Hard to see what Hawks have to offer with the Suns needing players to replace him. If I were the Suns I’d be asking for either Sicilly and O’Rourke or Lewis and O’Rourke. North should go hard for JOM and offer up Swallow and one of Clarke or Dumont – might help the Suns keep David Swallow

Absolutely agree that identifying what the club needs and then marching that to the best candidate is the way to go, trouble is that would involve the board having some kind of idea what they are doing! External input is a must in identifying what the club needs and being involved in the shortlisting and decision making to appoint a new coach. I would think Sumich would be a good candidate though, has coached his own team in the WAFL, worked under Worsfold and Lyon and has been at both Fremantle and West Coast during grand final and premierships as well as when they were near the bottom

I would say Melbourne is the most likely. Clearly all the teams who missed out have some holes to fill but I think the Dees have the closest to a complete list. Their midfield depth is quite impressive with the likes of Jones, Vince, Dom Tyson, Viney, Petracca, Oliver, Salem and Brayshaw providing plenty of cover, not to mention Melksham who is due to play next season. On the weekend they also had Neal-Bullen, Grimes, Trengrove, Matt Jones and Michie all rack up 30+ possessions in the VFL. The forward line is developing nicely leaving only their key defenders a bit light on – Tom McDonald is a top line key defender but they lack support in this area. Bringing in a Brown (Mitch or Nathan), Sam Reid or maybe Marchbank could help bolster their defensive stocks and help them push towards the finals next year.

While the Saints are on the rise I think they lack the midfield ball winners to challenge for a finals spot. Outside of Stevens and Montagna they lack midfielders who can win the ball with guys like Billings, Newnes, Armitage and Dunstan rarely gathering more than mid 20’s. Seb Ross has had some big games this year but needs to produce on a more consistent basis. They need Nathan Freeman on the park and to land at least two more up and coming mids who know how to win the ball to be a challenger.

The only other team I think has a chance of jumping back up are the Dockers. Like all the other teams outside the 8 they have their issues but with a healthy list they still boast a quality group of mids in Mundy, Fyfe, the Hill brothers, Neale and Bennell. If Barlow continues in his defensive run with role and they add Cam McCarthy to Apeness and Taberner, with Walters, Ballantyne and Crozier at their feet, they are capable of jumping back up the ladder quickly. They are another team that could do with another key back, perhaps Mitch Brown, and if they can orchestrate something out of Mayne and Suban going they could have a team that is finals bound next year.

All the others may as well plan for 2018 and beyond.

Of course the other part of the equation is who drops out and I agree the Kangaroos and the Eagles appear most likely, mainly due to the lack of class and depth in their midfields – too much left to too few. Given the nature of free agency and player movement these days anything is possible regarding a clubs capacity to fill holes and upgrade their lists and I think this is where the Hawks have proven very adept at bringing in other established players to regenerate there playing stocks and with some pending retirements I think any calls that they will drop out of the 8 are way off the mark.

Which makes the AFL’s decision to tighten the selection criteria with their points system even the more confusing. The focus for the Lions (supported strongly by the AFL) needs to allow them to develop and access this local talent

I’m suggesting that extra picks would be wasted – yes the Lions are entitled to picks but a priority pick could just increase the exodus of quality players – how does this help the Lions
I agree the trades completed last year were good deals – just don’t complain you have no first round draft picks if your choice is trade them away
Fair point on Melbourne – the jury is out as to whether they will improve but I think most people think the acquisition of quality staff in key positions is setting the club up for a move up the ladder in a much better way then throwing draft picks at them
And yes the use of local picks is a good idea obviously but for some reason the AFL seem to wan to close this to the Northern clubs
The point is handing out extra draft picks at the top of the draft doesn’t work for every team and if the problem is player retention the AFL needs to help them set up a better program and relax the academy bid system to make it easier for QLD and NSW clubs to access local talent – the AFL need to have a better system than the current priority draft pick

Port lack real depth in their midfield and with injuries to Wines, Polec and White, plus the retirement of Cornes, they have been left with a midfield lacking real quality. Polec and Wines should be back fitter and better next year but perhaps they should focus on adding to their midfield stocks rather than chasing another key forward. Keep Schultz and chase Aish.

