Joel McDonald will be Melbourne's #1 pick in the PSD. He was at the club yesterday. His decision not to nominate for the National Draft is based on this fact.

News up here in Brisbane is that he just wanted to play footy in Melbourne. Was getting enough regular games and form wasn't an issue?!

You'd think that we'd only take a 24-25 year old if he had outstanding leadership qualities - or topped us up in a position of need. It's not as if we are short of options for a mid sized defender.He may. of course, be an exceptional bloke - but other than that I can't get too excited about picking him up.

You'd think that if he is on a promise for the psd , he'd at least be training with us by now.

( Did you see him at the club, Darren?)

You'd think that we'd only take a 24-25 year old if he had outstanding leadership qualities - or topped us up in a position of need. It's not as if we are short of options for a mid sized defender.He may. of course, be an exceptional bloke - but other than that I can't get too excited about picking him up.

Joel Selwood is not going to be in the PSD.

It's really a free hit without us having to use an ND pick.

Since the rules were changed re contract terms in the ND the PSD has lost its punch.

You'd think that we'd only take a 24-25 year old if he had outstanding leadership qualities - or topped us up in a position of need. It's not as if we are short of options for a mid sized defender.He may. of course, be an exceptional bloke - but other than that I can't get too excited about picking him up.

You'd think that if he is on a promise for the psd , he'd at least be training with us by now.

( Did you see him at the club, Darren?)

Id rate Macdonald above Rivers in defence. Faster..better disposal. If we're looking to upgrade the defence, and why should we rest on any laurels as its OK..not brilliant them JM is a very good fit. Id be looking over my shoulders if I was Jared. Then again.. theres been a lot of speculation Garland may go further up the field. This ( JM ) might facilitate that.

I think its fair to say that the FD knows pretty well what JM can or cant do..where as Thorpe needed scrutiny.

Still nothing is certain..just yet

It's really a free hit without us having to use an ND pick.

damn shame huh !!

It's pick 1 in the PSD, we have absolutely nothing to lose.

Bringing some experience to the backline is never a bad thing.

a little more wood on the fire ....

Demons likely to swoop

by George...these ol' Demon chappies are starting to look quite good...what!!!

If we're looking to upgrade the defence, and why should we rest on any laurels as its OK..not brilliant them JM is a very good fit.

It is a very important point that you raise.

I've noticed on a couple of sites amongst posters a sentiment that we don't need MacDonald and that our defence is fine. It kind of reminds me of the drunk teenager who thinks he is invincible walking out of the pub. The reality is that our defence is NOT the be all/end all of defences, we have a good defence but a player like MacDonald gives us a genuine chance to try and make it water tight. He is the perfect height and has solid experience to slip in and make an important contribution and also give us options.

Id rate Macdonald above Rivers in defence. Faster..better disposal

I'm one of those who think that a lot of supporters are being too hard on Rivers..He's a leader whose ability to read the play and fill the hole is exceptional.He's now fronting up for his first pre-season in 3-4 years........................

Anyway I don't think its valid to compare him to McDonald. Rivers plays as a tall defender - whereas MacDonald is a utility back best suited to a running role.

I'm one of those who think that a lot of supporters are being too hard on Rivers..He's a leader whose ability to read the play and fill the hole is exceptional.He's now fronting up for his first pre-season in 3-4 years........................

Anyway I don't think its valid to compare him to McDonald. Rivers plays as a tall defender - whereas MacDonald is a utility back best suited to a running role.

I disagree.. Macdonald plays as a utility back.. effectively where-ever needs filling. To be perfectly honest I struggle putting a particular position on Rivers. he used to be ok as a CHB but he's lost yards and is too easily out gunned. Rivers HAS to read the ball to be effective. hes more a spoiler than a rebounde. JM can do all that ..and more. I dont think Im too unkind regarding Rivers......whatever you think of jared is fine... but Macdonald is simply better.

Dont rate Rivers as a leader at all ..sorry.

Lets see jared get through the preseason and NAB.. hope he returns to some form...is better for us certainly as it provides choice.

Curious is it not that the FD is looking at Macdonald ?? a back ?? despite all the hype of our defence the FD knows it better. It has doubts on some...as I read it

If nothing else he'll give us greater backline depth, which is always handy.

Not sure about the comparisons to Jared Rivers though - whilst they play similar positions they play different styles / roles.

Now lets just pray Essendon take Ball, Lucas makes it to pick 11 and Port picks up Newton before he makes it to the rookie draft...

Surely from what I've seen most would rank Macdonald ahead of Raines

surely. I think Vossy might have pulled the trigger too early.

Playing supposedly differing roles is a bit of nonsense. Both are backmen. You can compare abilities and influence on a game ..and so on.

For mine not wishing to compare and all but being apologist for Rivers only cements the reasoning that Riv is running a bar without a licence so to speak.

Both are defenders.. one is better at it than the other...thats it..and all.

