Ball Thorp & MacDonald - Could we land all three?

[Viney_12 1]

why did Brisbane delist MacDonald anyway?

[Guest hangon007]

1 down ... 2 to go ...

[H_T 3,049]

Has Thorp nominated for the National Draft? It'd suit us better if he only nominated for the pre-season draft...

Yes.

You think ?

[Rogue 585]

Has Thorp nominated for the National Draft? It'd suit us better if he only nominated for the pre-season draft...

Not if we want someone else in the PSD but are keen on taking Thorp and the 'someone else'.

[rumpole 522]

The equation might have changed but it's still possible that we could take all three in the draft with us being largely in control of the decision making process. I believe that despite Ball's pig headed attitude up to date including his refusal to meet the club, it would be in his best interests to take a moment and reconsider his position. He has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by meeting the Demons.

Firstly, Dean Bailey has already told the world that if Ball told him to his face that he didn't want to come to the club then it would be a short meeting and yet Ball hasn't taken up the challenge. He knows exactly what he has to do to ensure that the Demons don't select him with pick 18 and yet he's baulked at the opportunity. I guess it tells us one thing and that is he is not the leader we expected him to be.

Secondly, despite the low esteem in which Ball appears to hold our club, it's about time he opened up his eyes. Since the beginning of the off-season Melbourne has been receiving favourable publicity by the bucketload - even more than Collingwood where all a player has to do is break wind in public and it's on the front and back pages of the newspapers. We're in the news almost on a daily basis whether it be speculation on our draft picks and the way we utilized the new mature age rookie rules to maximize the number of selections available, Liam and Jimmy in the red centre, our upgraded facilities, Joel Macdonald as likely PSD selection and now the venture into China involving us playing an international end of season exhibition fixture in Shanghai. Talk to most people about our club and they understand that our future's bright.

Ball doesn't have to want to be a part of our future but by not even giving us the courtesy of a brief chat he might live to regret his actions. I don't understand however, why he's so reluctant to make eyeball contact with the people in our club. Besides, he should be kind to people as he might already be on the way down.

[Footynut 302]

The equation might have changed but it's still possible that we could take all three in the draft with us being largely in control of the decision making process. I believe that despite Ball's pig headed attitude up to date including his refusal to meet the club, it would be in his best interests to take a moment and reconsider his position. He has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by meeting the Demons.

Firstly, Dean Bailey has already told the world that if Ball told him to his face that he didn't want to come to the club then it would be a short meeting and yet Ball hasn't taken up the challenge. He knows exactly what he has to do to ensure that the Demons don't select him with pick 18 and yet he's baulked at the opportunity. I guess it tells us one thing and that is he is not the leader we expected him to be.

Secondly, despite the low esteem in which Ball appears to hold our club, it's about time he opened up his eyes. Since the beginning of the off-season Melbourne has been receiving favourable publicity by the bucketload - even more than Collingwood where all a player has to do is break wind in public and it's on the front and back pages of the newspapers. We're in the news almost on a daily basis whether it be speculation on our draft picks and the way we utilized the new mature age rookie rules to maximize the number of selections available, Liam and Jimmy in the red centre, our upgraded facilities, Joel Macdonald as likely PSD selection and now the venture into China involving us playing an international end of season exhibition fixture in Shanghai. Talk to most people about our club and they understand that our future's bright.

Ball doesn't have to want to be a part of our future but by not even giving us the courtesy of a brief chat he might live to regret his actions. I don't understand however, why he's so reluctant to make eyeball contact with the people in our club. Besides, he should be kind to people as he might already be on the way down.

Agree - I am starting to think we may pick him despite everything...

I think the AFLs letter this week regards to draft tampering supports Melbourne in calling his bluff.

I think now we may go tall at 11 (agree or disagree) and then Ball at 18....then best available ruck ruck option at 34.....

Then again who knows....

M Thorpe apparently has stress fractures could be a red herring though....so we could in fact still land all three which if they worked out would give us 3 players with more maturity 2 of which were high first round draftees.....

Interesting it all is....

(Ok now pull me apart!)

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

I think now we may go tall at 11 (agree or disagree) and then Ball at 18....then best available ruck ruck option at 34.....