Mitch Brown is a good option for clubs on a budget – won’t cost much, has a body that has gone through 3-4 pre-seasons and once the young key defenders have matured the Lions would be unlikely to lose anything if he wasn’t then getting a game. Better to throw him in against the power forwards while the younger guys develop a bit of confidence and belief against a 2nd or 3rd tall
Surely the Lions have enough room in their cap to pay out for one of Dixon or Carlisle

The Lions have one of the worst disposal efficiencies in the league, surely a player of Sucklings skill would improve the quality of delivery coming out of defensive 50 or off a wing

Hird and the Bombers just need to be assessed on results. Everyone still wants to talk about the Supplement scandal and whether or not Hird and the players were hard done by. Any discussions on whether Hird should coach, quit, get sacked or anything else should be based entirely on performance and development of his team. If your side is not performing and are being beaten by teams around you on the ladder your performance is going to be looked at. As with all clubs outside the eight the focus rightly should turn to recruitment, player development, where a team is headed and what their playing style is like – Essendon have won fewer games and are lower on the ladder this season than last and ongoing questions about the quality of their recruits and playing personnel remain unanswered. If you recruit experienced players and it doesn’t work out people will rightly question the direction of the club, just ask Michael Voss. Malthouse was hounded constantly over his sides performance as they lacked any player development and results continued to go backwards, very similar to the Bombers current situation. Its the nature of the industry and fans need to get over the supplements saga and any perceived vendetta against Hird and focus on the only thing that determines if a coach is any good – results!

This season could be the battle of the manic pressure teams ie. Swans, Freo and Adelaide, against the hard running and fast moving Power or the silky skills of Hawthorn. The last 5-6 years have seen some fluctuations on which style has come out on top with Geelong and Hawthorn snaring more than their share of premierships with defensive teams such as the Pies and Swans snatching a couple and the Saints, Freo and the Swans last year getting close. Agree with previous comments though, the truth about Adelaide will come against quality opposition and their ability to sustain that kind of effort week in week out. Ross Lyon’s teams have shown it can be difficult to maintain that level of intensity year after year

Spot on with the value of older players Luke. I would actually argue they are even more important and needed in a team going through a “re-build”. As a Saints fan I welcome the retention of some of the older players – just look at Schneider’s input in round one versus Templeton or Saad. These guys are invaluable to take the load off young up and coming players, not only for their expereince but also to take some of the physical pressure too. An extra expereinced big bodied midfielder wouldnt have gone astray at the Saints this year after Lenny retired. Especially if at the moment we use Dunstan and Newnes to get battered winning contested ball. I’d much rather the club recruited an older player such as Sewell or even retaining Jones or a player like Raines to take the heat off some of our younger guys to do the grunt work. Having Sam Fisher and Riewoldt stick around while the younger guys develop is critical for the Saints. Rookie lists and the sub rule now allow for greater use of expereinced players to continue to play out their career and give the younger players the benefit of their wisdom

That’s part of the issue for West Coast – their midfield is steady, slowly improving. Masten and co need to have a break out year to help identify which of these players is able to elevate their game to become elite rather than having a midfield of 5-6 “good” players.

Free agency is only available to players who have had 8 years of continuous service to their clubs. As a Saints fan I’d understand if one of our young players now left after 8 unsuccessful years – the emphasis is on the clubs (and rightfully so) to actually demonstrate some hope and direction to not only fans but players that there is a future worth staying for. The Saints have lost quality players in recent times because the clubs crack at a flag failed and there was no planning for the future – neither Goddard or Dal Santo will be around for the next upward curve in the Saints fortunes so I think their departures were understandable. I’d even be thinking this year that cashing in on Jack Steven – if he isn’t prepared to sign on now (and interestingly enough he wasn’t part of the Saints future fest of singing up young players) would be worth a thought. A top 10 draft pick or couple of GWS youngsters would be ample reward and avoid any disappointment next year if he does go.

