Rumour GFC 2025 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 1

[D BRIDGE]

It's a sign that he has neither the body strength or the endurance to play his primary clearance role yet so they are trying to find another role where they can still get some afl games into him while he builds his tank. Wouldn't read much more into it than that (unless you think he will be constable and never build the tank but his fitness work this off season looks promising).

If Clark gets games starting at half back in the AFL I’ll be hella surprised.

 

[bellpark]

Although they both have the tools, it appears Conway’s body is not capable of withstanding AFL (its been some years now of repeated breaking down), and Clarke seems to get knocked of the ball too easily inside (quite a bit smaller than the monsters these days), and he does not have elite outside skills. So for different reasons, both are shaping up as not busts, but not hits - and unlikely to be regular senior players.

 

[cat_shack]

Although they both have the tools, it appears Conway’s body is not capable of withstanding AFL (its been some years now of repeated breaking down), and Clarke seems to get knocked of the ball too easily inside (quite a bit smaller than the monsters these days), and he does not have elite outside skills. So for different reasons, both are shaping up as not busts, but not hits - and unlikely to be regular senior players.

Conway, possibly.
Clark is only 20. It’s not like those around him in the draft have flown out the box and become bonafide afl stars either. Unlike those drafted around him, he went straight into a reigning premiership setup. Being given games to aid development has never really been a pathway option for him. And even those that have been afforded that opportunity, Mackenzie, Philippou, Tsatas, Humphrey, aren’t household names yet. He’s 20 games Into development. I know everyone gets excited because we never have top ten picks, but surely he gets afforded the same level of patience?

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Although they both have the tools, it appears Conway’s body is not capable of withstanding AFL (its been some years now of repeated breaking down), and Clarke seems to get knocked of the ball too easily inside (quite a bit smaller than the monsters these days), and he does not have elite outside skills. So for different reasons, both are shaping up as not busts, but not hits - and unlikely to be regular senior players.

We need to give him time to bulk up before going all the way here in writing him off IMO.

Yes, he's not the tallest...but that's not the problem. It's merely a symptom.

Clark's actual weight and lack of muscle mass is where the real issues lay, and if he can get that up to the standard of a highly contested midfielder, then I expect he'll perform.

As for Conway, the health issues are a concern, but we're not there yet either for mine.

The reality is injuries, particularly to the lower body, are an epidemic amongst young ruckman.

They're still growing, while having to balance an increase in workload from an amateur level to a professional level, and their bodies inevitably don't hold up.

Of course, there comes a point where a spade is just a spade, but we're another 12 months away from that IMO.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Mitch Cleary is reporting Geelong is chasing another star footballer. Have to wait for Sports report to find out who.

Any bets?

EDIT: Matt Rowell

We just have to convince him the grass is greener on the other side

 

[stac]

Hasn’t been many 21 year old Rucks playing regular AFL as number one Ruck

And of those that have played most don’t have long careers

The club knows he is a talent but also know that they will need to manage his injuries

 

[Lana]

I think we'd be taken to the cleaners trying to bring in Rowell just as they introduce trading picks two drafts ahead.

 

[Hamingja]

I think we'd be taken to the cleaners trying to bring in Rowell just as they introduce trading picks two drafts ahead.

How hard are Tassie pre selections going to ravage the 2027 draft though? A middle of the range first rounder might effectively be pick 30+.

They will probably get to take some 17yos in 2026 to play in the VFL as well.

People have to realise that is the only reason the AFL are introducing trading future picks multiple years out. Without the ability to do that player trading would screech to a halt.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Groundskeeper fertilizing it with PEDs

This was as close as I got trying tlo get AI to create Danks Mowing

 

[CatToTheFuture]

A private apartment.

Only 4 attendees named.

Who let the cat out of the bag?

Excuse the pun.

The guy outside watching them go in

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I mean, to be fair, we do that too. Bowes, Martin et al


Next 24 hours will be interesting. If Rowell doesn't come out and immediately rule it out, then it's much much more likely to be "on".

