Trade Rumours 2025

[GVGjr]

I like that we are chasing Robertson. A no frills footballer like Kennedy that we need. He will actually complement Kennedy as they can work in tandem through the mids. As much as I like the Bont, Richard’s, Libba set up when it doesn’t go our way we struggle to stop the run on. Throw in a Kennedy or Robertson, whom are more defensively minded, then this potentially helps negate opposition offensive movement from stoppages.

Our interest in Robertson is a little surprising because he doesn't necessarily fill an obvious need for us.
It seems like he would be behind most of our mids and in direct competition with Garcia

[Sedat]

Our interest in Robertson is a little surprising because he doesn't necessarily fill an obvious need for us.
It seems like he would be behind most of our mids and in direct competition with Garcia

His IP having worked within the system of the best run club in the competition would be pretty invaluable IMO. Dunkley coming in 3 years ago has effectively taken his spot in the senior team - it's no shame being 24th player on the list behind the likes of Neale, Dunkley, McCluggage, Bailey, Ashcroft, etc..

Also, MJP is an excellent judge of talent and character and he has been glowing of Robertson from the get-go on both counts.

[whythelongface]

Our interest in Robertson is a little surprising because he doesn't necessarily fill an obvious need for us.
It seems like he would be behind most of our mids and in direct competition with Garcia

I don’t necessarily see it that way. In saying that I am not sure what Garcia’s role is tbh. Statistically in tackles and disposals per game they are not dissimilar but don’t think Robertson was utilised in his best position as a midfielder (more a forward at the Lions). It is obviously hard to break into the Lions midfield but as mentioned he can play a similar role to Kennedy rotating through the mids and sometime forward.

[GVGjr]

I don’t necessarily see it that way. In saying that I am not sure what Garcia’s role is tbh. Statistically in tackles and disposals per game they are not dissimilar but don’t think Robertson was utilised in his best position as a midfielder (more a forward at the Lions). It is obviously hard to break into the Lions midfield but as mentioned he can play a similar role to Kennedy rotating through the mids and sometime forward.

Agreed but how does he get midfield minutes and where does he play when he's not in the midfield?
Kennedy kicks goals when not in the midfield and this year so did Sanders and when forward Bont can keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Harmes spends some time in the midfield but is more of a forward and the same with West.
Garcia comes off the bench so I struggle to see how Dev best fits in with us. I'm not against bringing him in but it's not the most pressing of our needs.

[GVGjr]

AFL Trade Radio
@traderadio
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"The Suns are the only club we can link with any interest for Jamarra Ugle Hagan, very preliminary at the moment. This is a passion project for Dimma, he loves a redemption story. This is all being driven by the coach."
- Sam Edmund

[doggies ftw]

Agreed but how does he get midfield minutes and where does he play when he's not in the midfield?
Kennedy kicks goals when not in the midfield and this year so did Sanders and when forward Bont can keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Harmes spends some time in the midfield but is more of a forward and the same with West.
Garcia comes off the bench so I struggle to see how Dev best fits in with us. I'm not against bringing him in but it's not the most pressing of our needs.

I think it’s more that the club has big concerns about our ability to defend in the middle of the ground, as we should tbh. Kennedy offers a bit in that aspect but he’s treacle slow, Libba again is slow and a bit of a ball hunter, Freijah doesn’t defend, Bont does and Richards can but it’s not utilising them to their most damaging. Treloar doesnt. Sanders has basically been banished from the midfield due to his inability to defend.

Garcia I quite liked and started to get some traction there late in the year but unfortunately he just too often goes to water in big games. His good is decent and it’s why I’ve always seen an upside with him but his bad is just so bad, and still happening too regularly. I can see why we don’t have much trust in him.

Dev is big-bodied, has a defensive edge and more importantly speed & athleticism. I think the coaches are making it pretty clear they want that in the side with our targets, what that means for Treloar, Sanders, even Libba to an extent next season im not sure, but I think we’re not happy with the mix in there currently.

[1eyedog]

There have been performances during his stint of AFL games from Rounds 20 to 24 that concern me, and which have lead me to question my opinion of his potential. He played two reasonable games during this period but were against sub-standard opposition - Essendon & WC. We monstered both of them, resulting in little backline pressure during either match. Accordingly, he had comfortable games. But in the other three games, against stronger opposition, he struggled.

Against GWS his underperformance was covered up by the likes of Dale, JJ, and a wide-roaming, all-marking Tim English. He was even poorer against Melbourne and Freo, so much so that he was subbed off in both games. The clangers in his game against Freo were particularly concerning. In the VFL, he had a good game against Box Hill but his second quarter against Southport in the GF was a nasty echo of his second quarter against Freo in the AFL a few weeks earlier.

