Davos

It's Hannaford time.

Hope the new brigade know what they're doing.

Like your vision. Not as confident as you are that Viney can be disciplned enough to play as a defensive mid, though. A rotation of Oliver, Flanders/Pickett and Viney doesn't do it for me - we need a Dunkley.

If we were to land Flanders, how are you using him?

If one of our smalls needs to lock down, it should be Rivers. Awful decision maker with ball in hand, but is combative and athletic enough to go with most of the dangerous guys. Bonus points for being solid in the air too.

"Would Adelaide be willing to trade their Toyota Corolla for a Lambo? It would be a tough call, but they may have to do it." Thanks Pickers.

Legend.

Agree - and I think small forward is actually our largest position of need. Cupboard is alarmingly bare behind Kozzie. Don't think Dovaston is the answer. Would prefer we looked at Rosas Jr.

Very strong pool.

The biggest issue with equalisation as it relates to the AFL is that is takes a poor team way too long to rebuild. Although Merrett seems like a peanut, he's clearly read the writing o the wall and knows that Essendon are absolutely cooked for at least the next 5 years. That's too long for a bloke pushing 30 - he has to weigh up the value of winning a premiership or finishing his career as a one club player with minimal team success. We have a draft system based on US sports, but franchises in those leagues can turn their fortunes around with one great pick. This is true in the NBA because one player has enormous influence given there are only 5 players on the court at a time, and the NFL because a good QB totally elevates both the floor and ceiling of a team. Plus they draft ready to go 21+ year olds who can contribute right away. So, to help shorten this rebuild timeline, I think the AFL needs to make 2 dramatic changes to the draft - Scrap all father/son and academy concessions. Academies should be run by the league and all clubs should have free access to the talent they produce. Father/son is a total nonsense, sold as a romantic feature of our game, but in reality just robs bad teams of generational talent for the sake of vibes. Teams that finish the season 9-18 should draft twice before the top 8 sides have a pick (meaning the team that finishes 8th will pick first at 21). Obviously this would allow rebuilding sides to supercharge the acquisition of young talent, but it would also give them more capital to trade for established talent. Note - I'd keep FA and its current compensation rules as is.

Man, that's polished.

Today is a great day. Saved from ourselves. Go Dees.

See ya Bucks.

Sounds like the AFL might save us from ourselves. Here's to hoping!

That's how I read it, too. Those treating this as a fait accompli are well off the mark (thankfully).

If true, it seems that this role (defensive midfielder) has been identified as a major weakness in our side. We chased Peatling last year, who would have filled a similar void.

Haven't seen him feature in a top 30 yet. If we want him, we should be able to draft him outright.

You are fighting the right battle Roost, and will be proven correct in time (assuming Buckley is the man). Cult of personality doesn't win flags.

The Kelly/Bartel combination is going to hit different. Geelong boys reunitied.

I think his work last year could be perceived as manipulative and driven by ego, whereas Clarry appears (from the outside, anyway) to be a bit immature and has been working through a tough period in his life. His story is more relatable for many supporters, who can also see one of the great redemption arcs on the horizon if he can get back to form.

Strangely, I reckon authenticity is a large part of why fans are more willing to forgive Clarry's foibles over Petracca's. Would Trac ever get a reception like Clary received after his goal vs Sydney this year? I doubt it. I find the difference in the perception of both players fascinating, considering the contribution they've both made to the club over the past decade.

Yes.

Butters to the Dees. Huge

See C.Salem. I assume his DE is quite high, but his 25-30 disposal games are far less damaging than those you listed with lower DE.

Believe they wrongly paid the Kozzy one as a trip, not a dangerous tackle. Nothing to do with consistency, just a woeful decision.