Does no one rate James Craig as a ruckman?

All the talk has seemed to be Vardy, but Craig seems ok also.

He's also been named by Jason McCartney as 'probably the leading ruckman in the competition'.

Jackson Trengove

No relation

No relation

yep...figured it out too..lol.. just a little late..lol

Is there any footage of jack trengove on the net. Cant find a thing!

That's SA's way of trying to hide him from the rest of the AFL so one of Port or Adelaide can pick him up, so he must be good

TRADE: Russell Robertson for Harbrow of Bulldogs.

Robbo wants to play on - as he stated on Fox Sports a few weeks ago. Bulldogs were interested last time. Aker might go. They need goals.

I believe we need a nippy defender to take Whelan's spot. Not sure if Cheney has the capacity to stay with the fast forward pocket type.

TRADE: Russell Robertson for Harbrow of Bulldogs.

Robbo wants to play on - as he stated on Fox Sports a few weeks ago. Bulldogs were interested last time. Aker might go. They need goals.

We should ask for Ryan Griffen and Adam Cooney as well. We will toss in a fourth pick to get the deal over the line. The Dogs will be rapt with that deal.

I agree with you about Cheney though

TRADE: Russell Robertson for Harbrow of Bulldogs.

Robbo wants to play on - as he stated on Fox Sports a few weeks ago. Bulldogs were interested last time. Aker might go. They need goals.

I believe we need a nippy defender to take Whelan's spot. Not sure if Cheney has the capacity to stay with the fast forward pocket type.

you now nothing, harbrow for robbo,

We should ask for Ryan Griffen and Adam Cooney as well. We will toss in a fourth pick to get the deal over the line. The Dogs will be rapt with that deal.

no dice Rhino, the dogs already have those 2 set aside to trade to Richmond for Jake King and pick 87.

We should ask for Ryan Griffen and Adam Cooney as well. We will toss in a fourth pick to get the deal over the line. The Dogs will be rapt with that deal.

I agree with you about Cheney though

Honest assessment. What's Harbrows real worth then?

you now nothing, harbrow for robbo,

Keep up the good work JtR.

I "now" nothing?

Another thing, you don't make sense. Learn to quote would you.

Honest assessment. What's Harbrows real worth then?

Bennell maybe?

Mind you, I wouldn't do that trade.

I believe we need a nippy defender to take Whelan's spot. Not sure if Cheney has the capacity to stay with the fast forward pocket type.

Jamie Bennell not nippy enough for ya?

On Cheney's pace, i too thought he was one of the 'slower' types, but there was one piece of play on the wing last week against the Roos where he showed some real toe. I can't remember what quarter it was, but he started about a metre behind his man, and finished up beating him to the ball by a few yards. Maybe not as slow as the perception of him might be?

Anyone else recall the play i'm talking about? Really made me sit up and go "whoa"!

Jamie Bennell not nippy enough for ya?

On Cheney's pace, i too thought he was one of the 'slower' types, but there was one piece of play on the wing last week against the Roos where he showed some real toe. I can't remember what quarter it was, but he started about a metre behind his man, and finished up beating him to the ball by a few yards. Maybe not as slow as the perception of him might be?

Anyone else recall the play i'm talking about? Really made me sit up and go "whoa"!

Yeah, i do actually. I remember one of the commentators making a point of replaying it.

Very impressive actually, starting about 1.5m behind and ending up ahead by 1m.

Quick and agile, but not fast, maybe?

Bennell maybe?

Mind you, I wouldn't do that trade.

At the moment Harbrow is worth considerably more than Bennell, as an established good AFL quality player. Bennell is just a mid-30s pick with promise at the moment. Generally speaking, I don't see any point in trying to get another flanker (we seem to have those in spades) or a midfielder (particularly if we use picks 1 & 2 on midfielders).

As for an incoming trade, I would probably only be looking at a bigger bodied player who can play either forward or ruck (or both). That's why I have been a big fan of going after David Hale with pick 18.

