Suns bid for Daicos, Bombers $6M offer for Sun, & Hawks favourites for free agent - Footy Classified

A very good evening and welcome to Footy Classified.What a massive week in football it has been.And we've got the big clubs to talk about.Essendon Coaching.We'll talk about Collingwood.We'll talk about Carlton as well.

They are 7 -0.And to do that, let's get into the panel.Kel Toomey's with us as always.G'day, Brownie.Good to see you.Very good.

Isaac Smith.Nathan.Good to be here.And the man on everyone's lips, James Heard.G'day, Brownie.Great to be here.

Very good.Very good.Let's head straight into the Essendon Coaching saga.Well, not a saga.It is the coaching.We're looking for a new coach and you are the main man. I see you everywhere at the moment.

time I turn on the TV it is James Heard.Do you have a meeting with the Essendon Football Club?

I'll be catching up with them next week.Next week for a brief chat so hopefully that'll go well.How brief is this?Look, I'm not sure.I mean, look, Essendon has spoken about the process they're going to go through, and it's going to be an exhaustive process, and I'm just glad to be a part of that process, looking forward to it.And next week sometime, we haven't got a time yet, I'll sit down with them and have a brief catch -up.

What step of this is along the way, Hurdy?How formal do you expect this first catch -up to be?

To tell you the truth, Cal, I'm not exactly sure.I think it's...I just got a quick text from some of the clubs saying, can you catch up next week?And we'll set a time later in the week, we'll do that.going to be a number of steps if you get all the way.But as I said, I'm glad they're going through a process.

I've always said they'll go through an extensive process.I think that's what everyone at Essendon, every Essendon supporter wants.

We sat here about six weeks ago and you declared your interest in the role.How far down the line are you in terms of how embedded your role is in terms of what this looks like and what angle are you going to come through in this meeting?

It's hard to answer that question how far down the line.I mean, you don't know.You don't know whether you're going to get the job.But obviously, I've thought about this a lot.I've thought about what I want to do, the things I will do, if I do get the job, if I get through the process.But I think, also, it's in conjunction with what the club want.

I mean, the club have been very forthright in saying they want someone to come in, and that's the statement they put out, that will do it the Essendon way, and do it in conjunction with Essendon.So I think part of the first meeting with them is finding outout what they want, what I would like to do and how that mixes.

Would you put your team forward in that first interview?Everyone talks about Team Herd.Do you have people that you are bringing with you?

I'll tell you about my mum, my cat, you know, that's the team at the moment.No, no, look, you can't, you can't at this stage because you have no idea whether you're going to get the job or not.I've got people who I'd love to work with, I've got people who I've got in mind, but until you have some idea whether you're going to get the job, I think it would be wrong to sort of reach out to people and ask them because how do they know?

They had a pretty ordinary game on Sunday against the Saints and they have sought, I guess, from the players who would be the coach, what sort of coach they want.

So we can reveal tonight some of the details around what's gone into their criteria in terms of this coaching search.So Essendon has asked senior players, a wide variety of players I actually understand, about the qualities, the attributes, the the levels that they want to get to apart from this next senior coaching role.So, between sacking Brad Scott and announcing their process officially, the Bombers created a dossier and that was of responses from senior players, players at lower levels as well, younger players too were given the chance to anonymously survey what sort of qualities they like to see in these...

So is this all anonymous?

Yeah, all anonymous.So they were given the opportunity through this survey and this was presented to other people at the footy club as well, so administration staff, officials as well, and as part of that senior players were asked to be involved in the survey to put forward what sort of qualities they want to see in the next senior coach, what they feel they need having been within the club throughout this period that's been such a rocky period.

When you talk about senior players, there's a fair amount of senior players that apparently want out of the football club.Isaac, I'll ask you, do you need to ask the senior players at this point what sort of coach they need next year?

Yeah, I don't really understand this other than it's great to canvas everyone.the football club but these senior players haven't necessarily delivered for the football club for what they need and I just feel like the players probably don't genuinely understand what they need.They haven't been in their successful environment, they don't know what it's like to go to the top, to be genuinely pushed at the moment.And I just feel like what the players need and what they want is that they need someone to come in and be really tough on them and actually show them the way and show them where to go.And by canvassing them, I'm sure they'll write things that the club will need, but I'm just not sure.I feel like the Essendon call, and Herty, you might want to jump in here, but I feel like it has to be a coach's call.

Effectively, it has to be someone from the top making the decision.This is the direction we're going in.Everyone jump on board.If you don't want to be here, don't be here.Other than that, this is where we're heading.Yeah, I think it's negligent though, Isaac, not to ask people.

