manny100

The teams that 'cashed in' on academy or FS stars have a big advantage on memberships/finances. Stars bring in support and if you know for example that you are going to get a gun mid FS in a couple of years you can then plan your recruiting to other list areas.
It would be nice if the AFL phased it in over a period of time rather than 'cold turkey'.

I guess now that the Lions and GC have 10/12 years lists the AFL are ready to turf it.

The word is you have to use a max of 2 picks if its a 1st round bid. This will be extremely tough for mid ladder and higher clubs.

Clubs will have to plan very carefully given pick swaps can be for 2 advance drafts.

The Dons upped the ante and we could not match it today.

We looked slow with ball movement, uncertain, made poor position, disposed poorly etc.

Our forwards had a quite day.

Next week is another chance to get our 'mojo' working.

I am very worried but excessively hopefull.

One thing to take into consideration when looking at performance is time on ground.

Eg, Langford had 10 disposals and 2 goals at 67% time on ground obviously playing a role - that is a job well done IMO.

Harry Sharp at 74%, 388 meters gained, 1 goal, 16 disposals and 5 tackles had a

'cracker' of a game.

5

He is definitely gained a lot of strength since he was drafted. He was toted as a top 20 pick in his draft year but slipped way down to us - lucky.

Pretty much got possessions at will in the VFL and doing well now in the 'big time'

An example of players that need time to progress over time into the AFL.

I have no doubt he will continue to develop - a lot.

He and X Taylor should form a great 'combo' down back in due course.

Wow. We were hard as nails from start to finish. That was a great game and win.

Was Max Heath injured in the last play of the day.????

Was down for a while. He played very well.

On 30/03/2026 at 17:05, old55 said:

Yeah maybe, but if you slip back from 5 (1795) to 7 (1543) that's 252 points which would give you pick 40 (238). I wouldn't be too happy with that - no-one is trading 5 for 7 + 40. Maybe the top 5 get an end of first round as planned, and so it doesn't falloff a cliff your scheme comes in from pick 6.

The AFL needs to bite the bullet and take over the Academy system with all players going into the draft. The kids after all are being given the chance at AFL and salaries will only increase.

You post highlights how much clubs were disadvantaged by the bidding system. Slipping back reduces clubs points value for trading purposes as well as taking key players out of the draft.

Giving the bottom 5 sides picks after the 1st round makes it tougher for teams finishing 13 to get quality players to make the 8.

Sometimes we need one of these

6 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Agree. And I just wanna point out I never said he broke his foot… I said he did his foot. No surprise that I knew about this when it happened but since DogBiteGate… well, you know what they say: Once (Dog) Bitten Twice Shy. 😁

And now ima moonwalk outta this convo lest I’m harpooned twice in as many weeks 👍🏽

Evidently his dog stood on his foot. Backed up then stood on it again. Kingy has banned the pooch from the rooms and training.

Any way it is what is and we just have to work around it.

On 31/03/2026 at 15:23, Ghostwriter said:

I mean, there’s easily a couple of grand worth of shoes here and no one around.

If they removed the 'odour eaters' the shoes would be safe.

Safer than triple deadlocks on doors.

32 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Luker has to play at least one Casey game. He said he’s confident he’ll be lining up for Casey this weekend. I said maybe you’ll debut in Gather Round vs Essendon. I don’t remember it, but I’ve clearly at some point told him how I feel about Essendon because he said, “How would you feel about that? Reckon you’ll be ok?” 😅

Hi GW, great reporting and posts as usual. Plenty of interest in what you have to say and player updates are appreciated.

Looking forward to Luker playing.

It will be interesting to see who comes in for Cross and CJ - its wait and see.

Cross was involved with 3 goals. One himself, a tough ball get and handball to Chandler for a goal. A lone effort to spoil a mark against 3 defenders leading to a goal.

He would be hard to drop.

Corey kicked 3 goals today as a bottom ager. Marcus Prasad 2 goals.

Corey listed in best players.

It will be a disgrace if the AFL decide Tassie gets a free kick with this one.

According to Rookie me DOB 22nd May 2009. So 17 in May this year. 2027 draft by the looks of it. If he goes early it will be hard to get the points.

Gippsland Power Talent League Boys v Dandenong Stingrays Talent League Boys, 2026, R2 - Game Centre | PlayHQ

Is he eligible for the 2027 draft?

Might well be just a temporary loss of form that heaps of AFL players go through from time to time.

Riv got an extremely loy time in ground in Round 1 of 58%. Not sure why.

82% in round 2 with little impact. But most of the team had subdued impact.

He might be back next game?

We copies what Lyonsaid the Saints did against us (except we were worse). Dropped marks and handball receives and fumbled ground balls.

We were worse because we failed to make position and we appeared on many occasions not be be competitive.

Another lesson for the players.

3 hours ago, AB10 said:

Very underrated game from Tholstrup today, went everywhere with Nas and really curbed his influence on the game. Yes he still kicked 3 but sometimes you just have to tip your hat to talent!

Richo gave Kolt 5th best player on ground for the job he did today.

Gave Gawny BOG.

My tips for Bench - Culley - mid/forward, Riv - mid back, Latrelle - Forward/pace, Kolt - Forward, back, mid, Heath - Ruck forward.

Slow start for Tigers. They only got half a game in at Ballarat and probably at a disadvantage as the Blues although thrashed last week in the 2nd half at least got a taste of the real thing.

I think Saints will have the advantage of playing last week.

Lets hope we have what it takes.

53 minutes ago, old dee said:

Who can work out the VFL what a dog's breakfast of a competition. AFL listed players have had 2.2 quarters of preparation before the season starts with our first game in round 2 or sorry round 1 that comes after round 0 which we didn't play in. The only thing that makes sense is our first game is in round 1. Beggars belief!

It is ridiculous considering the Saints AFL will have played a full game of 'real' footy before we play them.

16 minutes ago, picket fence said:

In this age a specialist should have viewed the results and proffered an opinion hours after the scan!

The hospital would have had the scan results quickly so the Dees would know.

Likely not saying anything until the club specialists/docs have had a look and determined time out for rehab etc.

We have injuries with KPF's.

Jeffo out for a fair while, AJ operation limited pre season and Kentfield - we may know tomorow ??

My worry is that Kentfield's injury is mid/long term so last minute rush to get a list spot for a forward. Speculation.

Any KPF's available. Doubt it?

Its nail biting waiting for the knee outcome.

Hoping for the lowest grade at 3 weeks.

He was looking good preseason. Has that strong, smart forward look about him worth developing.