It planted the seed in my mind that he really struggles when the opposition midfield is able to bring the ball quickly into their forward line. He then finds himself one out, in a contest where he often lacks the speed and strength to match his opponent. One troubling stat for his seven games this year is that he laid only two tackles during the entire year, both in Round 7 against GWS.

He needs to build his attributes around his capabilities. He is not fast and he doesn't have a great leap. So, he needs to build his strength, to compete better in contested marking situations or when tackling. He needs to get in the weights' room and build muscle. The latest data I could find says that he is 198cm and weighs 85kg. I'm not sure about the accuracy of the weight but surely anything under 95kg is unacceptable if he wants a career as a KPD. He needs to become a much better kick, a more reliable kick. He needs to improve his handball skills so that it becomes a weapon rather than an exit route from trouble.

He was touted as a standout in his draft year. But he's in the big league now, against the big bodies, and he no longer has natural advantages that his height gave him over his opponents. In order to achieve his potential, he has to work out how to develop strength and attributes that overcome his weaknesses and give him advantage over his opponents.

A really well formulated response Critter and I agree with much of what you've said here but I don't share the concern based on the reasons you've outlined. I think every single 21 year old 7 game player would struggle one on one with the ball coming in quickly to the forward line. It's the bane of every key back let alone a young and inexperienced one. I totally agree he needs to work on his disposal but he's clearly playing it safe (ala. Sanders) until he feels more comfortable with the pace and pressure of the game. Not certain he there's to tackle but maybe this is one of the reasons Bevo has made him wait so long? Totally agree he needs to work on this area of his game.

My query on him is his pace. The 200cm forwards are getting quicker and quicker (King Brothers) and he'll need to be able to compete with these types over the next 3 years, especially if we fail to trade in a quality full back. He'll need to be that man.

[doggies ftw]

Left field, could Robertson be a small defender - probably a bit young for him to make that career decision right now to be fair but in a big believer in the best small defenders being ex inside mids. Big bodied, decent overhead, tidy skills with elite speed/athleticism and strong defensive edge. Ticks all the boxes, but yeah he probably still has options as a mid ie West coast so would imagine he’d only agree to that as a last ditch lifeline like pick up which he’s not really at yet

[Stevo]

Dev is big-bodied, has a defensive edge and more importantly speed & athleticism. I think the coaches are making it pretty clear they want that in the side with our targets, what that means for Treloar, Sanders, even Libba to an extent next season im not sure, but I think we’re not happy with the mix in there currently.

Richards, Bont, Kennedy, Sanders and Freijah are all bigger bodied mids than Robertson.
He might have a bit more aggression than the last two but is it really a genuine gap? I think he's a good player but he's got some competition.
There has to be another aspect to his game that we are focusing on.

[mjp]

Left field, could Robertson be a small defender...

I would kinda say 2-things:

1/. He wants to play inside mid and has opportunities elsewhere to do it.
2/. He isn't great by foot so small defender isn't really going to be his go.

Brisbane have used him as a pressure forward which kind of worked ok but whilst he's good at the whole 'chase/tackle/apply pressure' type stuff he's not Zac Bailey or Kai Lohman when it comes to finding space ahead of the ball/creating goals out of nothing.

Whilst he WILL defend he's not exactly a lock down defensive mid either...I'm a little curious on that narrative. Anyway - let's see what happens.

[chef]

I would kinda say 2-things:

1/. He wants to play inside mid and has opportunities elsewhere to do it.
2/. He isn't great by foot so small defender isn't really going to be his go.

Brisbane have used him as a pressure forward which kind of worked ok but whilst he's good at the whole 'chase/tackle/apply pressure' type stuff he's not Zac Bailey or Kai Lohman when it comes to finding space ahead of the ball/creating goals out of nothing.

Whilst he WILL defend he's not exactly a lock down defensive mid either...I'm a little curious on that narrative. Anyway - let's see what happens.

Would you be happy to add him to our list?

[Mofra]

It could be a case of Dev being better than whoever is available at pick 50+ in the draft this year, and the likelihood of Libba being rested next year.

Really hard to judge a guy on stats when it looks like he was subbed on or off every few games.

[Bornadog]

From The Age

Christian Petracca has told Melbourne he wants to play elsewhere next year.

Demons chief executive Paul Guerra confirmed Petracca’s request in a letter to club members on Tuesday, saying the 2021 Norm Smith medallist expressed his wish for a fresh start in a meeting late last week. The 29-year-old premiership star was disgruntled last year but elected not to request a trade.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Mitch Cleary reporting that Wilkie is likely to reject our offer.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Mitch Cleary reporting that Wilkie is likely to reject our offer.

Sounds about right.