I mean, how much detail do you take from everyone?But I think it's a 360 degree review of the football club.You're asking other people how much influence those players have.We don't know.But I think you do need to ask everyone around.what they think, put it all in a melting pot, but you're right, the committee and the board will eventually decide what sort of coach they want, the sort of person they want, but I'm not sure it does any harm asking the players, but I do agree that how much input they have would be quite little.

Would Welsh and others not have a strong idea on what they're after though?And I understand you want to canvas everyone, and you want to ask the questions, but if they genuinely know the direction they want to head in, then ultimately you don't necessarily need to ask all those questions as well.

It's probably difficult for me to answer that question, to be honest, if I'm being sitting here honestly.

Yeah, I mean, my understanding is that connection has been a big part of the response, and connection has been the buzzword at SNN probably for the last six weeks or so.Development priorities as well, I think the players understand that their development program that they're a part of and that they've seen for the younger players as well that have come into the club isn't up to scratch of the other clubs.part of.had just signed a six -year deal at the start of this year.Nick Martin was tight with Brad Scott.I know that Andy McGrath as well was really surprised and blindsided by that decision.

So the interesting part is a month later, they're then asked to see what can we get in the next coach.Having a lot of these guys been through multiple coaches already, so this is step one, but it has created a dossier that I'm told is pretty extensive in terms of the criteria.

What I'd be interested in looking at is that is the input those players have had and also what Zach Merritt went to the club with at the end of last year and said what he thought he wasn't getting and why he wanted to leave and what was the reason around that club.Can you remember the points there and whether they match up with what perhaps that dossier says.

Well he's just been through so much carnage at that football club over so long and really I think for Zach's point of view his point was he just couldn't see the end of the line coming and seeing final success.Now he still can't see that and that's why he wants to get to Hawthorne again.

Not just you, but any prospective coach knowing that players want out.Zach Merritt, a fair few players.Ridley, last best and fairest winners.As a prospective coach, how do you feel about that?Is there something that you would go into this meeting and go, who are the players that want out?Can I speak to them?

Or is that down the track?I'd imagine there's players that you'd want there next year and there's players that you'd go, I don't really care if he stays or leaves.

Again, tough to answer the question because you don't have the job.In the mind you go and interview, you'd want to know which players they think are going to stay, you want to know what your list is going to look like.That's one of the questions you'd definitely be asked in the club.Where do you think the list is at?Which of those players are going to stay?And you've got your own ideas on those players and if you were lucky enough to get the job, you certainly want to sit down with the players who are potentially going to leave who want to stay.

and say, OK, sell them.the dream.Sell them what you're going to do and see if you can keep them if you want them to stay.

Was there a crisis meeting after the game on Sunday?I think there's been a lot of crisis meetings yesterday.

But in particular Sunday after the game?Yeah, Damien Barrett spoke about this on Fully Classified last night and some of the questions that were pinged from one player to another within that meeting.It wasn't a players only meeting, there were other staff and I think senior figures within that.Overall though guys, this is an internal tipping point that this club has reached.This is not a happy place in any way, shape or form.Senior players want to leave and everybody knows it.

They're ticking off weeks Isaac for the end of the season to around 24.There's 15 players out of contract.They don't understand what they're going to do with their game plan.That confusion has been there for many weeks now.I think it's been obvious and that's been some of the discussion that was there post -game again.What sort of message can the coach in this situation, Dean Solomon, actually trigger to get a response over the next seven weeks?

Well, it's interesting you talk about the players and do they have the right to be angry?Do they have the right to be upset?They have the right to be angry in terms of they don't know the direction they're heading in.And you guys would know this as a player.You want to know exactly where you're heading.Each and every week you want to know that you're all on the same train and you're all heading to the next station.

And there is so much confusion.And Herty, I've just heard you talk about their defensive structure at the moment.Are they coming forward?Are they folding back?And it just looks like there's so much indecision out there.And when you're playing AFL football at the elite level, you cannot be indecisive.

And if you are, teams will let you up.and that's what's happening.I think for the rest of the year they just need a clear picture on where it's going.If I was a senior player I would want the club to be appointing the next senior coach so you know where that's heading and you can all jump on that train but it's a difficult situation to be in for these players.I can understand why they're angry but also they just need to toe the line as well and all fold in behind Solly and do the best they can at the moment.And Kel, are senior figures at the club looking for assurances about their jobs?