It's preseason, he doesn't have to say anything

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I'd be nervous about Rowell and wouldn't overpay. He's a gun clearance player but he's average to poor outside of that.

Lots of teams have got themselves in trouble going overboard on inside mids with no versatility. I'd be disappointed if Bruhn doesn't become close to the player Rowell is now and I'm not sure they'd combine together particularly well.

We're stocked for outside players though. I think he'd have a huge impact

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I keep going back to what Isaac Smith said about Geelong and how he knows for a fact that there's lots of players who ask their managers about getting to the Cats.

And clubs take it seriously, so it's a surefire way to get a pay rise

 

[CatToTheFuture]

If Clark gets games starting at half back in the AFL I’ll be hella surprised.

I assume they're just trying to slow the game down a bit for him during preseason

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I think we'd be taken to the cleaners trying to bring in Rowell just as they introduce trading picks two drafts ahead.

If getting Rowell is being taken to the cleaners then soap me up

... I don't know where that idiom came from so I'm just assuming someone is showering me...?

 

[stac]

I think we'd be taken to the cleaners trying to bring in Rowell just as they introduce trading picks two drafts ahead.

Possibly
But will late first round picks in 25 and 26 have greater appeal because it’s the last of the uncompromised drafts for several years

 

[FootyLad0]

If getting Rowell is being taken to the cleaners then soap me up

... I don't know where that idiom came from so I'm just assuming someone is showering me...?

Did someone say "showering" and why did my mind immediately go to "Bailey Smith"

 

[Pure_Ownage]

If Clark gets games starting at half back in the AFL I’ll be hella surprised.

I think we will see that (not that I agree with it) because they are determined to find ways to get him into the team.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think we'd be taken to the cleaners trying to bring in Rowell just as they introduce trading picks two drafts ahead.

2027-28-29 type drafts will be very diluted by expansion concessions though.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

2027-28-29 type drafts will be very diluted by expansion concessions though.

Everyone says this but we still picked up players when the suns and gws came in.

Not including Gary ablett trade picks we still got Guthrie, GHS, and JPod in the suns draft. Bews, Blitz, Linc McCarthy plus guys like Murdoch, Kersten, Hamling in the GWS draft.

We did better there than half the other modern drafts we've been in

 

[Lana]

2027-28-29 type drafts will be very diluted by expansion concessions though.

That remains to been seen, I'm skeptical at this point that the Tasmanian team will be up and running so quickly.

 

[Lana]

How hard are Tassie pre selections going to ravage the 2027 draft though? A middle of the range first rounder might effectively be pick 30+.

They will probably get to take some 17yos in 2026 to play in the VFL as well.

People have to realise that is the only reason the AFL are introducing trading future picks multiple years out. Without the ability to do that player trading would screech to a halt.

I don't think the concessions will be GWS and Gold Coast-esque.

 

[Lana]

Possibly
But will late first round picks in 25 and 26 have greater appeal because it’s the last of the uncompromised drafts for several years

I think that is somewhat overstated. Especially to the Gold Coast

 

[Tony Barber]

How hard are Tassie pre selections going to ravage the 2027 draft though? A middle of the range first rounder might effectively be pick 30+.

They will probably get to take some 17yos in 2026 to play in the VFL as well.

People have to realise that is the only reason the AFL are introducing trading future picks multiple years out. Without the ability to do that player trading would screech to a halt.

It won't just be the 2027 draft.
I have no doubt that the AFL learned their lesson after the Suns.

So it will be 2 years of concessions just like what GWS received.

 

[BORIS332]

Everyone says this but we still picked up players when the suns and gws came in.

Not including Gary ablett trade picks we still got Guthrie, GHS, and JPod in the suns draft. Bews, Blitz, Linc McCarthy plus guys like Murdoch, Kersten, Hamling in the GWS draft.

We did better there than half the other modern drafts we've been in

We got Pods in the 2009 Rookie Draft, which was the year prior to the Suns' first draft. Bews was a father son, Blitz a cat B rookie and GHS, McCarthy, Murdoch, Kersten, Hamling were all busts imho.