manny100

I think the Toump has come on in leaps and bounds this year. He runs hard to present and will only improve when we get Dawes and Hogan back.

We need a little more 'see ball get ball' at all costs ala N Jones. They just do not seem to get the real hard ball often enough and when they do they tend to cough it up to often. Viney in form will add a bit more of this. Dawes and Hogan will give confidence to those with ball in hand. When Garland, Dawes and Hogan are back I would even look at running Dunn through the midfield as a big bodied mid. I wonder whether those bad habits that Roos talked about are ingrained - if so some of the earlier posters are pretty well on the ball with their assessments!!!!! If there is no form reversal this year then we will likely get a priority pick.

I agree with positive sentiments expressed. We definitely have a better set up than previous seasons. The midfield has much more potential. Added quality, Tyson is playing well and is a future gun, Vince is a proven excellent player, Watts may well turn out to be a mid field star. Also there is a chance Mitchie and or Riley will be good. Throw in Viney who should be a gun. There is plenty to work with. Just have to get those talls fit. I still think we will finish bottom 3 or 4 with a good chance of getting another gun tall in the draft. After Saturdays game I now know why they say you cannot have enough quality talls!! I remember when the hawks were putting their list together they were getting regular floggings until the penny dropped. So hang in there.

I'm not happy about the resulr grrrr..... but at the same time I can see some good signs for the future. I think the injury to Tommy Mac and Fitzy basically cost us the game so cannot do much about that. I thought that Tyson looks like he will be a star. Vince is a way better mid than Sylvia (so we are a mile in front there) and Toump finally looks as he may well develop into a good highly skilled half forward/mid. Can't wait for Dawes and Hogan to force their way into the team - surely they will at the very least straighten us up and provide targets. Vinry to come in and Gawn. Not to mention Garland.

One thing for sure is that GWS will trade off quality kids for at least another 2 or three years - maybe more. There will be quality kids not getting a go and at the same time they will want to keep bringing in new early picks (eg Boyd and Kelly) to maintain list quality and spread the age out profile out. They could be the proverbial juggernaut!!!! They had 3 first rounders last draft including pick 1 & 2. Bringing in Shaw, Mumford etc keeps some kids out. I would not be surprised if we traded our 1st rounder for a GWS player who??? Wait and see. The player will not be established but like Tyson will have a couple of preseasons under the belt and silky skills.

This year will be very interesting. Plenty of talls and we will likely get a top 3 or 4 pick. I do not see a problem picking up a young tall at our first pick. We do not know the long term prognosis for Clark, whether Fitzy will develop into a good player. What if Frawley goes. Hogan has to resign. If you later trade talls get you get more - one reason I suspect GWS has loaded up on them. Plus this is a rare draft - loaded early with talls. GWS will be looking to trade again into another early pick. It helps balance their list age profile with quality as a bonus (from a very early pick). So we have options with our first pick. Plus Stretch as a bonus 2nd rounder as a mid/forward.

The AFL website summary says the difference was the efficiency of the Hawks forwards. Any comments from those who attended??? Did not mention inability to get the ball etc. Dunn, Vince, Cross, Howe and Spencer named as our best players.

And the Hawk's supporters/members were filthy they did not get no. 1 pick for Franklyn. Just as well they didn't!!!!!

They tweet more because they are excited. If Roughy passes wind it'd be worth a couple of paragraphs.

The reality is the hawks are fielding a strong side. We most likely would not get that close even if Clark and Dawes - and Hogan were playing. We are very much a WIP. Today just reinforces we still have a long way to go. But at least we are taking what I regard is the right path. Anyway who knows we may pick up a bit in the last half. Roos made it quite clear its about %%%%%%.

No tweet for a while I guess its no tweet is good tweet!!

After watching Tysons' video highlights clip he can really play. Its plays Vs AFL players not TAC so the deal we did looks worth it considering we landed Salem as well.

2014 draft power rankings: 1. Peter Wright (VIC - KPF/Ruck) 2. Patrick McCartin (VIC - KPF) 3. Jarrod Pickett (WA - Fwd) 4. Alec Waterman (WCE WA - Mid - F/S) 5. Jake Lever (VIC - Def) 6. Hugh Goddard (VIC - KPF) 7. Clem Smith (WA - Util) 8. Christian Petracca (VIC - Fwd) 9. Billy Stretch (Melb SA - F/S) 10. Dylan Winton (WA - Mid) 11. Liam Duggan (VIC Mid) 12. Bradley Walsh (WA Mid) 13. Ryan Lim (WA Mid/Fwd) 14. Jesse Watchman (SA - KPF) 15. Sam Durdin (SA - KPP) 16. Sam Bevan (WA KPF) 17. Lachlan Weller (QLD Mid) 18. Liam Dawson (QLD Util) 19. Matthew Hammelmann (QLD KPF) 20. Angus Brayshaw (VIC Mid) 21. Tyler Keitel (WA - KPF) 22. Jackson Nelson (VIC - Mid) 23. Tom Lamb (VIC - KPF) 24. Jack Cripps (WA KPF/Ruck) 25. Matthew Ah Siu (WA KPF) 26. Mac Bower (SA Fwd) 27. Alex Harnett (VIC - Mid) 28. Darcy Moore (Coll - F/S VIC KPF/Ruck) 29. Peter Spurling (SA Ruck) 30. Sean McLaren (VIC Ruck) 31. Daniel Capiron (VIC - Mid) 32. Jordan Cunico (VIC Fwd/Mid) 33. Joe Maishman (VIC Mid) 34. Jack Donkersley (SA Fwd) 35. Jake Johansen (SA Fwd) 36. Touk Miller (VIC Mid) 37. Jaden McGrath (VIC Mid) 38. Bohdi Walker (VIC Mid) 39. Peter Bampton (SA Mid) 40. Duom Dawam (VIC Ruck)

Not sure whether its been mentioned but Knightmare on BF has him at 9 for his 2014 power rankings. Billy Kicked 3 goals in one of the Reserves finals for Glenelg - hopefully plays seniors next year. Played forward and wing. Hopefully will improve next year and be ranked around mid first round which means we will get him 2nd round.

Thanks, cheers

With Billy Stretch coming under notice for next year I doubt we will draft an outside type with pick 9. Knightmare has him at 9 in his 2014 power rankings on BF. Billy kicked 3 goals in one of the reserves finals for Glenelg. We also have Barry and Blease with outside pace. Most likely will go for an in and under type (a few available at pick 9) or a player who can run off half back with good prospects for developing into a mid. I will not be surprised to see us pick up Jones (if Freeman not available) as he has what we lack as a group - ferocious competiveness at ball and player - ie, what the top teams have. Jones would be a 'safe' pick.

Watts maybe that precision outside receiver and distributor who hopefully can win his own ball when he needs to.

Initially I would think they would be looking at Hogan as the 3rd tall forward who can play high as well as deep. He has mid pace over 20 and he is athletic as well as a bull. So Dawes and Fitzy as KPF's with Clark rotating through ruck and forward. That is if all are available - we never seem to have that much luck!!!!!!!!!!

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.