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

[My Tilly]

Take a look at his running style though. He's always hunched over like he's doing maintenance for notre dam.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

BORIS332 got killed for mentioning it a few months ago on here, but it does beg the question on professionalism.

That doesn't mean he's not a professional btw, just potentially not as professional as he could be.

Most players have one of the flaws you mention, particularly when they're young...but to have both suggests you're just not built for AFL footy, or there's something else going on.

Yeah, it's a possibility, but some body types just don't put on weight like others. His cardio issues could also be a limitation he'll always have, or that foot issue might have held him back more than we thought. Or maybe he just doesn't like hard work, which is something to which i can relate on a personal level.

There's a ton of potential reasons

 

[CatToTheFuture]

It’s not easy to add muscle weight unless you want a Dean Rioli running around

Yeah and I think they'd be prioritising his endurance work, he definitely had a body like a runner not a lifter

 

[FishGutz]

VERY interesting comments from Scotty there with the background provided by FishGutz. Looked like he just couldn't help himself.

TDK would look seriously good in the hoops.

Yeah it’s very unlike him. He usually dodges questions on players coming and this time he brought it up and was pretty forthcoming…

I’ll do a separate post on why in a second.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Yeah it’s very unlike him. He usually dodges questions on players coming and this time he brought it up and was pretty forthcoming…

I’ll do a separate post on why in a second.

He's had a few of those this year. Mentioned Bont, Butters, JUH.

Just looks like a guy who's so at peace with himself and what he's done, and doesn't care what anyone thinks anymore.

Just calls it as he sees it, and knows the media are going to skew things no matter what he says.

We're into good opposition players, so what?

 

[FishGutz]

So, I got confirmation on the phone call. Everything was super casual, not a formal meeting. But it was TDK talking to Chris Scott

Chris Scott

Age

49

Ht

182cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

11.2

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

and Mackie via a call. The details I received are that Scott and TDK know each other and Scott was basically pushing that he knows how good it is to be playing with your brother and the once in a life time opportunity that is.

Interestingly this news went from TDK to his management and to Carlton, which managed to filter its way back to me. So, it’s not a secret. Does it mean it’s a done deal? Not by any measure. But it’s going to be interesting if this filters through the media as I think it would be preferred to be kept in house.

Again, we are going to be going all out on landing a star mid. That’s the goal. Been over exactly who and what and where we are at, so don’t need to go over it again. But it’s big that we are targeting a free agent who we obviously believe we can land for “free” if things fall in place.

I’m not one who rates rucks highly. I think you can get away with a serviceable player in the ruck department. But someone like TDK for “free” is not something you pass up on if it’s there.

As it stands, feels like TDK + Reid is the absolute goal. Rowell as many have reported is a question of where Gold Coast are at and where he is at.

I saw Jay Clark talking about Oliver. No more conversations have been had with him. I think he will be an absolute break glass emergency back up move for us. And even then, will Melbourne engage? Who knows. Clark is just being speculative.

And as far as the progress with Reid, nothing more has changed from last time.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

So, I got confirmation on the phone call. Everything was super casual, not a formal meeting. But it was TDK talking to Chris Scott and Mackie via a call. The details I received are that Scott and TDK know each other and Scott was basically pushing that he knows how good it is to be playing with your brother and the once in a life time opportunity that is.

Interestingly this news went from TDK to his management and to Carlton, which managed to filter its way back to me. So, it’s not a secret. Does it mean it’s a done deal? Not by any measure. But it’s going to be interesting if this filters through the media as I think it would be preferred to be kept in house.

Again, we are going to be going all out on landing a star mid. That’s the goal. Been over exactly who and what and where we are at, so don’t need to go over it again. But it’s big that we are targeting a free agent who we obviously believe we can land for “free” if things fall in place.

I’m not one who rates rucks highly. I think you can get away with a serviceable player in the ruck department. But someone like TDK for “free” is not something you pass up on if it’s there.