Yeah they are.I mean Dan McPherson is out of contract this year and he's soughtCraig Vozzo as well, the more people you speak to, the more people will suggest that he's coming back in a senior role.Definitely a more beefed up role, that's something that he's got to decide on, but he was certainly right in the mix to do that again in the coming months.

Well I do think the Bombers have got a leader in waiting, and if you do become the coach, I mean, Nate Caddy is an unbelievable talent as we know, but I watched him closely, I called the game on the weekend, and the amount of delivery, so we'll see a few pretty ordinary passes to him, but He worked his backside off the whole game and not once did I see him throw his hands in the air or berate a teammate.through other players at the football club on the weekend during this game.I'm not saying he's never done that, he's never thrown his hands up in the air, but just this game, under the pump, it was a pretty ordinary day, I thought his work rate, his body language, how keen he was to help out other players, I thought, I watched him and I thought, that's a guy with talent but also a leader in waiting for a potential coach.

on six minutes, so he can certainly run, he can certainly move, he just needs some help down there on the forward line and every Essence supporter hopes he stays for a long, long time.

Well, that's the aim of the football club at the moment too, so they're trying to lock him down to a new three -year extension, so he's signed until the end of 2028 at the moment.They want to get him through to 2031, that's when he'd hit free agency.2028 still keeps him within the Tassie window, as well as every other club, but they're trying to lock him in for another three years.Still slow moving on that one, Isaac, but his price tag's still there.and up.

Does the possible signing of Jed Walter, does that affect his price tag as well?How would he feel about Walter coming in, what he's getting?

They're offering Jed Walter about $1 .2 million a season times five.I don't think you can offer Nate Caddy any less.Could be a coaching lady.And a captain lady.

I like him.I think he could be captain.Enough of Essendon?I hope so.Move on.Enough of Essendon?

Yes.Okay, let's move on.Umpire contact has been the other big story and Razor Ray Chamberlain had this to say earlier tonight on AFL 360.

For me, I look at it and they say it's a financial sanction.Terrific.Then call it what it is.It's umpire contact.So what would that mean?It wouldn't mean $5 ,000 each.

It would be congratulations, Gold Coast, it's $30 ,000 this week to back up on the $20 ,000 you copped the other week because it's incident number six.And Collingwood, congratulations, you win a prize.It's your fifth time that you've made contact with an umpire this year.There's $20 ,000 for you.And then, you know, Braden and Tooke, you've got $1 ,500 each.And so now we're at $53 ,000.

We're not at $10 ,000.So if it's serious and it's a financial sanction, then pull the lever.

Alright, Paul the Lever, he said.I think everybody's divided on this topic.There's a lot of people who think that Maynard should have only got a fine.There's a lot of people who think maybe one or two weeks.Where do you sit on it?

Look, I want to preface what I'm going to say, because I just think the umpires have got to be careful where they stand.I want to preface what I say about where they stand.But I do believe you cannot run into an umpire.Even if the umpire is in the wrong position, you can't run into an umpire.I believe it has to be weeks.I mean, we grew up, we played in an era where guys are reported for running into umpires.

They get four weeks, six weeks, three weeks.I mean, Greg Williams got nine weeks.We'll roll some of those now.And that's what I think it should be.I just don't think there's any reason to touch an umpire.The umpires have to go out on the ground every week to be safe.

Is there a big difference for that 30 than what Maynard did?I totally agree, but he got nine weeks.Todd Curley?

Yeah, the Todd Curley one is..hard to correct eras, but...He got four weeks?He got four weeks for that, and it is worse than what Maynard's done, but I just think the umpires have to be safe, but they have to protect themselves too and get themselves out of the area so that they can't get hurt.

I couldn't be on Maynard's side.more with going at Benlong.I think that is 100 % fine.But I do not understand how we're allowing players to touch umpires outside of stoppages.I can understand the accidental collisions and that, but when it's something like that, I just think we completely have to rid that from the game.That can't happen.

It filters down to local football.

So do you think Maynard should have got weeks?

By the letter of the law and what the rule says, no, he shouldn't have got weeks.But if he had touched an umpire...But we shouldn't be touching umpires, and especially in an instance like that where guys are fired up, ready to go, and understand umpires maybe can get in a different position, but...You still shouldn't touch them.The umpire happens to be there, you do not touch the umpire.

So why aren't we making an example of players who use the umpire as a screen?We've seen it at stoppages time and time again.They say they're going to crack down on it, and they haven't cracked down on it.It happens week in, week out, and not a lot happens.

We should.We should make examples.You should just not be able to use them as screens.Stay away from them.It just should not happen.Umpires should not be touched at any stage.

