Tiger71 on the BF Tigercast:* Taranto a lock. Not 750k mentioned in the media either. He wants to come to us as we can do a fair deal with GWS.
* Hopper to Tigerland now 70% confident.
* Both will get lengthy deals so we can 'middle-end' the contracts after 2024 when Dusty and Lynch come out of contract. Any new deal for Lynch [to be extended next year] will be less than what he is on now. So that we'll free up around $2 million of the cap for 2025 and beyond. Reckons Dusty's contract was front-ended last year for 2022 so he's been paid in advance. That salary will increase by 5% next year and by 20-25% over the next 5 years. So along with the retirements we will have the space for both Taranto and Hopper as well as to afford any future increases in salaries for our own youngsters.
* We have the picks this and next year to trade with. Geelong don't. GWS also still not happy either about Geelong grabbing Jeremy Cameron.
* We want to keep pick 19. So we'll use picks 12, 30, our 1st next year and players to get both deals done. He mentioned 12+30 or 12+next year's first plus a player (assuming he meant a player in both set of picks scenarios).
* Kingsley will evaluate the GWS list and then work out what the Giants need and then ask for Tigers he would like given he knows our list intimately. We've got to trade for Hopper [he also doesn't want to screw his old club either] so we'll have to be prepared to give up someone good. Not Soldo as GWS have rucks coming through. The Giants are screaming for forwards and quick half-back flankers. So Ryan (as a forward), Hugo .... are the sorts Tiger71 feels potentially could go north.
* If we can get both Taranto and Hopper we'll be in a big shot for Green when he finally comes out of contract.
* Needs to confirm if we're after a 22-24 year old lead up/hit up forward he's been told about. Not an A-grader. Limited opportunities but dominating where he is playing.
* Initially said that he was told last night that Stack is "gone". Later modified it to "it's not looking good for him".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sag_ieYTCjc