David Hale

[beelzebub 23,204]

He'll be a FF, but remove the need for Jamar to do any rucking in the forward line.

He'll also have infrequent forays into the ruck when they swap.

I can't imagine either spending too much time on the bench.

(Notice I take it as a given we will acquire Hale).

Agree with that .. They'd both spend most of the game on field and the point about Hale rucking up forward is a very handy bonus. Jamar is very mobile for a big boy and would provide a decent contest should (when) ball rebounds quickly by opposition. Makes for a headache for oppo team/coach.

Good point e25

[Guest grimes4]

Sounds to me like his going be recruited as a FF who will ruck here and there. Has form on the board in the forward line. Pretty sure he kicked 8 against the cats in 2008. Seems to be like the FD think we need that tall 'bomb to the square option' when the game gets slowed down. Not sure i reckon this is the best tactic in the world these days with all the zoning that occurs. Still on the bright side opposition defenses would certainly be stretched trying to contain: Hale,Jurrah,Green, Watts & Petterd. Who ever gets the 3rd best backman out of those 5 would towel whoever it was up!

[Grand New Flag 3,227]

I am hearing that we are very close to securing Hale. NM may hold out a little longer hoping for a better deal but this is unlikley. It would now seem highly likely he ends up in Red and Blue

[The O 39]

I've spoken to a handful of mates, one who actually works for the Roos (but somehow follows us, go figure), and they reckon Hale's a really good player at FF, but as a ruckman, they'd prefer someone with more pace. Very old-fashined, crash-and-bash (Jamar style) but not much tank/speed. Almost all made the assumption that he's been recruited to play just as a KP forward, which was weird, given that so many are calling it a trade for a ruckman.

I'm liking it more as I go. Anything to stave off the Jack Anthony talk.

The word out of the Nth FD is that Hale doesn't fit well into their team structure or game plan for the future. This is primarily due to his lack of speed (as a forward) and others being preferred to develop in ruck roles. Whilst he's not quick nor does he have a great tank, he'd be well suited to providing a key target under Bailey's game plan with the bonus of giving Jamar ruck relief in bursts during the game.

[H_T 3,032]

I am hearing that we are very close to securing Hale. NM may hold out a little longer hoping for a better deal but this is unlikley. It would now seem highly likely he ends up in Red and Blue

Hang on just one second, has Hale seen our Power Point Presentation yet ?

[Adam The God 29,469]

My only question on Hale comes with our own style of gameplay. We often win the ball across half back and having pushed up so high leave a paddock (similar to Pagan's old game style at the Kangas) for our forwards to run into, rather than leading up the ground.

If Hale is perceivably slow, he's not the sort of player you'd want running back. Just a thought.

[beelzebub 23,204]

Whether oppo coaches like it or not having Hamar in the square will require attention and a suitable match up, doesn't matter which one ( either the Ha or the -mar)

The knockon is easing the job for the likes of Watts Jurrah or even Dunn etc. Tall timber with thick trunks still commands respect, doubly so when they can actually mark and kick.

Very interesting to see how it fleshes out.

[GRUN DEE 69]

Hale wants to come to the Dee's! I think we have been watching him for most of the season. I said in another post I would have preferred Brennan over Hale.

But I warming to the idea of landing Hale. As long as we keep our 1st round pick.

[beelzebub 23,204]

Or keep "A" first round pick ! Wonder if Harrington thinks that's much of a setback?

[beelzebub 23,204]

Wrt the Sqawkers I'd suspect they may run out of lollies to trade given their interest in Hill etc. Hale might prove a bridge to far li

iting any genuine ability to participate in a Hale trade.

[Inner Demon 1]

In regards to the swap of 1st round picks, perhaps we are targetting a player in the 1st round that our research has pegged to not be targetted by the teams immediately below us in the draft order so there would be no real advantage in having pick 12 over pick 17.

Just a thought.

[No16 1]

Or keep "A" first round pick ! Wonder if Harrington thinks that's much of a setback?

It depends who they have their sights on for our first pick... If it is a say Tom Lynch, pick 12 is necessary to have a chance. However if it is more of a half back flanker or Jack Darling (who's stocks have continued to dwindle with the emergence of a number of other KPP) then pick 17 may suffice...

What about:

North:

Get: Ladson

Lose: Hale

Melb:

Get: Hale

Lose Warnock

Hawks:

Get: Warnock

Lose: Ladson

[Guest hangon007]

Hale wants to come to the Dee's! I think we have been watching him for most of the season. I said in another post I would have preferred Brennan over Hale.

But I warming to the idea of landing Hale. As long as we keep our 1st round pick.

Will be very interesting to see if you are right. If he does want to become a Dee wonder if he would want us to get the best or worst deal done?

Edited October 6, 2010 by hangon007

[daisycutter 29,344]

In regards to the swap of 1st round picks, perhaps we are targetting a player in the 1st round that our research has pegged to not be targetted by the teams immediately below us in the draft order so there would be no real advantage in having pick 12 over pick 17.

Just a thought.

that sounds like clutching at straws

that would be a very high risk strategy if you had targetted a particular player

[Akum 2,660]

He'll be a step ladder for Jurrah.

So he'll take that load off Jack's back

[dee-luded 2,959]

Where are we losing a first rounder? Last time I looked 17 was a first rounder 8 picks from the end of the round.

We would still have a first round pick - but 5 picks down the order, we would be giving up our second round pick.

Do you actually understand the offer?

E25, we'd be offering Hale 3 or 4 years (presumably at a bit at less than what he's currently on per year) to get him across - we not only have to satisfy North, we have to entice Hale - he's going to want more security than the 2 years he already has.

It is, your right, that we would step back in order, but they take a big step forward. As they are currently ahead of us re the list, And we no doubt as our list matures a bit I think we will be slightly better than them, but IMO is still close.