As it stands, feels like TDK + Reid is the absolute goal. Rowell as many have reported is a question of where Gold Coast are at and where he is at.

I saw Jay Clark talking about Oliver. No more conversations have been had with him. I think he will be an absolute break glass emergency back up move for us. And even then, will Melbourne engage? Who knows. Clark is just being speculative.

And as far as the progress with Reid, nothing more has changed from last time.

Appreciate it as always.

Do you reckon there's any options this year though? Obviously Reid is the goal, but at the end of the day, it's not really our choice either. Likewise Butters.

Rowell looks to be staying, so I reckon that's why the Oliver stuff keeps coming back.

For all the wrong reasons, and it's a far less appetising option than the others...but he's the one that we actually can get this year.

 

[fpm84]

From a Pies fan on the trading board, re Butters

"The plan (this is from a family member) is for him to return after 2026. It won't be to the Bulldogs... The team thats already doing the work is Geelong."

 

[Hinkley29]

So, I got confirmation on the phone call. Everything was super casual, not a formal meeting. But it was TDK talking to Chris Scott and Mackie via a call. The details I received are that Scott and TDK know each other and Scott was basically pushing that he knows how good it is to be playing with your brother and the once in a life time opportunity that is.

Interestingly this news went from TDK to his management and to Carlton, which managed to filter its way back to me. So, it’s not a secret. Does it mean it’s a done deal? Not by any measure. But it’s going to be interesting if this filters through the media as I think it would be preferred to be kept in house.

Again, we are going to be going all out on landing a star mid. That’s the goal. Been over exactly who and what and where we are at, so don’t need to go over it again. But it’s big that we are targeting a free agent who we obviously believe we can land for “free” if things fall in place.

I’m not one who rates rucks highly. I think you can get away with a serviceable player in the ruck department. But someone like TDK for “free” is not something you pass up on if it’s there.

As it stands, feels like TDK + Reid is the absolute goal. Rowell as many have reported is a question of where Gold Coast are at and where he is at.

I saw Jay Clark talking about Oliver. No more conversations have been had with him. I think he will be an absolute break glass emergency back up move for us. And even then, will Melbourne engage? Who knows. Clark is just being speculative.

And as far as the progress with Reid, nothing more has changed from last time.

Reid and TDK would be an absolute dream.

 

[Warhorse]

So, I got confirmation on the phone call. Everything was super casual, not a formal meeting. But it was TDK talking to Chris Scott and Mackie via a call. The details I received are that Scott and TDK know each other and Scott was basically pushing that he knows how good it is to be playing with your brother and the once in a life time opportunity that is.

Interestingly this news went from TDK to his management and to Carlton, which managed to filter its way back to me. So, it’s not a secret. Does it mean it’s a done deal? Not by any measure. But it’s going to be interesting if this filters through the media as I think it would be preferred to be kept in house.

Again, we are going to be going all out on landing a star mid. That’s the goal. Been over exactly who and what and where we are at, so don’t need to go over it again. But it’s big that we are targeting a free agent who we obviously believe we can land for “free” if things fall in place.

I’m not one who rates rucks highly. I think you can get away with a serviceable player in the ruck department. But someone like TDK for “free” is not something you pass up on if it’s there.

As it stands, feels like TDK + Reid is the absolute goal. Rowell as many have reported is a question of where Gold Coast are at and where he is at.

I saw Jay Clark talking about Oliver. No more conversations have been had with him. I think he will be an absolute break glass emergency back up move for us. And even then, will Melbourne engage? Who knows. Clark is just being speculative.

And as far as the progress with Reid, nothing more has changed from last time.

St Kilda and preparing an offering to blow everyone out of the water. Will be interesting what he chooses

 

[D BRIDGE]

All this smoke re: Reid, TDK, Rowell and Butters.

