Same.

From the AFL perspective, the ‘situation’ isn’t limited to covid and vaccinations, rather every retirement that’s lodged after the deadline.

Liam announced his retirement after the 2pm deadline on Wednesday 10th. I suppose that means we can only fill that spot during the SSP beginning in January?… or worse, the mid-season draft.

Nice position Liam put us in..just shows the culture we have. could have at least done it before.

You’re convinced it’s his doing, despite the story breaking well before the lodgement date?

The club had ample time to orchestrate an outcome that didn’t leave them stood in the open, holding their collective dicks.

What outcome were they going to orchestrate? Liam is a confirmed anti-vaxxer. He's given up a whole career over it. Nothing was changing his mind for a desired outcome.

What outcome were they going to orchestrate? Liam is a confirmed anti-vaxxer. He's given up a whole career over it. Nothing was changing his mind for a desired outcome.

You mean, like they don’t want to treat every salary cap breach the same because it may cause a precedent that they can’t change later?

Or they don’t want to award priority picks because it may cause a precedent that they can’t change later?

I don’t think so, the AFL pick and choose all the time, it’s all “makey-uppey”.

Agree. Cola "makey-uppey".

Financial support Hawthorn got by playing matches in Tasmania "makey-uppey."

If Carlton ever get to challenge for the title again it will be the biggest underdog story in the history of the game - or one of them. What this club has been through ...the mind boggles.

I like the idea of Weitering Young & McGovern working together down back. Who they play on depends on match ups.

We then have Docherty Newman Saad Williams Williamson Plowman all fighting for running spots. It's a very good defence

Is it? I mean you've switched Jones for Young/McGovern. Otherwise the defense is the same as last year. How many goals they leak?

Agree our lack of midfield pressure has been notable, Tim Clarke has it all ahead of him, the most important assignment to revive the position on the park.
Obviously Hewett & Cerra are massive additions, brining depth and skill, which was much needed.
Now the trick is to get Cripps back closer to his better form, all the other midfielders are raring to go.
Clarke is pivotal, has the credentials & capabilities as midfield coach, All other positions on field will function better too. Go Baggers

A three tall backline is an absolute must next year. Plowman is not one of these, he should play on most dangerous goal kicking small every week. Weitering is a lock, then we need to pick the best intercept market and the best agile tall. Weitering isn't a great runner and wouldn't be able to play on the running / jumping forwards like Jeremy Cameron etc.
Lachie Young could be the best option to play on tall athletes.
Kemp, McGovern and Marchbank would be competing for the intercept position.
Id like to see one of them develop into a genuine defender though, rather than just wanted to intercept. McGovern could be a brilliant defensive match up for Heeney, Liam Ryan, De Goey etc. the mid sized marking players who are good above head have given us massive headaches for years. He has the speed and aerial ability to mould into the Dylan grimes defender who can play big and small and would love to see him become a truely accountable defender.

Leaves it something like this....

Plowman Weitering McGovern
Saad Young Williams

With Newman or Kemp selected as the 7th defender, possibly docherty at some stage allowing Williams midfield too.

I'm a fan of 3 tall defenders, and 2 ruckmen in a GF, so I think that should be the practise throughout the H & A.

Agree Weiters is a lock, and given that height and mobility we need (similar to jones), the height, mobility and good development at the Bulldogs, by default Lewis Young is the other 200cm tall. Is so similar to Jones and spooky how he comes from the Doggies too. Is this the first sign of the great things to come in 2022?

I'd love for McGovern to be good enough to play that role on the medium forward, and never want to see Plowman with that type of match up if it can be avoided. But. McGovern has to earn that spot.

IF Marchbank is fit, he's the list's best natural class intercept mark (Lever like), and therefore 3rd tall IMO.

So I'd have Marchbank pencilled in before I pencil in McGovern because both have question marks on their fitness, and McGovern has a lot of other question marks.

Plowman on the smalls is not a given as some argue. He's had good days against class smalls his fans will highlight ad nauseum, despite far and few for a long time, but he's also had some shockers against the smalls. IMO, with Doc returning, and he's got Dec, Jan, Feb and March to get fit for round 1, I can't see him missing, and would prefer him to lockdown on a small, and direct the backline.

I even have Kemp ahead of Plowman and McGovern based on what I've seen. He's quick and a good mark, and brings good aggression and can play multi positions. Lets remember that the coach looks like he's trying to find a spot for Gov, and throwing out the challenge for a spot that seems is not Plowman's anymore.

Teddy - you have faith. We never draft a true player of position and end up playing them there.

What I think, is we draft a skinny project with potential that will play back or forward. And then doesnt know what his true position is in the end.

Perhaps Kemp's point of difference would be being able to play smaller? Don't see a whole lot separating Kemp, McGovern and Marchbank at the moment. Suggest only one could play.

We need to remember with Young though, that he was behind a couple of average defenders in Gardiner & Cordy at the bulldogs. He'd need to improve quite considerably to become automatic at Carlton. Wonder whether any of the other three can develop into a true genuine tall and play on a Riewoldt or Cameron as is required against a two pronged attack?