Great suggestions.

I would have preferred to take a punt on a new name to fill the mature KPD role. Durdin and GGB are busts, so trying to make them work as a KPD is to me a token gesture. Foolish. Surely there’s 10 other names we could consider.

I WANT McMahon. 22yo next year. In form. Flexible. Ruck size. KPD size. KPF size.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

My wish list -

1. Rookie draft: another developing KP (Clem Dennis or Adrian Cole or Jordan Doherty?)
2. SSP: Mature KP. (Probably McMahon as a forward, who can pinch hit in defence? I would prefer a genuine mature KPD if there is one, but Sam D & DGB don’t excite me)
3. SSP: small forward (no idea who. Maybe Evans?)

In reality, it sounds like one of the above spots will go to a hybrid defender type such as Sellwood or Matt Carroll.

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

No doubt in my mind pick 3 and I suspect the MC would like to start developing Wilson in the VFL for the role they recruited him: inside outside midfielder with speed and kicks 40m darts.

They also knew Campo twins were coming too, another inside outside mid and a HB-wing.

Can’t develop our youth in the VFL if their spots are taken by depth players who can’t play other roles.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

No doubt KPD depth is still required given how young and lean HOF is.

I strongly believe from what I’ve seen Durdin is a very good small forward when fit and not running up the other end of the ground when needed to crumb forward. I think the latter issue has to do with game plan.

Point is, I’m guessing, like you Braithy is Durdin and Motlop have not been reliable. Motlop doesn’t seem to be quick enough to be elusive to create easy shots at goal.

We took Durdin with our first pick , pick 31 in 2020, and the same with Motlop with pick 27 in 2021 . We are now left with scraps in the rookie draft. I can see 178cm NGA with eagles overlooked and available, but I don’t think he’s quicker than Durdin and maybe Motlop too.

If we are going to recruit to improve we recruit winners. Maybe next year a small forward and a Fwd Ruck, if Lemmey doesn’t come on and SOS becomes a KPD

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

As nominated players, Cole (Saints) and Champion (WCE) can be pre-listed by their club as rookies prior to the draft today.

Saints would’ve been hoping for Hoffman as well, but the eBay snipers from Geelong pulled their pants down. WCE had to pass their final selections one at a time so they could avoid the same fate.

_________________
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

There’s 2 players we are looking at for the KPD role via SSP Durdin and DGB. Let’s say we take 1 of them (if we are desperate for some cover) albeit unreliable..

We have taken HOF as a developing KPD and as skinny as a rake. I think he will struggle in the VFL next year but with some senior support from one of the 2 abovementioned, adding another developing skinny kid like Dennis might be a case of throwing them into the deep end holding 2 important defensive posts especially if Durdin breaks down.

Dennis is 195, cole is 194 with a stronger body, but only 194. I know Crusader doesn’t value height as much as I do but I can’t dismiss the fact that KPFs (along with the trend in every other position) ARE getting taller every year. Kemp and Gov are 190 and 193 and are not dependable KPDs: too short. Imagine Cole at 194 playing a lockdown role against Charlie Dixon…or, against more recent KPFs drafted, let’s say King twins, size does matter, moreso than ever. We are talking KPD here, not 3rd tall intercept who also require one on one ability, like Hayes has but Kemp and Gov don’t.

I want McMahon ahead of Durdin and DGB. He’s a proven KPF and is developing nicely and in great form. I’m sure he can play either end of ground. If we go with Durdin and he breaks down when needed (familiar?) it leaves 2 developing KPDs to fend for themselves when not ready, and if Weiters is injured too, we know it’s Young who steps up to cover but who takes the 2nd KPD role against a 200cm KPF? Not the developing kids. Not Gov or Kemp. Probably will be Haynes, but Haynes is only 193, and even he, the ex AA will struggle one on one.

Size does matter.

I love your suggestion of Jordan Doherty. He’s 199 and freakish for his size. Nimble for his size. Great below his knees and great disposal skills on both sides. He’d be my developing Fwd Ruck. I like OKeefe. He has credits as a ruckman, but unproven as a Forward, whereas Lemmey doesn’t have any credits other than the excuse of age. His contract ends in 2025. I ‘D back Jordan in the possibly go ahead of Lemming and possibly be developed as a KPD or KPF. He’s not a bad ruck.

McMahon KPF KPD
Doherty Fwd Ruck . Develop KPD

Leave last spot open for MSD or some freak Austin has eyes for



One developing KPD is enough. For 2025 it’s HOK

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Reading through a lot of the posts and its loud and clear that McMahon is popular . And I agree . McMahon has done everything he could possibly do to get another crack . Reward hard work and dedication I say . Actually a very good player and a great size for the modern game .

_________________
All my dangerous friends

durdin and DGB sorry are not good enough ,smart recruiter would have found some1 buy now on the cheap as suggested above Dennis,Cole,Doherty for example other teams seem to find that roughie.