I'd be tempted by Matt Maguire as well although I tend to think 18 by itself would be paying over the odds given his inability to break into the St Kilda side, the fact he hasn't played a lot of footy in the forward 50, and his pre-2009 injury history. Still has all the right attributes to help the development of Watts, Jurrah, etc - can split a pack, good contested mark, and tackles to hurt.

Whats people veiw on that hooper kid, larke medalist seemed a very good ball winnerof half back.

Yet no mentions of him at all is he eligible?

At the moment Harbrow is worth considerably more than Bennell, as an established good AFL quality player. Bennell is just a mid-30s pick with promise at the moment. Generally speaking, I don't see any point in trying to get another flanker (we seem to have those in spades) or a midfielder (particularly if we use picks 1 & 2 on midfielders).

As for an incoming trade, I would probably only be looking at a bigger bodied player who can play either forward or ruck (or both). That's why I have been a big fan of going after David Hale with pick 18.

I'd be tempted by Matt Maguire as well although I tend to think 18 by itself would be paying over the odds given his inability to break into the St Kilda side, the fact he hasn't played a lot of footy in the forward 50, and his pre-2009 injury history. Still has all the right attributes to help the development of Watts, Jurrah, etc - can split a pack, good contested mark, and tackles to hurt.

I'd stay away from Matt McGuire tbh. Injury prone - a history littered with injuries, and StKilda has lost faith in his body & mind. Often copped abuse from teammates not sticking to the team plan. Often on the end of sprays by Maxy Hughton.

Fwiw, I think Harbrow was brought up as a small defender option and because he has pace much like Whelan, rather than getting another flanker. I'd keep faith with Cheney for the time being myself.

This year the focus should be strictly on midfielders and maybe a KPF. IMO, specialist back pocket players - either late in the draft or put on the back burner if required.

If I was looking to trade I would have one major caveat overhanging all possibles. AGE..as it equals longevity. Bymyclock we could make serious inroads to this competition within 2-3 years and I honestly beleive with a modicul of decent luck and fortune 9 all things being occasionally equal) we can tilt in 4-5. If thats the case you really dont want ANY player on the list thats coming into the team now to be say greater than 28-29 then. That means the cut off inmy view is any player current 24-25.

The player(s) to look out for are where a particular team has an abundance of one sort or anoter and as such a particular promising hopeful just doesnt get a look in. Either that or somone is simply on the outer as they might have used up their three wishes at that particular club...I.e Gardiner etc.

We need players coming into this Melbourne line up now to be a cohesive addition to a burgeoning outfit. Someone who might still have development in them. Taking in homelss matures isnt of any appreciable value..not now...nor in 4-5 years.

If we were about to climb through an open window right now..it would be very diferent...but were not.

Harbrow would be fantastic if we wanted a player that was good now so that he could push us over the top.

Bennell is a player for the future - exactly when we'll need a little gun.

(plus, once all is said and done I think Benny will be remembered as a much better player)

Who's to say we need a classical key forward? The game is constantly evolving, our versitile forwardline of Jurrah, Watts and Bate, may just be the next evolution of forwardline.

Just wanted to pick up on this, because it's got missed.

If the aim is to get the ball to a forward within kicking distance, the high bomb to CHF is the laziest, most indisciplined, lowest percentage way of doing this. The defence will sweep it away almost every time, and guys like Maxwell have built a career on cutting off these VFL-reserves-standard attacks.

Yet some people want a "power forward" or "tall forward". Having a high-marking forward who manages to hold a pack-breaking mark every few games or so (which always gets on the highlights reel) is what actually encourages these useless high bombs in the first place.

The so-called "power forwards" like Riewoldt, Brown, Fev, Buddy et al get most of their goals through leads and one-on-one contests, not pack-breakers. Anyone who bombs it to them would be breaking team rules, unless it's down there so fast that they're one-on-one with no chance of being double-teamed. They get maybe 90% of their goals through other skills - speed off the mark, timing, strong hands, being able to lose opponents, being able to hold one's ground in body-on-body, kicking efficiency - rather than their ability to take packs marks or the occasional specky. If you're forcing your key forwards to bust packs to get the ball, you're in trouble.

