I disagree with that.
There’s a massive difference between Joe or Cameron and Smack or Stewart.
If we get Smith back, Snelling can go to the Baguley small forward role (and hopefully not be ignored (by teammates, not coaches) this year), we get decent service from T-Bell and Draper, and we have our first choice backline, then we should have a Very good year.
Joe/Cameron added to Tippa, Fantasia, Stringer, Snelling and Lav/smiley/BBB makes us pretty formidable.
Irving.
Hopefully, but early days yet.
Because it’s no trade Sunday, I hope you don’t mind If I raise a peripheral question.
Is anyone else a bit surprised that not a single key forward is rated in the upcoming draft?
I can’t recall if this has ever happened before. Surely, this can’t be right?
This, on top of a lack of genuine ruck talent. I wonder if the AFL is losing too much tall talent to basketball?
AFL Media: Come on, do a trade!
Dodoro: No
AFL Media: Aw, Ill be your friend!
Dodoro: No
AFL Media: Oh, youre mean!
More like:
“This, on top of a lack of genuine ruck talent. I wonder if the AFL is losing too much tall talent to netflix, playstation etc?”
I doubt it but the talent level of kids is just not that good these days. Maybe it’s because there are too many teams now and the talents spread too thin, not sure.
Go and have a look at highlight videos of the top 20 rated kids and you will see some terrible decision making and kicking amongst them.
Heaven forbid what their lowlight videos would look like.
The skill level of the AFL is dropping as a whole imo.
Rucks are a massive issue.
TBell is cooked
Draper untried and coming back from ACL
McKernan is decent enough and good around the ground
Daniher is better around the ground
Clarke
Huge problems there
Yep. I have been pretty surprised that we don’t seem to have an obvious target at this stage.
Maybe there is a plan and we are unaware of it. However if Zlarke is our best option for 3rd ruck on the list, then that will be a source of frustration for me.
Hartley seriously should be given another year and spend all pre-season refreshing his ruck craft.
It seems obvious, but if a player is around the 200cm mark they should have some degree of ruck craft.
… and should train with the forwards in my opinion.
The AFL did start up a few new talent development pathways for ruckmen a couple of years ago, so they recognise it as an issue.
As for tall forwards, I’d guess it’s a bit of a statistical oddity. Last year there were four key forwards taken in the top 10, and bugger all tall defenders. This year it looks like there are several good key defenders, and not much in the way of forwards. Could be as simple as flattering vs unflattering match ups.
Cameron won’t leave NSW. Happy there and close to Whitfield, Coniglio and Greene.
Sam McClure was asked “If it was Geelong trading Daniher, would a deal have been done by now?”
Sam “definitely”
Completely and wilfully neglecting that it took 2 years for Geelong to trade Kelly. Moron
It’s probably true. I reckon if you were trading other teams’ players you’d happily take unders. Money for jam.
I haven’t even listened to Trade radio this year. It’s been great. I’m not getting worked up by these clowns that are trying create content from minimal trade news.
Simply just trying to rev supporters up, so there is discussion and arguments between supporters and media.
Very good
Immobile tap rucks are a little overrated I reckon. We should go the Nankervis route and find someone who can halve the contest but is mobile around the ground… and/or can bullock around contests/use their body to create space at stoppages. All the more important when we don’t have a fulltime big mid
Don’t know that Hartley has the strength and agility to do that. Surely there’s a mature tall, big bodied def/changing ruck out in the Sanfl/VFL etc. who could be serviceable in that role?
We are farking desperate in that dept… should never have got to this stage
I think you’re overselling McKernan as a ruck.
We have massive problems.