Review Winners and losers 2018

[Great8]

Agreed with the post in general except that I wouldn't put Geelong an Essendon in the same sentence.

Essendon will make finals. Geelong will be lucky to not be bottom 4.

Geelong have a massive home ground advantage that ensures they will win enough games to not totally bottom out

 

[Dez!]

I actually like what Gold Coast did, sure they lost May (I think getting pick 6 for him is overpaying by Melbourne) but they've brought in guys hungry to play senior football as well as accumulate top picks in a strong draft and they were clearly going for the reset to start again.

This time at least they have the facilities and such in order that they didn't have originally, while they won't be great I don't think it's anywhere near as bleak as people seem to think.

 

[BoltonsBlues]

Eyes light up when i think of a mcgovern charlie curnow, harry mackay foward set up with fasolo and pickett running about there aswell.

 

[BoltonsBlues]

Thats not even the best part. Marc murphy SPS paddy dow and patrick cripps will rotate that final spot in the forward line. Blues should be at least competitive next year easy.

 

[citizen-erased]

I actually like what Gold Coast did, sure they lost May (I think getting pick 6 for him is overpaying by Melbourne) but they've brought in guys hungry to play senior football as well as accumulate top picks in a strong draft. and they were clearly going for the reset to start again.

This time at least they have the facilities and such in order that they didn't have originally, while they won't be great I don't think it's anywhere near as bleak as people seem to think.

yeah. i don't think its too bad for GCS> they will finish bottom 2-3, but i don't think they are gonna be there for a decade.

 

[Great8]

Eyes light up when i think of a mcgovern charlie curnow, harry mackay foward set up with fasolo and pickett running about there aswell.

You were going ok until you mentioned Fasolo. Not VFL standard anymore

 

[Lex22]

From the whole period I think Carlton have gone as well as anyone.

Managed to clear out a lot of dead wood and brought in at least 3 guys that’ll walk straight into their best 22 without paying overs and thats not including Sam Walsh.

Hard to say with a lot of the other deals as most gave up plenty to get their target players. I’m sure all of them won’t work out.

 

[citizen-erased]

West Coast massive winners as usual. Did I say winners? I meant conservative fence sitters. We must look at Freo/Melb/GC/Bris/Coll and develop a nervous twitch or something.

Hickey for pick 40 and swapsies seems like overs given Roughead went for nothing but at least we have another mediocre ruckman that is physically ready. Apparently after 5 years of needing a superstar ruck we just don't any more.

Not trading 20 + 22 plus god knows what else for Kelly is a win. It's a strong draft and 20 and 22 aren't nothing picks. Plus trading a future first when the only way is down is a risk. We were reportedly stoked that Brander and Allen were available at 13 and 21 last year so hopefully some highly rated kids I've never heard of will be there at 20 and 22 this year.

Didn't buckle to unreasonable demands for Kelly (Cats asking for pretty close to what they paid for Dangerfield).
Kept Gaff.
Lycett out for Hickey is not idea. Esp with NN injured.
Surprised you guys weren't heavily into Lobb.

 

[Lex22]

Smashed it:
Freo
Melbourne
Brisbane
Richmond
Collingwood

Solid but overrated:
Hawthorn
Essendon
North Melbourne

Solid but underrated:
Carlton
Adelaide
Port Adelaide
GWS
Geelong

Meh:
Sydney
St Kilda
West Coast
Bulldogs

Disaster:
Gold Coast

Our trade period was the definition of “meh”.

 

[eastfreo75]

Our trade period was the definition of “meh”.

Yes but pick 7 and points for West is pretty awesome.

 

[Bombfire]

From the whole period I think Carlton have gone as well as anyone.

Managed to clear out a lot of dead wood and brought in at least 3 guys that’ll walk straight into their best 22 without paying overs and thats not including Sam Walsh.

Hard to say with a lot of the other deals as most gave up plenty to get their target players. I’m sure all of them won’t work out.

SOS improved marginally on his previous shockers, would have lifted his profile had he landed Shiel- obviously Dylan’s assessment of the next five years for the Blues is not aligned to SOS or Bolton.
Looking ahead, the 2018 trade period give the Blues some chance of winning more than two games, Walsh coming in and playing a stretch of games enhances the odds.