So what do you think should have happened, Brownie?

I think the fine was right.I think it was accidental.I don't think Braden Maynard meant to touch the umpire.I just think the umpire, like you said, when the siren went for half -time...We were still playing the game, absolutely, trying to get in, trying to get players out, but as soon as that siren went, I think the umpire should have got himself out of the position and allowed the players to deal with it themselves.Hard to compare, but you can accidentally hit someone on the head and get suspended.

Two, accidents happen in football, you've got to try and avoid them.For the sake of the umpire, you have to avoid them at all costs.

Alright Cal, the fixture has been a big talking point and has the AFL narrowed down its options?

It has, Brownie.So last fortnight, the CEOs gathered on the Gold Coast, presented with four different options about the future fixture from 2028 onwards once Tasmania enters the competition.We can say tonight that the AFL has narrowed that down.to two serious options now.Let's get to them.like Gather Round is at the moment.

So that's that option.And then the more innovative option is the group stage model, which is the 20 -game season.They do the three -week group stage after that.So you play each other once, then you split each other into four groups.The bottom three plays off for certain draft picks.This one just looks confusing.

Well this is the issue.

This is the Eddie McGuire option though.This is not option three.That's right.

Is this Ed?This is Ed's option, so be careful.You're seeing his feet.

Well this is what they're weighing up.So the first one is far more conventional, with just some extra games.But I think people would like to see the full fixture run out, that first 18 games.You play each other once and then do the double -ups.Whereas option three is a whole different sphere.I think incrementally they might get there but at this point they're weighing up all how complicated can the fan understand or go through this model and know what's going to happen at the end of the year.

What about the draft order?You've got some news there.Something they're going to throw up as part of the option two there is that as part of this they could look at making the draft order locked in after they've all played each other once.Now this would be a real change.I think it's a discussion point.I'm not absolutely saying that this is definitely going to happen, but it's something they're going to throw up and say, okay, once you've played each other once, is that enough of a signpost to say this is what the draft order should be?

We carry on after that.

So the last two years Brisbane would have won the Premiership.and got picked 12 and then got picked 15.

That is the danger.The luck of the draw.That's the danger.But it's also maybe the fairest way as well.

You've played each other once.I tell you what would be a fair way.Get rid of all the compensation picks and just have the draft set as it is.

Pick one, you get the best player.Pick two, second best player.So Carlton this year, to get Young Walker, would have to trade out Sam Walsh or Jacob Weedering.

Have you got a view on the best fixture option out of these two?

I think option two is certainly the least complicated.And it makes it easy for the fan to understand.the last six games end up, they end up, but I'm big on play everyone once and I don't mind the alternate.You play West Coast in West Coast one year, you're playing back at the G the next year.

I like option two, but I can see where option three is going.I think you need to make the fixture fairer and also just get just get more interest in that back end of the year.

And the mid -season tournament idea, which was novel, I think we can scrap that one.That won't be taking place in a couple of years.

Okay, as we head to the break tonight, a really sad story during the week for AFL football and the tragic passing.And on behalf of the entire footy on the Nine family here, we extend our condolences to the Fitzgerald family, the Epping Football Club and the wider community.Our thoughts and prayers are with them after the passing of Nathan.I think it's the storyline of the year.The Blues are 7 -0 and now they've got Hawthorne and Collingwood on the Gold Coast and they don't leave Melbourne again this year.So it is going to be hard to see how Josh Fraser doesn't get this role if he beats Hawthorne and Collingwood in the next two weeks, Isaac.

Oh, it's difficult though.So you go Hawthorne, Collingwood, Suns and then you go into Brisbane, St Kilda, Bulldogs, Fremantle.If they play the way they played against Richmond, I reckon they're all danger games coming up.So how many do they win?I say they went two out of the last seven.Only two?

Just two?Yeah.Wow.And two doesn't get them in obviously.No, and I can understand why Josh hasn't put his hand up.He sat back and I reckon analysed the fixture when he first took over and thought he didn't know he was going to win seven.

zip starting, but he would have looked and thought, these are all danger games, I don't want to put my hand in the race, I'm just going to sit back and see how it unfolds.And I understand that you interview players, but Nick Newman, and this is what I love about Carlton at the moment, they're fully behind the coach, they've got energy in the group, but he's not going to say anything outside of, we love playing underneath Josh Fraser, and I'm not sure which way Carlton are going to go, you're not in the four walls, you don't understand.But I really like the way Josh is playing it.

coach even though John Longmire has some level of interest in the role and they have some level of interest in him.I think what you said about how Josh Fraser is playing this is exactly right and tactically he's done it that way knowing that he might get some wins on the board early but then it gets a bit tougher.

