Thought Duffield did a lot of team orientated work off the ball, shepherds etc. Did not see a lot of Drum (seems to have poise uner pressure and an accurate kick), I think he was a number 10 draft pick. Where do these guys sit in comparison with Thornton for the future.I love to see Thornton run but he needs a bit more bulk to play some of the dfensive roles he is asked.

Is poise another word for slow?

Well, the new CEO categorically stated that there would be no trades this year - so, I expect them to be either retained or shot. I guess the same can be deduced with Kiwi and Spud - if one of them isn't going to be retained they'll require at least a 12 gauge to put them down.

pollyanna, I think the CEO said we would not trade our early draft picks, not that there would be no trades. We might be losing a few players for nothing if we refuse to participate at all.

The media reported Steve's statement as an absolute - no trades. If it was wrong, I think the Freo administration would have corrected it - instead they released this:

Trading will not be on the cards, though, as Rosich wants to see the club rebuild via the draft.
"We are going to re-invigorate the list via the draft, that's our first priority at this period of time. Given that this is an uncompromised draft, our strategy at this point is to retain all our picks in the first three rounds," he said.

So it looks like the shotgun...

Not sure where the quote starts and finishes but just because we're going to hold on to our to draft picks doesn't mean we won't trade players for more picks or other players.

MInd you I'm all for turning some of them into glue

I think the pertinent point is this bit

"our strategy at this point is to retain all our picks in the first three rounds,"

If players want to leave they have no choice but to trade them or they will lose them for nothing.

'our first priority' ... means we want to resign Warnock.
'at this point'... means we will be flexible.

You can see how these presidents and CEO's get in trouble when someone interprets "our strategy at this point is to retain all our picks in the first three rounds" as categorically stating that there would be no trades this year.

He hasn't even really implied it, let alone stated it. The next stage is for Fremantle to trade and you to come and tell us how he lied. From there I think you give him a nickname like cuddly or the yuppie, join a small interest group then drift away from football because it's not as good as it used to be.

Again, I want an emergency smiley emoticon and I want it now.

I would just like to highlight some truly masterful slegding *salutes*

Using the shotgun to cull the list would be a novel way for Steve to make a mark in the organisation - I guess I would join the NRMA and go around the WAFL looking for chicken salt or something.

Smiley really needs that symbol Shane.

I think the special interest groups would like to get the shotgun duties.

They consider their forte. And their right.

tut tut

I'd like to be clearer on some definitions here: 'our' means 'us' and 'flexible' means like Mata Hari but with the strength and agility of Warnock.

And 'draft' means beer.

You just can't help yourself, can you Shane?

Duff has imprressed over the last couple of weeks and while I don't see him earning a spot in our first 22, he will be a very handy depth player for the next couple of seasons.

Drum is a player who could break into the side but always gets hit by injury at the wrong time. He is still young and has developed a big body over the last couple of years which has seen him move into the backline. When we drafted him he was a tall flanker who could play in the middle. His versatility has seen him spend time all over the ground and not able to find a niche to slip into the first 22. It seems he is now being groomed as a defender who can play tall or small and is competing with Scotty for a spot back there.

I would have Drum ahead of the Flash in my pecking order for a spot down back.

I think Duffield is certainly worth keeping. I think he does have actual poise as opposed to being slow. He many not be big but he can rotate from half-back/mid-field/half forward and so becomes a good bench option if not in the 22.
I have never really been a fan of flash Thornton, but I can see if he was more consistent with his performances then I could become a fan of his.
If Drum has been curtailed by injury then maybe they should make a call on his basic potential. If he has got it then keep him; if he hasn't then possibly part ways.
Andrew Browne is the real mystery. Does anyone have any real solid opinions about this guy? I'd like to hear from a Claremont fan who knows his performances and potential well. I do not know enough about him.Cheers.

Look, despite the best wishes of The Hackdorn and others, we can't delist everyone at the end of this season.

As my blog during the week off indicated, Duffield was on my hit list, but his last couple of weeks have seen him really consolidate his position nicely and I've broadly come around to the same opinion of most that he should now be retained - especially as he seems to be handy at all points on the ground.

I am mystified as to how Thornton has actually played as many games as he has - but when played in position, his run off half back is very useful. The trouble is, he'll never be a KPP and many oppositions this year have latched onto this and dragged him to full back where his shortcomings have been brutally exposed.

Drum is a forward who the coaching staff are attempting to turn into a defender because we have nobody else his size young enough there, apart from Michael Johnson. He hasn't been totally convincing in this role at any point. If they insist on doing this, I demand that he and Supermac switch places as required, because he's always been impressive at half forward.

I can tell you that Andrew Browne has tried his heart out in every game he has played this year, but he just seems to be too small to take on opponents who have delighted in blocking his space and tackling him at every turn. Again, despite his willing engine, he's out of position...give him sufficient space in the forward 50 as a crumber and he will excel. Both he and Ryley Dunn have done enough for mine to keep them on.

With all the retirements, I'd say only Murphy and (unfortunately) Webster are the ones to cut loose, with Gilmore sitting on the razor's edge.

Thanks for the insight on Browne. I was hoping he may be more of a midfielder than a crumbing forward.
I would like to see Gilmour get fit again. I actually think he is a better option than Kepler. He is much more mobile and more skillful.
And as you say, the perennial tragedy is Lukey Webster.