A forward line with Watts Jurrah Bate PLUS another tall would risk being top-heavy, unless the other tall had these other skills in abundance.

Collingwood, Geelong & Bulldogs don't seem to have "Power Forwards". Yet they all have very good midfields. And good small forwards. Power Forwards are important, but so are really good midfields with 'handy forwards'.

It would be fantastic to have both.

PIES: Swan, Davis, Pendlebury, O'Bree, Didak, Thomas

CATS: Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Kelly, Selwood, Ling..,..,

DOGS: Cooney, Griffen, Cross, Boyd, Aker

DEES: McLean, Jones, Moloney, Sylvia, McDonald

Let's get Scully, Trengove...

Collingwood, Geelong & Bulldogs don't seem to have "Power Forwards". Yet they all have very good midfields. And good small forwards. Power Forwards are important, but so are really good midfields with 'handy forwards'.

It would be fantastic to have both.

PIES: Swan, Davis, Pendlebury, O'Bree, Didak, Thomas

CATS: Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Kelly, Selwood, Ling..,..,

DOGS: Cooney, Griffen, Cross, Boyd, Aker

DEES: McLean, Jones, Moloney, Sylvia, McDonald

Let's get Scully, Trengove...

AND hopefully add Strauss, Blease, Bennell, Jurrah, Wonnaemirri...

AND hopefully add Strauss, Blease, Bennell, Jurrah, Wonnaemirri...

The likes of these returning will be a massive bonus next year. I reckon whoever mans up on Jurrah on Sunday will return home in complete SHOCK.

He could well kick a bag this week with 3 opponents having a turn on him throughout the match. My tip for most goals.

Whats people veiw on that hooper kid, larke medalist seemed a very good ball winnerof half back.

Yet no mentions of him at all is he eligible?

From memory the gold coast have already taken him as a 17 year old, don't quote me on it but im sure i heard it somewhere.

Regarding forward structures I tend to agree with the poster that its not how it used to be. There is always the place for a good marking ( overhead ) option but many more opportunities are created as mentioned on the lead. The danger for a defence is to leave a tall unmanned and with pathways before him. Forward lines should be that.. a cohesive unit that always presents options . In underage and youuth footy the classical styles are easier to use as the body strength ( or lack of ) often requires a more classical approach. In the 'real' game where man-a -man tussling and niggling is more prevalent there is no yard given anymore. This is why often start forward in TAC etc often take a whiles to acclimatise. Those with good footy nouse and real ability will continue to develop and prosper...whilst some have already effectively reached there ceiling.

There is no hard and fast rule to all this and invariably some recruiting comes down to educated dice rolling. Some kids just have it though...hence teh accolades already given to blokes like Scully , Tregove..Morabito etc. Stil healthy scepticism is warranted on other players.

Still ATEOTD...there are no guarantees !!

Jamie Bennell not nippy enough for ya?

On Cheney's pace, i too thought he was one of the 'slower' types, but there was one piece of play on the wing last week against the Roos where he showed some real toe. I can't remember what quarter it was, but he started about a metre behind his man, and finished up beating him to the ball by a few yards. Maybe not as slow as the perception of him might be?

Anyone else recall the play i'm talking about? Really made me sit up and go "whoa"!

He might turn out ok (Bennell). To me he doesn't have that initial power sprint like Whelan used to have. Harbrow has that.

Yeah Cheney looks slow, but he is better in the air. Look I hope he proves em wrong. Isuppose Harbrow would come at cost. Like I said ujst a suggestion.

He might turn out ok (Bennell). To me he doesn't have that initial power sprint like Whelan used to have. Harbrow has that.

Yeah Cheney looks slow, but he is better in the air. Look I hope he proves em wrong. Isuppose Harbrow would come at cost. Like I said ujst a suggestion.

gee wiz, you rate harbrow dont you.