Can our brains trust accomplish something that could be the difference between finals and a premiership, something that big clubs count on, and small clubs rarely receive?

Can we get a A grader or future A grader to come to us in the PSD for nothing?

We certainly should have plenty of cash available to throw at any player that may be a bit disgruntled at their club

Our youth looks fantastic, and we have the last raid on the draft before the new sides come in set up, this may be the final piece of the puzzle if we can keep our ear to the ground and target an out of contract young gun

Make it happen guys! <_<

I keep hearing rumours that Delidio and Cotchin aren't happy at Tigerland and want out. Not sure how much substance there is to the rumour but one of them for free would be nice.

2003 is the last time an A grade player was picked up in the pre-season draft, and that was Nick Stevens... And he didn't want to go to Carlton, he wanted Collingwood...

we could pick up a player in this circumstance, such as Ryan O'Keefe last year. A deal couldn't be done with Hawthorn, so he could've entered the PSD. He elected to stay at Sydney... If there's another O'Keefe type player this year, and we do have pick one in the PSD, then we could try and convince them to come to Melbourne...

Having said that, I wouldn't think Schwab or Stynes wouldn't have anything directly to do with it. It would be Connolly, Bailey and Prendergast dealing with any issue like this.

Name the "A" graders that have crossed for nothing in the PSD in the last 5 or so years.

I reckon there is one, how about you??

so we give up?

Its well known Carlton were targetting Judd well before he announced he was moving back, they also had a crack at Kerr as well, Okeefe almost left the Swans last year, Lovett the Bombers, Brennan the Lions....good players can be stolen, if we are aggressive.. but no cos its rare lets not even think about it

Peter Vardy was the last one we got as i remember. Good player in 2002, i liked his style.

Ben McKinlay from West Coast??

Victorian boy who was shattered to be drafted interstate.

I keep hearing rumours that Delidio and Cotchin aren't happy at Tigerland and want out. Not sure how much substance there is to the rumour but one of them for free would be nice.

The Cotch would be great. They won't let him go though. Anyway, even if the rumour were true, all it takes is a press conference, or a change of coach, even a change of position on the ground and suddenly the teenager's mind changes... like the wind. In any case, I reckon we were lucky to get rid of one mercenary at the end of last season, I'm not sure I want fairweather friends. I'm more interested in the core of the list. Guys that came to the club and stuck around through the thin, only to enjoy the thick more.

Peter Vardy was the last one we got as i remember. Good player in 2002, i liked his style.

Loved Vardy. Was one of my favourites, even at the Crows. Didn't we trade for him though?

The Cotch would be great. They won't let him go though. Anyway, even if the rumour were true, all it takes is a press conference, or a change of coach, even a change of position on the ground and suddenly the teenager's mind changes... like the wind. In any case, I reckon we were lucky to get rid of one mercenary at the end of last season, I'm not sure I want fairweather friends. I'm more interested in the core of the list. Guys that came to the club and stuck around through the thin, only to enjoy the thick more.

True. It's all pie in the sky stuff anyway. But if he walked out on the Tigers and we got him in the PSD he would stay forever once he met the other players and saw our hidden (but soon to be unveiled) awesomeness.

I really doubt that Cotchin and Delidio are leaving the Tigers

so we give up?

Its well known Carlton were targetting Judd well before he announced he was moving back, they also had a crack at Kerr as well, Okeefe almost left the Swans last year, Lovett the Bombers, Brennan the Lions....good players can be stolen, if we are aggressive.. but no cos its rare lets not even think about it

And none of the players you mentioned were considered as pre-season draft candidates. O'Keefe was the most likely, but he was never going to leave the Swans in the lurch. If any of those players were going to move (and Judd was the only one who did), it was via trade week.

What's more, only two of those players are genuine A-graders (Judd, Kerr), with O'Keefe on the cusp.

As others have said, Stevens was the last player approaching A-grade talent to move in the PSD and he didn't even make it to his preferred destination.

I'd rather focus on getting our drafting and development processes right, and then plug holes where required through trade week.

If we were to somehow land picks 1 and 2 (which seem to be diminishing by the day), I think a more likely scenario would be to trade our pick 2 in order to get that 'A GRADER'.

THE PAV,

would have to be a chance to leave freo if their season falls over.

For a player to be available to us in the PSD he'd have to be uncontracted... and GC17 have the pick of uncontracted players from clubs, and although they must agree to join the gold coast club, they also have the first five picks in the PSD, so it gives the player little choice in the matter - GC17, hope an acceptable trade is worked out, or stay at home.

Epic fail.

I keep hearing rumours that Delidio and Cotchin aren't happy at Tigerland and want out. Not sure how much substance there is to the rumour but one of them for free would be nice.

Don't like our chances, but I'd take the Cotch.

edit: - In answer to the threads question, the likes of Stynes, Schwab & Connolly can keep on keeping on what they are doing. They are working hard off the field to set things on the right track. It would be nice to hear a decision re: Casey and news updates regarding our training base in Melbourne though. But I'm sure this is still in progress.

I'm sure they can do it. Ie. Lead us on the path to success.

Not so sure about an A grader, and whether we have plenty of cash to splash around either.

Don't like our chances, but I'd take the Cotch.

Cotchin without a shadow of a doubt, but even still, it doesn't change the fact that no big name player will go in the PSD unless they are going to GC17.

And even then, they'd take the more obvious route.

Ben McKinlay from West Coast??

Victorian boy who was shattered to be drafted interstate.

Yes he was so shattered he signed a 3 year deal last year

For a player to be available to us in the PSD he'd have to be uncontracted... and GC17 have the pick of uncontracted players from clubs, and although they must agree to join the gold coast club, they also have the first five picks in the PSD, so it gives the player little choice in the matter - GC17, hope an acceptable trade is worked out, or stay at home.

Epic fail.

Gold Coast get no picks in the National or Pre-season draft this year.

Epic fail indeed.

Gold Coast get no picks in the National or Pre-season draft this year.

Epic fail indeed.

My mistake, its the rookie draft they get those picks in.

I stand corrected.

With Watts, Grimes, Scully. Butcher, Morton and possibly Frawley, do we need anymore A graders. Cotchin would probably get a run off the bench

For a player to be available to us in the PSD he'd have to be uncontracted... and GC17 have the pick of uncontracted players from clubs, and although they must agree to join the gold coast club, they also have the first five picks in the PSD, so it gives the player little choice in the matter - GC17, hope an acceptable trade is worked out, or stay at home.

Epic fail.

The Gold Coast have no access to uncontracted players this year, but what you have described is the reason why i think this year of all years we are a shot to get someone,.. next year the GC gets anyone that wants to swap clubs, the year after West Sydney.. if u wanna come home to Victoria, or just get away from where you are without being shipped off to a starter-club you do it this year or you wait till at least 2013?

With Watts, Grimes, Scully. Butcher, Morton and possibly Frawley, do we need anymore A graders. Cotchin would probably get a run off the bench

Sheesh, wish I was as confident as you in this regard.

Sheesh, wish I was as confident as you in this regard.

The club's alot smarter place than it was 2 years ago. In saying that let's say we win 6 games and end up with pick 4. Chances are this will also be a very talented player who will be able to add to our already impressive list. We'll be just fine whatever happens. After this draft it's all upto the coaches and players we've already got and on that front we're looking very good.