Rumour GFC 2024 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 3

[And_ROOS]

Now that the draft/trade period is done and dusted, where do we see our immediate list deficiencies?

We seemed to have addressed our lack of ruck depth with Mollier and Pike.

Midfield class is probably still a concern albeit bringing Smith in should help. Still feel that unless Clark, Bruhn and Knevitt really go to another level then we will need to continue to add in this area. Particularly with Dangerfield in his last couple of years.

Another key forward is probably needed if you don’t think Edwards or Mollier will play that role. Polkinghorne looks a good addition and may work with Henry and Neale. We’ll see. He looks to have a frame that can add size quickly so might get games earlier than expected.

Bruhns building and developed a lot this year, but based on what we have seen so far we might be years off Clark and who knows with Knevitt.

 

[The rabbi]

Bruhns building and developed a lot this year, but based on what we have seen so far we might be years off Clark and who knows with Knevitt.

I can see Knevitt starting out as a half back. He has good hands and moves well and is reasonably tall at 193cm.

 

[ShadowCat]

Draft guy on the main board really rated our Polkinghorne and Molier picks (had Polkinghorne as Top 20 and his fave player in the draft). KMF looks like he could be another Humphries level steal, as he has all the tools, and one of the biggest kicks in the AFL (65 metres off one step, some were saying). Ivisic and Pike are actually fantastic local pickups, but I know next to nothing about the other rookie. Hoffman reminds me of Jacques a bit, so it was good to get someone similar at a discount - Saints really screwed up their list management trading back in constantly, thinking he'd get through to the rookie draft.

All in all, our list turnover looks quite exciting, with what he had.

OUT:

Hawkins (champ, but out of gas)

Parfitt (depth, slow, and one dimensional)

Rohan (cooked, perennially injured)

Tuohy (champ, but out of gas)

Willis (some traits, but perennially injured)

Foster (slow, no agility, never make it as a modern KPF)

Hardie (slow, accumulator, no defensive mindset, solid VFL but not AFL level)

Jeka (good kick, but not much else going for him)

Murdoch (some traits, but nothing special)

Furphy (showed some signs, but had a long way to go as a Mature Age basketball convert)


IN:

B. Smith (gun A grade mid when at his best)

J. Martin (huge talent, perennially injured, could shine if we can be the ones to get him right)

C. Burke (Irish star, readymade body, with strength and speed - will take time though

Polkinghorne (One cm shorter than Curnow when drafted, and grew 6 cm in his draft year - plays like a KPF and hopefully grows a bit more to KPF size)

Molier (Speed and agility for a big man, could play either ruck or forward - will take some development to reach his peak though)

Hoffman (Speed and good intercept marking. Reminds me of Jacques, and could be a gun intercept defender based on highlights)

Matofai-Forbes (This guy looks ready-made and has a booming boot. Draft scouts have said he has some Cam Rayner about him, and could be the steal of the draft - ala Humphries)

Ivisic (Happy we got this guy, and reckon he's worth a punt given his form. Uses it well and doesn't overdo it with distribution. Good inside/outside balance, and averaged 25 disposals for the Falcons, and 22 for Vic country)

Patrick Retschko (Outside winger who can play back with decent size, but needs to work on distribution)

Pike (Have wanted this guy for a while, and think he'll be good in the VFL to develop further, given his forward/ruck ability. Another worth a punt given his upside and AFL ready body)


All in all, it's a very versatile group, and at the very least, a chance to unearth some gems - rather than going back to the well with a group p of players that are either a) ready to retire, or b) perennially injured and don't have the talent)

Bring on 2025!

 

[And_ROOS]

I can see Knevitt starting out as a half back. He has good hands and moves well and is reasonably tall at 193cm.

Who does he displace at HB though? Especially when we have a midfield issue. He only gets to HB is they move Holmes and Humphries to more midfield minutes.

 

[Lana]

Now that the draft/trade period is done and dusted, where do we see our immediate list deficiencies?

We seemed to have addressed our lack of ruck depth with Mollier and Pike.

Midfield class is probably still a concern albeit bringing Smith in should help. Still feel that unless Clark, Bruhn and Knevitt really go to another level then we will need to continue to add in this area. Particularly with Dangerfield in his last couple of years.

Another key forward is probably needed if you don’t think Edwards or Mollier will play that role. Polkinghorne looks a good addition and may work with Henry and Neale. We’ll see. He looks to have a frame that can add size quickly so might get games earlier than expected.

