Davos

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.

Thank god he didn't get the opportunity to do so.

If Claz completes a full preseason, he'll be back to his best next year. Don't trade him. Langford a future star. Rivers good in the middle, but like many of our guys is so dumb when he has the ball in space. Salem awful despite solid counting numbers. Think he's done. Likewise May. Plenty to like, but the end result sums up our season. Thank god it's over.

Worth listening to his SEN interview tonight. Should give us all some confidence - he spoke really well.

Trent Rivers is genuinely the dumbest footballer on our list.

Glad you maintain such strong faith in our board and executive!

Shame, I was just strapping in for a fun little back and forth. As you appear to be his most vocal backer on this site, I was eager to hear the compelling reasons (that I'm obviously missing) why he should be the favourite for the job.

Haha, which senior players are leaving if we don't appoint Buckley?

Yeah, that's all good and well, but I see him on the tele and hear him on the radio! He has a "good footy brain" - one which an untried assistant couldn't possibly match.

Should be a secondary consideration, a long way behind who is the most likely candidate to have this team playing a "brand" of football that gives us a chance to win another flag. Call me old school, but I reckon winning games attracts and retains talent, not appointing big names of yesteryear. Given the way the best sides play game has shifted considerably since Buckley left the AFL, that his last team underperformed and played a dated style, and no second time coach (besides, ironically, Malthouse) has had any success this century, this is hardly the safe option many fans on here seemingly believe.

As are the nuffs who want to appoint him for reasons that boil down to aura, how he comes across in the media, or (my personal favourite) how likely he is to attract / keep talent.

A lot of me me me about this playing group right now. We won a flag after parking the egos for a season - seems we've reverted back to a losers mentality (or just lost some of our best team first characters in the past couple of years). Whoever we appoint as coach needs to be able to pull the group into line as a first course of action.

I'd flip Judd and Rivers. Judd is more composed with ball in hand, and is a creative kick of the ball. He could give a passable NAS impersonation. Rivers has a Pig like athletic profile and could be a nice match up for guys like Heeney and Toby Greene.

Best colours/jumper in the country.

Temu Goodwin. We're gonna have a bad time!