Tom Lonergan

[wimberga]

Re: Tom Lonergan

The way I see it, most would be happy if we could get him into the club without giving up one of our second rounders.

He's a bloody quality defender. For me money isn't an issue. The 3 years isn't an issue. It's just hoping we can swing a deal by holding onto our second rounders.

Agree with this wholeheartedly. At the end of the day, will he make us better? I absolutely think yes, so it simply comes down to cost. Has to be worth more than Jones IMO.

[1eyedog]

Re: Tom Lonergan

This decision could well be driven from the top down. There are many factors that would make a decision such as trading for a Lonergan make sense (from a business perspective) including:

- competitiveness
- memberships
- merchandising
- match day attendance
- marketing

Football is a business and it is (unfortunately) more than just winning premierships - sure that is the end goal of any successful organisation - but first and foremost is running a successful operation. By trading for similar players (especially dual premiership players) the club can increase our short-term competitiveness through a better win/loss ratio, which in turn could lead to potential better match fixture opportunities (which we have been crying out for) and increased revenue.

Thus whilst I can understand the frustrations of 'moving away from our plans of drafting' I feel this is partly a business decision as well as partly a football decision. I can certainly understand why management would be changing our trading/ drafting strategy.

Yep we're running a football club but we're also trying to run a viable, sustainable business. Added to this I think a young team needs wins and we need to breed a winning culture otherwise we end up a basket case like Melbourne.

[always right]

Re: Tom Lonergan

I think the merit of this move can't be judged until we understand what the thinking is behind it. If it's simply to bolster our backline then it doesn't make a lot of sense although that would depend on what we give up for him. If it is designed to allow Roughead to play forward, then I'm a little less critcal. This of course assumes Roughy would be better up froward than in his current role.

I'm dubious about this one but in the end, it all depends on what we give up for him. Third round I can live with......second round (which is more likely) I'd be upset about. If it was a straight swap for Cooney that would make some sense, particularly if Cooney is keen to go to a club with short term premiership asperations.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Tom Lonergan

I'm at a complete loss as to why we didn't put Talia through the wringer at CHB when we persisted so long with Austin. I guess the MC feel that he is just too immature in too many areas at this stage.

If you watch his game against Essendon in R7 you will see why Talia did not play again. He was beaten in contests consistently and his decision making, and disposal were also poor.

I am not one normally prone to knee jerk reactions, however, he will have to lift enormously over the summer to convince me he has a future with us.

[1eyedog]

Re: Tom Lonergan

If you watch his game against Essendon in R7 you will see why Talia did not play again. He was beaten in contests consistently and his decision making, and disposal were also poor.

I am not one normally prone to knee jerk reactions, however, he will have to lift enormously over the summer to convince me he has a future with us.

Fair enough but did you watch any of the games that Austin played when he came in for Talia? Out for the rest of the season was some punishment for Talia especially when Austin played so bad and had the same sort of issues you note for Talia.

[1eyedog]

Re: Tom Lonergan

If you watch his game against Essendon in R7 you will see why Talia did not play again. He was beaten in contests consistently and his decision making, and disposal were also poor.

I am not one normally prone to knee jerk reactions, however, he will have to lift enormously over the summer to convince me he has a future with us.

Fair enough but did you watch any of the games that Austin played when he came in for Talia? Out for the rest of the season was some punishment for Talia especially when Austin played so bad and had the same sort of issues you note for Talia. Who do you persist with more? I know who I'd choose.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tom Lonergan

Who else cringed every time the ball went deep into our back line this year? I know I did. Watching Roughie playing hampered and Morro trying to hold it all together was painful. Throw in Talia not being great, Roberts still learning and building his body and Austin trying but being a liability and then I think for the right price, Lonergan would be a very welcome edition to our current backline.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tom Lonergan

Only thing that bothers me is that the guy would be coming almost purely for more $$$ and I'm not sure that's healthy

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Tom Lonergan

Surely there's someone well under 30 we could be throwing the same (or better) offer to?

[Maddog37]

Re: Tom Lonergan

Why not Frost from GWS?

[Mofra]

Re: Tom Lonergan

Why not Frost from GWS?

I'd like this - he's not the player Lonergan is but would be with us for far longerm we'd only have to find two other genuine tall defenders than (and out of Roberts, Talia, Zaine Cordy and whoever we may pick up this year that should cover it).

Merrett would be cheaper at the trade table too wouldn't he?

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Tom Lonergan

Fair enough but did you watch any of the games that Austin played when he came in for Talia? Out for the rest of the season was some punishment for Talia especially when Austin played so bad and had the same sort of issues you note for Talia.

Yes, watched every one

I do not view Austin as being the perfect footballer - my take is he had some good moments, and some bad ones, but he was light years better than Talia - thats more a statement about how bad Talia was, than how good Austin was or is.

Maybe they could have given Talia another shot, but you'd need to know what was going on behind the scenes - what he was told to do? was he doing it? was he fit? or carrying an injury etc?

Talia seemed in better form by the VFL grand final, but needs a big pre-season

[1eyedog]

Re: Tom Lonergan

Yes, watched every one

I do not view Austin as being the perfect footballer - my take is he had some good moments, and some bad ones, but he was light years better than Talia - thats more a statement about how bad Talia was, than how good Austin was or is.

Maybe they could have given Talia another shot, but you'd need to know what was going on behind the scenes - what he was told to do? was he doing it? was he fit? or carrying an injury etc?

Talia seemed in better form by the VFL grand final, but needs a big pre-season

Ok. You have a far higher opinion of Austin or a much lower opinion of Talia than I do.,

[Bornadog]

Re: Tom Lonergan

I hope talk of this stupid move is off the table now.

[1eyedog]

Re: Tom Lonergan

I hope talk of this stupid move is off the table now.

One positive in all this is Lonergan remains a poorer man.