Imo our midfield in near set for the next run. I'd go all in on getting a midfield superstar. I'd still be looking for a plug in and play Ruckman especially if the Conway fails to play close to a full season.

Our next hurdle is Stewart/Cameron, everyone else has an heir apparent.

 

[cats_09]

Who does he displace at HB though? Especially when we have a midfield issue. He only gets to HB is they move Holmes and Humphries to more midfield minutes.

Duncan?

 

[Gunf]

Who does he displace at HB though? Especially when we have a midfield issue. He only gets to HB is they move Holmes and Humphries to more midfield minutes.

Holmes should be majority mid time this year you would think

 

[The rabbi]

 

[Turbocat]

Whats he worth on the open market to the right team. 1.5M pa ?

 

[year of the cat]

Imo our midfield in near set for the next run. I'd go all in on getting a midfield superstar. I'd still be looking for a plug in and play Ruckman especially if the Conway fails to play close to a full season.

Our next hurdle is Stewart/Cameron, everyone else has an heir apparent.

I agree. Hoffman possibly a Stewart replacement?

 

[SkittleCats]

The way these things work, LDU would have already told his manager he is out and his manager has probably already organised a deal with the club he will go to. Hence Norths trade during the draft: they knew they'd break even on picks via LDU leaving.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Imo our midfield in near set for the next run. I'd go all in on getting a midfield superstar. I'd still be looking for a plug in and play Ruckman especially if the Conway fails to play close to a full season.

Our next hurdle is Stewart/Cameron, everyone else has an heir apparent.

All depends on Bruhn & Clarks' development for mine as to whether we're really set there or not, particularly Clark.

They don't need to be superstars, but we need them to at least be quality 3rd or 4th string midfielders in the near future.

As an example,

C: Holmes - Smith - Dempsey
R: Conway - **** - Bruhn

I/C: Clark.

*Star mid traded in that you mention

If they can do that, then we only really lack that third midfielder with A-grade potential after Holmes & Smith, and maybe Dempsey within a few years if he can make the move to play a bit more inside, even as a pinch-hitter.

Ideally, it's a bigger bodied player like Callaghan or LDU post Dangerfield IMO, but we'd hardly say no to a Butters or Rowell either.

If Bruhn & Clark can't kick on, it's not the end the world...but it certainly would make things easier from a development time and/or cost POV if they did.

 

[Turbocat]

Imo our midfield in near set for the next run. I'd go all in on getting a midfield superstar. I'd still be looking for a plug in and play Ruckman especially if the Conway fails to play close to a full season.

Our next hurdle is Stewart/Cameron, everyone else has an heir apparent.

Agree on the star mid…

 

[CatToTheFuture]

No weights listed these days takes away a little side enjoyment I've had for many years following the progress of kids coming into the AFL it was a great way to see and appreciate the hard work they are putting in.Mind you I don't think over the last 8 or so year you would bet your house on the info being supplied being correct anyway.

I don't think they really updated that info properly to begin with.

In any case I barely noticed. If you want to know if a player is the right size to play the role you think then look up a photo

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I can see Knevitt starting out as a half back. He has good hands and moves well and is reasonably tall at 193cm.

He'd be our second tallest defender after SDK

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Now that the draft/trade period is done and dusted, where do we see our immediate list deficiencies?

We seemed to have addressed our lack of ruck depth with Mollier and Pike.

Midfield class is probably still a concern albeit bringing Smith in should help. Still feel that unless Clark, Bruhn and Knevitt really go to another level then we will need to continue to add in this area. Particularly with Dangerfield in his last couple of years.

Another key forward is probably needed if you don’t think Edwards or Mollier will play that role. Polkinghorne looks a good addition and may work with Henry and Neale. We’ll see. He looks to have a frame that can add size quickly so might get games earlier than expected.

We still need an immediate ruck (and I wouldn't be surprised if we end up needing to do this in the MSD if Conway is injured again). Long term rucks are ok if one of Pike or Edwards really come on.

Unless you think a couple of the young rucks are decent fwds we also need a tall fwd to create competition for neale and also succession plan for cameron who will be 32 early next year.

We have no key backs behind kolo Henry and sdk and given sdk is ooc next year and will have clubs chasing him I'd assume a kpd is a priority.