I'd say it also he'd be seen as ready to go if we needed coverage for Charlie/Harry.
If one is out we can probably reshuffle but when both were out there wasn't many options.

_________________
░L░I░N░K░I░N░B░I░O ░

Currently have 14 players under the age of 21
When you consider every one talking about Richmond building for the future they only have 11 same applies for Hawks

North do have 15

_________________
If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

We’ve got 15 with Duffy, I think.

_________________
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

i had no idea ... what an interesting stat.

we're not just building for a flag, we're also establishing a conveyor belt of talent to feed into the 1sts

Can create depth problems though if we have (yet another) bad year with injuries. We will have at least half a dozen or so listed players next year who simply won’t be ready to contribute at AFL level.

But with a salary cap squeeze, and a need to stockpile some talent before Tassie, I can understand why we’ve cut somewhat deeper than expected.

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Agree we have cut it very fine indeed, perhaps a few we could have been kept for another year or two. However given the weaker draft cohort next year, our salary cap squeeze after signing TDK if all goes well and Tassie on the horizon, we really had very little choice. Keep our fingers crossed we some luck re serious injuries and that our new fitnesses guru adapts , seamlessly .

_________________
Go Blue Boys

I think the club has played the uplift of young inclusions and balance of list well. I don’t fully agree with some of the delisting and trades, but the age balance has been setup well. There is no doubt the 2 things that will play a factor in our success (premiership) is injury management and (long term success / stability) is development.

Just to see the list breakdown:
FB: Newman, Weitering, McGovern
HB: Cowan, Haynes, Saad
C: Acres, Cripps, Docherty
R: De Koning, Cerra, Walsh
HF: JSmith, Curnow, E.Hollands
FF: JSoS, McKay, Williams

INT: O.Hollands, Kemp, Motlop, Cincotta, Boyd

VFL:

FB: Charleston, Young, Duffy
HB: Wilson, O'Farrell, L.Camporele
C: Binns, Hewett, Cottrell
R: Pittonet, Lord, B.Camporeale
HF: Durdin, Lemmey, Fogarty
FF: Moir, O'Keeffe, Fantasia
INT: Monahan

“Our forward half is going to look VERY different next year.”

- Vossy, not long after the final siren. Emphasis was his.


I think one, or both, of McGovern & Kemp are going forward. McGovern most likely as we pull out all the stops to improve that last kick inside 50.

Or… he might’ve just been signalling the Owies trade.

_________________
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

So there were weren't too many tall defenders taken before Harry O'Farrell (196/197 cm) in the 2024 draft. I think we can be *very* please with our drat picks this year. hopefully we can trade into something next year given our future round pick swaps! Our guy is a genuine swing man with goal sense by the sound of it — useful if Voss ever learns to hit the "change required now" button.

Or if we are in the top 8 by round 10 and clubs are swatting up on us. we need options to be less predictable to for oppo, both at the MC table and on game day, in terms of flexibility in our starting positions and structure.

All the following are >190 cm
10. Alix Tauru, St Kilda, 193 cm
21. Luke Trainor, Richmond, 194 cm
27. Matt Whitlock, North Melbourne, 198 cm
32. James Barrat, St Kilda, 194 cm
35. Noah Mraz, Hawthorn, 198 cm

I generally agree with these sides however am hoping Moir can step up and replace JSOS.

_________________
There is no footy god

I’m not assuming he meant personnel changes. He could have just as well been talking about how we structure up and bring the ball into our forward line.

Having said that, there are rumours that McGovern will train with the forwards and Silvagni with the defenders in the preseason. Can we afford the luxury of McGovern forward? Can McGovern’s body hold up to a full season in attack? What role would Silvagni play in defence? He isn’t big enough to lockdown the bigs, and I don’t think he’s creative or quick enough to take McGovern’s role.

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Nice work Surrey. I’ve played with the magnets too…

B: Newman Weitering Haynes
HB: Saad Young Cowan
C: Acres Cripps O.Hollands
HF: Fogarty McKay E.Hollands
F: Williams Curnow McGovern

R: DeKoning Cerra Walsh

Inter/Sub: Boyd, Cottrell, Docherty, Hewitt, Smith

VFL -
B: Charleson SSP O’Farrell
HB: Cincotta Kemp L.Camporeale
C: Binns Lord Fantasia
HF: C.Durdin Silvagni Moir
F: Motlop Lemmey O'Keeffe

R: Pittonet B.Camporeale Wilson
Inter: Duffy Monahan

A mature-age KPD is a must in the SSP. Unless there’s a better option, S.Durdin may be the choice if his body holds up to a preseason under the new fitness regime. The other remaining list vacancy must go to a small forward, but maybe we wait to see who is available at the mid season draft for that one.

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.