Alright they're going for 8 and 0 and not a better time to get Hawthorne.A few injuries, halfback flankers, they don't have the run at the moment, can they do it?I think they can, I think they can.

I think Melbourne gave them the sort of the blueprint as to how to beat them.I mean Carlton are such a good contest team and they've always been a good contest team.We've got a few edits here of what Melbourne did from inside to out, and actually blew the Hawthorne midfield away.Isaac didn't let the Hawthorne midfield of day, and you can particularly get anywhere that it will.Max's hit -outs to the winger or to the forward were just incredible.I don't think Pitnick's going to have the ability to get the ball outside, but if you want to get the ball and beat Hawthorne, you need to get the ball outside.

beat them around the clearance.And without Amon and Impy and Battle and Weddle last week, they really struggled with their transition game, which they back off.They're going to have Impy and Amon probably come back into the team, but they're going to have to do better around the contest, the Hawks.And if Carlton can match them in the contest and prevent their transition, they're a good chance to win the game.

And it was outrageous.You look at what Maxie could do there, and we'll talk about two other ruckmen in the competition soon.He was just playing with Hawthorne's midfield and Hawthorne didn't come with the right attitude in that first half and they got all on top of them but it's going to be a big change this week.If they're being truthful, they said there was nothing on the scan.So, I expect Inby to come back, I expect Eymann to be back and I expect Inby to be back.So, you get that run and gun off the half -back flank.

And where Hawthorne look vulnerable, especially with a few of those taps, was their high half -backs.And they're so important in modern football.So, Hawthorne have set their team up that, yes, they'd love to win contests, they'd love to win the ball inside.And they did that for a couple of weeks.And against the Suns, they had a real spike in centre -bounce scores and scores from clearance and contests.Hawthorne traditionally over the last sort of 18 months are a score from turnover side and they get that running gun, they get that dash, so they want these players back because they're huge to what Hawthorne can do in the back end of the in.

Carlton, but the one thing Fraser has done is that forward pressure and forward tackling pressure which will hurt Hawthorne if they can get it to the elite level.

Nah, Hawthorne win well.I think Hawthorne probably knowing Sam Mitchell would have had quite a spiky meeting on Monday and I expect them to bounce back well.

Yes, it's time to get to the latest trade carousel here, Brownie.So we did this a few weeks ago.It's time for an update.And we're going to do this one while Eddie's away because the first name on the board...Oh no, Gal.Gal.

You're shipping him off....is Nick Dacos.

Where's he going?

We can say tonight that Gold Coast has won.inquired about Nick Dacos as a trade target as they continue to monitor the Collingwood superstar.So they recently reached out to Dacos' manager Robbie D 'Orazio to assess if there was any interest in a move north. Now, he's signed until 2029 when he becomes a free agent, hasn't committed beyond that yet as Collingwood look to sign him to the lifetime deal. No trade would be agreed upon by the Pies and Dacos hasn't initiated any interest but he does spend a lot of time on the coast and they're aware of that. So he likes to holiday on the coast, so you're just going to get him up there? No, no, no. So the Suns have kept a very close eye on him. So there is more to it than this because in his draft, they toured him through their facility. He weighed up whether he nominated for the draft as a father -son or an open pool player. If he opened the open pool player, he would have gone to number one, obviously. They were intent on moving up the board. The Suns were the club that traded up to beat on him as well at that peak. So they've a lot of clubs coming for their players. They've shot a bit of a one across the boat and said, well, what's the latest on Nick?

In all seriousness, anything can happen and players can make decisions and go anywhere.But if you went after Nick, do you have to go after Josh?And then what would the package be to actually get him out of Congo?It would be enormous.

this season.hard, so one of the most in -demand players.Who's chasing him the hardest?I think North Melbourne have the most money up for grabs for him, so they're going pretty strongly there.Jed Walter, as you spoke about before, Herdy, the Bombers lifted their offer.The first offer they put forward was five years at $800 ,000.

The Suns put forward five years at about $900 ,000.Essendon's come back with an offer of about $1 .2 million over five years for Jed Walter.What do you think about that, Isaac?

Well, it's just a genuine risk, because we haven't seen Jed.I think he can be a super player, but we haven't seen it, and that's a lot of money to throw out.Albeit, I'm guessing Essendon got a fair bit of cash in their salary gap at the moment.