But to humour the argument (discussion ) ...where would anyone put them ..if both on the paddock together ?

keeping in mind there is Grimes, Warnock, Garland and Frawley

Surely from what I've seen most would rank Macdonald ahead of Raines

surely. I think Vossy might have pulled the trigger too early.

I remember hearing before he was dropped for the finals that McDonald was adamant he wanted to go back to Victoria at the end of the season.

I think it was fairly well known, so a lot of teams would've refused to offer market value for him in trades.

Reading that back, it does seem like i'm trying to paint a rosy picture for our new recruit-to-be, but that is how I remember things being.

KS youre right ...in that there has been murmurings that Joel wanted to play in Melbourne ..Seems he also wants to play FOR Melbourne

Lions might have asked too much given his predisposition to coming south anyway. Lions seem to have thrown a some bath water out without looking

Playing supposedly differing roles is a bit of nonsense. Both are backmen. You can compare abilities and influence on a game ..and so on.

For mine not wishing to compare and all but being apologist for Rivers only cements the reasoning that Riv is running a bar without a licence so to speak.

Both are defenders.. one is better at it than the other...thats it..and all.

But to humour the argument (discussion ) ...where would anyone put them ..if both on the paddock together ?

keeping in mind there is Grimes, Warnock, Garland and Frawley

Good for backline DEPTH.

One plays as a third tall, excellent at reading the play, floating across packs with a fist to spoil, great help defender. Second rate disposal and link up man.

The other has good disposal skills, plays a bit shorter, better link up player, doesn't come across to spoil in the same way.

More of an offensive defender than the purely negating Rivers.

Our mid size defender stocks are a little low, ideally we want to see Grimes and Bennell in the midfield, I can see Grimes spending more time in there in 2010 so our mid size defenders are Cheney, Bennell(for a couple of years), Bartram and then midfielders that can fill in McDonald, Bruce, Green and Morton. We get this guy in the PSD we then don't have to pick a mid size defender in the national draft.

Surely from what I've seen most would rank Macdonald ahead of Raines

surely. I think Vossy might have pulled the trigger too early.

It is a surprising call by Voss. Salary cap squeeze perhaps ? He certainly trimmed alot out and got a few in during trade week. Perhaps he had surplus down back at Brisbane and someone had to go. I haven't heard anything about disciplinary problems with MacDonald and he played 19 games during the home & away season prior to their two finals.

At present, most would rate MacDonald ahead of Raines. Voss might have a different opinion.

I remember hearing before he was dropped for the finals that McDonald was adamant he wanted to go back to Victoria at the end of the season.

He was born, raised and drafted from QLD, so he isn't coming back per se

He was born, raised and drafted from QLD, so he isn't coming back per se

Really?

I heard he wanted to come back. It seems that was wrong.

Maybe my source was mark stevens..?

Playing supposedly differing roles is a bit of nonsense. Both are backmen. You can compare abilities and influence on a game ..and so on.

For mine not wishing to compare and all but being apologist for Rivers only cements the reasoning that Riv is running a bar without a licence so to speak.

Both are defenders.. one is better at it than the other...thats it..and all.

My, you can be tiresome.

Too many glib remarks and patronising asides.

Rivers plays in the backline as a loose man, who, if under the pump, can play on a KPF.

MacDonald is 2 inches shorter than Rivers, and while he has filled 'the hole' for Brisbane in the past, he spent most of his career as a running HBF.

Much in the style of what Bruce did last year, or what Grimes did. Not what Jared Rivers did.

But to humour the argument (discussion ) ...where would anyone put them ..if both on the paddock together ?

keeping in mind there is Grimes, Warnock, Garland and Frawley

Thanks for the humour...

Rivers BP and MacDonald HBF with Grimes pushed into the midfield.

Rivers Frawley McDonald

Bruce Warnock MacDonald

Garland rotating through.

No-one appreciates the dismissiveness BB59...

MacDonald is 2 inches shorter than Rivers, and while he has filled 'the hole' for Brisbane in the past, he spent most of his career as a running HBF.

Much in the style of what Bruce did last year, or what Grimes did. Not what Jared Rivers did.

Exactly what I was gearing up to post - if you are going to compare Rivers and McDonald as likes, then would you do the same with Rivers and Grimes?

I'd hope not.

Either way, I'm not being an apologist for Rivers - I don't think he's good enough to play in a premiership side.

But that is not what we are debating here.

Either way, I'm not being an apologist for Rivers - I don't think he's good enough to play in a premiership side.

But that is not what we are debating here.

Let's do it then.

Steven Armstrong is Premiership player.

Conclusion - Anyone can be a Premiership player...

Anyone...

Let's do it then.

Steven Armstrong is Premiership player.

Conclusion - Anyone can be a Premiership player...

Anyone...

Very true.

But I'd see him as a weak link.

And often you can get away with a forward or back pocket who is a bit of a passenger, but not at CHB.

(i know he only ever played there out of necessity and hopefully never will again)

If this comes to fruition (MacDonald at PSD#1), one things for certain regarding the 2010 list, the competition for spots will get a "helluva" lot hotter...