The Ben McEvoy trade was instigated by the Saints. Trading McEvoy took everyone by surprise but the Saints had a view that increasing their picks inside the top 20 was priority and McEvoy was traded. Even losing Goddard and Dal Santo, I don’t think either were seriously fought against. A lot of the Hawks players from other clubs have been players that other clubs didn’t want. Ceglar, McEvoy, Spanger, Cheney and Simpkin were all unwanted and struggling to get a game at their respective clubs. Isaac Smith and Puopulo were mature age recruits from outside the AFL system

For what? Have heard James Aisha is potential trade bait but is a long way short of beams

People are too quick to blame others for their own short comings. It’s much easier to blame the umpires for a teams inconsistency then point the finger at bad coaching or players who won’t put in. Umpires for the most part are doing a decent job and the ongoing scrutiny is affecting numbers at grass roots levels. All fans, players and coaches should be made to umpire at least one match per season of junior/grass roots level footy to highlight how difficult a job it is. Might bring some improved perspective on the job they do. Is good to see the point made on umpires making fewer mistakes than players. Forwards miss at least 1 in 4 or 1 in 3 shots at goal yet an umpire makes one or two mistakes in a match and is blamed for the result,

What played well in the NEAFL and stepped straight into the top of the table side picking up 30 possessions. Good players in good systems are worth grabbing if they can’t get a game. It’s not their fault they play in a sub standard league

What a disgrace channel 7 Brisbane is. Five seconds after the siren they cut the coverage leaving any fans wanting to hear a final wrap of Lenny’s great career left watching myth busters. The AFL needs to ensure whoever has the television rights has the respect and greater interest of the game at heart rather than just selling their soul to the highest bidder. If you want to grow the game in the northern states having some respect and consideration for a champion of the game such as Lenny Hayes is not too much to ask. The AFL should be sending a please explain to channel 7 Brisbane and an apology to Saints and Footy fans in QLD

Was picked with Swans first round selection, has had 2 years in a quality system, kicks goals and did not look out of place when making his debut. In comparison to drafting a young forward out of under 18’s he’s much better value so a second round pick is fair – trade period usually results in clubs trying to get players for less than they’re worth so I’m sure opposition clubs would try to offer third round picks

A good follow up game from Taberner against Port. Will be interested to see how he handles the pressure and intensity of finals football but this gives him a strong platform to hit pre-season hard and really stake a regular spot in 2015

The Saints have Sam Gilbert who does very similar role to O’Shea so not sure why they would be looking for another similar type, especially if we had to give up a pick to get him. I hear Milera wants to go back to SA though so Port would be welcome to him! Seriously though Ben is there a player on the Saints list you could see being used in a trade – Siposs perhaps? Talented player but needs a rocket placed under him to realise his potential as he ranks along Jack Watts for one of the lowest levels of intensity out on the field

If the swans were looking to off load Membrey and get something decent the best they could hope for would be an early second round pick. Membrey would be a good fit at the Suns. While they have Day, Lynch and Dixon they are all similar types. A lead up forward who kicks goals would be a good change up – similar to Gunston at Hawthorn. A complex trade deal with the Saints trading Jack Stevens to Collingwood for their first round pick (around 8-9), which could be on traded to the Suns with the Saints second round pick (19) for Sam Day and and Suns 2nd round pick and then the Suns get Membrey for pick 19. The swans get a top 20 draft pick, the Suns get a better balanced forward, the Saints get a power forward with 50 games experience and maintain pick 1 and the Pies get a young midfielder who can break the lines and help re-energise their midfield. Win win for all parties I would have thought.

Pretty sure the Swans would struggle to fit Frawley into their slary cap. Losing a few players is the price the Swans pay for signing Buddy for 9 years.
Word is the Kangaroos are interested in Waite, they may shape as a big player cone trade week. Theyve largely been focused on the inteenal development of a core group of young players but have failed to bridge the gap this year to the top 5 clubs so may be looking to change up their list. McMillan, Black and Wright could all attract plenty of interest

Ken Hinkley seems to be able to get the best out of players, maybe Watts or Matthew Watson could be on Port’s radar

I’d stick with the young freo forwards over Watts. If they got Watts it might make a guy like Taberner consider a move back home to Vic. What would Freo have to offer up to Melb in exchange for Watts?