Roger Mellie

Really?

Ablett stank

Enjoyable read thank you 55. I agree with pretty much all of that apart from quibbling between one or two depth players. The form over the season would indeed suggest Hibberd is finished but I'm entertaining the notion that he carried an injury (on top of the shoulder). I agree on Hore. A solid interceptor but unless he's got time an space, nothing much comes of his possessions. You have Lockhart as a mid? I would have thought half back or forward (depth). Having said that he played two games suggesting he could snatch a position on the bench, depending on trading and draft scenarios and a good preseason. He was clearly injured in later games. I agree about half backs. Hibberd was awful and we had precious little vision coming out of the backline other than Salem who was increasingly up against it. I would happily put KK on the half back line if he could recapture his pre-concussion form (a big if). He has the skills and read of play we need. I think it's his preferred position. Just don't know if we'll see much more of him. He looks, in theory, to be made for the wing but I'm not so sure yet. Outside role will suit. I could prattle on but.....

Also because Max did his rehab at St Kilda before being drafted. I believe Ben spent time there helping him as well as doing his own weight training.

I would expect Richo to already have a (good) relationship with King to ideally help things along. If a trade of some kind was orchestrated, it would look look less like the AFL compromising/interfering in the draft because the two top picks are coincidently best mates.

Is Woewy still (assistant) coaching somewhere in the AFL?

I like to look for the positives where possible and after wading through some scary stuff implying defensive improvement, I concluded that 'the vibe' doesn't sound like he's requesting a trade. I hope that's the case and that a preseason under Burgess may fix any delusion. I do think Bomb-it Brayshaw did learn a lot from his occasional tagging roles.

I have no interest in Butler but would still swap him for ANB.

Exactly, they're very obliging when trying to get a player where he wants to go. I cant see them asking for the farm, although they would do well if he wanted to go to GC.

I agree with the screaming lack of on-field leadership. That coupled with the absence of runners has been a big contribution to our downfall this year (along with injuries, preseason issues, and plummeting confidence etc). We are not a smart football team. We don't play as a unit and there is not much instinct guiding our play. A classic example is the how slow we are to change to wet weather footy during a game. It's almost as though they need the runner to put out the call 'Hey fellas, it's raining....'

We have one of those?

Exactly what I was thinking. Then, after they get their pick, they'll then go for the big chunk of extra salary space (which I have less of a problem with).

Gawn is his best mate at the club. It makes sense to me.

IIRC part of the terms of going to the Aints was that they wouldn't play him forward - because he hated it at Essendon. I wouldn't expect anything to have changed. Also sounds like a tool with back issues.

We had 8 so not a point of difference. The point of difference is we are [censored]

Prefer the other Daisy as a leader ?

Pass on Ellis - prefer Tomlinson Bombs it long then drops/shakes head after another turnover. Rinse and repeat

Questions - 1)To echo Deetox, how's Darcy going? Obviously with the changes to VFL list structure it makes it harder to see him play. 2) Fritsch was one of the very few players to put in a strong preseason. He amped up his running capacity to add to his versatility. I know he'll trot out the old 'I'm happy to play wherever the coach wants' blah blah but if you can get out of him his preferred position that would be great ? 3) Did he frame his AFLX premiership jumper, or better still, the fluro shorts?

Are you confusing your Tom's stone? Or, maybe I am. I thought the muck-raking, drop the Dee's in in at every opportunity one was toe-cheese Tom Morris. I'n not trying to lend credibility to the Browne Tom's 'suggestions' - just checking though.

Hunt's played in the backline the last two weeks with a few cameos in the forward line. I've loved it because he swapped with Fritsch and we got to see Fritsch in the forward line. If only they'd done it earlier. Hunt's been quiet but, in the scheme of things, I'd rather see Fritsch out of the backline. If Salem played in the midfield (and not fussed if he does), then Lewis or Melksham would have to go back to cover his role - not Hunt

I'm thinking (preying) for late changes. Either that or May / O'Mac up forward. O'Mac spent a quarter up forward at Casey some weeks ago. It wasn't pretty

I'll be ropable if they get pick 2 as well. It wont do squat They can have an end of first round pick or, better still, decent but fixed term salary cap concessions. They should be able to get in a position to do something similar to Brisbane. Get in a Burgoyne (Hodge), trade for player upgrades with the lure of the dollar. Brisbane hit the jackpot by bringing in Neil and McCarthy. They just need to manage it so as not to get an pensioners chasing a superannuation bonus.

Isn't there a date in August when assistant coaches must be told they are no longer required? Exit Macca

Last year he reliably butchered the ball in his quest to get the ball forward quickly. I recall watching him routinely ignore a free player facing the play as he thumped it over his shoulder to no one. It went by largely unnoticed because a) he was in such good form and b) the chaos ball was working well for us. It strikes me that he hasn't been able to eradicate it from his game as he continues to do it with a turnover typically the end result. He's definitely more composed when actually running with the play but seems to (infuriatingly) ignore better options when running against the play. I hope his future is with with us and fitness, form and confidence (and a better defensive side) brings back 2018 Angus! We also know squat about what injury he may or may not be carrying. I doubt the club would trade him out if he's played the season under an injury cloud.

The inclusion of Preuss would suggest so