1 .2 for an unproven forward.I think he's got talent.

It's a lot of money.in has interest in him, hasn't lodged an offer for him as yet though, but an unrestricted free agent he can walk to wherever he needs to go if he does move.

Also speaking of player movement, Toby Green potentially at Geelong.You spoke to Geelong and also Zach Butters.

Yeah, I spoke to the Geelong president Grant McCabe this week for a story on AFL .com .au right now about Toby Green.He said he's a great player, hasn't he?I think Jezza would probably like to see him in a catch jumper next year.We always want to entrust

improve our list.And then I'm going after Zach Butters as well.So this is the big one, Isaac, and you know this Geelong model better than any of us, because it's been so famously tight around the best players.But if they are to go and attract Zach Butters to their football club, they're going to have to move their model.And he spoke about it here, that this is the one that you do have to maybe change that up.You've got Bailey Smith on about a million dollars a year, Max Holm is about the same.

How much can they afford to pay Zach Butters, who's in the same ballpark?

Well, they'll...They'll obviously lift what they're going to pay him.They would pay nowhere near what Richmond are throwing around.The beauty about the Geelong Footy Club is they don't sell you on money, they sell you on everything else.So, if he went to Geelong, and I don't know where Zach's going to choose, it wouldn't be about money, it'd be more about lifestyle and the expectation that they're pretty much top four every year.So, they did wonders for me and it was a brilliant football club to be involved in.

Everyone always seems to be going to Geelong, don't they?

We're all going to Geelong.We're going to head to a break.Coach's Corner, up next on Footy Classified.

Welcome back to Footy Classified.On Coach's Corner this week, we're going to have a look at the game of the season.Fremantle Football Club in first position, Sydney Football Club in second position.And Isaac, this is a game we've all been waiting for.The Fremantle Football Club are one of the most complete football teams in a long, long time.Sydney love to run and gun, move the ball.

Freemantle, although challenged against Hawthorne a few weeks ago, couldn't really handle the Hawthorne ball movement in the first half, could they?

No, they couldn't.Hawthorne went quick, fast, off half -back, loved that turnover game, and they didn't.And the thing what it does is, you talk about Freemantle, we've got these three big talls, but it catches them on the back foot.So I think Gunston had six or seven shots in the first half of football.But then you get the decision as a forward.Do you lead up?

Do you hold out the back space?But you get the defenders in two minds, and it's the one way.Sydney, their one would is to absolutely fly off half -back.You have Nick Blakey, these type of players, Warner coming quick out of stoppage and then you're able to destabilise their defence and that's their best bet of beating Fremantle.

Yeah, Sydney will have to move the ball fast, forward handball, they tried a different way last week by kicking the ball more and got through the Western Bulldogs and I think they will challenge Fremantle with the way they move the ball but Fremantle is so complete across the park.Now we've all been admiring of the Fremantle forward line.Their forwards have been absolutely brilliant this year.with Tracy, Miss Jackson and Vice Jackson going up forward.I'm not sure whether Sydney Swan's backline are going to be able to hold them.Do you think they'll be able to handle all four, particularly if Jackson goes down forward to stretch them?

Well, not if Jackson gets the ball out of the centre bounce and he's able to just run straight through the middle of the ground.To me, I look at Sydney and I'd have concerns over holding that forward line, but what I do know about Sydney is they're so well coached and they're so well drilled and they'll understand.So inside centre bounce, they'll want the ball coming out one way if they're going to lose it.On transition, when Fremantle have got the ball, they'll want to be able to position them in a way that they're able to defend, they're able to get over and help their teammate.But when these, well four, but these three key forwards are up and going, they're the hardest forward line to stop in the competition.

And not only do they play well individually, but I think as a group of three, they nearly run, they play in a triangle, they move for each other, create space.They're great individually but the way they play as a team is probably the highlight.

Well they understand their role.So Vos, he's the one now that's going and playing a role and being that disruptor.Tracey's the big key forward that just wants to hit a pack, launch, cause disruption in the air the way he does.And Amis is like, I know he's a big boy but he's that lead up, he's the precise player and he's able to kick beautiful goals.So they've all got different strings to their bow and they're complementing each other and they're working well together as a three and that's all you want.

Absolutely.And they get a lot of space.Because Shai Bolton and Murphy Reid love to move up the ground and get up the ground and win the ball and bring it back to the forward line.If you don't follow them, they damage you with ball in hand.If you do follow them, they open up the forward line and make a lot of space for those back players.big guys.

