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I would argue that a hard running, goal kicking half forward who is also strong defensively is one of the hardest positions to fill and if Keays can produce to that level on a somewhat regular basis, then he’s probably more valuable there than as a midfielder, especially as Soligo, Berry...

35 touches(19 contested), 2 goals, 7 tackles, 10 clearances inc 4 centre clearances, 12 score involvements, 6i50s all at 80% DE… Cripps is no doubt very good, it was a tough ask, but Hately may as well have not been there, lets not pretend he did a reasonable job. Hopefully he learns from it...

Looked completely out of sorts in the preseason, devoid of confidence. We’re now seeing the benefits of recognizing such and giving him a few games to get his hands on the footy.

Agreed on Poulter, has a real POD in terms of both his size, athleticism and weapon of a left leg. Could genuinely fill that outside/in midfield role who could also roll through wing and half back. Agree that probably a Fogarty-Poulter trade probably makes reasonable sense at present, no doubt...

Not saying he's not a decent player, but what does he offer that we don't already have in absolute spades? Ultimately, there's a reason he can't get a game for North Melbourne. Draft for talent, trade for needs, he is not a need and would not come cheap.

Its interesting, many of the best KPF's do seem to be able to play well into their 30s, its not really anything new. Nick Riewoldt, Matthew Pavlich, Barry Hall all made it to 34. Wayne Carey was 33 and that was due to a freak neck injury, otherwise despite shot shoulders, he probably plays...

I think if McHenry's going to make it, it will be as that high half forward/extra midfielder whom similar to Tom Lynch, thrives off extreme work rate. Whilst Lynch was 191cm, he was neither a strong contested mark, nor was he quick. He just busted his gut and out ran, out presented his...

Yeah, I'm in a similar boat, for mine its the Brad Symes situation again. Footskills and pace of an inside midfielder, but ball finding ability and style of an outside midfielder. Will make a VERY good SANFL player, but struggle to cut through at AFL level. I hope he proves me wrong, but I...

Its not... 30% of not much is still not much... His improvement equated to an extra goal every 3-4 games which is SFA. A player who kicks 1 goal a year, improves to 2 goals a year sees a 100% increase, is that a significant improvement or just a shit goal kicker? You can repeat it as much...

He went from 1.1 g/g (inc shortened games in 2020) to 1.4g/g in 2021, how is that a significant improvement? He averaged 8.1 touches a game last year, he averaged 8.3 in the games prior (again inc shorter games in 2020). He averaged 1.2 tackles a game last year, he averaged 1.8 prior to this...

Laird made the AA squad of 40 last year! Otherwise I mostly agree.

The troube with last years numbers are they're no better than what he was producing in his first/second season. There's been no development, no progression in his game. He's still reliant on marking on the leading and kicking accurately. Those numbers are fine if you're seeing improvement, but...

Yeah agreed, he's been quite happy to strut around seemingly confident that he's "good enough" and believing the hype too much. Ultimately has never worked hard enough to get involved in games, just expects things to happen. Confidence now seems shot as well, perhaps starting to realise that its...

Yeah, it’s not really much to write home about for a pick 2, especially when you consider what the more classic KPF who went a pick 4 from that draft is doing… That’s not to say our clubs doing any better from that draft btw…

How do you figure re McHenry? The draft really died in the pooper after pick 7, especially when you take out the academy players, and that’s especially so for our pick 16. Fair to say we were hard done by with our pick dropping back for compo picks and lack of access to the likes of Thomas...

I think we’ve got to persist with McHenry for the moment. He’s playing a tough and relatively specialized role in that high half forward also tasked with being a key defensive pressure player. Few players have the engine and capacity to play the role, it’s certainly a role most of our other...

Agreed, was absolutely dominant and great to see. There were some good signs last year, especially when he was able to get up the ground and show his strength, balance, clean take and hard edge through the midfield, but got stuck mostly as that defensive small forward which he simply is not...

Was great to see him have such a strong game, thought he was very close in the preseason showdown, unlike Himmelberg and Fogarty seemed to genuinely jump and contest the footy in contested situations, seemed to read it so much better and know where to be. Was disappointed he didn’t get an...

Agreed, we have a fascination with blooding our developing mids as “small forwards”. The odd few games is fine, but if they’re not getting significant midfield minutes, then I think an argument should be made for them playing midfield in the SANFL. Small forward is a specialised position, its...

Agreed, Fog had a bad game and is frustrating, but is better than that. That was a good game for Himmelberg :o

I’m probably a bit more bullish on Berry than some here, but he’s been a bit invisible this preseason. I do feel we did him a bit if a disservice last year by giving him so many games in the 1’s later in the season last year. He clearly projects as a midfielder, yet spent the entire year (17...

That’s true, but when rebuilding, you have to find the balance between mature bodies playing a role and developing genuine A-Graders. The position/role they play is also important. The big issue with Mackay is we he was playing roles that should be reserved for developing youngsters. Half back...

Yeah, I think that's a good suggestion. Whilst it is nice to have that tradition very "outside" winger, in the modern day game, its often better to have some versatility through the wings. Having someone who can play somewhat tall in defense, but is also has a strong contested game is quite...

Yes and no. Certainly short term performance is impacted, but does it open up a spot for a player who may actually be around next time we play finals? Seedman's past 30, body as a whole has never been particularly reliable. As good as he was last year, Seedman's in the side to help with short...

The thing with Frampton from my point of view is that there’s a good reason he’s survived so long in the AFL system. He has a lot of desirable traits at AFL, including his mix of height, athleticism, physicality, skills and when his confidence is up he’s shown himself to be a strong contested...

I agree and have consistently highlighted this as an area he needs to work on and improve. All I’m saying is he appears to have displayed a strong desire and work ethic to correct his deficiencies. Hence I would be careful about writing him off too early, ie after one quite solid first season...

In his first 11 games, Rowe was running at over a goal a game, which is solid for any small forward in their first season. Similar to a number of our first year players though, he seemed to burn out towards the end of the season. I think he also benefited from feeding off an inform Tex, which is...

I think posters need to be careful about writing off Rowe too early. He is a player who has more than enough natural football talent for his position, however wasn’t blessed with the natural athletic capacity for the modern day footballer. What Rowe has done, is over a number of years now shown...

Tap work less so, but around the ground absolutely.

Encouraging talk on Thilthorpe, not exactly surprising, but great to hear. He was already covering massive territory during games in the 21 season, scary to think what he’ll do with a couple of preseasons under his belt. Could genuinely be that Nick Riewoldt/Tom Lynch (ours) that just smashed...