Having followed European and US sports for so long, I'm used to players going where they want.

I think this is a good thing for AFL.

Too long a list was only defined by who you drafted or were able to trade for.

How different our 00's might have been had free agency and player choice been available. Well, Nick Stevens may not have ended up with us, but we might not have had to be content with the Cory McGraths of the universe.

Yeah, no-one with a choice of clubs would have come to us...

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

I have always thought that about many tennis players.
It seems they just play on and on and on well after they are past their best. Financially I wouldn't imagine
Hewitt still needs the money, yet he is still on the tour. I guess its that competitive beast that lives inside
the top notch athlete .

Why would you stop doing the thing that you love... the thing that defines you... the thing that made you what you are... unless you absolutely had to? It's those who bow out before they've wrung every last ounce of performance from themselves that are the anomaly.

That doesn't mean that sides have to accommodate them if they aren't up to it.

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Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

The answer I think is both Bondi. Look at the recent Premiership teams. Haw - Lake, Gunston, Gibson, Burgoyne etc...Syd - Kennedy, McGlynn, Richards, and now Tippett and Franklin...Coll - Ball, Jolly, Brown... A mix of elite talent and guys who were unproven or ok at their previous clubs, but not stars. Add to that astute drafting, which each of those teams has done, and you build a strong team.

Interestingly, Geelong have gone a different model, mostly drafting and developing. But they had the advantage of three gun father and suns, and still traded for Ottens, and recently Caddy, Rivers etc.

If we can bring in Thomas (elite) plus a couple of Docherty/Savage types, and draft astutely, maybe even trading out a couple to get a better draft position, then we'll be doing well. Do that for three years, suddenly you're up there. But it requires being smart, creative and bold.

I have much more faith in Malthouse to know what is required and how to grit done than I have had in previous regimes..

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Mens sana in corpore sano.

Bring back the laurel wreath logo!!!

After landing Thomas, hope we can add
Docherty and savage...
Wonder what it would take to land Sam Reid???
Our first pick (12)??? Or would they want a player
as well???
Great if we could add,
Reid, Thomas, docherty and savage to our list..
Then add menzel and graham.

I think Menzel and Graham are still very much in the development stage, i don't think we should be expecting to see them play week in - week out in the seniors next year.

I'd rather see the proper time taken with them rather than see them burnt by unrealistic expectations at this stage of their careers.

Couldn't agree more.

That said, if they are ready...play them!

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We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion.

A pick should be sufficient. He should be on good coin over the 5 year deal and the Swans must need some salary cap relief. He is not a gun forward but a good talent (who can't kick).

Also the issue of opportunities. His might be limited up there. Play up the father son link and get him to request a trade.

I'd like to have Reid so long as the kicking thing is fixable. May have to go back like his brother before flourishing up forward. Was a defender in the u18's IIRC.

Hammer off to Tiges for a 2nd rounder....done deal according to ch 7

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"I had to eat"

would much rather Warnock went.

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i don't wanna spend my life explaining myself. Either you get it, or you don't- Frank Zappa

What is Tigers second pick?

It'll probably be around 31 by the time the free agency compensation picks are accounted for.

Good trade to the tigers for hammer. He's a restricted free agent next year and there's no way we'd get a second round pick on his wage! Would get a third rounder, at best, next year.

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For some silly reason, you people want to assassinate him, and it's just rubbish. You people. All of you, ALL of you!

It's amazing. We just can't win. We either lose players because they are out of contract (Jacobs, Grigg) and get minimal return or lose players contracted (Hammer) who will get out of contract "next year" for minimal return. We just have a lot of bad luck with our trades and just can't win one.

We are just not very good at it are we?

He is better than Orrenson and Derrickx. Most likely they are going to get another 2nd rounder for losing white and mcguane

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Bulldogs captain Steve Mortimer stood up to address his troops before they ran out. ''I'm a proud c---,'' he told them, ''I'm a winner, I wish myself a good g...ame, I wish everyone a good game. Let's get out there and f---ing bash them

In which world is pick 30 not a good deal for hammer?

The guy has averaged around 10-12 games a year for last 3 years. Is rarely in the best 10 on the ground in any game and has been in the system 7 years and still looks often like he only picked up the game 10 minutes ago.

David Hale (who could actually play) was swapped for a pick 25. Plus hawks got a 3rdr while kangas got a 4th. If hammer plays half as well at any time in his career as hale did this finals series I would be amazed.

Agree losing megan gale is a blow.

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Go Blues

menzel and graham will play next year, games will be limited, but they will play, both are going to be guns...
hawks interested in hampson also.
whats a better option for us,
1. second round pick round [30/35] - tigers
2. straight swap for savage - hawks
3. straight swap for docherty - lions
anyone know whats going on with cross?? are we going to offer him a contract??