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Saints royally ****ed that kid.

He’s now having to sign a deal at GWS on less money because they’ve adjusted their payments AND brought in Laverde.

Apparently the deal GWS can give Aleer is 200-250k.

So it’s safe to say the Saints have ****ed the kid to the tune of about 1-1.5 million bucks over the life of the deal.

That’s disgusting

I wondered when I saw this news - does the fact that north and bulldogs also don’t want him mean it has something to do with Leek? I was outraged at saints too, but maybe there’s more to it?
 
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He couldn't get back into defence when fit, and with Mcvee, even more challenging

I figured he'd be great defensively, which can maybe allow Bolton and Freddy to be the more attacking

Worth a trial in the offseason
He did in his juniors, don't see us trialling it even though it makes sense.
 
Hustwaite isn't even a fringe player 10 games in 3 years obviously isn't in Hawks plans. And his stats don't look good.

Teams have to realise you have to be willing to trade quality to get quality.

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Actually think he devalues the trade tbh - not by much but I don't think Essendon have the list space to take him on.

Maybe Hawthorn take one of Essendon's contracted spuds off them then offer them a decent player.

Still reckon it's very very likely that Merrett is at Essendon next year.
 
He couldn't get back into defence when fit, and with Mcvee, even more challenging

I figured he'd be great defensively, which can maybe allow Bolton and Freddy to be the more attacking

Worth a trial in the offseason
I’ve made mention of this a while back identifying all the pros for it and honestly there’s literally zero cons not to at least try it .

The key component of it (as you’ve also noted) is it would almost primarily be a defensive role- as its the teams biggest Achilles heel

It’s almost a case of his offensive output would nearly be irrelevant - and as mayneys back ,he can rehash his favourite quote “10 tackles is preferable to 10 goals” as Brandon’s mantra
😃

Either way if walkers pigeon holed to stay back then Simpson will simply have to be deployed back to the fwd line.
 
Actually think he devalues the trade tbh - not by much but I don't think Essendon have the list space to take him on.

Maybe Hawthorn take one of Essendon's contracted spuds off them then offer them a decent player.

Still reckon it's very very likely that Merrett is at Essendon next year.

Hopefully it's a warning for all the players that Mitchell tries to chat up if Hawthorn can't get deals done.

Oscar Allen chose Brisbane after being humiliated after meeting Mitchell. I can't wait for Mitchell's hissy fit if they can't land Merritt 😂
 
My biggest interest other than if we can land a genuine gun small forward is what they will do with the wings.
Its our biggest weakness, not having genuine gun wingers like Hill or Sidebottom.
I think with all of Chapman, Walker, Simpson, McVee, Wagner, Worner worthy of being included in our starting team and Draper on the sidelines we have to look at getting some of these players up the ground.
Sharp and O'Driscoll aren't cutting it.
We want to start getting Murphy into the mid rotation and probably Johnson and Erasmus so we have to find another forward and start getting creative with the wings.
 
My biggest interest other than if we can land a genuine gun small forward is what they will do with the wings.
Its our biggest weakness, not having genuine gun wingers like Hill or Sidebottom.
I think with all of Chapman, Walker, Simpson, McVee, Wagner, Worner worthy of being included in our starting team and Draper on the sidelines we have to look at getting some of these players up the ground.
Sharp and O'Driscoll aren't cutting it.
We want to start getting Murphy into the mid rotation and probably Johnson and Erasmus so we have to find another forward and start getting creative with the wings.
I think you have answered your own question, AB, Serong, Young, Johnson, Erasmus, Wagner, Reid, Bolton, Jackson all rotating through the middle is too many. They need to be playing in the outside and forward as well. I haven’t included JOM, NOD and Sharp as I don’t think they are the standard we need.
Wagner was coming off the wing at CB to play his negating role through the middle. Any of the above can play the congested wing position, it’s really the open side we need to see filled, I think they just end up rotating players through, Johnson has the size and speed, I personally like Jackson on the opposite side to Darcy to provide marking target mismatch. Reid in space is worth salivating over.
 
My biggest interest other than if we can land a genuine gun small forward is what they will do with the wings.
Its our biggest weakness, not having genuine gun wingers like Hill or Sidebottom.
I think with all of Chapman, Walker, Simpson, McVee, Wagner, Worner worthy of being included in our starting team and Draper on the sidelines we have to look at getting some of these players up the ground.
Sharp and O'Driscoll aren't cutting it.
We want to start getting Murphy into the mid rotation and probably Johnson and Erasmus so we have to find another forward and start getting creative with the wings.

I think you have answered your own question, AB, Serong, Young, Johnson, Erasmus, Wagner, Reid, Bolton, Jackson all rotating through the middle is too many. They need to be playing in the outside and forward as well. I haven’t included JOM, NOD and Sharp as I don’t think they are the standard we need.
Wagner was coming off the wing at CB to play his negating role through the middle. Any of the above can play the congested wing position, it’s really the open side we need to see filled, I think they just end up rotating players through, Johnson has the size and speed, I personally like Jackson on the opposite side to Darcy to provide marking target mismatch. Reid in space is worth salivating over.

Based on the below (assuming 9 mids, 7 forwards) we have two spots free. That is before you consider Wagner, Worner etc etc. You are right, spots are tight, but I think that is good thing and shows why we must target needs now.



Brayshaw, Serong, Young, Darcy, Jackson,
Bolton, Reid, Erasmus, Johnson
Amiss, Voss, Treacy, Frederick, Switta

I wonder if we go Barker with our first pick, and then get a small forward either late or in the rookie draft, or train on.

I think the other option is Pickett, who looks very raw but I think has the potential to be an unbelievable pick if you get him right. He grew up not far from Dudley (guessing they would have played against each other).


Pickett
An overage prospect, this elusive goal sneak was originally draft eligible in 2023. He had been part of Port Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy, but featured in only three under-18 games for Norwood in his draft year. Most of that season was spent playing local football for Tumby Bay in the Great Flinders Football League. Pickett continued at local footy level in 2024, kicking 28 goals from 15 games for Tumby Bay, before shifting back to the SANFL to join Glenelg this season where he caught the eyes of AFL recruiters. He showed some similar traits to his cousin – Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett – with his speed, agility, leap and smarts in the forward half. Pickett also proved to be a consistent goalkicker. He kicked three majors in a standout U18 v U20 South Australian game early in the year and bagged four goals from 16 disposals in an eye-catching senior SANFL debut in round 19. That was one of three senior games for the year, with Pickett playing 18 matches for Glenelg’s reserves side for a return of 32 goals. He booted four majors in the reserves Grand Final in September, showing off his dancing feet and elite side step and candy-selling abilities. Pickett was invited to the state draft combine.

2025 SANFL 66 ranking points, 10 disposals, 1.7 marks, 1.7 clearances, 2.3 inside-50s, 1.7 tackles, 4.3 score involvements, 1.7 goals, 1.3 score assists (3 games)
 
Actually think he devalues the trade tbh - not by much but I don't think Essendon have the list space to take him on.

Maybe Hawthorn take one of Essendon's contracted spuds off them then offer them a decent player.

Still reckon it's very very likely that Merrett is at Essendon next year.
Essendon have been chasing Hustwaite for the last 2 months so he definitely doesm't devalue the trade. He is definitely best 23 at Essendon so is probably worth equivalent of a third rounder.

I rhink Essendon were beyond stupid not to take Hawthorn's offer. They desperately need young talent by the end of next years draft.
 
Essendon have been chasing Hustwaite for the last 2 months so he definitely doesm't devalue the trade. He is definitely best 23 at Essendon so is probably worth equivalent of a third rounder.

I rhink Essendon were beyond stupid not to take Hawthorn's offer. They desperately need young talent by the end of next years draft.

Hawks will up the offer by a bit today, and the bombers will take it.

Smart play by them.
 

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Hawks will up the offer by a bit today, and the bombers will take it.

Smart play by them.
They should, but I really hope they don’t.

Sam Mitchell and he’s method of leaking every time he meets with a high profile player to try and force them out is so transparent and ****ing annoying. And then putting ultimatums as if they’re the ones that have the upper hand is so arrogant.
 
