I think some people are a bit confused!
Mentioning any player just because he is from another club is not what the original conversation was about. It was about Blair Hartly and whether the people he brought to the club had been ok for us which in term means he had done his job.
Not just players from other clubs that were delisted and we picked them up. Massive, massive difference. Names like Gordon, Petterd, Thompson and Banfield were drafted and were pick by the club but IMO picked by FJ and his crew. I'm sure others had a say too but they are not Hartly's picks.
Hartly's job is to monitor players from other sides through the year that maybe are not being used as he thinks they can and get them to the club. IMO you cannot lump them all into the same category..
Aaron Edwards was drafted at pick 1000 odd, not really anything to do with Hartly. It was a temp fix while others developed. Not sure how many games he played this year but I know it wasn't many. Griff got opportunities after a few years learning the game.. So IMO 'the club' got it right.. Who the f()k knows what we paid him and who really cares????
Hartly's men
Knights or as some call him Higgins, was a FA. Didn't cost us a pick and again who really cares what he gets paid. I think anyone with half a brain can tell he can play the game at a pretty reasonable level.. If he stays fit next year and it's a big if, he is in our best 22 IMO. It was a gamble but our chips are still on the table.. So not a loss yet.
Chaplin, had a really good year last year, started the year slowly this year but played some pretty good footy in the second half of the season. No one can deny that even if they think he is a he has flaws as long as he plays a roll. Again FA that cost us nothing in terms or players or draft picks. Free hit really. If he is getting paid to much, and no one knows really other than him and the club, big deal! As soon as others stand up and demand more with their actions than maybe he will have to take a pay cut but until then he deserves his spot on our list and in our best 22. Massive tick to Hartly for getting him across, when you take EVERYTHING into account.
Houli, didn't pay much for him and has played some pretty good footy for the club.. Like most of Hartly's guys does need upgrading but you would hope that come by way of a kid in the draft. Wouldn't be getting paid big dollars but has played a roll at his time at the club. Massive tick all things considered.
Grigg, say what you like about him and I admit I don't rate him either much but what we paid and what we gave, we have won. He needs replacing but someone has to take his place. The kids at our club coming through at the moment in his type of roll are just not ready or simply no good. Cold hard fact I'm afraid. I hope I don't see him ever again in a Tigers jumper but IMO he has been a tick over what we had.
Maric, surely nothing needs to be said?? Bloody star and cost us not much. Massive tick to Hartly here.
Hampson, I think most agreed we paid to much, but in this business you are going to get a few wrong when you have a crack. Not sure the club has to close the doors over this mistake. FJ make mistakes every single year but not much is said by some. Massive cross but IMO that's the only real cross from Hartly to date.
It would make it a lot easier if the kids at the club were any good to be able to fase these guys out. But they are not and we haven't had much come through of recent times. Miles is a jet and I hope Lennon can come through too but I really only think a couple of other will make it who are not getting games now. Dea and McBean and that's really it IMO.