More than happy with this outcome if the Dees regard Ball the best available at 18.

I'm not buying into the politics and bitching. If Ball's going to help us rise up the ladder, you pick him up.

However I doubt the club could afford Ball AND Macdonald.

Edited November 21, 2009 by Bring-Back-Powell

[rpfc 28,779]

However I doubt the club could afford Ball AND Macdonald.

In terms of age, or in terms of money?

We could fit them both in the cap easily.

[Kiss of Death 755]

Agree - I am starting to think we may pick him despite everything...

I think the AFLs letter this week regards to draft tampering supports Melbourne in calling his bluff.

I think now we may go tall at 11 (agree or disagree) and then Ball at 18....then best available ruck ruck option at 34.....

Then again who knows....

M Thorpe apparently has stress fractures could be a red herring though....so we could in fact still land all three which if they worked out would give us 3 players with more maturity 2 of which were high first round draftees.....

Interesting it all is....

(Ok now pull me apart!)

Brilliant -

#1 Scully

#2 Trengove

#11 TALL

#18 BALL

brought a smile to the face

[Dee1987 277]

id say the reality of these boys in the red and blue next years is done.

1- Scully

2- Trengove

11- Black/Jetta( i hope)

18- Ball

34-Grimes

50- Thorp

66-Pass

PSD 1- Macdonald

[Guest hangon007]

id say the reality of these boys in the red and blue next years is done.

1- Scully

2- Trengove

11- Black/Jetta( i hope)

18- Ball

34-Grimes

50- Thorp

66-Pass

PSD 1- Macdonald

I have a feeling you might miss out on Jetta at 11 ... However, there might be a sting in the tail that WJ might like assuming he is still there.

Thorp may end up being relegated due to injuries.

Edited November 22, 2009 by hangon007

[MrReims 322]

id say the reality of these boys in the red and blue next years is done.

1- Scully

2- Trengove

11- Black/Jetta( i hope)

18- Ball

34-Grimes

50- Thorp

66-Pass

PSD 1- Macdonald

I'd rather see Majak at 50 than Thorpe, but i think that list is acceptable. Really hate missing out on Tapscott though, he is an icing on the cake kind of player.

[Old Gregg 1]

We'll consider Luke Ball at 11 or 18. I think he'll be gone after that. But apart from him, we'll be youth,'' he said. ''We'll be focusing on new players outside the AFL system.'

No Thorp for the Dees then, Tim Harrington in The Age today

Edited November 23, 2009 by Stop: Jurrahtime

[45HG 1,559]

Thorp's 20

[beelzebub 23,383]

Thorp's 20

exactly.. still very much on the youth side.. hardly the seasoned player.

I think Thorpe is purely a fitness case.. If sound.. then a likely pickup latter in ND if not.. we wont.

[45HG 1,559]

From what I've heard it's just as much mental as physical, if not moreso the former.

[beelzebub 23,383]

From what I've heard it's just as much mental as physical, if not moreso the former.

before or since his training stint ?

[45HG 1,559]

Before

[beelzebub 23,383]

Before

dont think the FD would have botheerd at all with him had they thought it not insurmountable. Think its more physical now

[45HG 1,559]

I'd assume it's more that they thought it couldn't hurt

[rpfc 28,779]

After reading that article in the Hun today I am more convinced then ever that I have no idea what we will do with Picks 34 and 50.

Gut feeling: Thorp is a long shot.

[Old Gregg 1]

He said "new players outside the AFL system"

[LITTLE STINGA 1]

However I doubt the club could afford Ball AND Macdonald.

Somehow I don't think MacDonald would be on big money.

[Clanger King 9]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/new-p...8824670415.html

■ Joel Macdonald began training with the Demons yesterday and is set to be taken with Melbourne's first pick in the pre-season draft. MacDonald has agreed to a two-year deal with the club.

[H_T 3,049]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/new-p...8824670415.html

■ Joel Macdonald began training with the Demons yesterday and is set to be taken with Melbourne's first pick in the pre-season draft. MacDonald has agreed to a two-year deal with the club.

Got to be front loaded...