Our veteran quandary

[Newelly]

Not really, our VFL team does have some very promising kids for the future now, Demattia, Richards, McCrea, that young Sudanese kid, McInnes, and Begg is coming along well plus others.. That with some canny recruiting, of some experienced players from other teams, say like a Howe or Mitchell type, entice them over. I have faith in Graham Wright, for us to have a quick rebuild.

I somewhat agree but considering I started weights training at a young age I learnt about my own physical shortcomings and therefore notice it in others. Some of those you have mentioned are not likely to be solid senior AFL players simply because of their genetics. However, they might find a niche so not completely writing them off.

[David]

Gotta say the balance felt a bit off again last night. Pendles was better until going off (his best performance of the season, I think), but I didn't feel Sidey contributed all that much when he came back on. Howe, Mihocek and Elliott did their bit as usual; Crisp is returning to his best; and Mitchell and WHE were both serviceable. Cox was a bit of a non-factor again, but I'm not sure what the plan would be if he's dropped (does Begg come in? Do we just allow Cameron to ruck 95% of the time?).

Just still feels like there's something not quite gelling, and perhaps a lack of energy more generally. Either way, I think some tough selection calls still need to be made, and that this line-up isn't going to be able to get it done unless there are some further adjustments.

[Gerry Cooper]

Sidebottom brought no intensity when he came on and seemed intent on filling outside zone spaces most of the time. I thought his effort ball watching Hardwick on a lead in the third that resulted in a mark and a goal was very poor. He was in a position to attempt a spoil but seemed to be more intent on blocking his man from entering the contest (given Hardwick was on a lead that was unlikely anyway). He didnt get a lot of the ball and at least didnt stuff up his few disposals unlike in earlier weeks. I think he did little to justify a place in the senior team next week but McCrae is talking about him starting next game so there you have it. Personally I would rather see one of our up and coming players given a go over Sidebottom at the moment.

[mgh3536]

This year exit Howe, sidey, cox
End Next year exit pendles, Elliott, miochech
Then following year crisp, hoskin-Elliott markov, Mitchel
It Tasmania come in 2028 we have 4 years to bring in some top draft picks

So got to move mcreery to midfield and see if that works if not transfer
Same for mccrae if not transfer

While waiting for mcstay to be fit, drop cox play Moore forward then use frampton as ruck relief then Moore goes back when frampton rucking, go smaller

We need a marking forward to take heat off miochech.

The lack of progress of Allen

[Newelly]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-20 ... 5535c969cb

[The Black and White Lion]

Cox’s putrid form in 2024 has caused a conundrum. His personal and team contribution is well down. I’m not saying he’s not trying. He’s just out of position a lot compared to his better games last year. DC is in form and the performance gap is vast.

Now that Frampton appears to be settling as a KPD, if we’re forced complain second ruck we’ll lose stability in the most important part of the ground. Murphy’s injuries have exposed us a little and we have have less flexibility on the ground now than on paper.

Cox is not in my next 23 and Begg gets a run as Fwd / Ruck. I’d hope his aggression follow up and ground work will translate to AFL this time but I’m not expecting much at the tap so our mids need to be quite defensive if he’s rucking until he builds more body strength and experience.

Based on the first couple of VFL games not sure Fly is going to pick Begg though and will continue to gift Cox games. If so I want to see a big attitude change from that bloke because the only think he’s carving up at the moment is our defence when he infringes in the ruck and gets beaten by little blokes too easily

[lazzadesilva]

Based on the first couple of VFL games not sure Fly is going to pick Begg though and will continue to gift Cox games

I disagree about the club and McRae “gifting” games to any player. Cox is picked because whether we like it or not, he is currently the best option if we are to seriously consider going for consecutive flags. However if we get to the point where we are really desperate, then by all means let’s pick Begg or whoever else is putting their hand up as an alternative option. I might be wrong but I don’t think we are in that position right now.

[Take_a_Screamer]

Pies’ staggering $5m trade warchest revealed... and how they’ll ‘attack’ the market
With the expected retirements of several premiership stars before 2026, Craig McRae’s salary cap will subsequently free up in what will be a massive boost financially to help replace their long-held talent.

“They’ve got nine players over the age of 30, and they’re expecting probably half of that group will be retired within the next 18 months to two years.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/ ... 91f6c1cd5e

[The Black and White Lion]

I think we’re in agreement, maybe I chose the wrong word. Cox is getting picked because there is not other option in the coaches eyes.

However, there’s nothing stopping the coaches from trying something different . We haven’t seen them do that yet with the ruck in 2024

[RudeBoy]

It would be a gamble to go into the Port game with just one ruckman, but it might be worth considering, in light of Cox's poor form.

It would necessitate Frampton doing the ruck work when the ball's in defence and Moore doing likewise when the ball is in our forward line. This would then enable us to play an extra runner.

[Mr Miyagi]

Glenn’s on the money. I reckon we might see a couple of veterans retire this year. Regardless if they do or not, we’ve got the cap space.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/ ... 91f6c1cd5e

[piffdog]

FWIW, I came across the President back in earlier in the new year and he nonchalantly told me we would win it again, because we would stay in front of the other chasing clubs while we still had our mature list...

Now I can't vouch for where he got that from (if that was his view or something more widely communicated from the footy department), but if there was any degree of complacence implied by that type of commentary it probably adds to our sputtering start to the season...

[Take_a_Screamer]

This is video details from my previous post...

"Sidebottom determined to play on next year"

Are the Pies set to restructure their list?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDEyRuHNlC4

[stui magpie]

Glenn’s on the money. I reckon we might see a couple of veterans retire this year. Regardless if they do or not, we’ve got the cap space.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/ ... 91f6c1cd5e

One of our problems apparently is that we are one of a number of clubs who index player contracts to the size of the cap. So when the cap goes up, those contracts go up. Other clubs sign players on fixed rates over the contract term, so if the cap goes up by $1M they instantly have an extra $1M in cap space.

So we need to shed big contracts to free up space.

I do agree that he's on the money. Duel pronged approach of aiming to get back into the draft to get high pick quality kids and bring in mature targeted individuals via free agency, but not trades. It's all well and good to rely on a process driven approach and a core of role players but you need some stars. We'd be futterly ucked without Jordy and Naicos.

[Rex]

Genuine question here. Can someone explain to me how all the $$ help us get the likes of Cadman/lukosius and help us move up the draft order? I get spending on Free Agents, but what can we offer GWS/Suns to let contracted young guns go? Is it just a matter of relying on their cap squeeze and the clubs giving a friendly wave goodbye? Likewise we cannot move up the draft very far as our earliest pick is second round and two third rounds, so unless we speculate again on the following year’s first round pick we don’t have trading power (and remembering that we’re obliged to take three draft selections each year). That leaves trading current players. [Mod:I’ve strayed off topic a bit so please move this if appropriate]