Apart from Bryan,Draper and Ridley.
I don’t think the rest of the injuries to the others will have much of an impact on our fortunes. Might actually force brads hand to try some of the younger guys which will benefit us long term
soo
OK, I haven’t been on here since flying the family down from Qld and meeting up with friends (Hawks supporters) for the round one game. I was gutted during that game and after watching and suffering many players insipid efforts, I reassessed my evaluation of our team and some of our players.
Now, nearly 2 months later, I believe having some injuries could actually not be such a bad outcome. If we play well for the rest of the year with an injury ravaged list, I think we still should remain a reasonable attractive prospect for potential and suitable targeted players.
However, especially with the compromised draft over the next 4-5 years I like the idea of hitting the draft this year (as it is meant to be pretty strong!) instead of wasting, or over spending on a Harley Reid.
Yes, he will likely be an awesome player, but his attitude doesn’t give me the same confidence as a Butters, Daicos, Rowell or Sheezel … Putting the Sheil fiasco aside for the moment, these are some of the highest paid player currently - Tom Lynch, Ben McKay, Christian Petracca, Aaron Naughton, Tim Kelly, Clayton Oliver. Actually they’re 5 of the 6 highest paid!
They’re certainly no where near the 6 best plyers. I would go hard on a player like Rowell, Wardlaw or even Butters maybe, but its also timing. We need the perfect mix, while we still have Merrett for a few years preferably. If we were to get 4 top-end required players from this draft and still keep our war chest, then we go into next year still with a first rounder and son of Darren Bewick the year after. Free agency combined with top end draft picks seems to be the quickest and best value formula to create a VERY good and competitive sustainable team in 2-3 years!!.
Imagine those 4 deputants playing early next season with Tstatas, Hobbs, Caddy, Reid, Kako with another pre-seaon under their belt and with our missing senior players back including Parish, Caldwell, Draper etc. (why would we even consider trading him???)
I was also wondering if perhaps Prior is a double agent? He’s certainly been no improvement on the previous below average players to play that position. It was good to see Perkins finally contribute. I understand his skillset makes us a better side, but I still believe he’s been the most underperformer who been gifted the most games in our squad.
If we go down the draft road, which I hope we do, then we also have a few extra swings that we would all agree we aren’t relying on such as Cox, Hayes, Jones, Brian, Johnson, Nguywen, and Edwards (who I rate highly although without any real justification)
If a few of these were to blossom (including Perkins), then I’m really looking forward to the next couple of years. If we spend all our cash and draft capital on a single player, well I think I will be actually disappointed (unless a free agent)
We are not in contention to be giving away draft capital unless its in our favour (ie Stringer at the time)
Anyway, probably wrong forum, but that’s my take 
P.s. Brandon Starcevich could be a ‘like-for-like’ for Prior, if we want to waste some more cash on free agency?? … surely not!
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ANNOUNCE SEPTEMBER COLORADA ALTITUDE TRAINING TRIP
TOUGHEST PRE SEASON EVER
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The significant difference this time round is we did it with Caddy, Kako, Roberts, Reid, and no no Parish, Stringer, Guielfi, Draper, Shiel + Ridley barely played, Redman didn’t get a kick, neither did Langford or Jones.
We have Rosa, multiple first round picks this year and a ■■■■ load of trade coin in 2026/2027 + Bewick arriving in 27.
BDB has a ■■■■ list and although I challenge his selection criteria there’s no denying the training standards are improving, we’ll be a far stronger list come 2028 than we were in 2023 when BDB arrived and if we’re not winning games by then, a better coach can take over and guide a far better list upwards.
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I think the next logical step is to change out medical and fitness team….too many players that get Re injured and are then out for much longer than the AFL average.
Ridley, Parish, Guelfi, Reid….over the years the list goes on……if clubs like Brisbane can get it right, we should be able to, if not get there guys
Hoping that they don’t become Essingtoned