manny100

I thought that we would get a mid first or end first round priority. After the presser I would not be surprised if we get pick no. 1 on the basis that it be traded for players only or forfeited. At least all clubs could then bid for Boyd. GC would be interested for sure!!. Would add a lot of interest to trade week.

Looks like a PP is in the bag and odds that the AFL will insist it be traded for players only.

This would be on legal advice. The AFL will not want to risk restraint of trade suits if some players desperately want out. It will be up to Essendon to persuade them to stay. They will must have to talk them into staying.

Not worried at all by a 2 plus 1 option at all. He will pay for his own salary in publicity for sponsors etc, his ability to alter the culture and he will attract players who would have baulked at going to the Dees. I have no doubt we will receive a PP (not no. 1 pick) which we will be expected to trade for a ready made mid. Todd Viney had already added quality to the list last year. Lets see if he can do it again!! This will assist Roosy in his job!!

Depends watt you can get for him. I would not be giving him away!! His positional flexibility would be very good for the better performed teams

The only good part of the live telecast was when Brad Johnston said that he Coached Hogan in under 16's and said he could easily play FB,CHB as well as forward.

The issue with loss of draft picks is that it does not bite you for 4 or 5 years as you get a gap in the age profile on the list. That is the dilemma Adelaide face (I think they lost National draft picks last year as well??). Scott Watters said poor recruiting decisions in relation to draft picks left a big hole in their list age profile which they are trying to fill at the moment. That was part of the thinking to let Goddard go and the trade to GWS which got them Lee and some mid range picks. The Bombers will face the same dilemma if they lose picks. Clayton from the GC said in an interview that the mini draft picks allowed them to improve their age profile. I expect GWS to trade off players for picks in the next few years for the same reason. So there is more to it all than meets the eye. Its all part of responsible list management with the future of the club on the agenda. In general its better to go for out of contract players simply because you can generally bargain a little harder as their current club has the preseason draft hanging over their head. I think Sloane is under contract? Not sure about Swallow? Anyway the moral to the story is that sometimes you have to trade experienced players for draft picks.

GC is desperate to stagger the age profile of its list. One of the reasons they went for the last 2 mini drafts. I would offer just pick 2 for Swallow. They can replace him with a young star at pick 2. GC need to prune their list at seasons end. Adding more players will mean more pruning. As it is they probably will not use more than 3 picks in the draft anyway.

Hogan may have to play the high half forward towards wing role where the team plays through him. He seems to have the speed and agility to do this although KC who sees him week in and week out would be best to comment on whether Hogan could play further up the ground.

Craig seems to prefer medium/smalls and flankers with pace. If you are not quick you need to be a very good accumulator and user to get a game.

I think first priority is to pick up the best available mid through free agency and draft the best mid with our number one or 2 pick (although if we get number one put it on the market for Boyd). All other picks including the priority pick we should get can be put on the market for trade.

AFL 360 - Robinson said could not think of anyone from left field to coach the Demons. Cannot get much more left field than SHEEDY - last year at GWS - rejected by Dees a few years ago - now new Board. Certainly one from left field!!!!

Positives: Hogan to come in next season Hogan to come in next season, etc, Toumpas, Terlich, M Jones - 2nd preseason to come, Watts showed some aggression Trengove stepped up Clark, Grimes, Viney to come back in, Blease showed some pace, Fitzpatrick played his best game, Evans should improve, Hogan to come in next season, Pick 2 this coming draft should get us a star midfielder Free agency - FGS get someone good!!!!! Billy Stretch in 2014 draft

It would be idiocy to sack Neeld at this time of the season. I doubt whether any other coach in the AFL would do any better. Sheeds has shown how hard it is to win with a young under manned list. If Neeld was sacked and the new coach did not do much better (doubt anyone could) the board would be laughed (seen as proof of incompetence by the media) at and the club a further say $600K + down after the payout and remuneration to the interim coach. Coaches are usually sacked late in the season. This way the interim coach does not have enough time to completely stuff up and show that the board that it really was not the sacked coaches fault after all. This was all media driven.

Watts and Trengove would have been in our top ten today (Watts maybe top 6). We need to throw a bucket of money at an A grade midfielder at seasons end.

Out Blease - needs to build up his fitness. Out Pedersen. In: Dunn - Can play anywhere and has a go. In Strauss has some poise.

Watts was ok especially up forward. We need to throw a bucket of money at Daisy Thomas at seasons end!!!! Our midfield is way below par and we need someone on field to assist their development.

We need to get a gun mid at year end!!!!!

We should be 3 or 4 goals down but still in it. We need to chase a gun mid at seasons end!!!!!!

Oh, sheitt, lets hope Hogan's knee is just a tweak - nothing serious and staff not taking chances!!! OHHHHH GEES!!!!!

Another example of fessing up first up is always less painfull than covering up and then being caught out. Most of us have been there at some time. If there were no WADA, ASADA violations then there would not be much of an issue had the doc come clean during one of those 3 interviews!!

According to the MFC statement issued at 11.52 am today the club is in the clear in that all the correct processes were adhered to - if its all true and correct then all well. However there may very well be an issue with the earlier MFC response which appears to have omitted reference to emails between the club doctor and Dank. The MFC are saying that if was just the clubs doctor keeping up to date on the latest developments in this area as this would be part of his ongoing duties. The MFC obviously do not believe that this constitutes a relationship as per the tone of the AFL query.We may be in a little trouble for not disclosing the texts. I think AD would want to know of every comminication.

Whilst it probably would not have made any difference in any case McDonald, Trengove, Bail, Blease and Clark had interupted pre seasons. It will take a few more weeks before they get near their best football. McKenzie is a big out.

FWIW Jamar in the Hun ranking was equal third for the team with 92 points. He had a team high 6 tackles for the day. He had more hit outs than Cox but Cox was way more effective. This would be a reflection of the quality of our midfield. This is further highligthed by an underdone (for a mid) Clark having to go in as a mid at times. I doubt very much that Jamar will be dropped from the team at this stage. Gawn is athletic, competitive and can pinch hit up forward. It may be tempting to bring him in the coming weeks to play relief ruck and forward he would be hard to match up playing forward. Jamar showed yesterday that relief forward is no longer his go. Pederson is at risk of losing his place. Hopefully McKenzie returns if not perhaps Kent may get a game. Toumpass needs some time at Casey. I think we will only see 2 non compulsory changes for GWS. As Bail was able to come back on he should be right for nex week. He will improve as he gets more games.

I'm in for the long haul. Just have to tough this one out.