Roger Mellie

You're right. He doesn't rate too badly. They have a stat for Defensive contested losses as a percentage of one on ones and his is 36%. Room for improvement as a KD. Contested Defensive Losses is pretty much all KDs and the 'winners' in this category include both excellent and average KDs. Phil Davis and Daniel Talia are up there as well as players such as Jack Homsch (sp) who would have been bombarded all year. Time to edit my post to reflect this (just attempted to and cant access the earlier post for some reason. So, for now, the misinformation stands)

I reckon Frost's disposal has improved markedly and despite the odd howler, it's not his biggest problem. The issue is giving away goals through brain farts, being (way) out of position, poor contesting with the incoming ball, giving away free kicks (often repeatedly with far too late tackles or just wtf moments). He's just not a natural footballer but has improved markedly and gives his all. His speed was a godsend in our plodding backline (with May mostly out of the side) and Frostball (if he hits his target) can work as neither side has a clue what he's going to do. Facts: Ranked 8th in the league for intercept possessions 25th for spoils Intercept marks 38th (ahead of Hore but behind Gawn) Turnovers 205th Clangers 75th Here's the killer - Contested Defensive losses 7th I'd love to keep him if there's no decent trade offers because he'll keep on improving. Prefer him ahead of Omac (another plodder)

They have no reason to be annoyed when that's exactly what they did with Hogan, time and time again.

I don't recall Ellis-Yolman having any speed. He's played 39 games in 8 or 9 years. Pass

I'll have a crack at this. As a wingman (specifically), he could replace just about anyone that's played (and failed) there this year. This includes Lewis, Jones, Brayshaw, Hunt, Baker, Stretch, ANB, JKH, TMac. I'm not saying we're getting a gun, not by any stretch. But we get him for nothing and as long as we don't pay too much for him or give him a contract into his 30's we're getting at worst an upgrade on our dwindling depth. He would have to be on peanuts at GWS with that star-studded list. We could also use his versatility to play forward or back. Hell, he couldn't have been worse than Hibberd in the backline if fed the ball and used as a distributor. The added run appeals. Langdon on one wing and him on the other would be orright!

Please not Brandon Ellis

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.