 

[Lex22]

Yes but pick 7 and points for West is pretty awesome.

Yeah not disagreeing with that and to be honest we’re just not in a position to be forking out the bounties put some on the big movers this period.

Duryea and Lloyd are depth but I think can both play roles and are definite upgrades on a few of the duds we have. I think the club for now are backing in Picken, Libba etc to return before really going hard at a big name. I suspect next season we’ll still be rebuilding anyway, try win 2-3 games more than this year and make ourselves a more attractive proposition for recruits to come to in 12 months time.

 

[Lex22]

SOS improved marginally on his previous shockers, would have lifted his profile had he landed Shiel- obviously Dylan’s assessment of the next five years for the Blues is not aligned to SOS or Bolton.
Looking ahead, the 2018 trade period give the Blues some chance of winning more than two games, Walsh coming in and playing a stretch of games enhances the odds.

They look much better for mine especially if Docherty returns to top form. I don’t see any reason why they can’t be competitive enough next season and at least be in that 6-8 win sort of range.

 

[Tbone McGraw]

Only 1 team can win the flag next year - if any of Geelong, Essendon or Colingwood aren’t one of them they have failed in this trade period. Essendon have absolutely sold the farm the last 2 years without so much as a finals victory. Collingwood have cashed their chips this year on a high quality player, but one who doesn’t address their pressing needs down back. And Geelong have kept a player that is an extreme flight risk who is out the door and worth much less in 12 months time, plus they have loaded up on mature talent the last few years with a measly 8th finish this year to show for it.

They have all sacrificed the future for the now and need a 2019 flag to show for it. Collingwood are extremely close so it is justifiable. Essendon and Geelong are both miles off it and have thrown a Hail Mary.

Just on Collingwood, we did cash in our chips but we still get the players we want in draft.

Richmond are obvious faves for the next flag.

However if Pies don't win 1 flag with Beams, this trade could be a worry.

 

[bmaurizio]

Y

They look much better for mine especially if Docherty returns to top form. I don’t see any reason why they can’t be competitive enough next season and at least be in that 6-8 win sort of range.

Yup that's about right , if we're very lucky with injuries perhaps few more wins too.
I know it's been said but,
Andrew Russell will have a huge impact over the next couple of years
Bolton and Russell will make a formidable team from November 1st onwards.

 

[Lex22]

Y


Yup that's about right , if we're very lucky with injuries perhaps few more wins too.
I know it's been said but,
Andrew Russell will have a huge impact over the next couple of years
Bolton and Russell will make a formidable team from November 1st onwards.

Pressure has to come on Bolton next season. Still a developing team but that’s much better than a 2-3 win basket case list for mine. Have to be making some inroads now.

 

[La Dolce Vita]

Massive expectations on freo now.. they are predicting a 2019 flag on their board

Wont be able to hide behind the endless list of excuses

 

[Demons09]

Massive expectations on freo now.. they are predicting a 2019 flag on their board

Wont be able to hide behind the endless list of excuses

And you talk about chips on Freo supporters shoulders , aren’t you just about done stinking up threads.

 

[Jibroni]

I actually like what Gold Coast did, sure they lost May (I think getting pick 6 for him is overpaying by Melbourne) but they've brought in guys hungry to play senior football as well as accumulate top picks in a strong draft and they were clearly going for the reset to start again.

This time at least they have the facilities and such in order that they didn't have originally, while they won't be great I don't think it's anywhere near as bleak as people seem to think.

Losing your captain and vice captain doesn't help things, GC will have a tough 2019.

As for May he is exactly what we needed, pick 6 was fine but should have received a better pick from Freo instead of 23.

 

[HairyO]

You kept Gaff which is as good as a win.

Gaff and McGovern. Massive win.

By far the most important thing we did was hire a new high performance manager, Andrew Russell. We have sucked at fitness and injury management for about a decade, probably longer. Andrew is one of the best, some say, the best.

Funny thing is he will probably be on 2 or 3 times as much coin as the coach.

