Davos

Viney.

Trade Clarry!

I've read a few supporters raise the point that there's a "new player x" every year. Normally I'd agree with them, but Reid is so clearly different gravy. Barring injury, I can't see how he isn't a star of the comp.

Not sure what highlight packages you've been watching, but you might want to do some further digging...

Kids who win their own footy and possess a combination of size + explosive athleticism rarely miss at the top end of the draft (barring injury). JT seems to know this and clearly favours players with these characteristics - we only need to look at our attempt to draft Bailey Humprey last year. The prospects who never live up to their high draft position almost never fit this profile. I thought LDU was going to be the exception to the rule given how his career started, but he's now a jet. In addition, Reid has shown he can play forward, midfield and back to a high level, meaning he should be able to contribute right away, even if he isn't a walk up starter in the middle (important given our premiership window is now). If we have the draft capital to move up, and WC have an appetite to trade down, this is an absolute no brainer.

It's also worth considering where the development opportunities for 4 high draft picks will come from. As it stands, Luke Dunstan, James Harmes, Disco Turner, Adam Tomlinson and Bill Laurie are all struggling to get a gig in our senior side. Talented kids, who have shown enough but are yet to debut, include Blake Howes, AMW and Matt Jefferson. Granted, our depth is likely to be depleted year on year as fringe players chase opportunies elsewhere, but given how hard it is to break into our senior side right now, I think we'd be better off taking one kid you know can contribute right away as opposed to 4 you hope may turn into something 3 years down the line. Having said that, I think we're in a great position regardless of whether we succesfully trade for Reid or not. We either walk away from the draft with the best prospect in at least 5 years, or we load up on young talent and give ourselves the opportunity to extend our window of contention. Go Dees!

Can probably draw a 4 year deal + near guaranteed starting midfield time from another club on the free market. If you were his parents you'd advise him to walk.

Good lord.

I'm hardly an expert, but I do wonder what Rendell was seeing when he made that comment. This draft seems very strong - even if you only look at the top 10 kids.

Given we're almost certainly not going to get our hands on Reid, I'm praying the clubs picking before us will be stupid enough to pass on Wizard Watson because of his height.

I wanted to pop on here to voice my admiration for Ben Cunnington - probably my favourite non-Melbourne player in the league. In a dog of a night for the Roos, I thought he was terrific.

Forcing Mundy into retirement feels very similar to Melbourne prematurely retiring James McDonald (and in hindsight we know how that worked out for us). He was still playing great football and was the heart and soul of that club. Ridiculous move. I'm enjoying this thread, but I would push back on the idea JL is a bad coach. I think he's a terrific strategist, but there have been some bad list management decisions made over the offseason that may have set that side back a few years. Giving Longmuir the sack would push their premiership hopes back even further.

Have it on good authority Tomlinson's knee wasn't close to being 100% last season either. Should come as no surprise he's back to his early 2021 form this year after having further time to rehab over the offseason.

Build her a statue at Casey.

What if we don't think any of the talent available at that pick are elite, and that players 11-30 are very even? If that's how our recruiting team sees it they should trade down.

Clarry GOAT confirmed.

BB had surgery to clean up a knee injury he carried last season. Not likely to resume full training until after Xmas. Grundy set to complete full preseason.

I agree, if WC don't nab him first.

If it's not coming from Cal Twomey, it's not worth listening to. Happy to read analysis of players from everywhere, but I reckon Cal is the only guy who has any idea of what teams are thinking.

Looks like a Melbourne midfielder.

Great post.

Go Dees.

Looks a player, based on the few times I've watched him anyway. Great shout re playing as a small defender @DeeZone.

That is a phenomenal trade period. Well done team.

Could eventually be a good AFL footballer, don't reckon he's ever going to be a good wingman though.