Sydney played one unbelievable qrt the first half they were putrid and Carlton didn’t make them pay enough on the scored board
Im holding off on Sydney but GC and Brisbane I agree
Sydney’s not as deep as Gold Coast And Brisbane
But their best 23 is. And even with a couple of outs they still may beat us by a cricket score.
We don’t have those elite guys streaming off half back and down the wings.
Guys like Gulden and Warner. You need em in the modern game.
We have a very slow slide and our disposals are no where near sharp enough to compensate.
Fark Brisbane is gonna be an absolute nightmare to defend and score against
Less than 2 years ago, we lost to Gold Coast at Marvel by a point. Unless I’ve miscounted, Gold Coast only had 6 players in their side tonight who weren’t on their list in 2024. When we lost that game, no one was lamenting how stacked Gold Coast were. Yes, they had some decent players unavailable that night, but almost no one rated them as a club that should be winning finals. Most of our fans were furious that we couldn’t get over the line against such a weak side. IIRC, it was Gold Coast’s first win away from home that year - in round 22.
The change in coach has completely transformed the public’s perception of Gold Coast and its players, because he has gotten the most out of the players who were already on the list.
“The AFL bailed them out” is oversimplifying it. Yes, their academy has given them great talent, but only 18 months after Hardwick was hired do they look like they might be a powerhouse. I’ll admit that I didn’t think Hardwick would succeed like he appears to be right now, but it’s pretty evident at the moment that it’s not just a question of talent. You still need someone to motivate the talent, guide them to playing in a way that maximises the list’s ability, and identify worthwhile trades to fill key holes in the list.
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Considering their midfield was missing last years Brownlow medalist they were pretty scary tonight. Oh and they added Trac who dominated.
And they have the finishers now. Their smalls look fantastic.
Scary proposition this year and even then they aren’t the best side in the comp.
We are gonna struggle to compete against sides that will finish 9th or 10th this year.
Chasm of a gap for us.
Still we loaded up at the draft.
Didn’t we do ok against Brisbane last year? we actually hit front at one stage everyone on here was celebrating like it was a win post match.
We might be crap but are still capable of playing some decent footy I think teams shouldn’t under estimate us imo
Might be a slow burn but we are starting to accumulate some talent on the list imo.
This year we will most likely have another top 5 pick and adding Blake Justice
2027 we will be adding Bewick and maybe a quality FA or two
We can’t have wisdom on this forum. stop posting.
Well we got Brisbane twice this year so we get a good look at them.
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I think the assistance package for Gold Coast was way overcooked. Additional first round picks for 2019, 2020, and 2021. Not only that but being wooden spooners in 2019 allowed them to secure Anderson and Rowell. Bundling up their picks in 2019 to trade for Carlton’s first rounder returned Flanders whose trade was used to help bring in Petracca. Even with the AFL to hold off on making changes to academy bids - which they could’ve done last year, to allow Gold Coast select another two top five picks in 2025 draft. Meanwhile Essendon are too proud to even weigh up asking for assistance, so other clubs will continue to abuse the system and take any advantage they can to get ahead.
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If we have under 10 wins in two seasons surely the club will ask for some assistance they gave WC one even tho the last time they had success was in 2018.
Don’t be afraid to ask Essendon at worst the AFL will say no
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West Coast got an end of first rounder plus a few rookie spots. It’s stuff all really and you wouldn’t have wanted that last year because it was a weak draft
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I’ll be happy if they give us a few extra picks to trade so we can get Bewick
If we don’t manage to attract a worthwhile FA this season then it isn’t going along with Rosa’s strategy, so investing heavy into another draft for top end picks (possibly with assistance) would be the alternative. Apologies for the doom and gloom, as I have had a few beverages irresponsibly and don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel for us. But what ride!
Could have had several extra picks if we had traded out Merrett, just saying
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The afl is desperate to make the game the number one sport in nsw and qld.
Maybe with their academies it will be sustainable.
Brisbane went from a 3 peat courtesy of the effects of the Fitzroy merger and being sent matthews.
Then they fell in an absolute hole.
Now they have had an insane flush of talent through huge academy investment and lucking out on 3 absolute elite father sons.
At the same time as their bad years top draft picks came good. We will see how they go establishing Queensland footy.
Sydney seem imho to be the one successful club north of the Murray. Comfortably sustainable long term and very well run.
Club didn’t want anymore picks.
Maybe if the Hawks actually made that offer at the start of trade week Essendon might have done a deal but Hawks waited till the second last day which left Essendon stuff all time to make other trades
You are of course aware that picks can be traded for future picks right?
The very same picks that you are asking for this year
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Of course but Hawks came with the offer way too late gave Essendon little time to try and do other trades if the club accepted the deal.
On top this they threatened the club do the deal even tho Merret is a contracted player and we hold all the cards
Glad the club didn’t cave and told them to get stuffed.
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And follow that up by extending Jones for 2 years, re-listing Setterfield, contracting McKay forever, extending Ridley.
I wonder how extending Durham to, what 2032, will look in hindsight?
The club ain’t getting any draft assistance from the AFL ever, could you imagine the outcry from the media and other clubs, we couldn’t even get decent compo for Draper