AFL Trade Period, Day 8 as it happened: Dockers deals done as Schultz, Henry depart for Pies, Saints

Well, I'm not sure what his set shot accuracy is at the moment. Admittedly he's a young ruckman who has been overexposed, but he doesn't take enough marks for a man his size (albeit this is improving), doesn't halve enough 50/50 balls when he's up against an opposition tall (for some reason he likes coming in from the side), and is not particularly good at chasing once the ball hits the deck. I see him more as a resting ruck forward. I'm not sure he has the tank to play the Darling high half-forward role. I suspect they'll hide him in the goal square to open a leading lane for Allen.

Yeah worst thing is James it can go in a hurry too.

I don't disagree Pete. The problem is that speed and agility are two of the first things to go (as I have found out the hard way myself lol)

Looks like he’s off to Hawks now Macca for a flag and run !

A chorus implies a hymn book, Macca. We are talking Pies here ????

He's basically a good kick.. If he does what Darling does and comes up to half back to intercept and provide grunt in those contests then he'll add more to that line.

"I can’t see Williams as a pure forward" I think both he and the Eagles see him as a pure forward who can support Flynn in the ruck. He is a good kick for goal and could take some pressure off both Allen and Darling.

Not cheap, but it is a good contracted player that will add to our dynamic. I think many forget that he is basically an upgrade to Tay Adams who has played mainly has an hybrid half forward. In that position, Schultz is better than Adams so he will make us better. The likes of Elliott and Sidebottom (he played more defenseive the last 2 years) arent getting younger, so really happy to get him. Regarding Ginnivan, there will be opportunities. You need depth as you can have injuries, and let's not forget that he is only 20 years old. Hope Murphy will continue too, I think we still miss a tall if McStay gets injured. At the back we may finally see Charlie Dean after some serious foot injuries (played the last game in the VFL this season).

We can be a sensitive bunch Macca.

There’s no doubt 2023 was a flag up for grabs Macca. The fact the Pies won 3 finals by a total of 12 points shows this too. Anyone of the Lions, Blues, Giants or Pies could have taken 2023. Even Melbourne blew there chances. Next year will be interesting for sure. Giants looked fantastic and for the Blues to get within 3 goals of Brisbane up there in a preliminary was pretty scary. Certainly didn’t want to play you in the GF at the G.

Yeah we no doubt paid overs Macca but ultimately he could have simply stayed another year at Freo. Graham Wright stated the club identified him as the best option of all available players once his hat was in the ring. Pick 34 was from Sydney for Tay Adams so essentially we get Schultz from Freo for Adams and next years first round. Tay is 30 and soft tissue issues. Schultz a mature bodied 25 year old. If we have a major drop then it’s not great. I guess the club considered to act quickly on the premiership window. Schultz will be a better half forward than Adams but we lose his midfield grunt when his rotation went through.

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

That’s a bit of a surprise while I think signing Hawkins is important the Cats need to start regenerating

Also good to see that Brockman and Ryan are friends,which should help Brockman settle in

Yeo has missed so much football that it's almost like he hasn't had the two years bash and crash that he thrived on prior

They could well go deep into finals but the Lions and Dees will be there abouts again, the Blues and Giants will be looking to have a better first half of the year and push into the top 4, the Swans seem to have solved a couple of their biggest weaknesses, Port could go up or down while the Bulldogs and Crows will be looking for redemption after letting finals slip through their fingers and there is usually one club who jumps from the lower part of the ladder. If it was me I would be looking at the other weaknesses rather than going for small forward depth

I give up. I'm in a Thai bar, trying to type this amongst distractions. What I was trying to say was he will allow McCreery to play half-forward or wing, spelling him at half-forward as circumstances require. I don't recall if Schultz has actually played much on the wing, tbh. Don Freo could probably enlighten on that.

I assume it’s about giving them the depth to stay in the premiership window. I think Shultz does that, he can play wing to forward, either spelling others or holding down a forward spot in his own right, given circumstance. Richmond lost a few of these players when they couldn’t get a regular game (or for cash) but having them in place was crucial to backing it up. It will be interesting to see how the Pies manage it, though age may determine selection towards 2025 onwards – looking from the outside, their list looks sound, certainly for their style. They may not go back to back, but I’d tip them to be deep into finals at least a couple of years yet. Not just from Schultz, but last year’s recruitment has paid off handsomely. As we agree, they’re in a nice position.

She's seeing Chris Gale!

Nice problem to have, but not sure I would give up a first and second round pick to get it