I think these two are really the key for me.If they can get up the ground and get a lot of ball and use the ball around the ground, because they use their numbers, they don't just bomb it in long, they lower their eyes, they get it in.It's going to be very hard for the Sydney Swans to beat them.But the Sydney Swans have got a weapon in their own.They've got Nick Blakey, who he loves getting up the ground.So if he plays on one of these guys, if he plays on Bolton or he plays on Murphy Reid, he will get dragged up the ground and where he'll be getting the ball is not from deep 50 into the centre.

He'll be getting the ball from the middle of the ground into the forward line, which is, you know, he's so damaging when he can go 30 metres on a run and kick the ball.

Yeah, the thing with Nick Blakey is, I know he takes off and he'll leave those players by himself, but how often does Nick Blakey miss a kick when he's out in space, open, going inside 50?Then you can have a winger or a midfielder that slides back to protect him.I would expect Cunningham to go to Bolton and then Blakey to possibly play off Murphy Reid.But Cunningham, he's a very good tagger, he's a very good negator.He's got the speed and endurance to go with any player.And he's aggressive, he had a rugby league background, he tackles well.

He'd be the one I'd be sending to Bolton.

Australian's second Ruckman?

To me I think the guy for Fremantle is the All -Australian first Ruckman at the moment as good as Max Gorn's been.I think Max Gorn slides onto the bench and Les Grundy can absolutely dominate Jackson on Thursday night.It is a mouth -watering contest and so often you don't get these one -on -one contests but in the Ruck you always get them and there's three Ruckman in the competition that are better than any other Ruckman at the moment and it's just great to watch.

Yeah can't wait for this one Brownie.Who are you going for?Freer.Bye.20 plus.20 points.

I think by three goals and it's going to be a wonderful game.Can't wait to see it.

Nice work boys.The Fiji Airways Performance of the Year.That's coming up next on Footy Classified.The Sunday Footy Show, 10am on Sunday.The team will be back.You've got Damian Barrett, you've got Matthew Lloyd, Rory Sloan, TJ and my good self.

So the longest running sports TV show at the moment.So Sunday, 10am.It's a lot of good fun.Isaac, sometimes you're on there as well.Yeah, I am.A lot of fun, Brownie.

Especially when you're in a bit of a naughty mood as well with TJ.You seem to wind him up a little bit.

Alright, it's time for the Fiji Airways Performance of the Year.And from Fiji, you can connect straight into a growing North American network, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Honolulu, Vancouver, plus Fiji Airways has just expanded into Australian network with new direct flights from the Gold Coast to Nadi, making it even easier for Aussies to get to Fiji.The winning player will receive two business class return flights with Fiji Airways to Fiji and then on to North America, plus five nights accommodation in Fiji at the luxurious Nanuku Resort.with Fiji as your holiday starts before you land.Alright, Kel, you're up first.

another All -Australian Blazer.Another couple of performances like that, he'd be well on the way.

Only nine coaches votes, I had this guy.So, Herdy, I did this game on the weekend and as good as Max Gawen was, this bloke was best on ground.I gave him three votes, five goals, ten scoring involvements, 24 disposals, 14 contested possessions.He was huge and not just him, I'm loving what Melbourne are doing in their young brigade, how they're driving them forward and this bloke, he was clearly the best player of the round.

Yeah, he was.really mattered in the game, Nick stood up and what a player he has become.

Well if it's how you get them and what you do with them, I've got the package.Jake Stringer against the best team in the business.You don't see too many bags of seven anymore.Have a look at that, 11 score involvements and he went to Alex Pearce.He did a job on Alex Pearce so it must be a contract year because he looks fit, he's firing, he's hungry for another contract next year, Jakey Stringer.But he was brilliant and part of the reason why we just can't Tip GWS at the moment, they are so unpredictable as he is but a seven goal performance and I'm happy to say Jakey's taking it away this week.

So seven goals you kicked, you were telling us before the show you've kicked seven goals three times is that right?

Yeah I think so, yeah.

Well I went under Jake Stringer.Okay we're gonna head to a break.News or noise up next.News or noise it is yes?That's it, that's news.Looking forward to that, I'm pretty classified.

Yes, time for news or noise.Thanks to Hyundai doing big things in the biggest game.Nath, you get the first ball here because you're new to the desk as the host.Richmond should move Jacob Hopper to a wing to move... up different spots for Taj Houghton and Seth Campbell.

I like your thinking here.I like the fact that Taj Houghton and Seth Campbell could play more midfield time.I think they need to be in there all the time.They are good young players and that means Jacob Hopper finds somewhere else outside the centre square, maybe half back, maybe on the wing, maybe that role where he justfloats and uses his aerobic capacity.The question wasn't where, it was on the wing.

