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Rumour Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2025 - Part 2

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I'm thinking a Horse. That is red.
Dunno, might be a little bit too obscure

That is fantastic, not just so Hawthorn don't get stronger, but for the saltiness of that Hawthorn mob who must be the worst for BF banter.
You've met Carlton fans though, right?
 
Today is the day to throw a few lines out there and see if you get a bite.

Merrett deal at a stand still? Here are two first round picks. Would Essendon be interested? Is Merrett that desperate to leave?

Throw the big offer at Z Bailey and see if he's willing to move now. They just signed Ashcroft to big $$$ they can't have much left.

When other clubs have stagnant deals there is an opportunity to throw a few options out there to see if you can steal or to see if you can help shake the deal loose.

All long shots obviously, but worth trying rather than sitting back waiting for your phone to ring.
Hawks are offering two first round picks, that ain’t the issue. Their stance has clearly changed since Welsh took over and unless they got stupid overs (eg best 18 player and two first round picks) it just won’t happen.

The Crows have been aggressive towards getting Bailey since he was drafted. We would need to offer up a top 10 player on our list to get it done given our lack of picks, it’s just not happening when compensation is higher for Brisbane next year.

I know people think clubs just sit on their hands if they haven’t got a lot happening, but that just isn’t the case. No one wants 2027 picks either due to Tassie, so 2 years of futures hasn’t opened up any deals unfortunately.
 

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Surely Ah Chee puts us above Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood, WB and Freo?

Does it move the needle enough?
I actually am pretty bullish that what we saw last year was not our ceiling. Still a hell of a lot of players only scratching the surface of their potential.

The big games (Thursday/Friday night games, showcase games like Gather Round, and finals) is where this group largely fell over last year. Which is where the big improvement needs to come from IMO.

I would have loved 1 more proven big game performer this trade period, but Ah Chee is definitely a boost.
 
Surely Ah Chee puts us above Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood, WB and Freo?

Does it move the needle enough?
Why did you put the Dogs in there? They haven’t improved their team at all in the one area which has been a clear weakness for a while, KPDs.

Geelong haven’t played with a good ruck for 20 years, I don’t think Marshall is make or break for them and the style they play. They will still be good regardless.

Hawks haven’t improved at all if Merrett doesn’t come and they lost a depth mid that played most weeks in Worpel.

Collingwood lost their only good KPF and haven’t done anything else, they are the one team I think could fall sharply.

Ah Chee does give us more flexibility with Rankine, Rachele and Curtin and so while it’s not a direct needle mover, it’s certainly got the potential to if we see someone like a Curtin or Draper go to a next level. Another mid would’ve been great, but it wasn’t worth giving up someone like Rachele for it.
 
Now with tomorrow deadline fast approaching we don't want Reid blinking and holding firm on what willing to pay for Ah Chee at what we are offering is very acceptable for a non star 30 yr player , but more importantly Brisbane need his wage off the books and probably allowed for bringing 2 players worth 2 million a year between them and keeping the sons of and other stars financially happy.
 
Hawks are offering two first round picks, that ain’t the issue. Their stance has clearly changed since Welsh took over and unless they got stupid overs (eg best 18 player and two first round picks) it just won’t happen.

The Crows have been aggressive towards getting Bailey since he was drafted. We would need to offer up a top 10 player on our list to get it done given our lack of picks, it’s just not happening when compensation is higher for Brisbane next year.

I know people think clubs just sit on their hands if they haven’t got a lot happening, but that just isn’t the case. No one wants 2027 picks either due to Tassie, so 2 years of futures hasn’t opened up any deals unfortunately.
I still think Will Graham and Alex Davies are the ones we should be chasing.

Seems to be easier to get guys to come here from Qld/NSW than Victoria.
 
I know everything gets done on the last day but what a slow trade period.

It doesn’t look like we’re going to get materially better but at the same time, neither is:
  • Geelong
  • Hawks
  • Collingwood
  • WB
  • Fremantle

The maybe better is GWS.

The teams that have or will materially improve their list:
  • Gold Coast with Petracca
  • Brisbane and their FAs
  • Sydney if Curnow happens

Compared to the teams around us it probably ends up being a nil all draw which I think we’d take.

Still a lot to happen but it’s not all doom and gloom with us not landing our big fish.

Gold Coast will tread water in the near term IMO

Yes, they are bringing in Petracca. But they're also losing four best 22 players (who all played in their semi-final): Ainsworth, Fiorini, Flanders and Budarick

They will get their top academy players but they're basically replacing at least 3 in their side with first year players

Long term they will be much better off moving on players like Fiorini and Ainsworth
 
I still think Will Graham and Alex Davies are the ones we should be chasing.

Seems to be easier to get guys to come here from Qld/NSW than Victoria.
I think our lack of picks is hurting in trying to go after these types though, especially as we had to use a couple for Peatling and ANB last year. I think we’ve had interest in Davies before, so surprised that hasn’t popped back up.
 

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Gold Coast will tread water in the near term IMO

Yes, they are bringing in Petracca. But they're also losing four best 22 players (who all played in their semi-final): Ainsworth, Fiorini, Flanders and Budarick

They will get their top academy players but they're basically replacing at least 3 in their side with first year players

Long term they will be much better off moving on players like Fiorini and Ainsworth
Will also cost them Humphrey eventually, he’s absolutely out of there within 1-2 years
 
It gets lost in all the negativity that our midfield this year was still good enough to earn the minor premiership. Dawson and Rankine are genuinely all Australian standard mids, and if either Curtin or Draper can elevate their game to A grade, then we have a really elite group. If they both manage it and you add solid B graders in Soligo and Peatling then all the better.

Simple truth is that during finals of our 2 genuine midfield stars, 1 was suspended and the other had a cracked foot, and the depth couldn’t cover that.
Dawson is obviously an AA mid but has Rankine ever shown anything to suggest he could be an elite midfielder? Possibly as a junior.
 

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If I’m Carlton, I’m taking this and running.


That deal is nuts, and Sydney probably still improve/Carlton fall off further despite it.

They only have so many years of Heeney/Warner left.
 
Sounds like they are going to get access to Dougie Cochrane. Be interesting to see if he holds his status in the next 12 months. Likewise Rodan, Salopek and Pilot. If they all do then they will be okay.

We have seen it before though 12 months is a long time.
I met a relative of Dougies here in Bali the other day - who himself was a handy player - was singing the lads praises saying he looks incredible.

Interesting that Harry and Ben McKay lads are cousins to them - talented footballing family.

Just adding for those Central supporters played over 150 games for them, I never realised the McKay lads had an SA connection
 
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That deal is nuts, and Sydney probably still improve/Carlton fall off further despite it.

They only have so many years of Heeney/Warner left.
If I was West Coast Shuestar13 then I would be on the phone to McDonalds manager to see if we could work out a deal to get him back to Perth. Getting Curnow is clear evidence of where Sydney see him in the medium term so if you could get him back especially with a change of scene and familiarity, it might be a good long term get for them in a real position of need.
 

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Rumour Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2025 - Part 2

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