He's is 27, meaning he could and should still be around when we are challenging -- and better yet; could potentially bring our window of opportunity for a flag closer. In terms of injury, until this year barely missed a beat since starting his career. Like godees I'm taking the knee talk with a grain of salt, though clearly there is due diligence to be done there.

That's an important point, I think. People are saying that he'll be 30+ when we're challenging for a premiership. Well that would be assessing our list right now. If we had (a fit) Burgoyne on that list, maybe we'll be challenging a year or two earlier.

People need to get over the sick fantasy that he'll end up in the PSD.

If Port can't arrange a trade, he'll kiss and make up and play out his career with the club. See Ryan O'Keefe 12 months ago. The last 2 high proile players to enter the PSD were Jade Rawlings and Nick Stevens back in 2003, right? (Cousins is another story)

Yes, but O'Keefe knew that if he went for the PSD, he'd be at Melbourne. He didn't want that, so he stuck with Sydney. But if Burgoyne is OK with playing for us, then he won't be so against the PSD.

If we want Shaun Burgoyne, we'll have to pay top dollar for him through the trade period. Thus he won't be at Melbourne next year.

And why can't we pay him top dollar?

Rucci has apparently reported that if he comes to Victoria Hawthorn are believed to be his preffered destination.

That's what I thought would happen. Hawthorn have exactly the same 'link' to Port Adelaide as we do. They're a much better chance of making finals/winning a flag in the immediate future as well. And Port would be able to negotiate a trade with them, since they've already stated pick 9 is on the table.

If you need any convincing over why the 2009 draft is shallow - read my signature.

This is not opinion, it is fact.

You can still pick up a good player at 27...

I just don't think it is as inviting to clubs as trade bait, nor to Barry Prendergast, who has already commented on the shallowness of the draft.

wow my post went over your head. i'm not denying it's shallow and there are 33% less players but that doesn't necessarily mean pick 18 = EXACTLY pick 27. and what pick 27 are you talking about?? pick 27 in 2001 and 2006 were probably as good as pick 18 in some of the other recent drafts. just say pick 18 everyone knows it's a weaker draft than previous years.

That's what I thought would happen. Hawthorn have exactly the same 'link' to Port Adelaide as we do. They're a much better chance of making finals/winning a flag in the immediate future as well. And Port would be able to negotiate a trade with them, since they've already stated pick 9 is on the table.

Hawks won't be able to afford him surely..

Hawks won't be able to afford him surely..

Pick 9 ought to do it. They'll find room. They were contemplating O'Keefe last year.

Pick 9 ought to do it. They'll find room. They were contemplating O'Keefe last year.

And if Port end up with picks 8 & 9 would they consider trading one for say a former adelaide boy who has become a handy ruckman and another former adelaide boy who plays off half back and is fearless.

I like the way you're thinking Redleg.

But I'd make it a player and pick 18, because I think that would get the job done.

wow my post went over your head. i'm not denying it's shallow and there are 33% less players but that doesn't necessarily mean pick 18 = EXACTLY pick 27. and what pick 27 are you talking about?? pick 27 in 2001 and 2006 were probably as good as pick 18 in some of the other recent drafts. just say pick 18 everyone knows it's a weaker draft than previous years.

It didn't go over my head, I just cannot be effed writing "Pick 18 equals approx. pick 24 - 30 in any other draft with the normal 12 month age parameters."

There is no hard science, nor have I claimed any.

The draft is shallow because of the changes, it is shallow by approx. a third, and using rudimentary math (basically multiplying each number by 1.5) - 'Pick 18 is Pick 27.'

It gives a simple and easy way to compare and judge a pick's worth.

And if Port end up with picks 8 & 9 would they consider trading one for say a former adelaide boy who has become a handy ruckman and another former adelaide boy who plays off half back and is fearless.

Burgoyne has just had a knee op and there is no way know that it would be possible to determine the full extent of his recovery by the end of trade week. There are not many clubs around who would throw a $600k contract at someone in those circumstances. It would also have a major influence on negotiations to finalise other player contracts and land some in trouble with their salary caps. I therefore believe we would not be interested.

As far as swapping players for say pick 9 I would think Port Adelaide would have plenty of suitors and would need to get adequately compensated for a much sought after top ten pick. A ruckman and a player or a ruckman and pick 18 would probably just be in the ball park but it depends on what else is on offer. Williams is known as a tough cookie to deal with.

would need to get adequately compensated for a much sought after top ten pick. A ruckman and a player or a ruckman and pick 18 would probably just be in the ball park but it depends on what else is on offer. Williams is known as a tough cookie to deal with.

Hello ... rumors are Burgoyne wants out and he hasn't got a contract at this stage with Port ...

"Would need to get adequate compensation" ... dont you mean ... hope to get adequate compensation ... massive, massive difference

Williams can be a "tough" as he wants ... However, I suggest he wants to by drumming up interest not scaring it off ... unless he thinks Burgoyne might stay.

Its all in the game ... some people want to talk the price up ... some want to talk the price down ...

