Nah, that was SOS' "amazing" 4 for 1 GWS trade.

These recruits have been far more targetted.

Comparing established players like Ainsworth and Hayward to Glen Bowyer et al. is nonsensical.

You missed David Clarke from Geelong. The speed demon.

What trades would have made you happy?
I had a real appetite for a player like Humphrey, and was disappointed it didn't happen, but we have picks 9 & 11 instead.

The team/list we had in 2025 is far more superior to the 2004 team imo, and a different set of circumstances leading into the Trade period.
Lets wait to see what happens after the SSP pick(s)

If you believe Injury and a lack of depth to cover injury killed our 2025 season, then its not a great comparison.
We won all games with less than 8 out injured.
We had an average of 10 out all season.

2004 wasn't impacted by injury. That team exceeded expectations.
Thank god we earned a priority pick and landed Walker; our only pick in the draft.
Maybe you are just comparing the incoming group of Trades and not the List?
I thought 2004 trades were uninspiring at the time. Players past their best.

10 wins with the addition of an A Grader in Stephens, who actually wasn't traded for.
Stevens was a PSD pick up so he doesn't count in the comparison till our SSP and rookie selections have been made.

Scotland was the quality player who had played in a GF for the Pies.
Hayward has played in 2 GF's, so has Florent.

I think Chesser has more pace and skills than Johnston, McGrath and Teague.
The latter 3 couldnt hit a target by foot.

Harwood came to us when he was past his best as a 27yo, and 28 yo the year he played.
Maybe you see the same with Florent being 27yo. Florent would kill Harwood in a foot race.

Give you a tip: Carlton 2026 team will be better and outperform the 2004 team.
Not a great comparison.

I'm hoping for a KPF and a KPD in the SSP. Then I will be more than happy, if we get a free hit with pick 9, get Dean with pick 11 and Ison, before Walker and the compromised drafts.

I think we will be better in 2026 than we were in 2025.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I agree Bondi, 2026 will be a step up.

One can’t deny the 2 recruits we brought from the Bloods (Newman and Hewett) have been a great success. Great leadership and culture. I am most excited that we’ll get more of that culture with Hayward and Florent. I expect it to elevate the energy in th joint - a shift away from the disharmony of 2025

4 great players from a great culture, who know chasing tackiling defending and 1 percenters are not negotiable. That stuff will be contagious with 4 former Bloods. Can't devalue that sort of skillset.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue