THE TRADING CHRONICLES 2009: PRELUDE

THE TRADING CHRONICLES 2009: PRELUDE by The Oracle

THE ART OF THE TRADE

Yesterday, when I wrote that the football season was officially over, I had forgotten that there was indeed there one more game to go before the curtain fall - the SANFL Grand Final between Central District and Sturt. The game would not normally attract much attention from our side of the Victoria/SA border but this one had the attraction of one of the forthcoming national draft's young guns in Jack Trengove.

Moreover, when I discovered that a city pub, the Charles Dickens Tavern, was showing the game via satellite feed I felt compelled to put in an appearance. Of course, this came with a price tag.

I first had to keep a promise made to the better half about visiting the National Gallery of Victoria for the last day of the Salvador Dalí: Liquid Desire exhibition. This meant an early start and to ensure me of a ticket of leave by mid afternoon, another promise had to be fulfilled - a lavish and expensive meal at a fine eatery on Southbank. Now, I'm the last to admit to being an aficionado when it comes to matters of fine art but I reckon some of those Dali works are reminiscent of the season that Melbourne has just endured. Twisted, distorted and mangled features that adequately represent the true horror of the season that was about to officially come to an end that very day. At least the tucker afterwards was palatable even if it cost plenty.

The Charles Dickens isn't the most lugubrious of establishments but it was cosy and crowded with punters who were gathered there to watch the Japanese Grand Prix, some rugby, the SANFL game (in half hour delay) and, believe it or not, a film review programme on SBS. Trengove's team copped a flogging but the young bloke won the ball and acquitted himself as well as any 18 year old could in a team that lost badly in a final. I heard later that one radio commentator had drawn a comparison between the kid and Nathan Buckley. I didn't quite see that in him yesterday but there's a lot of potential there just the same. The report on the match in today's Australian bears testament to this - Sturt youngster Jack Trengove leaps into draft pole position:

CENTRAL District yesterday demolished Sturt by 38 points, raining on the parade of prospective AFL No 1 draft pick Jack Trengove.

Trengove, 18 and studying Year 12 at Adelaide's Prince Alfred College, threw off heavy tags to gather 20 possessions in his last game in the double blue guernsey, at least for many years.

But after hauling his side into yesterday's season decider with a best-on-ground performance in the preliminary final, Trengove was unable to drag Sturt to the premiership dais.

Still, Trengove's stellar form in the SANFL finals series might have nudged his name ahead of the previous favourite, Victorian Tom Scully, to be chosen first in this week's draft.

Trengove was shadowed for much of the game by Trent Goodrem - brother of Delta - whose effort was rewarded with the Jack Oatey Medal.

I bumped into a few Demonlanders at the tavern and, as the game dragged on to its inevitable outcome, the talk moved to the trade week and the November draft. Someone had a copy of that morning's Sunday Herald Sun with an article that listed 10 likely selections in this order:-

1. Tom Scully (Dandenong, onballer) Melbourne

2. Jack Trengove (Sturt, mid/forward) Melbourne

3. Dustin Martin (Bendigo, onballer) Richmond

4. Anthony Morabito (Peel, wing/forward) Fremantle

5. Ben Cunnington (Geelong, onballer) North Melbourne

6. Gary Rohan (Geelong, utility) Sydney

7. Lewis Jetta (Swan Districts, small forward) West Coast

8. Luke Tapscott (North Adelaide, mid/forward) Port Adelaide)

9. Jake Melksham (Calder, mid/forward) Hawthorn/trade

10. Kane Lucas (East Fremantle, wing/forward) Essendon

The fact that our club has the first two selections and a couple of others coming reasonably early is exciting enough. The trade period which starts today promises more changes and we discussed what might eventuate between now and the close of the football stock market at 2 pm next Friday. As usual, there were lots of rumours and plenty of juicy gossip but such things mean little. What matters in this business is not the rumours but rather the concrete results.

And in our case, it's all about rebuilding the team. Since changes in personnel and improvements within a team's list are the things that generate better results and performance, the opening of the player market in just a few hour's time offers promise that the picture we will see of the Demons in the years to come will be more pleasant. Instead of the nerve-jangling confusion of a Dali, perhaps this week might lead us to discover a pastel coloured, hope-filled impressionist work of beauty.

POSTSCRIPT:

The Melbourne news from today's Herald Sun - Saint plays hard Ball:

Melbourne is supremely confident the deal to send Brock McLean to Carlton will become official today.

The Blues have started posturing that the swap for pick 11 is not set in stone, but both clubs have a handshake agreement.

It went to the top of the chain, with Carlton chief executive Greg Swann and his Melbourne counterpart ticking it off.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten worked with McLean in his time at Melbourne and has always rated him highly.

The feeling is mutual, with McLean naming Ratten as a major influence - even though he only worked with him for a year.

Melbourne defender Simon Buckley, who impressed last year as a rebounding half-back before being cut down by injury this season, is attracting significant interest from several clubs.

The Demons could move him on for the right deal, which could be a second or third round pick.

They rate Buckley highly, but have others who play a similar role.

Carlton is one of the clubs linked to Buckley, with the Blues also believed to be interested in Daniel Bell.

Despite speculation of a move, Brad Miller is a required player at Melbourne.

Miller is yet to sign, but has been on an extended overseas break.

The Demons are offering him a new deal.

It is understood Melbourne and Carlton have spoken to Bulldog Andrejs Everitt about a possible move.

But the Demons appear unlikely to make a serious play for Everitt, who is under contract.

They will have picks No.1, No.2, No.11 and No.18 in the draft after the McLean deal and have every intention of keeping them.

The Dogs might entertain No.18 for Everitt, but that is expected to be used on a fresh teenager.