2026 Trade / FA Thread

[No SPIN]

It's cattle. When we win the hitout out in front of Nick or Beau - we get a really effective clearance. When we lose the hitout, we lose the clearance. We need a better ruck (when they're too tall for Steene to jump over we lose the hitout). And/or better defensive mids.

It might be cattle - but in the meantime we cant stand still. Reset and changes to positional setup is our only hope this season. For a start I'd get our mids to be proactive and lead NOT follow their opponents through stoppage - being constantly behind the opposition at CB drove me mad.

Hawks inevitably got first use ( not entirely because of Reeeve's tap work), but because they took the game on aggressively.

 

[Gabbo64]

I'd take Cripps for Chipps

 

[Jen2310]

I'd take Cripps for Chipps

I think his body is done.

 

[riddick78]

I'd take Cripps for Chipps

He's a shadow of his former self. He's about to be thrown on the scrap heap with Judd, Murphy, Gibbs etc.

 

[BillyElliott]

He's a shadow of his former self. He's about to be thrown on the scrap heap with Judd, Murphy, Gibbs etc.

Then poor Jagga can take the mantle of carrying Blues on his shoulders.

And they're much smaller shoulders than Cripps.

 

[Dtennent94]

It might be cattle - but in the meantime we cant stand still. Reset and changes to positional setup is our only hope this season. For a start I'd get our mids to be proactive and lead NOT follow their opponents through stoppage - being constantly behind the opposition at CB drove me mad.

Hawks inevitably got first use ( not entirely because of Reeeve's tap work), but because they took the game on aggressively.

Put Howes in there. He can do everything else.

 

[MooreTreloar]

Then poor Jagga can take the mantle of carrying Blues on his shoulders.

And they're much smaller shoulders than Cripps.

I think you’ve forgotten Sam Walsh. He’s just about there as well.

 

[Eric Shin]

I think you’ve forgotten Sam Walsh. He’s just about there as well.

It'll then be Cody Walker

 

[sr36]

It might be cattle - but in the meantime we cant stand still. Reset and changes to positional setup is our only hope this season. For a start I'd get our mids to be proactive and lead NOT follow their opponents through stoppage - being constantly behind the opposition at CB drove me mad.

Hawks inevitably got first use ( not entirely because of Reeeve's tap work), but because they took the game on aggressively.

But where the hitout lands decides if they're in front or behind and they were controlling the hitout - so ensuring they were in front.

 

[Exambolor]

He's a shadow of his former self. He's about to be thrown on the scrap heap with Judd, Murphy, Gibbs etc.

Having to carry a crap team for 10+ years has finally gotten to him. Keys are gonna be handed to Jagga and Walsh

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

While I dont see us getting either of these two, I’d much rather go for Caddy over King myself

Reckon Caddy would suit our particular style better

But either way I’m still praying we’re going all out for Butters

Edit. I would actually love for us to go for Archer May again. His 18 months is up this year and I’m sure he’d still want to be at Collingwood

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I'd take Cripps for Chipps

Me too

Reckon we could definitely get one good “Petracca at Gold Coast” like season out of him

Which I’d love at the right price

 

[sr36]

Edit. I would actually love for us to go for Archer May again. His 18 months is up this year and I’m sure he’d still want to be at Collingwood

I think he re-signed recently.

 

[stormskye]

While I dont see us getting either of these two, I’d much rather go for Caddy over King myself

Reckon Caddy would suit our particular style better

But either way I’m still praying we’re going all out for Butters

Edit. I would actually love for us to go for Archer May again. His 18 months is up this year and I’m sure he’d still want to be at Collingwood

Essendon supporters would burn the club down if they traded one of their very few good young players that they actually drafted well

 

[BillyElliott]

I think you’ve forgotten Sam Walsh. He’s just about there as well.

Pretty easy to forget Sam Walsh.

 

[riddick78]

Then poor Jagga can take the mantle of carrying Blues on his shoulders.

And they're much smaller shoulders than Cripps.

I see they've skipped Walsh, well his back is ****ed already.

I'd give Jagga 2 years and his body will be screwed too. They really know how to waste the stars of our game.

 

[riddick78]

I think you’ve forgotten Sam Walsh. He’s just about there as well.

He's back is screw already.

 

[Chunky Steak]

I see they've skipped Walsh, well his back is ****ed already.

I'd give Jagga 2 years and his body will be screwed too. They really know how to waste the stars of our game.

Poor kid walked into the joint and did a knee.

His body gave up at the mere thought of being there.

 

[manicpie]

I think he re-signed recently.

He's not very good I reckon. Very limited to taking one or two good marks a game.

 

[Scodog10]

It's cattle. When we win the hitout out in front of Nick or Beau - we get a really effective clearance. When we lose the hitout, we lose the clearance. We need a better ruck (when they're too tall for Steene to jump over we lose the hitout). And/or better defensive mids.

I think anyone that put thought into that matchup knew it was going to end the way it did especially without Beau and Steene receiving the bulk of the CBA’s. IMO, our clearance woes are overblown and it feeds back into what we discussed re King’s view on Friday about how people interpret stats.

My memory of them hurting us from CB was limited to the goal McDonald kicked from a Newcombe throw. Ultimately who cares about clearance numbers if more often than not the ball ends up in bad spots with players rush kicking leading to turnovers. Sure I’d much rather be winning it ourselves, but that’s just not going to happen with a poor CB matchup and one of your best ball hunters missing.

FWIW the fobbing off of Cripps is absurd! Aside from having a sore back from carrying that club for a decade he’s perfect for us. The same slows were on Steele and Pendles 5 years ago because they were diminished when they were playing under Buckley who never prioritised experience (they didn’t have the sore backs obviously).

 

[sr36]

He's not very good I reckon. Very limited to taking one or two good marks a game.

I think one or two good marks a game for a kid whose been on an AFL list for less than a year is really promising. I don't think he'd be playing seniors at most teams yet though, could still go either way though

 

[Jen2310]

He's not very good I reckon. Very limited to taking one or two good marks a game.

tbf its hard to judge given the state of that team.

 

[No SPIN]

But where the hitout lands decides if they're in front or behind and they were controlling the hitout - so ensuring they were in front.

We stood behind them at all times - we were led to the ball. Except for ND who was often blocked.

Our beginning position therefore needs to change against dominant Rucks, from there at least we have a chance to get first possession, because we have no chance otherwise. Could we have done worse than losing CB clearance 19-5?

We may not have the cattle but we need to at least change it up.

 

[No SPIN]

Put Howes in there. He can do everything else.

Quality post - but unfortunately you think he’s getting delisted.

 

[BillyElliott]

I think he re-signed recently.

In April, he signed a two-year contract extension until the end of 2028.