Player Watch Josh Rachele

[StonesThrow]

Ah, we did cover injuries and won 12 of our last 13 heading into finals. All clubs need another ‘2 or 3 recruits’ every off season, but you also can’t buy finally getting finals experience into many of our players.

We had two best 22 injuries during that time. We've been very lucky all year.

 

[SugarShane]

1 injured player at this time of the year is crazy. Will likely never have as healthy list again as we've had this year.

"I wish for no injuries to our best 22 for the majority of finals."

Ok. Your most dynamic/important player is now suspended for 4 weeks.

 

[Eddie Murphy]

We had two best 22 injuries during that time. We've been very lucky all year.

We’ve had three long-stretches of absences from our top 10 (Izak, Rash, Max). Also missed Murray & Butts who were best 22 respectively at the time plus a couple of suspensions for JP. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had a good run with availability but we’ve also tested our depth at times.

 

[Cromulant]

We’ve had three long-stretches of absences from our top 10 (Izak, Rash, Max). Also missed Murray & Butts who were best 22 respectively at the time plus a couple of suspensions for JP. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had a good run with availability but we’ve also tested our depth at times.

Thing is, quite clearly in the selectors minds Butts isnt best 22.

 

[Bovo]

Thing is, quite clearly in the selectors minds Butts isnt best 22.

It could be that Butts and Keane both had their strengths, but why change them while you are winning? Butts was unfortunate to be injured, as was Crouch. They’d probably both been playing if it weren’t for a forced change.

 

[Cromulant]

It could be that Butts and Keane both had their strengths, but why change them while you are winning? Butts was unfortunate to be injured, as was Crouch. They’d probably both been playing if it weren’t for a forced change.

If Butts was best 22 he'd have been playing

FWIW I would pick him over Murray

 

[Eddie Murphy]

Thing is, quite clearly in the selectors minds Butts isnt best 22.

At the time of his injury, Butts was keeping Murray out of the side and was considered best 22.

 

[Cromulant]

At the time of his injury, Butts was keeping Murray out of the side and was considered best 22.

So hes not anymore ??

 

[Eddie Murphy]

So hes not anymore ??

At the time of injury he was a best 22 player. The next man comes in and ends up overtaking him in the pecking order. That's depth being tested and coming out strongly.

 

[Cromulant]

At the time of injury he was a best 22 player. The next man comes in and ends up overtaking him in the pecking order. That's depth being tested and coming out strongly.

If he was best 22 (in the coaches eyes) he'd be playing.

Id have him in the 22 Friday night, but i dont think will. So hes not best 22.

 

[Eddie Murphy]

If he was best 22 (in the coaches eyes) he'd be playing.

Id have him in the 22 Friday night, but i dont think will. So hes not best 22.

This is just not my point at all, as pointed out in my original post. The very fact both Muz and Butts were considered best 22 at separate times points even more to the depth being strong. Weird thing to get hung up on.

We’ve had three long-stretches of absences from our top 10 (Izak, Rash, Max). Also missed Murray & Butts who were best 22 respectively at the time plus a couple of suspensions for JP. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had a good run with availability but we’ve also tested our depth at times.

 

[LoBu]

Rachele should be in the Vic state of origin, forward pocket

 

[spenze]

Rachele should be in the Vic state of origin, forward pocket

Nope, screw that stupid charade of a game

 

[CrowingInVic]

If Butts was best 22 he'd have been playing

FWIW I would pick him over Murray

Me too

 

[Gtowncrow]

Thing is, quite clearly in the selectors minds Butts isnt best 22.

We need to solve or capitalise on Jordan Butts.
Having him playing SANFL is poor list management. He's best 23 in almost every club but strangely, our selectors see him differently.
I think if offered as a trade option, he'd have lots of suitors.

...or Murray???

I want Keane at CHB and not FB so Butts suits that scenario .

 

[Cromulant]

We need to solve or capitalise on Jordan Butts.
Having him playing SANFL is poor list management. He's best 23 in almost every club but strangely, our selectors see him differently.
I think if offered as a trade option, he'd have lots of suitors.

...or Murray???

I want Keane at CHB and not FB so Butts suits that scenario .

Murray for mine.

But I wouldn't say Butts is best 22 at most clubs.

 

[Mutineer]

We need to solve or capitalise on Jordan Butts.
Having him playing SANFL is poor list management. He's best 23 in almost every club but strangely, our selectors see him differently.
I think if offered as a trade option, he'd have lots of suitors.

...or Murray???

I want Keane at CHB and not FB so Butts suits that scenario .

Butts my preference too.

 

[Mostyn]

I think Butts should get first bite at it. Murray never quite claimed the position as his own.

That being said - this feels a weird thread for this debate

 

[Golumless]

We need to solve or capitalise on Jordan Butts.
Having him playing SANFL is poor list management. He's best 23 in almost every club but strangely, our selectors see him differently.
I think if offered as a trade option, he'd have lots of suitors.

...or Murray???

I want Keane at CHB and not FB so Butts suits that scenario .

I disagree. I think the fact Butts (or Murray) is here right now says the interest wasn't there in any meaningful capacity. Let's be real, we're not fighting too hard to retain what is essentially a depth option. I doubt the league really cares about guys who provide nothing on offense.

Also nothing strange about it. We have three better tall defenders then Butts.

 

[Mostyn]

I disagree. I think the fact Butts (or Murray) is here right now says the interest wasn't there in any meaningful capacity. Let's be real, we're not fighting too hard to retain what is essentially a depth option. I doubt the league really cares about guys who provide nothing on offense.

Also nothing strange about it. We have three better tall defenders then Butts.

If Butts was uncontracted, there would have been multiple teams after him. But we're not looking to trade him while he's contracted.

 

[Golumless]

If Butte was uncontracted, there would have been multiple teams after him. But we're not looking to trade him while he's contracted.

Butts has a whole lot more power in this situation then you are giving him credit for, providing clubs are interested enough to pay.

Should a team offer a 2nd round 2026 pick and offering to pay Butts a decent payrise, are we really saying no?

No doubt there would be 5-6 clubs offering a barebones contract when his FA comes.

 

[Mostyn]

Butts has a whole lot more power in this situation then you are giving him credit for, providing clubs are interested enough to pay.

Should a team offer a 2nd round 2026 pick and offering to pay Butts a decent payrise, are we really saying no?

No doubt there would be 5-6 clubs offering a barebones contract when his FA comes.

Yes, we are saying no.

 

[Cromulant]

If Butte was uncontracted, there would have been multiple teams after him. But we're not looking to trade him while he's contracted.

Dont think so

 

[daniel_4tw]

Bulldogs asked and we said he was worth a first rounder. Didn’t go any further than that.

Butts is an amazing FB and should be in the team. Problem is Keane and Murray also are too good not to be in the team.

We really should have been repurposing Murray to play forward so we could get all three in the team. Drafting and trading another 5 forward kinda threw that out the window though.

 

[Golumless]

Yes, we are saying no.

Hopefully we're not that stupid.