we look at the draft order now ...

the hated cross-town rival has the whip hand on access to the gun local talent. We reckon you won't cop that, and will seek to gain access to better picks.

you actually knew or cared to properly understand the emotional complexities of Dayne Beams' life and current situation ...

you wouldn't dare criticise. He's coming from a genuine place. And he's actually given four years of outstanding football and leadership service under extreme personal duress, stress and tears. No matter what happens from here, his issues are not – and never have been - with the people at the Lions.

there's one club which might yet pull a trade period surprise out of nowhere ...

it is this one. Reckon SOS is working on something. 

you miss on Lynch and May but keep Langdon and add Beams ...

it's still a good NAB AFL Trade Period.

we're to be honest ...

we had the Bombers fourth this time last week on Shiel's list of preferences. Testament to the people who have run this club since the narcissists exited.

you've had massive, unsuccessful cracks over the years at McGovern, Hooker, Cloke, Riewoldt, Taylor, Clark, Frawley and others and right now Hogan and Lobb are staring you in the face  ...

you Just. Get. The. Deals. Done. 

most people seem to be bagging the call ...

we like it. Gary Rohan is a good get. 

we said it last week and a dozen times before that ...

we're going to have to say it again, because you've become the rabbit in the spotlight. Get rid of May. Make it your call. He doesn't want to be there. We told you that in April. You've given him embarrassingly too long a time to call the shots. 

there was one piece of refreshing honesty amidst an AFL world of lies ...

it was Wayne Campbell's 10 minutes on NAB AFL Trade Radio this week. It's actually OK to say how it actually is. 

there's one thing we won't ever do ...

it is question anything Clarko does. No one in this modern era has deserved more the right to do whatever he wants. But while we won't question, we do wonder why Burton is being prepared to be tossed out. We do indeed wonder what impact that might have on a 21-year-old who hasn't done much wrong. 

there's one club which has become ruthless in every facet of its operation ...

it is this one. It is all-in on the pursuit of success. It could still end up ugly. But we love the bull-at-a-gate desperation it is displaying on and off field.

you want to have a crack at this club for targeting big names who ultimately say no ... 

go your hardest. But at least it's having a crack and still getting significant deals done. 

in 2015 - after the 2013 best-and-fairest win, the 2014 finals series, and the 2015 All Australian guernsey - someone said to you, 'Guess what, Port will willingly off-load Chad Wingard in three years' time,' ...

you would have asked for that person to be locked up. One of the great mysteries and falls from grace. And both club and individual need to take responsibility for that.    

we had one quick take-out after the AFL's announcement of 2019 rule changes ...

it was this: Grigg won't ever again be involved in a ruck contest. 

Billy Slater had wanted to do a Karmichael or an Izzy at the peak of his sporting prowess ...

we would have been genuinely excited. He's the real deal in everything he does, and would have stuck at it. The other two just did it for the AFL cash and gimmick. Anyway, Saints get one of the good ones, here, albeit off-field. 

the Swans don't use the remaining days of Trade Period to jag someone of quality ...

it's difficult to see them figuring late in September in 2019 .  

you haven't yet caught the Will Schofield podcast (or seen the footage on AFL.com.au) relating to the final moments of the Grand Final ...

do so. We knew he was a footy talent, he's A-Grade media talent too.

good players want to leave and other good players don't want to come ... 

there's probably something in that. 

you're wired negatively ...

of course you'll hate the rule changes, because that's what you do. But they are actually very good.