A small defender (with bews basically at the end) is needed unless you think mullin will develop well into that role or you think moc will become his old self.

Smith helps a lot and I'm more bullish on Clark than most but we could still use a couple of bigger taller mids (knevitt would be useful if he comes on) to round out this mix as most of our mids are on the smaller side. Post danger this will become more of an issue.

I feel we are reasonably well stocked for small and medium forwards and running backs.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Whats he worth on the open market to the right team. 1.5M pa ?

Yep.

 

[And_ROOS]

Imo our midfield in near set for the next run. I'd go all in on getting a midfield superstar. I'd still be looking for a plug in and play Ruckman especially if the Conway fails to play close to a full season.

Our next hurdle is Stewart/Cameron, everyone else has an heir apparent.

We have a Stewart replacement in ZGuthrie who hits 27 during next season but I wonder who we bring in as our next intercept specialist after him.
As for Cameron depending on the rumours of Cadman or whatever other key forward decides we are still the destination club etc but I feel like once Cameron retires we likely see a dramatic shift in forwardline structure mainly around how someone like Neale progresses, how OHenry develops and who else we bring in.
We have no like for like with Hawkins so already our forwardline next year is dramatically different, and then when Cameron retires unless someone of similar style and ability comes to Geelong (not as good at the moment but JUH could be as good as Jezza) I think our forward style shifts again.

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

He'd be our second tallest defender after SDK

He plays like a defender

 

[Lana]

We have a Stewart replacement in ZGuthrie who hits 27 during next season but I wonder who we bring in as our next intercept specialist after him.
As for Cameron depending on the rumours of Cadman or whatever other key forward decides we are still the destination club etc but I feel like once Cameron retires we likely see a dramatic shift in forwardline structure mainly around how someone like Neale progresses, how OHenry develops and who else we bring in.
We have no like for like with Hawkins so already our forwardline next year is dramatically different, and then when Cameron retires unless someone of similar style and ability comes to Geelong (not as good at the moment but JUH could be as good as Jezza) I think our forward style shifts again.

If Z.Guthrie is the replacement then we'd need a new Z.Guthrie

I see no point in considering JUH or Cadman, both would cost more then we'd be able to pull without a significant drop down the ladder. The replace doesn't have to be a 1 for 1, our coaches are good enough to find different ways but the replacement needs to provide something for them to use otherwise we'll be worse off for it.

 

[BORIS332]

Bruhns building and developed a lot this year, but based on what we have seen so far we might be years off Clark and who knows with Knevitt.

Knevitt’s frustrating for me because his VFL form is so far above everyone else, then at AFL level he can’t get near it.

Re Clark, I’m getting the impression he doesn’t have the application to make it. Hope I’m wrong as he’s shown flashes of talent.

 

[BORIS332]

If Z.Guthrie is the replacement then we'd need a new Z.Guthrie

I see no point in considering JUH or Cadman, both would cost more then we'd be able to pull without a significant drop down the ladder. The replace doesn't have to be a 1 for 1, our coaches are good enough to find different ways but the replacement needs to provide something for them to use otherwise we'll be worse off for it.

This notion of ‘replacing’ guns is misguided. You don’t replace these guys one-for-one, you just draft/trade in the best players you can and figure out the starting 23 later.

We never had a Taylor/Lonergan/Enright replacement, we just changed our back 6 make up with Kolo/Henry/Stewart.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

This notion of ‘replacing’ guns is misguided. You don’t replace these guys one-for-one, you just draft/trade in the best players you can and figure out the starting 23 later.

We never had a Taylor/Lonergan/Enright replacement, we just changed our back 6 make up with Kolo/Henry/Stewart.

And completely flipped our game style to support that. Adaptation can work so long as you still have other strengths to leverage

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Knevitt’s frustrating for me because his VFL form is so far above everyone else, then at AFL level he can’t get near it.

Re Clark, I’m getting the impression he doesn’t have the application to make it. Hope I’m wrong as he’s shown flashes of talent.

Application isn't the thing I worry about with Clark as his effort and will is first class. His endurance is what worries me (especially when we already have bruhn on low TOG) he really needs to build it.

Re knevitt I think part of the issue is he plays a lot as a inside mid at vfl level but then in the afl team he's always put on the wing or flank. I know he needs more body strength but we need to try him in the same role at afl level that he plays at vfl level.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Stolen from reddit