A glimmer of light / hope

[Ghost Like]

Regardless of who we pick up in this year's draft / trade period we have some excellent recruits ready to play in 2022...

Paton
Gresham
Clark
Coffield

All this after finding out which kids have a future...

Byrnes
Connolly
Bytel
Clavarino (better for knowing what's required or should be)

Fingers crossed we can take advantage of the NGA.

If we didn't know already, we also have a clear picture of who is not required or surplus.

Perhaps the 2021 season may turn out to be that one step back before two steps forward.

[Vortex]

I'm thinking Clavarino isn't capable of AFL standard.

I also think DMac is not premiership standard but is a good depth player.

Kent is obviously gone.

Billings and Dunstan being used to bring in a key tall forward should be declared a state of emergency.

Hopefully one of Frawley or Carlisle can go around one more year if we can't find a key tall back but it should also be a high priority....almost as high as finding a key tall forward.

After that we are an A grade midfielder short even with Hanners and Gresh available to play.


But without key tall and back players we have a major structural weakness, MAJOR, and until we get these types I fear we will become the modern day North Melbourne and remain middle of the ladder with the occasional finals cameo.

[Sanctorum]

Regardless of who we pick up in this year's draft / trade period we have some excellent recruits ready to play in 2022...

Paton
Gresham
Clark
Coffield

All this after finding out which kids have a future...

Byrnes
Connolly
Bytel
Clavarino (better for knowing what's required or should be)

Fingers crossed we can take advantage of the NGA.

If we didn't know already, we also have a clear picture of who is not required or surplus.

Perhaps the 2021 season may turn out to be that one step back before two steps forward.

Andrew Bassat made that point earlier this year that the Board expected 2022 to be the year when the club would be in strong contention for finals if not go all the way.

To the list above Ghost I would add Max Heath who I am confident will debut in 2022, initially as a third tall forward but also developing his craft as a ruckman - yes he's just a kid, but like Bontempelli did in his first year with Footscray, very quickly adapt to the senior level and show his potential to be a star!

[maverick]

Let billings go and bring in Kelly
Fair salary cap swap plus a bit
Should have got him in the first place (I understand was the pick before)

[Banger9798]

Still don't know what people don't like about Clavarino

His two games seemed like a really good start to a senior career for a KPD

Has not been spotted since

Someone elucidate me?

[maverick]

Still don't know what people don't like about Clavarino

His two games seemed like a really good start to a senior career for a KPD

Has not been spotted since

Someone elucidate me?

I agree, surely he’s better than Joyce at least in terms of potential. Play him now that highmore is out

[B.M]

Kelly Will cost 1M

GWS will be desperate to sign him

Other clubs desperate to recruit him

North will have the biggest bank, along with Hawthorn

The big clubs will have the highest appeal

[The Fireman]

Next year looks a lot better than it did

[cwrcyn]

Clavarino appears to lack the physical strength to play key position. It's a position that requires an aggressive approach and the willingness to initiate body contact to control the situation. From what i saw of him, he looked tentative in this aspect and you just can't be against a key forward. Mind you, it's such small sample that it would be unfair to write him off. At 197cm tall and with our lack of tall defenders I would have expected that he would have played at least half a dozen games this year. Since the bye, I think Ratten has just focussed on playing guys who have the grit and hardness to hit every contest with gusto. If you compare Highmore with Clavarino you can see that Highmore is fearless and unfazed by heavy body contact, so he got the gig instead of Clavarino.

[The_Dud]

The Brisbane game shows we have the talent. It’s harnessing and coaching that talent that we need to get better at.

[Vortex]

Clavarino isn't showing AFL quality in the feeder comp and looked way off it when he got his opportunity.

At least when players like Connolly and Byrnes got their opportunity they at least showed some great skills and looked comfortable at the level.

Hopefully Clav gets another opportunity now Higmore is gone for the season so the club can work out before season's end if he's worth more investment, and he's certainly chewed up a fair amount of investment to-date so he really needs to show something if he gets another game.

[Ghost Like]

Clav has literally cost us bugger all. He was on a 4th round draftees salary then moved to a rookie salary. Obviously not taking the spot of any kid our recruiters have identified when we have spots being filled by mature age draftees, all gone except Highmore and Wilkie, and the recycled being Marsh, McKernan and Frawley.

I'd rather our club investing in kids like Clav than used bandaids. It's why we can't just write off Allison and his ilk.

If we have our eyes on some kids, either draft or NGA, let's hope the recycled & international experiments make way before any of our kids get tossed on the scrap heap. That's the soft way out for our development staff.

[Vortex]

Clav has literally cost us bugger all. He was on a 4th round draftees salary then moved to a rookie salary. Obviously not taking the spot of any kid our recruiters have identified when we have spots being filled by mature age draftees, all gone except Highmore and Wilkie, and the recycled being Marsh, McKernan and Frawley.

I'd rather our club investing in kids like Clav than used bandaids. It's why we can't just write off Allison and his ilk.

If we have our eyes on some kids, either draft or NGA, let's hope the recycled & international experiments make way before any of our kids get tossed on the scrap heap. That's the soft way out for our development staff.

I suppose the question comes, how long do you give a kid to make it?

[Ghost Like]

Clav has literally cost us bugger all. He was on a 4th round draftees salary then moved to a rookie salary. Obviously not taking the spot of any kid our recruiters have identified when we have spots being filled by mature age draftees, all gone except Highmore and Wilkie, and the recycled being Marsh, McKernan and Frawley.

I'd rather our club investing in kids like Clav than used bandaids. It's why we can't just write off Allison and his ilk.

