Older demon

And O Mac gets a vote, go Oscar

There are some in Adelaide according to the news who think Lever shouldn't play this weekend as they are sure he is leaving. That is crazy IMO and thankfully Richard Douglas reckons while he is contracted to the Crows all they want is Lever's best. How different is the attitude from NRL where players declare mid season if they are going. We all believed Frawley was going and Roos played him up forward to groom a replacement backman but still played Chip. Adelaide demanding Trac or Clarry tells me they aren't coping well with someone wanting to leave Adelaide to return home.

I like the honesty of Rob Murphy who has more or less confirmed that Stringer has been a problem the last 2 seasons and must be in denial if he could not see his behaviour was a disruption. Maybe that is Stringers problem he cannot see that his behaviour is short of expectation and he isn't a fanatic of the daily grind of AFL.

Geelongs don't have a first rounder either. Their earlist pic is currently pic 20 and assuming Smith wants to return to Geelong as rumoured

Dogs and he agree that a trade would be of benefit to both BUT only if there is a suitable trade offered. The door is not completely closed on Stringer staying especially if the rest of the comp think he is only worth a 2nd rounder

One problem, GWS DO NOT have a first round pick. They lost it due to Whitfield drug issue and their 2nd round pick will be in the 30's. They are not trading anyone out yet who would draw a first rounder so dont think they have the collateral to go after Max. In addition any points they need for academy players is hindered by the loss of points.

Well Sydney have a few finals bunnies don't they. Tonight Rohan again got found out in a final, Parker wasn't anywhere to be seen, Sinclair had 2 touches and sadly Jones who I rate spent all night fumbling and missing the ball. We can never complain about turnovers and clangers again after watching Sydney completely butcher the ball and their coach continually allowed geelong to play 1 sometimes 2 extras in defence switch and run the ball up the other side of the ground. Worst final I have watched in a long time.

Sorry predictive text got me. A family friend working with Connors management who look after Josh Kelly was told that he hasn't signed with GWS yet because he is going to North Melbourne. Connors manages Kelly, Lever and Jack Watts. On another post Connors who is an Old Xaverian is quoted, at an Old Xavs function, that Lever is going to MFC and would be their highest paid player. My source spoke with one of Connors other player managers who stated Kelly to North.

If Whitfield stays then I reckon Kelly goes. What of Connor's management staff told a friend last week that kelly would go to North. Another Connor leak

No guys, I know Dr Daff's sister and he is currently working for Richmond and is not acquainted with Jane02. Jane02 got her info from Gaff family memeber who happens to be a health professional (note I did not say doctor). What Gaff wants and how West Coast play it may be different. I am sure MFC are aware of Gaff's interest but whether they can make it reality is a different matter.

Weagles have an issue with their list in that Priddis, Butler, Petrie and Mitchell all retire and Le Cras is 31 Hurn and Kennedy already turned 30. That is 7 high quality players to replace this yaer and next. One of the oldest lists in the game and Gaff leaves next year as a FA. He has more currency this year in a trade and he wants to return home where next year the compensation is based on his contract terms. Roos always said that if he would consider trading a player out in the last year of his contract rather than go to free agency.

Now that all of the MFC commitments for the year are finished we can get some clarity on who will be told they don't have a contract. With some players already posting holiday snaps it must have been difficult for MFC casey players yesterday against a full strength Tiger VFL unit. In some ways this means the players have their break, return for the B&F and start preparation. Those uncontracted players not renewed will probably be public by Wednesday and the minimum delisting is 3, I think. I cannot help but think Spencers ordinary final series may cost him a 1 year extension and I am not sure he will have suitors unless he already knows his destination and didn't want to get injured. The silly season is about to begin

The Woods have more bargaining power than us as they have pick 6 and possible hand over of Scharenberg who is an Adelaide boy. Waldron on SEN keeps insisting that Lever is going to the Woods, RE Stringer, he has the sads as the coach told him some home truths at their end of season interview. Luke is not one to let some of Stringers behaviours go without comment. Wallis confirmed as much on radio this morning. If Stringer isn't prpeared to buy in them he will be seeking a new home. And no I wouldn't want him at Melbourne

I also heard from a well connected source that Kelly was leaving too. Did you know that Paul Connors has an elite stable of players he manages including Kelly and Jack Watts. Source said nothing about Jack but at this stage Kelly is on the move

Harsh on the Ammo's but definite NO he is soft

I expect Jack and Jake to move on although I am unsure of what interest they will generate. I am more concerned with the preliminary list of free agents for 2018 with Max, Nev and TMac all out of contract. Not official but posted on afl.com.au. Time for PJ to weave his magic.

The cheque book will be kept closed in my opinion. Next year we have Max, Nev and TMac as free agents requiring new contracts and it is reasonable for them to expect a contract that reflects their ability. Max missed a lot of the incentive based bonuses in his contract this year due to his injury. The club is already working on a long term deal to take him off the market and reward him financially

Goodwin also stated in an earlier video that the aim is to play finals and have an impact, not sneak in and go out in the first week. That the coaching staff thought we struggled at the end and his earlier statement suggest that he is not content to just make the finals but go deep in the finals. We weren't good enough this year and that is reflected in our ladder position. Losses to Roos X 2, hawks, freo prove that.

I am happy to be corrected but did we not trade the Sylvia compensation pic for Vince giving Adelaide pick 21 which netted Matt Crouch who is a newly appointed All Australian. I wouldn't give the Crows overs for any trade as long term I think they have the better of that trade. The challenge as I see it is balancinging bringing in ready made footballers 3-4 seasons or more versus top end 18 year olds.

See Trade rumours post, Jane02 has posted in the last hour.

I know Jane personally and she certainly has a connection and told me. She posted elsewhere and said that Gaff wants in to Melb. Hope she will repost

As stated by Jane in another post Gaff wants to return to Melbourne and his preference is MFC. Supporter and family links.

Frost signs on for 2 years to me means TMac plays forward, especially if we land Lever. Trac and Clarry the midfield is yours along with Viney. I did read somewhere that at this draft the club is looking for more mids suggesting Lewis, Vince and Jones will be on the flanks. Hoges to be CHF roaming far and wide

And while I think of it, sign him up on a Dusty like deal and lock him in for life. Once his team mates work out how to best feed of his lightning ball handling we will improve to the next level and he and Trac will be our marquee players. o

Presented with his award as the best young player on AFL 360 tonight. Earned high praise from Richardson the Saints coach. Awarded to players in their first 2 years after making debut. It is also notable that Petracca also figured in this award third.