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It's highly unlikely that we will find a replacement now. Key forwards are in high demand. I think we have to go with what we've got, and it poses some problems. Do we play Fraser at FF and someone like Cary at CHF? Do we try to turn a midfielder into a CHF, like we did with Bevan? Or do we go with a mid-sized full forward line, maybe Hitchcock, Stubbs, Cary, Jones, players like that? Does this bring Roe into contention? Maybe try Zac Hill at CHF? I agree it would be big risk trying Reid at CHF, a guy yet to play league footy. Maybe Langdon, but I think he is borderline league standard.

You have to wonder whether this is the end for Loersch. Some players, understandably, just get worn down by injury. Blake Johnson and Ryan Murphy are recent examples. Loersch may well decide it's just not worth it any more. Let's hope not, but who could blame him? Very unfortunate situation.

You may be right Ted but I believe we must try to find a replacement for Loersch.
If we don't look we will not find. If it comes down to going with what we have then I agree on Roe as the answer. I do not like the idea of playing Fraser at FF. Leave him in the pocket and let him come down to the midfield on occasions. Likewise, I would leave Zac Hill in defence. No sense in breaking up that solid group.
So, who were we going to play at CHF? Probably the Sheriff so leave him there. I don't know about Langdon but do not see him taking a key role up forward. Is he training ? There had been a suggestion that he has not returned from up north.
So unless we find a goal kicking wiz kid I would go with Roe and back him in to perform. with Burke also some chance.
Let's just hope this unfortunate situation does not upset the balance of the forward line too much. Perhaps Richo and Stubbs will come into calculations also but I think Roe might be our man.

Some players are just jinxed with injury....Loersch was forever getting injured during his 3 years at EF...back, ankle etc...must of been a nasty injury if he is out all year....at 200 odd cm and 100+ kg...with a buggered hip, not looking good long term.

There is fella over here who played in the NZAFL, ex Coburg tall forward Mark Orr, just kicked 70 odd goals in the Christchurch season from 8 games, he's good mates with my son, do want me to shoulder tap the guy about trying his luck at Perth?...he is only 25/26....just out here working.

Yes please, Freezin. That’d be awesome ??

Geez Freez, average some 9 goals per game sounds good but I don't imagine for a moment that the competition over there being anywhere near second tier state comps..VFL, SANFL, WAFL. He probably can't get back into OZ at the moment anyway, or WA at least.

He was rucking as well Smokey, with stints up in defence to give lesser team mates a crack....the comp is very mediocre mate, but he was still pinging them from 55-60 out...down to earth fella, happy to share the limelight....about 6 5....had a year or two a Coburg and playing in a Ballarat comp, so has played at a higher level.....apparently heading up to Auckland anyway for work and playing in their AFL comp....which is slightly stronger....but yeah light years away from WAFL quality....just a thought.

Good call, Smokey, I forgot about Josh Burke. he played forward in a couple of games in 2019 and did pretty well, kicked 4 goals in one game. He's a decent height and mobile. However, he was out of favour with the selectors last season. Hopefully he's having a good pre-season.

Terrible news and rotten luck for the young man who no doubt would have been setting himself for a big year. I wonder if the club has been on the phone to Blake Johnson to come back. There’s a few unknowns who might provide some goals up front one of them being Oscar Bird from Sydney who is mentioned as a forward/mid at around 192cm must be about 6’ 4” and Langlands 188cm and the guy from Claremont who’s booted 7 goals in a reserves final Corey Hitchcock.

10 points and 10k transfer fee (or whatever it was) suggest the Perth Footy Department were excited. And plenty on here were- who replaces McDonald goals?? Loersch would definitely have kicked some for you

KC if fit Loersch had the potential to...but pretty obvious fitness/injury was always his issue, not only at EF but also Gold Coast...he played half a season for EF kicking 30 goals....everything else around that, his recruiting was a fizzer....did he dislocate or fracture his hip?