Roger Mellie

I can see what the club was trying to do. The players they drafted in with token picks weren't supposed to be world-beaters. They were going through the scraps for depth cover. I think the club was hopeful of providing the right environment for these players to bring out their best as we have seen many times with a change of scene. But ultimately they were just brought in to provide a bit of cheap depth. I think Schache, for example, was given another year because Jeffo and Adams weren't progressing and BB was on one leg. Fullarton was supposed to fill the gaping ruck hole. I don't necessarily agree with it but understand the need for depth cover with limited resources. It all backfired though with the loss of Brayshaw, Smith and a big question mark over Oliver before the season even started. We no longer had any midfield depth with Billings and Fullarton the only bargain basement additions. Then we started getting injuries. Meanwhile, Goodwin's already put a line through Schache after 1 game, then Fullarton, later in the year. I don't like it but I can see why the club has to bring in cheap depth - we're just not very good at it! What I didn't realise is Hunter has another year although it wouldn't surprise me if he is offered early retirement. I also don't understand the length of some of these contracts taking players into their mid-thirties. We could easily get tripped up by that in two or three years.

For Collingwood?

Failing that, we could let down their tyres when they have bad umpiring days.

I thought they would be Cat B rookies?

They're probably a little torn as they have long been linked with Trainor. It'll be a tough decision for them. No doubt they'll request another priority pick so they can get both.

That was my thought too. When he joined our academy, he was probably eligible and, unlike the AFL, we didn't boot him out when they changed their eligibility criteria for the umpteenth time.

On SEN yesterday arvo, Maher said the Houston deal was off because Melb won't part with pick 5. Jenkins then chimed in he'd heard the general stench around the MFC had put him off. Maher mumbled something unintelligible in response.

The wink at the end of Fat Tony's post would tell 99.9% of posters that he's having a lend.

What is Asia Pacific? Chopped liver?

FFS

No. He'll want a good preseason and plenty of progress in '25. Maybe the loss of Tommo will bring him out of his shell. If there's no improvement, I'd swing him forward later next year as he played forward a bit as a junior. Then the ideas run out.

Yep, that was the only good thing about it - the extra bye.

Here's The Age's out-of-contract players list with a bit of trade speculation thrown in: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/who-s-going-who-s-staying-a-club-by-club-guide-to-the-afl-trade-period-20240902-p5k78h.html Looking through the list, I wouldn't mind a look at Tom Emmett (Freo) - high-pressure small fwd and Lachie MacAndrew to fill the glaring hole in our list. James Peatling is at the top of my list.

It's not 'likely' - it's your opinion. The two are very different

I thought the council had bugger all say in this, which is why they've cracked it. I don't think it's specifically directed at us, rather that they aren't part of the process and calling the shots.

I'd love PJ to do an external review. He's one of only two at the Dee's (admin) that I've had full faith in. He's so strong on good governance - it's exactly what we need. But, keep in mind he's retired, so you can put a line through him for Pert's job. I'm more than happy for him to replace Roffey though if he didn't do the review!

#

It would be the same as signing up Ben Brown for another year. No thanks

Petracca has been pretty candid about his struggles with anxiety. It's reasonable that this is off the charts at the moment given what happened, and I wouldn't be surprised if he baled out of the pre-game interview with an anxiety attack. I suspect the club and hopefully his management are shielding him from a) media contact at the moment and b) making huge decisions about his future until he's in a better frame of mind.

I imagine it'll be high-impact and careless, even though Kozzie wasn't careless - Moore was!

Yep and even happier with: In: R Chamberlain* *Never thought I'd see the day when I'd welcome back an umpire, but have a ripper Ray!

He spoke very well and I felt reassured about the Petracca situation specifically and the club generally.

6 - Viney 5 - Langdon 4 - McDonald 3 - Turner 2 - Petty 1 - Gawn Stiff - Nibbler 😥, Rivers Tommo was ok too

Peatling would be a great get for the club. In all the games I've seen him (not too many), he's shown speed and Viney-esque levels of intensity and desperation (IMO) amongst other qualities, but they both stood out and it's what we lack.

Fixed!