range...well one can hope.

With Beams 'retiring' it is 3 players costing 5 recent first round draft picks that were sent packing. But they save $1.5m a year in sal cap...Hmmm. Clubs should take heed of how Geelong manage their sal cap. The List Manager does the first cut and then they meet with the Finance Department to keep it manageable. And they have sign off rules that go right up to Board level for player contracts > x. In comparison Coll sounds like the Wild West! Btw, rumour has it that Beams was brought back at Eddie's behest. He cost 2 1st round picks and reportedly $500k pa for 4 years and played 9 games in 2 years. Won't play again. But mud won't stick on Eddie. Ned Guy will be the fall guy.

But what player would accept their shiny pieces of silver to play in a snake pit. 'Back-ended' silver at that.

From what Stephenson said it was pretty tough on the single guys whose families who at home when other players had their families with them. Apparently players signed an agreement that they are banned from talking publicly about what happens in the hub.

It sounds like Tom is already working hard to get fit again. And, there is a good chance the sal cap will go up again in 2022 so his package won't be such an issue for clubs. Tom will be a lot more tradeable next year.

Its interesting the AFL has asked clubs to decide how the 9% sal cap cut is split across the list. Some clubs preferred it was mandated so that all players get the same cut. While that seems fairest, the club could ask players with contracts written several years ago but are no longer in the best 22 (TMac, ANB, KK etc) to take a higher cut.

There are various ways we can still get them: Main Draft/Rookie Draft next month From DFA's yet to be announced. The PSSP draft which is open until mid March (if club has a list spot). We took Lockhart, Brown and Bennell on this basis. No draft picks needed. Player can nominate their club. 'Mid-Season Drafts' becomes A Monthly Draft. We may not get the best available but if the club thinks we can't develop someone we have there will be plenty of chances to get the 'role' player for those two positions. Because of smaller list sizes there will be a lot less players drafted so a lot of good players will miss out. I think we will keep at least one list spot open for such opportunities. I wouldn't be surprised if someone we like in the draft misses out we invite them to train with us (ala Bennell) before committing.

Correct. Thanks. I will go back and change the post.

Welcome Ben Brown! Welcome 2 first round draft picks! @DavidNeitz9I've checked a few websites and they say Bradtke is OOC this year so I'll stick with that for now as one way or another it will be confirmed in the next month.

Reportedly $150k for Phillips (1 year) and $300-$350k for Treloar (5 years). He he. That will hurt. Whatever the reasons for the fire sale, they have handled the players very badly. Expect a bit of fallout.

Players Traded Out: Hannan, Preuss Players Traded In: Brown Draft picks: 2020: '@ Start: 23, 47, 62, 63, 89 '@ End: 18, 19, 28, 50, 89 2021: '@ Start: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th '@ End: 2nd (Tied to Brisbane), 3rd (Tied to WBD), 4th (Tied to North). I wouldn't be surprised to see the WBD slide and North to not improve much so these two picks might be an upgrade on what would have been our 'natural' 2021 picks. Overall Position: Covered a tall fwd need. Improved list by trading two 'depth' players Dramatically improved 2020 draft position. Only gave up 2021 1st rnd pick. Upgraded later 2021 picks I would rate that A++. Its good to be on the plus side of the ledger on individual trades and pick swaps. Shows that having a reputation for getting deals done pays off. Getting in early for Lions pick 18 and 19 stops other teams doing same altho GWS have a fistful of 1st round picks: 10, 13, 15, 20. And Ess have: 6, 7, 8. So plenty of scope for more deals to be done. I'm guessing we will take only 1 or 2 picks to the draft so more pick swaps to come. Would be surprised if we don't use pick #89 to upgrade Lockhart to the seniors list. Wouldn't mind swapping picks 28 and 50 for more future picks. Collingwood's 2021 1st perhaps?

Thanks for correction. I will go back and change my post. Family connection is there. It wasn't so much a conspiracy theory - just mates and favours.

And our Premier is an Ess supporter. And an ex Labor Minister's brother (Madden) is on their Board. The old story of 'who you know', od.

Sounds like Geelong will give up their three 1st round picks and get a future 2nd back for Cameron. A case of Free Agency not going to script! Geelong were committed. GWS knew it. Good on GWS for sticking to their guns. It means Geelong don't get 3 potentially top talents. Messes with their list management plans and age profile. Its a good outcome for the rest of us.

True. But the comment/post refers to where pick 6,7,8 end up at COB (7.30 pm) tonight. And whether we go for one of them (eg #8) in pick swaps in the next few weeks. My theory is we will aim higher than Bulldogs pick #14.

Gorgeous!

Because they want Dunkley and are committed to taking Caldwell. Both Bulldogs and GWS asking for a 1st round pick so a fair chance that pick 8 will find its way to another club as part of a trade for the player plus other picks. It may even end up at Coll if Bulldogs use#8 for Treloar. Still a fair bit to play out with Ess picks 6,7,8. When the music stops at 7.30 pm we will know where they end up.

I mentioned in another thread that we appear to aiming higher than the bulldogs pick #14. It will be very difficult to dislodge any of the top 5 picks. So I reckon we may be targetting one of Ess picks 6,7 or 8 whether they stay with Ess or end up someone else. eg if pick 8 goes to the bulldogs for Dunkley+/-or to GWS for Caldwell+/- we are more likely to aim for it once it changes hands. A much easier transaction than trying to deal with Dodoro. But there is no hurry to do the pick swap as there is 3-4 weeks of pick swap time before the draft (and live draft). Let the dust settle and then let Mahoney go to work.

This from the fox website should answer some questions. Dual premiership Kangaroo David King said it was unfathomable how quickly the Pies have run into their TPP issue. I think there’ll be a Royal Commission into how they go into this situation at Collingwood,” King told Trading Day.“Ned Guy, he’s acting like the Candy Man handing out contracts down there. It’s unbelievable what some of these guys are on.

Mahoney just said on sen that Tom will be our back up ruckman. This suggests we won't be taking Phillips (Ess variety).

We might but I'm guess we are aiming higher up the draft order, if not today but in pick swaps by the time the draft arrives. Essendon have a few juicy picks.

Comma was in the wrong place

Draft picks after Brown trade and Sydney pick swap. 25, 28, 50, 68, 69, 89

I also couldn't believe it so I checked their website before posting. 'Side-by-side' is a good battle-cry but 'made-by-many'...bland, bland, bland. I was wondering who is going to drop out of the 8 so we can replace them. I know the answer: Collingwood!! They are a bit of a mess.

Apparently Collingwood has changed its website banner from 'side-by-side' to 'made-by-many'. Can't confirm the first part. If it has been changed, coincidence or damage control. I suggest the latter - usually they make a big fanfare of such things. But what are they thinking 'Made-by-many' is soooo boring and uninspiring.