Should they move the wing?And you are adamant that he should be on the wing, mate, seriously.Would you say his profile is as a wingman?

Mate, he is an inside mid and Richmond need to leave him inside mid because there is nothing better when you're a wingman and they roll an inside mid out.

He's not a long kick, he doesn't have a heap of endurance and I just don't think he's a wingman mate.Isaac.

News or noise, Matthew Scarlett has been the coaching recruiter for the season.

I'm not sure if it's news or noise, Carl, in terms of coaching.Is it news or is it noise?

I'm going to run with news.

When I moved to Geelong, I really liked the way Scarlo coached.He was very direct.Players understood what they needed to achieve underneath him.He knew the game well and he had so many little tactics that he could help players.I just look at someone like Turner at fullback and I know he's working with the defenders back there.site and I'm loving what he's delivering and I love what their defence are doing at the moment as well.

So, news.

Brownie, news or noise, it's never been more dangerous to celebrate.Let's go to the tape.Let's have a look at this.Did you catch this?This is news.

Have a look at that broken arm.Oh, that is nasty, isn't it?He got a yellow card and he didn't get on the field and he got carried off with a broken arm.I'm sure that he probablycould have walked off, but it is a bit of news.And this is the Aussie basketball team, caught Blake behind the door.

It's a dangerous place to be celebrating.I have not seen that.

This is news.But what about the English bloke, Fair Dinkum, has not got on the field, yellow carded, because he was remonstrating with the ref when he wasn't on there, and snapped his arm.He's broken his arm and gone off on a stretcher.Nothing's wrong with your legs, mate.

Unbelievable.Jordan Henderson, ex -captain of Liverpool.Liverpool, great.It wasn't a great day.

Brownie broke his leg in five different places.I celebrated a draw as well.

So Cal, news or noise, the coaching panel isn't the most important panel in Tassie.

This is news because they have set up a panel at the Tasmania Devils to make a decision on the theme song.This is breaking here.Brendan Gale will chair the panel.Senior music executive Patrick Donovan, actor and musical theatre legend John X and Tony Fox the chair of Music Tasmania all on the panel.Some high profile, low profile AFL and AFL players.AFLW players, I'm said, to be involved as well.

So this is pressure.

Where does that story sit on your journalistic integrity?

No, the theme song is big.You have to get it right.Who's got the best?Who's got the best theme song?The Giants have made the big, big sound as well in coming in.They're the last ten to do it right.

Freeo writers to do it, do you think?

No, I reckon you'd try and find someone involved in the Richmond one, maybe.Probably the Richmond song is the best one of the lot, isn't it?What's the worst?I think West Coast is the worst.Oh, I love the West Coast one.No.

Alright, we're going to head to a break on Footy Classified.Up next, the Tab Top 3.

Alright, gents, looking for your Tab Top 3.Huge game coming up on Thursday night between the Dockers and the Swans.Isaac, what have you got for us?

Yeah, Faro bounce back.They had the loss to GWS, but they go plus 20 against Sydney.

Erty?Look, Josh Treacy will kick four goals and Faro will win by 18 points, but I haven't got one of these right, so I'm sorry Josh, you'll probably kick zero.

And what have you got, Brownie?I think the Dockers are in a tight lead.but I like Errol.He's had a couple of games back now.It's a big ground, running capacity.I think Errol goes big and could have 35 in this game.

It's going to be a good game.It's going to be a massive game.So top of the table clash, there it is there.Fremantle up against Sydney.We've got a massive weekend coming up of football.So whoever your team is, hope they go well.

State of Origin tomorrow night.You can't wait.State of Origin on 9.

Huge clues get the win though.

You love your rugby league.

Love it.Can't wait.What about Peter Voland?He's at the moment.He tried to get a kicking job with the North Queensland Cowboys not that long ago.I did not.

Is that news or noise?That is news.He had the coach of the North Queensland Cowboys.You don't even know his name.Very good looking man.Toddy Payton and Isaac is talking about the kicking game.

The kicking game wasn't that good.I said they need to work on it Hurdy.And they have and they've got higher up the ladder.Let's talk about this next week.Let's talk about it next week.Footy Furnace is also on Wednesday.

Footy Furnace on Sunday.So plenty more of you.They'll be talking about the coaching job for a long, long time yet.But Thursday night footy.State of Origin tomorrow night.Thanks for joining us on Footy Classified.

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