Yes Morris kicked 53 goals this year, Bailey 42, Rayner 36, C Cameron 32. Do you have faith in Harry/others kicking 20/30/40+?

_________________
"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

This is the best time to let Charlie go, Even if we get less than what we wished for.

I just have this feeling that his footy is past him. He has a Chronic Knee injury that just won't go away. He will be lucky to play half a season for whoever he plays for. I don't think he has got what it takes anymore!


As for all the inclusions we have added, let's be realistic for once and not get over-excited like we always do...


Whilst we have added good Players, they are not A Graders nor B Graders. All of them are C Graders and less in my opinion. So in other words, they are not going to win you a Flag. You still need a Core of Top Players to take this club to the next level.

Chesser was pick 14, full of Talent but is he going to be on the Park? he is so injury Prone, and breaks down easily.

Reidy is 25 and Freo never rated him. He should have replaced the aging Darcy already so he must have serious issues with his Game somewhere.

Buku is a Fringe Player. I just can't understand why People here are rating him. I watched him closely last year when he got a Game at the Dogs. He is Athletic but does not read the ball at all, and doesn't know how to chase and tackle. He is a Serious liability.

Maybe a bit stiff to judge Reidy for only playing 3 games when he's behind two superstar rucks at Freo, but you might be right.

Chesser and BK, I reckon you're spot on. They aren't locks to play round 1 next year. We'll see how things play out, but I'm not convinced they make us immediately better.

Ainsworth is a very solid upgrade, strolls into our forwardiine. He's no Eddie Betts, but I'm happy that we aren't trying to recruit superstars and are just trying to build a solid team.

_________________
The Artist Formerly Known As BamBam7

If Chesser manages to stay fit and goes on to fulfil his promise, he wouldn't be the first to do so after struggling with his younger body. I get the impression that WCE staff are gutted that he's jumping ship just when they reckon they've got him right. Fingers crossed that we've done them like a dinner. No guilt, the AFL will take care of them.

Fingers crossed.

Apparently he has some pace, lord knows we need it!

_________________
The Artist Formerly Known As BamBam7

Harry kicked 58 in his coleman year when Charlie wasnt there. No reason he cant do it again.
We just need better forward structures. We need to move the ball quicker.
Zac Bailey spends half his time in the middle. We need to give our mids the license to get forward and kick goals instead of bombing it long to Charlie. I am convinced it is our structures and if we can tidy that up and play as a functioning forward line i think we can improve sharply. Our Inside 50 count this year was usually very good. Our conversion from kicking long to Charlie was shite. We had TDK running into Harry because he had given up wanting to ruck.

The Hawks were a game away from a grand final on the back of 34 year old up foward. A career high 73 goals for Gunston, at the age of 34. Not because he got better. Because of the way the ball was coming in. Small tweaks at this level make such a big difference. Charlie can be replaced.

Don't believe everything you read in the papers re Sydney.
They've been shopping players for over a month now, not even related to the Charlie Trade.
Not sure why, but for mine, Coxy wants to change the game plan, plus they have a few Academy kids (later picks) to consider this year and next.

There was a Top 4 Sydney "untouchable" open to a chat with Carlton re Charlie Trade.
It was planned, but have no idea what transpired the following week, or, if it did.
I have a feeling that option was closed down as soon as it opened.
Sydney fans would have rioted like they did when Wallace was primed to be given the nod to coach the team, ahead of Roosy.

The name Rowbottom that has surprised a few given he's a regular Top 10 in their BnF and he's contracted till 2028.
Not a surprise for others, given GCS have been keen on getting the two Rowbottom's under the same roof
I believe Rowie has done his medical at GCS.

Don't be surprised to see Sydney come up with a Mega Deal including one or two other teams for Charlie.
May take a few more days.
Just because its the weekend, doesn't mean that player and list manager's are taking things easy.
This is their Xmas rush.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

List Management objectives for this years Trade / Draft.

1. Improve our depth
2. Get rid of disruptive players/ not team first players.
3. Draft Dean and Ison
4. Ensure we have enough points for Walker next year
5. Add a class mid (release Crippa forward)
6. Add a KPD (to cover SOS and HOK, and Haynes post 2026)

Our primary target has always been Butters, and it still is. Why not?
The strategy has been months in the making.
We had a warchest 'saved' without TDK and SOS.
Now we own a bank with TDK and SOS gone.