It would be a damn shame if we can't land 1 of them and have to go with the less attractive options like Worpell/Oliver within the next 2 trade periods.

We absolutely need to bring something in and I'm sure we will... Ruck + Mid wise.

Fingers crossed we snag the elite ones.

 

[ninjahcat]

Clohesy whilst a tough bugger would also be though of as a smallish (in height) mid.

Clohesy listed at 184cm... Clark at 181cm but still looks very small even compared to Clohesy.

I'm not sure Clark actually is 181cm, but even if he is have a look at those arms, legs and upper body... He is tiny.

You can be small and still be good though... but you need to have some weapons... Sadly he has just about zero.

I still think he could have a servicable career once he turns into a man, but any thought of him being a star has faded (it was a rough draft).

People talk about him needing a tank... It's hard to pump kgs of muscle on a frame whilst also improving endurance at the same time.

I reckon maybe in 3 years he could play as a net positive (negative atm)... but until he has real size on him, he won't do much at AFL level.

With Bruhn out... we really needed Clark or Knevitt to make a big jump, but they haven't, and I'm not surprised by that.


View attachment 2298210

To be fair Clark does have rugby player neck. He's just thick in the wrong spots

 

[CatToTheFuture]

He's had a few of those this year. Mentioned Bont, Butters, JUH.

Just looks like a guy who's so at peace with himself and what he's done, and doesn't care what anyone thinks anymore.

Just calls it as he sees it, and knows the media are going to skew things no matter what he says.

We're into good opposition players, so what?

I think he has to be planting flags. Our list has questions the draft can't answer

 

[FishGutz]

He's had a few of those this year. Mentioned Bont, Butters, JUH.

Just looks like a guy who's so at peace with himself and what he's done, and doesn't care what anyone thinks anymore.

Just calls it as he sees it, and knows the media are going to skew things no matter what he says.

We're into good opposition players, so what?

True. But it’s usually very political in his approach. He likes to say a lot without saying much on those things. “I’ll leave that up to the guys who know what they’re doing.” Those type of phrases. This was pointed.

 

[FishGutz]

Appreciate it as always.

Do you reckon there's any options this year though? Obviously Reid is the goal, but at the end of the day, it's not really our choice either. Likewise Butters.

Rowell looks to be staying, so I reckon that's why the Oliver stuff keeps coming back.

For all the wrong reasons, and it's a far less appetising option than the others...but he's the one that we actually can get this year.

I don’t see us missing all our targets. But if we do and we go for Oliver, I have no doubt it will be a discount rate. Last year was our future first. This year (completely guessing) it would be our current second round pick. Melbourne have backed themselves into a corner.

I know it would be disappointing (hard to fathom saying that knowing how good Oliver was only a few years ago) landing Oliver cheaply instead of these top level guys right now. I do agree with Clark that he would offer possible upside and regardless of him not being at that elite level, even him playing his level right now would improve our midfield. You have to compare his output to Clark or Knevitt and I have no doubt just his presence alleviates some of the pressure on Smith and Holmes inside the contest.

But having said that, I am truly hopeful this offseason is going to be insanely satisfying for us fans.

 

[FishGutz]

From a Pies fan on the trading board, re Butters

"The plan (this is from a family member) is for him to return after 2026. It won't be to the Bulldogs... The team thats already doing the work is Geelong."

Yep and the goal will be to clear out picks this season so we Port don’t match. If we don’t have the picks, they’ll take the compo. That’s why there’s such an emphasis on a mid this period.

 

[calder_daddy]

calder_daddy you still keen on Oliver

If we get him for peanuts yes
But I’m firmly in the bring in Reid at any cost boat

 

[CatToTheFuture]

St Kilda and preparing an offering to blow everyone out of the water. Will be interesting what he chooses

On track record then that's a line through the saints

 

[foxdog50]

So, I got confirmation on the phone call. Everything was super casual, not a formal meeting. But it was TDK talking to Chris Scott and Mackie via a call. The details I received are that Scott and TDK know each other and Scott was basically pushing that he knows how good it is to be playing with your brother and the once in a life time opportunity that is.