So, IMO, I, in No Way want to give them Pick 12, where they are more likely to pick a very good player, 'Who could be a, "bight us on the bum", player.

Yes I am OK with getting a player, like a 'Hale', but not give Pick 12 to a direct competitor.

If we Had to, I'd rather give it to a team on the slide, for a good player.

[No16 1]

It is, your right, that we would step back in order, but they take a big step forward. As they are currently ahead of us re the list, And we no doubt as our list matures a bit I think we will be slightly better than them, but IMO is still close.

So, IMO, I, in No Way want to give them Pick 12, where they are more likely to pick a very good player, 'Who could be a, "bight us on the bum", player.

Yes I am OK with getting a player, like a 'Hale', but not give Pick 12 to a direct competitor.

If we Had to, I'd rather give it to a team on the slide, for a good player.

Agreed, North probably have this thinking too...

Why boost a team that is very close in the development stage?

[Inner Demon 1]

that sounds like clutching at straws

that would be a very high risk strategy if you had targetted a particular player

Don't be so sure.

The clubs have a pretty solid idea of which player/s other clubs are targetting in the first round. Every year we see a clutch of journos knocking up mock drafts that are often pretty close to the mark, I think you'll find the actual clubs are getting even more inside info than that. They put quite a deal of time into predicting how the draft board will shape as a means to planning their own strategy.

A lot has been said already about the relative evenness of this draft below the Top 3 or 4. If this deal gets done, I would draw a very strong inference that the Club is unconcerned about dropping a few spots in the draft to pick up a player they are keen on.

[Real Demon 232]

I'd take the punt and get him.

It's the old risk vs reward argument, and it doesn't sound like we are giving up too much to get him.

We have loaded up on draft picks over the last few years........good clubs know when hold em, and know whent to fold em, and I'll back in the judgement of the club on this one.

We've seen Russian have his best year of his career at 27, so who knows, Hale may have his best footy in front of him, and a change of club may be all he needs!

He is young enough to take a risk on.

People thought Collingwood were stupid for bringing in Leigh Brown last year, and he turned out to be a great pick up.........Hale could be the same for us.

I seen a bit of Hale play, and rest assured, he has Meeson, Johnson, Spencer, Newton, and Miller all covered!

[old55 22,871]

Agreed, North probably have this thinking too...

Why boost a team that is very close in the development stage?

I understand what you're saying but we have to trade with North for Hale and whatever we give them will help them. Unfortunately we can't give the picks to Brisbane and get Hale.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I'd take the punt and get him.

It's the old risk vs reward argument, and it doesn't sound like we are giving up too much to get him.

We have loaded up on draft picks over the last few years........good clubs know when hold em, and know whent to fold em, and I'll back in the judgement of the club on this one.

We've seen Russian have his best year of his career at 27, so who knows, Hale may have his best footy in front of him, and a change of club may be all he needs!

He is young enough to take a risk on.

People thought Collingwood were stupid for bringing in Leigh Brown last year, and he turned out to be a great pick up.........Hale could be the same for us.

I seen a bit of Hale play, and rest assured, he has Meeson, Johnson, Spencer, Newton, and Miller all covered!

OH, I was one who wanted to resurrect his career, & got howled down. I wanted us to get a big strong powerful unit for the strong arm stuff, just that it might have been a little ahead of schedule.

[Demon Disciple 11,758]

My only question on Hale comes with our own style of gameplay. We often win the ball across half back and having pushed up so high leave a paddock (similar to Pagan's old game style at the Kangas) for our forwards to run into, rather than leading up the ground.

If Hale is perceivably slow, he's not the sort of player you'd want running back. Just a thought.

We have been crying out for a decent stay at home forward. Sure our game plan is attack from the backline, but too often we slow our transition up between HB and the centre because there is no one in the forward line (we are sometimes too quick for our own good). This is where Robbo would have been fantastic, as he pretty much refused to leave the forward 50. Hale would provide a tall target with half decent hands (automatically goes above PJ), a big body for contests - where if it isn't marked, he'll atleast force the ball to ground and he's a physical big body. So long as we don't give up more than our 2nd round pick, i would be happy to have him come to the Dees. Would we still draft a KPF this draft @ 12??? I think so, given it takes a while for the big fellas to come on. Hale could help us get into the finals, Our KPF at 12 could help us win a premiership. Small steps, but progress will be made.

Edited October 6, 2010 by Demon Disciple

[daisycutter 29,344]

Don't be so sure.

The clubs have a pretty solid idea of which player/s other clubs are targetting in the first round. Every year we see a clutch of journos knocking up mock drafts that are often pretty close to the mark, I think you'll find the actual clubs are getting even more inside info than that. They put quite a deal of time into predicting how the draft board will shape as a means to planning their own strategy.

A lot has been said already about the relative evenness of this draft below the Top 3 or 4. If this deal gets done, I would draw a very strong inference that the Club is unconcerned about dropping a few spots in the draft to pick up a player they are keen on.

If you want to believe that, then lets agree to disagree

[Grand New Flag 3,227]

The more I think about it the more I warm to the idea of Hale.

Plenty will disagree, but I think we should be prepared to go harder than the deal on the table if required. At the end of the day he is worth more to us than the open market. We have two blatant weaknesses in our team:

1. A decent second ruckman, who can go forward and kick a goal (Spencer may well come good but he is still a couple of years away)

2. A big bodied FF.

Simply with Hale we strike both these weaknesses in one player. Further the new rules increase Hales value.

We have a team that will come good as they grow. Hale more than plugs our holes.

[H_T 3,032]

Off twitter : -

"Melbourne has baulked at several offers from Vic clubs for Adam Maric. Could be part of Hale trade" - deepthroat (SpyandSource)