Burgoyne has just had a knee op and there is no way know that it would be possible to determine the full extent of his recovery by the end of trade week.

i thought it was just a cartliage clean-out? if so he could be assessed with a couple of weeks.

Not if he doesn't nominate us. Would you pay a player $600,000 if he didn't want to play for you?

Sorry this is not correct ... 1st you must get Port to agree to the trade 2nd You must get the player to agree

If either breaks down ... would suggest he is bound for the Pre-season draft

I'm with you ... Melbourne is well within its rights to talk to any un-contracted players. Personally we would all be very, very disappointed in CC and the team if they didn't "have a quiet word in his ears" ... so to speak.

I agree with WJ ... "I would like to go hard for him subject to fitness."

However, lets just "hold our gun powder" ... let the games begin.

Thats not correct,the player has no say in it,if Port do a deal with anyone its bad luck for Burgoyne

Thats not correct,the player has no say in it,if Port do a deal with anyone its bad luck for Burgoyne

I'm sorry I will beg to differ ... AFL rules dictate you must always get the player to agree to the trade.

We are only going to get him if he nominates us anyway, and if we are his nominated team that is what I would offer.

With PSD1 there it gives us the upper hand during trade week if he nominates us.

Looks like we better get the famous Powerpoint Presentation ready.........oops. The club might want to download the latest software edition too. The last one didn't quite work for R.Warnock.

And if Port end up with picks 8 & 9 would they consider trading one for say a former adelaide boy who has become a handy ruckman and another former adelaide boy who plays off half back and is fearless.

Your guess is as good as mine. Who knows what Williams will do. He's big on talk,...but.....

Looks like we better get the famous Powerpoint Presentation ready.........oops. The club might want to download the latest software edition too. The last one didn't quite work for R.Warnock.

Your guess is as good as mine. Who knows what Williams will do. He's big on talk,...but.....

We could have given Warnock the best presentation in the world ... would have made no difference ... we never could have competed with the $$$$$$ from the Blues.

Money talks ...

We could have given Warnock the best presentation in the world ... would have made no difference ... we never could have competed with the $$$$$$ from the Blues.

Money talks ...

Correct. I'm having a dig at our "Powerpoint" presentations......ie. Judd, Warnock...

They 'were' allegedly awesome presentations....just couldn't close the deal somehow...

Of course some players couldn't give a sh!te about the presentations, they're mainly observing the bottom line I'd assume.

Powerpoint has many attractive features but it doesn't have a 'make an organisation that has won 12 of the past 66 games look attractive to players looking to win a flag before their careers end' feature.

We are not an attractive option for established stars of the AFL.

I really think many on here cannot process that last statement. They understand, but they cannot comprehend.

Powerpoint has many attractive features but it doesn't have a 'make an organisation that has won 12 of the past 66 games look attractive to players looking to win a flag before their careers end' feature.

We are not an attractive option for established stars of the AFL.

I really think many on here cannot process that last statement. They understand, but they cannot comprehend.

Agree, but I think our stocks will be improving significantly in the eyes of players outside the MFC. Greatly improved financial position with much more certainty going forward, closing of the Casey deal and the Bubbledome on the near horizon, and a very promising / exciting playing list. All much more attractive than 12 months ago.

Agree, but I think our stocks will be improving significantly in the eyes of players outside the MFC. Greatly improved financial position with much more certainty going forward, closing of the Casey deal and the Bubbledome on the near horizon, and a very promising / exciting playing list. All much more attractive than 12 months ago.

You have your finger on the pulse Deeoldfart. you're more in tune. Far more attractive now than 12 months ago.

You have your finger on the pulse Deeoldfart. you're more in tune. Far more attractive now than 12 months ago.

10 times as attractive, I reckon. We're only one or two more seasons away from being the league's new lovechildren.

A lot more attractive? 10 times more attractive?

We have been a better team this season...but we are still last.

It's all relative to other teams, and we are still also near the bottom in terms of attractiveness to established AFL players.

Again, you understand the words, but you don't comprehend what the words are saying.

A lot more attractive? 10 times more attractive?

We have been a better team this season...but we are still last.

It's all relative to other teams, and we are still also near the bottom in terms of attractiveness to established AFL players.

Again, you understand the words, but you don't comprehend what the words are saying.

I think they are talking in terms of crystal ball gazing.

Any smart player looking to move teams would want to join one that will soon be contending, as opposed to one that has been and will soon be going on a downward spiral.

The dees have more unfulfilled potential than most other teams

Judd went to a team that finished 15th on the ladder the year before.

I'm sorry I will beg to differ ... AFL rules dictate you must always get the player to agree to the trade.

if i remember correctly Trent Croad didnt have a say when Hawks sent him to Freo,he woke yp in hospital & was presented with a Freo guernsey & didnt know anything about it,i coild be wrong though

Woey.

10 times as attractive, I reckon. We're only one or two more seasons away from being the league's new lovechildren.

I agree & even over here in the paper Chris Mcdermott was talking about Burgoynes options & said Melb will be a better option than most think as we have alot of great kids coming through & have more to come.I think maybe it might take another year or 2 yet before people will be realy wanting to come to us but hopefully the sooner the better