Interestingly this news went from TDK to his management and to Carlton, which managed to filter its way back to me. So, it’s not a secret. Does it mean it’s a done deal? Not by any measure. But it’s going to be interesting if this filters through the media as I think it would be preferred to be kept in house.

Again, we are going to be going all out on landing a star mid. That’s the goal. Been over exactly who and what and where we are at, so don’t need to go over it again. But it’s big that we are targeting a free agent who we obviously believe we can land for “free” if things fall in place.

I’m not one who rates rucks highly. I think you can get away with a serviceable player in the ruck department. But someone like TDK for “free” is not something you pass up on if it’s there.

As it stands, feels like TDK + Reid is the absolute goal. Rowell as many have reported is a question of where Gold Coast are at and where he is at.

I saw Jay Clark talking about Oliver. No more conversations have been had with him. I think he will be an absolute break glass emergency back up move for us. And even then, will Melbourne engage? Who knows. Clark is just being speculative.

And as far as the progress with Reid, nothing more has changed from last time.

Much appreciated your post on here.. With Harley Reid, will it be at season's end we target him or next year when his contract is finished?

 

[Gazzathegoat]

We’re a couple of mids & a ruckman away from another potential premiership.

Just don’t have the cattle this season for a serious tilt.

Yeah spot on.
We went into the season banking on heavy rotation minutes from Guthrie and Bruhn — both critical for our midfield depth. Without them, we’re cooked.


The VFL team on the weekend basically had two AFL-capable players in Kolo and Clohesy (and Mitch Duncan if you count him being rested). Compare that to last year when it felt like we had 6-7 guys genuinely banging the door down for a senior game. We had the luxury of resting players then — now we’re clinging on.


Our ruck stocks are shot. Our midfield stocks are shot. Even someone like Brandan Parfitt would be seriously handy right about now just to give us another genuine rotation through the middle.

Meanwhile, Jack Martin, Cam Guthrie, and Bruhn are taking up three senior list spots, doing absolutely nothing for us.


If injuries keep piling up, we’re going to be in serious trouble come the back end of the season, which is unfortunate, because when we have our best 23 on the park, we’re incredibly competitive and can genuinely beat any team in the comp.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

We went into the season banking on heavy rotation minutes from Guthrie

If anyone actually did that, then they've only got themselves to blame.

It made sense after '23...but after '24? Fool me twice...you get the idea.

The reality is we went into the season knowing we had a bottom 6-10 midfield, and we're a quarter of the way through the year - and we've still got a poor midfield.

It's how rebuilding works, it's incremental improvement year on year. Smith has helped, but we need one more, and we're seemingly doing everything we can to make that happen.

Until then, just have to make the best of a bad situation.

The answers likely aren't on our list, and that includes Guthrie and Bruhn.

 

[Warhorse]

On track record then that's a line through the saints

It will big enough that I will be surprised if TDK picks Geelong. The list manager knows their list is lacking star power and they will pay anything to fix it.

 

[FishGutz]

Much appreciated your post on here.. With Harley Reid, will it be at season's end we target him or next year when his contract is finished?

Thank you. And season’s end will be the goal for Reid.

 

[iameviljez]

Poor recruiting effort to only take on Smith, when we have a very weak midfield. Players like McRae and Kennedy were obviously not good enough for us. Then again, perhaps they have a plan for next year to recruit one of those big names in the midfield.

Don’t forget, Guthrie and Bruhn were probably expected to play.

 

[Kitcat]

Don’t forget, Guthrie and Bruhn were probably expected to play.

That is true but Guthrie had hardly played in the last 2 seasons and when he did, it wasn’t at 2022 levels. Bruhn was improving but still at B grade level so far, and not big or particularly fast.