 

[Monocle]

Pure and simple I understand that until Freo wins a premiership and while we are in the bottom 6 we are the easy team to have a crack at.

For years people have been saying that we can't land a key forward trade target and that we have no forward line.

We end the trade period very much filling that need and there's still question marks on our trade period.

Looking at our age profile which WA key position players would have been better to get that aren't at the Eagles and in WA already?

Hogan and Lobb would be the top two.

Oh I think you have done very well , if Hogan and Lobb both stay on the park , you should make the finals.
What their acquisition provides ( and many overlook this point when assessing all teams additions ) is who they release .
Now Cox can become another KPD to help Pearce and Hambling becomes the third tall defender.
Sunshine is now the third tall forward, a role he is much better suited for.

Sure Neal is a big loss but you have to give something up to get something.
Your midfield will still be ok .

So agree you have done exceedingly well and you should be well chuffed.

 

[Monocle]

yeah. i don't think its too bad for GCS> they will finish bottom 2-3, but i don't think they are gonna be there for a decade.

They did well given the shitty situation they were in. AFL needs give them more help because them being perennial cellar dwellers with mass exodus’s in not going to be good for the competition.
For me the AFL need to help fix it or fold it , my strong preference is they fix it and the sooner the better.

 

[Crow till I die]

SA analysis

Adelaide - lost McGovern & pick 40 and future 3rd and 4th rounders
Gained - McAdam & Stengle & pick 13

Losing McGovern is a loss as he was an x factor forward. The hope is that McAdam and Stengle will replace that and add extra pace. McAdam will be really interesting as his draft numbers were something else a few years back but it never happened then he bobbed up in SA and has had a dynamic season with Sturt and deserves a crack. If he can get really fit he could be a steal. Stengle is the speculative punt as a betts replacement over time. Has the skills but does he have the legs?

We now go to the draft with 4 picks inside 21 and even if we don't look to trade up, will be able to take 4 very good kids and add them to the team with 'new recruits' Brodie Smith and Brad Crouch. If the injury curse can be kicked, I think that the crows can motor back up the table

Port
Gained - Pick 5, Pick 15, Burton, Mayes & Lycett and some 2019 4th round picks.
Lost - Picks 23, 30 and some later picks, Wingard, Polec, Hombsch, Pittard

I know from a crows perspective that come showdown I no longer have to worry that Wingard will have a day out and hurt us. Polec's outside run won't cause us real problems either. This alone makes me think they won't be as dangerous as they have lost pace and guile. They have gained what I have always thought they were lacking and that is a class defender to go with Jonas and Burton is exactly that - a class defender and a step up from Hombsch. Lycett is a big get as Ryder can now play forward for them and relieve in ruck more than have to carry it and with his foot problems it will help extend his career. Mayes is somewhat of a free hit for them and will add outside run. If he can get back to his best he could be a real get for them but like McAdam and Stengle for the crows - the Jury is out.

Where Port have done really well is their draft haul. Picks 5, 10 & 15 will get 3 great kids for them. There has been talk of them trading up further but in reality they would be silly to lose extra picks to move up maybe 1 or 2 spots when pick 5 is in all likelihood going to get them Connor Rozee who is their main target. They then still get 2 others inside the top 15. A great position draft wise.

All in all, I think both clubs have taken the hits and come out the other side with promise and very strong draft hands. I would give the crows a C+ overall mainly due to the strong draft hand and port a B for their strong draft hand. Of the 2 teams, I think the crows are primed to come right back after a very bad injury riddled year. Port are a harder one to get a handle on as I think the lost outside run and craft they have lost will be harder to replace and they may still struggle to get back into the top 8..time will tell

 

[Jonno94]

Richmond won. They gained Tom Lynch as a free agent, lost nobody of value.

 

[Wild Bill]

I think Freo have done well because they have filled the gaps in their side very well.

No they haven't got superstars - but they have competent players to balance their side.

They now have a half decent spine - which is more than they've had since they lost the mcpharlin/pav/sandi combo (Mind you this spine isn't as good as that)

Hogan is a gun.