If we have our eyes on some kids, either draft or NGA, let's hope the recycled & international experiments make way before any of our kids get tossed on the scrap heap. That's the soft way out for our development staff.

I suppose the question comes, how long do you give a kid to make it?

The million $$$ question Vortex. My guess until he's taking up a spot of a player you've identified to make your list better or when that kid is in your bottom half dozen come contract renewal time. It's either a complete chop or half chop (rookie).

[Vortex]

Clav has literally cost us bugger all. He was on a 4th round draftees salary then moved to a rookie salary. Obviously not taking the spot of any kid our recruiters have identified when we have spots being filled by mature age draftees, all gone except Highmore and Wilkie, and the recycled being Marsh, McKernan and Frawley.

I'd rather our club investing in kids like Clav than used bandaids. It's why we can't just write off Allison and his ilk.

If we have our eyes on some kids, either draft or NGA, let's hope the recycled & international experiments make way before any of our kids get tossed on the scrap heap. That's the soft way out for our development staff.

I suppose the question comes, how long do you give a kid to make it?

The million $$$ question Vortex. My guess until he's taking up a spot of a player you've identified to make your list better or when that kid is in your bottom half dozen come contract renewal time. It's either a complete chop or half chop (rookie).

The bean counters would probably have a say, what is the minimum salary for an AFL contract? I think it's around the 100k mark? The oncosts would be at least that again I'm guessing. That's a lot of coin to keep a kid around who you believe possibly won't make it. I think clubs are required to get their lists down further this year so that probably will work against players like Clav also.

[Ghost Like]

That's for the Club to work out. If he's not in the bottom 6 and the Club believe he's a chance, then on minimum salary it's an easy decision. Our list screams more higher costing liabilities to jettison.

[Banger9798]

Clavarino isn't showing AFL quality in the feeder comp and looked way off it when he got his opportunity.

At least when players like Connolly and Byrnes got their opportunity they at least showed some great skills and looked comfortable at the level.

Hopefully Clav gets another opportunity now Higmore is gone for the season so the club can work out before season's end if he's worth more investment, and he's certainly chewed up a fair amount of investment to-date so he really needs to show something if he gets another game.

Well it's interesting what a different conclusion I made about his games than the coach and several others on here.
I saw a guy who was quick and agile for a 197cm guy, with excellent 2nd efforts and a good kick and mark.
I really expected him to get more games.
With maybe 10 games under his belt you can start to make a good estimation if he is going to e able to rise to the standard.
If (and when) it becomes mathematically impossible to make finals, I'd hope they give him a couple more games.

[skeptic]

He’s certainly a better prospect than Joyce who a few ppl have called for. At least Oscar can spoil from behind

[Yorkeys]

Don't forget Sharman, looks a player and Paton might be a sneaky chance to become a very good mid given opportunities.

[Teflon]

Clavarino isn't showing AFL quality in the feeder comp and looked way off it when he got his opportunity.

At least when players like Connolly and Byrnes got their opportunity they at least showed some great skills and looked comfortable at the level.

Hopefully Clav gets another opportunity now Higmore is gone for the season so the club can work out before season's end if he's worth more investment, and he's certainly chewed up a fair amount of investment to-date so he really needs to show something if he gets another game.

Well it's interesting what a different conclusion I made about his games than the coach and several others on here.
I saw a guy who was quick and agile for a 197cm guy, with excellent 2nd efforts and a good kick and mark.
I really expected him to get more games.
With maybe 10 games under his belt you can start to make a good estimation if he is going to e able to rise to the standard.
If (and when) it becomes mathematically impossible to make finals, I'd hope they give him a couple more games.

I tend to agree I actually didn’t think he did much wrong to be honest abs was worth a few more games ??
Has gone to WA I hear so hope he gets a go abs takes his chance with both hands
Be great to have a kid we develop actually come on for a change

[B.M]

He was absolutely the right selection at the pick we got him.

197cm AA u18 CHB with leadership qualities

Sometimes players don’t develop linearly and some don’t develop at all.

Look at Highmore
At 18 he wasn’t even looked at by the club which had him in their academy

[BadRossco]

This may a bit left field but what about developing Chol into a CHB. Unrestricted free agent only 23 and apparently not wanted by the Tigers

[Jacks Back]

Clavarino isn't showing AFL quality in the feeder comp and looked way off it when he got his opportunity.

At least when players like Connolly and Byrnes got their opportunity they at least showed some great skills and looked comfortable at the level.

Hopefully Clav gets another opportunity now Higmore is gone for the season so the club can work out before season's end if he's worth more investment, and he's certainly chewed up a fair amount of investment to-date so he really needs to show something if he gets another game.

In Byrnes' first game last year I think he only had 2 possessions so first games don't really mean too much as he has come on in leaps and bounds.

[Teflon]

This may a bit left field but what about developing Chol into a CHB. Unrestricted free agent only 23 and apparently not wanted by the Tigers

Not a bad idea this one cheap allows us to spend on Bing ..

[Vortex]

Clavarino isn't showing AFL quality in the feeder comp and looked way off it when he got his opportunity.

At least when players like Connolly and Byrnes got their opportunity they at least showed some great skills and looked comfortable at the level.

Hopefully Clav gets another opportunity now Higmore is gone for the season so the club can work out before season's end if he's worth more investment, and he's certainly chewed up a fair amount of investment to-date so he really needs to show something if he gets another game.

In Byrnes' first game last year I think he only had 2 possessions so first games don't really mean too much as he has come on in leaps and bounds.

Very true however when it takes you 4 years to get your debut you need to show something pretty quickly.

I think he will get his chance now Highmore is out.