They should, but I really hope they don’t.

Sam Mitchell and he’s method of leaking every time he meets with a high profile player to try and force them out is so transparent and ****ing annoying. And then putting ultimatums as if they’re the ones that have the upper hand is so arrogant.

Hawks will need to throw in their 2027 1st and I think then it is pretty close. The bombers want Mckenzie, so they may need to give him away.

Pick 9, 2026 and 2027 1st's plus McKenzie would definitely get it done.

I hope Hawks do it, and then it they still can't win a flag. Sicily is getting older, Gunstan won't play half as well as last year, they could easily slide.



 
Essendon have been chasing Hustwaite for the last 2 months so he definitely doesm't devalue the trade. He is definitely best 23 at Essendon so is probably worth equivalent of a third rounder.

I rhink Essendon were beyond stupid not to take Hawthorn's offer. They desperately need young talent by the end of next years draft.
They might’ve been interested but due to list constraints they'd either be passing a selection in the early 20s or paying out a player to get Hustwaite.

That's with Essendon delisting their only three out of contract players at least two of would be stiff to get delisted.
 
You've got to love the media narrative around Essendon and Hawks.

Essendon won't give the Hawks Merrett so they're being childish. But the Hawks set deadlines and whinge to the media about Essendon being childish...
 
Hawks need to just package their first and future first to GC for pick 5/6 and future second.

Picks 5, ff1st and f2 for Merrett ✅

GC can then send the other top pick with a future first (hawks or their own) to Dees for Trac and maybe get a future or current 3rd back (maybe even pick 23)

Pick 6, f1(hawks) for Trac and 28 ✅

Carlton just take that ridiculous offer from Sydney immediately and post the mri results of Curnows knees when the trade is signed ✅

Freo swoop on Jai, let him know how much we wouldn’t have made him wait till deadline day (for those who believe this actually matters), pick 46 is right there for Hawks ✅

Everyone risk everything, sit back and have some popcorn
 
You've got to love the media narrative around Essendon and Hawks.

Essendon won't give the Hawks Merrett so they're being childish. But the Hawks set deadlines and whinge to the media about Essendon being childish...
I would argue Essendon are being childish, sounds like they are ignoring phone calls and not responding to emails. That is unprofessional and will hurt them with player agents and other clubs in the future. It genuinely sounds like Hawthorn put a deadline on the offer because Essendon refused to take their calls or respond. Imagine working in any industry and refusing to take business calls purely to be petty especially if it gets out that is what you are doing.
 

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There's more to it than simply the picks/trade value. Even if should all be business, easier said than done. A bitter historical rival has come after Essendon's captain with arrogance. Can you imagine if Oscar Allen tried to get to Freo instead of Brisbane?

If I were Essendon, I would have considered a different approach. Put Merrett PLUS pick 5 on the table for Dear or Weddle. Both out of contract end of 2026 ... Hawks playing a dangerous game not having them signed up long term. Present them a TDK type of contract that nobody could refuse. Hopefully someone still does this end of next year.

Would have been great to watch a fight over an Essendon captain versus famous Hawthorn surname.
 
I would argue Essendon are being childish, sounds like they are ignoring phone calls and not responding to emails. That is unprofessional and will hurt them with player agents and other clubs in the future. It genuinely sounds like Hawthorn put a deadline on the offer because Essendon refused to take their calls or respond. Imagine working in any industry and refusing to take business calls purely to be petty especially if it gets out that is what you are doing.
You only know one side of the story though because the Hawks are the ones leaking it all.
 
I would argue Essendon are being childish, sounds like they are ignoring phone calls and not responding to emails. That is unprofessional and will hurt them with player agents and other clubs in the future. It genuinely sounds like Hawthorn put a deadline on the offer because Essendon refused to take their calls or respond. Imagine working in any industry and refusing to take business calls purely to be petty especially if it gets out that is what you are doing.
Sums up why the Bombers haven't won a final in 21 years.

It might be another 21 years the way things are going.

This whole saga is going to destroy the club on way or another.

Imagine another 5 win season next year with an unhappy merrett. I reckon more will join him out the door.

Some even tried this year
 

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