Stevo was saying on the news that the Saints are into Hrovat.
Stevo was saying on the news that the Saints are into Hrovat.
The curse is dead.
Thanks Azabob. Given our primary need is a first Ruck to go straight away, the safest bet would have to be Lobbe. I think Port would be very up for trade as they will have used up their 2 best picks on Charlie Dixon and Toumpas. Will probably take 1st round, although Dalrymple is apparently very keen to keep it. Maybe 2nd and Talia?
Long term, I'd really love Apeness or Wright.
Gotta say I'm not massive on Lobbe
Just not mobile enough
Wright could be anything. If Shocktober didn't happen, I have it on absolute authority from a reliable source that we were picking him with our first rounder. So he must be highly rated internally. One TAC game I heard some recruiters from another club really talking him up between themselves. I can't see GCS letting him go though. A pick 11 isn't really needed unless they need it to trade with. Hrovat is surplus to a fit squad they have, as much as I love Granty I can't see him impacting the trade although his previous best footy was under Eade. Whether we could put both and the pick 11 up in a multi club trade would be interesting.
So Apeness might be more gettable? Who knows, but I think a younger and a mature ruck are needed, and a depth ruckman if Minson is to leave.
The key defender is where the most pressing need is I think. If we can't get Hendo and most remain contracted it's going to be tough. If St Kilda want Hrovat, then one of their young talls should be our asking price. I'm still a believer in Nathan so I would want fair compo.
So far Grant, Talia, Hrovat & Minson linked to trades/movement this year. My guess is we might be very, very busy.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.
Don't forget trade picks are extra valuable to Qld/NSW teams because it gives them greater pull in bidding for the gun academy players.
Here's a wild hypothetical. Given the crazy money StKilda are throwing at Carlisle, they are desperate for a KPD (of which there are very few available). If they miss him, could we package Talia and Hrovat (who they are also apparently keen on) for Hickey?
If Grant leaves, say to Melbourne, would that change it? Could we use Watts as KPD coverage if we can't get a bonafide KPD. He said he prefers a teaching coach like Bailey and not pricks like Neeld. He might be flexible for Bevo? I'm not sure, but the two players might have a similar market value.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
The ability to play third tall at either end of the ground. I personally think Grant offers more, but Watts might be selected for structural reasons, especially if trade time is light on for talls, Talia goes and Hamling has to move up a notch (third to second tall for instance). Just speculating,
But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
Ryder was certainly more than a risk minimisation strategy for Port. Port know he plays his best football as number 1 ruck. Port didn't need Ryder as 2nd ruck, the Lobbe / Westoff combination was working fine, it nearly got them to a Grand Final.
Ryder played his best football at Essendon as number 1 ruck and after Lobbe was dropped in Round 17 Ryder excelled dominating in the position. There are certainly issues with Port offering a large contract but from what I hear off the Port board it is heavily back-loaded which will give them a relatively easy out when it's time to go hard at Dixon. Ryder and Dixon / Westoff are the future there. The bigger issue for Port re. Lobbe is cultural. Trading out VC one year into a contract is dodgy business.
But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.