Diamond_Jim

At the moment we are in the grip of a worldwide pandemic where we are told every day to listen to the experts. If the story is being correctly reported the best experts around are telling McCartin he has no greater chance of concussion than the next guy. Why so quick to dismiss the possibility

It's certainly complicated. That's ten players who between them would receive between $6-7M before you add in the additional players mentioned in your second paragraph.. The present salary cap before the expected reductions is $12.45M. Under the deal struck with the AFLPA in 2017 the salary cap was to rise each year until it hit $13.5 M in 2022. This will now not happen and any back-ended deals are subject to review. Most in the AFL thought that post 2022 there would be another 10-20% rise in the salary cap but the golden goose (aka media rights) is unlikely to lay any more eggs of that size. Whichever way you look at it we are tight against the cap. Offloading TMac and Viney would of course change things dramatically.

Third time lucky perhaps...KK, Bennell and Paddy?? Key forward Paddy McCartin is ready, willing and able to return to the AFL. With his recent concussion battle behind him, the 24-year-old says he is fit, motivated and better prepared than ever to again play AFL after spending two years on the sidelines recovering from concussion and regaining fitness. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/former-st-kilda-saint-paddy-mccartin-is-ready-willing-and-able-to-return-to-the-afl-20200925-p55z35.html

Langdon's skill is running to space and decent (not spectacular) disposal. Does Hannan have those abilities ... and in these days is there even a role for two wingmen given the game is played in a virtual corridor

Four weeks ago he was set to be delisted. He has a couple of passable games and ... "Look at me" Would be very upset if MFC falls for the three card trick

A comparison between Jack and Travis would make for a depressing thread. But there was real talent in them two blokes. Looking forward to seeing them both in the stands as Yze coaches an MFC premiership in 2022

If TMac can't be traded I suspect we will use him as a bullocking ruckman with Gawn forward for a while. Worth trying... I thought that was what we were doing when T Mac was recalled this season but Simon knew better

Brutal but perhaps true. On the basis that Fritsch was taken at mid second round I would hope his value is higher. Does show how a few games can change perception. Had he kicked ten goals in those last five games instead of 3 (?) would he have been a first rounder?

I am not a great fan of the classic ruckman. Few teams can afford to carry more than one and they can be found relatively easily. The idea of "growing" a ruckman such as Bradtke is very old school. If some other team offers Preuss senior game time so be it. Third rounder is the best I would expect. LJ's play below his knees iswhat excites me.... Ruck work comes a distant second Finally MFC has since Jeff White always had a dominant ruckman but it has not got us far in most years. (White, Stynes, Jarman, Gawn etc)

Thanks Jack for providing such joy in our days of mediocrity. Good luck with your life

Would Essendon be interested or are they hoping for Cameron?

Agree...I wouldn't sell the farm for a forward yet. Fritsch kicking straight is 40 goals a year and Weid is also a 40 goal player. Add in LJ and Pickett with 20 each and you have a reasonable forward line. Is Petty capable of adding twenty and driving the ball forward... I have no idea My concern is whether we will get enough goals out of Hannan, AVB and Melksham. Would be good if Oliver could get a few more a la Dangerfield

Same day travel is ok for night games and the plane trip is 2 hours or less. Travel the night before was an AFL requirement to make sure games weren't cancelled due to plane delays. It should of course be at the discretion of the teams

A great post. I don't agree with all your assessments but the way in which you have approached the task is sensible.

Does he have skills by hand and foot plus a turn of speed over twenty metres? Nothing on the highlight reel that thrilled me. I suspect Hannan would have a better reel.

Best of luck to all three and congratulations for making it onto an AFL list. That in itself is no mean feat. A few statistics that may be of interest is that the median number of games for all players in 19 and that only a third of drafted players ever play 50 games. Only one in six make it to a hundred games. For these reasons I would hate to see the AFL skimp on career and transition counselling for all players in these hard times.

If Gawn once again gets the ruckman nod what does that say about our midfield system. Oliver has improved because he kicks more... duh ...many of us were pointing that out years ago

Just reading an article posted on Bomberblitz about the possible trade of Daniher to Sydney. It mentions that Sydney are likely to request his medical records and that Bombers are likely to say no on the basis that it is their IP. If it is true that the club owns the player's records then this is something that the AFLPA should take up. Amazing post the drugs saga that this could be the case. PS Bomberblitz don't seem to have heard of copyright the way they post whole articles. It doesn't list who wrote it but I think it was Foxsports.

Negotiations with AFLPA ongoing. Clubs would know the parameters of those negotiations. Rumour is 2-3 player reduction this year and same next year

FYI Bomberblitz are saying North have offered 5 x $700k against Essendon offer of 5 x $500k

Foxfooty.com.au understands the Hawks would command a first-round pick in return for Gunston, who the Herald Sun reported has an annual salary of $600,000 to 650,000. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trade-news-rumours-whispers-2020-tom-morris-trade-blog-jack-gunston-contract-jye-caldwell/news-story/27a7f6054d1a4a39c4839d6fb78a7a7a The salary might be doable if we can offload all or a decent part of TMac's salary but at 29 he's not worth the draft pick

A medium level journeyman. It's a pity we need him but without TMac in form I see little alternative. My bigger worry is Melksham and Hannan Also need to get LJ and Rivers under 3 year contracts asap

If there are AFL directed list reductions there will be permitted payouts of contracts that will not impact salary caps Swans will be thanking their lucky stars (Franklin) and it will allow us to pay out KK and possibly Jetta

If Pies lose Dogs get to play saints in Brisbane How lucky can you get

was it ever so BBO 'Tis our lot in life to be disappointed The only question is at what hurdle in life do we fail