Yes, my post above was clearly a factual statement.
For reals though, the AFL should already have called clubs and told them not to approach Thomas. There’s no way he should be pulling on an AFL jumper next year considering all that’s gone down post-sacking.
Unless there is a real adverse finding after his court case, I can see him getting back into the league in 2025. Clearly he’s a ■■■■ of a bloke, but if from a legal perspective he’s not been found guilty of criminal behaviour that’s probably not enough to prevent him getting back into the AFL if a club wishes to employ him.
If Kane says it’s true then I believe him as well connected as he is. Media indicating Melbourne all over him.
Would be great if we could lure him for this years 2nd round and a future 2nd round.
Use this years 1st on the draft and pick Kako on a bid around the projected say 15-18.
Jordan croft for example was pick 15 last year and dogs gave up 44, 46 and 47, gaining 61 and 87 which would be 3rd rounders’ and later which we would not use.
I wouldnt be giving up any first round picks
It’s ■■■■■■■ stupid for these players to sign LONG deals and then suddenly decide they are out and don’t want to be there anymore. Where’s the ■■■■■■■ accountability for decisions you’ve made mate?
Fair enough, and I understand that train of thought.
I just dont value picks outside the top 5 ish as much as others. Especially with our recruitment team.
Houston has 4-5 good years left in him, I would be happy to do that deal personally.
Good point but it means there’s a greater chance we can let McGrath go.
contracts just give you bargaining power. They shouldnt be seen as a commitment by the player or club that they will stay with the club for the duration of the contracts term, anymore. Particularly long term deals. You lock in your young good players then if they want to leave you can get a premium for them
The AFL can block him if they choose to, there is enough stuff out in the public domain to give them the power to reject his tenure as a player regardless of whether or not he is legally convicted of anything
I agree, spending a first rounder on a half back flank is a waste. You likely have a failed forward sitting on your list already, that would be a gun when moved to an easy position like the half back flank anyway. In saying that, i did see a stat the other day that Houston is in the top 5 players in the comp for kicks inside 50 resulting in goals.
It seems very unlikely we need to trade up to get ahead of a Kako bid. In most of the July placings he’s rated 15-20. Our pick will be top 10.
This is not of my making?!! But that’s the nature of sport; particularly when the AFL, AFLPA and player managers engineer a system that encourages player movement. Do I like it? No. But let’s not pretend that should we land a gun player because they want to leave their club we wouldn’t be doing cartwheels so it is what it is…
I have heard the same about Dan Houston from a peer of his here in Melbourne who goes out with a niece of mine.
Evidently, Houston has bought a house down Sorrento way.
Already endearing himself to the Melbourne Football Club supporter base.
Hes an all Australian half back with an excellent kick. We sorely lack foot skills coming out of the back half and it’ll also allow us to permanently move Martin back to the wing.
I think it opens up huge possibilities for us.
Yeah obviously, I much prefer the NBA system where the teams control things and (for the most part) can ship and trade players as they like. It’s brutal but none of this ■■■■■■■ ‘I want to go home’ garbage
Although sometimes stars end up sitting out but whatever
Agree. I think the system needs to change to give clubs a bit more power and shift the balance back a little that way.
It would, would you be happy to give a top 10 pick?