We are not the front runner for Butters.
Doggies have an advantage.
Like us, they have saved cap space and can spend on a star, but don't have the picks to keep Port happy if Port matches offer.

We have Davies as Football Manager, a Warchest, Hinkley/ Bartel still in our sights (not to coach with Voss).

As I posted before Finals, we were looking at how we can bank first round picks, (before the AFL publicised the Compo picks) believing 3 good first rounders could do the job before Tassie start drafting.

AND....We will get Walker!

A few people couldnt see where we were going to get our hands on 3 Draft picks ( before Charlie hysteria started):

2025 9 TDK
2025 21 SOS
2025 6 Trade Mid
2026 (Carlton) for Walker ... and we can carry deficit if our combo with 2nd round doesn't close the deal.
2027 (Carlton)

Charlie can add to that arsenal:

2025 pick 10 (Sydney)
2026 F1 (Sydney)
2026 pick from another team for a player like Rowbottom: Pies or Suns)

That's a lot of Round 1 picks.

We also have a KPF target incase Charlie is traded (which looks highly likely). Not sure who, but would be confident its either Walter or McDonald type.

We will trade out our first round picks and use a few 2nd round picks or SOS compo for Dean.

Right this minute I'm thinking: Butters (2025 or 2026), Walter, Haywood, Humphrey and Khamis for depth swingman not KP.

Exciting week, and so far our trades have been fantastic. Those who doubt Aisworth deal is a beauty, should have a look at the cost of the 9 small forwards we have on our list, (pre durdin trade) and other than Williams, find one who is better than Aisworth (who only cost us a future 2nd). Durdin was my favourite small after Williams.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Some people are really excited about Fynn Young. Chesser is better.

His young body has been repaired and strrengthened during the lay off his ankle.

He's a beauty, and he can run fast and hit targets.

Eagles are spewing to have lost him. They had a contract offer for him too.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

You need more foot soldiers than stars.

Do you know what injury Chesser had? Could happpen to anybody. Bad luck rather than bad body. If you don't know his injury, how do you know he breaks down easily? He hasn't been around long enough to know that. Plus he played 14 and 18 games when he had a "weak" body. His body served him pretty well as an U18 and he was selected at 14. There's a reason for that. Also a good reason why Eagles offerred him another contract.

Reidy also had an offer to stay with Freo.

You don't rate Darcy in the ruck? I wish Freo didnt rate Darcy, the AA, and he came to us as first ruck.

You're being unreasonable dodo. Chin up mate

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Neither team put up much of a fight with Reidy & Chesser. They’ve both left for two year deals.

Sensible deals, mind you. No argument with either team. Sometimes these things are fait accompli.

I think they’ll go well for us.

_________________
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

if we end up with anything like that this trade period ...

Looks like most of the Carlton brains trust were in Sydney today with the AFLW team...

Well only Time will tell. We will see what pans out next year.... I hope I am Wrong....

What worries me the most is our Ruck Stock. Pitto should have been delisted if it wasn't for TDK walking. He is a proven hack... totally useless when it matters and sooner or later, he will be sidlined with injury. This leaves us with an untried Reidy and Okeefe to carry us through out the year.

I am not yet conviced OKeffe can play Ruck. He looks too small for me to be playing in that Position. I prefer him forward. He offers a lot and has good hands.

The Club has taken a Big Gamble on Reidy. I think he is going to be our number 1 Ruckman. I really hope he makes it. If he doesn't come good, it will be a disaster for the club.

For the AFLW team ?

_________________
All my dangerous friends

Too small?

He’s the one in the #40 guernsey. Got a curly mullet.

_________________
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" - Winston Churchill.

Ok so he is 202cm.... Maybe his opsition looked bigger & Stronger than him....

Has he actually ever been tried in the Ruck at Carlton Yet?

Dodo, watch the game perhaps

He also kicked a few bags this year when Charlie was out. He gets to play closer to goal. I'm convinced we'll get more out of Harry, so long as he's fit and ready.

Reidy was excellent in the WAFL in the back half of the year
Big guys take time
Hopefully he is a good pick up
Ruckman can he picked up for a bag of chips if your smart