0910: Trade murmur: Melbourne Demons defender Paul Johnson could be on the move, according to his manager Dan Richardson. His future will be dependent on whether or not Melbourne pick up David Hale from North Melbourne.

I think he will go anyway. But I don't know who will want him.

What do others think?

0910: Trade murmur: Melbourne Demons defender Paul Johnson could be on the move, according to his manager Dan Richardson. His future will be dependent on whether or not Melbourne pick up David Hale from North Melbourne.

I think he will go anyway. But I don't know who will want him.

What do others think?

Not sure what to think until the first domino falls or not.

Wow! Newsflash!!!

Perhaps could be used to upgrade our pick 32 to a slightly higher one, to be used then for the Hale trade.

Suns maybe? Swap 27 for 32.

If he's not playing with us, he's not playing in the AFL.

PJ's fate has been hanging on the Hale trade for some time now.

we should trade him to the hawks

Defender hey?

0910: Trade murmur: Melbourne Demons defender Paul Johnson could be on the move, according to his manager Dan Richardson. His future will be dependent on whether or not Melbourne pick up David Hale from North Melbourne.

The bleedin' obvious.

I bet his manager is scratching to get interest in him.

If the Hale/ruck trade deal falls through and MFC signed PJ (gulp) for another year, I am sure PJ supporters will say its vindicates the Footy Departments confidence in PJs ability.

Not sure what we would get for him....

Maybe swap to North so that have a cheaper list clogger?

Not sure what we would get for him....

Maybe swap to North so that have a cheaper list clogger?

Yes they will jump at that.

Defender hey?

No hey left them some time back.

If he's not playing with us, he's not playing in the AFL.

PJ's fate has been hanging on the Hale trade for some time now.

He'll go elsewhere if he doesn't get a gig with us. There are clubs out there with a dire need for tall players. Clubs do some strange things when it comes to rucks.

If the Hale/ruck trade deal falls through and MFC signed PJ (gulp) for another year, I am sure PJ supporters will say its vindicates the Footy Departments confidence in PJs ability.

This is why we should pay a little over the odds for Hale. Not interested in PJ for another year. But he'll be back if we can't land Hale.

We're not getting Hale I don't think. So I would think that logically means we'll be keeping Johnson.

Edit: This doesn't exactly please me, but I think that's what will happen.

If I was PJ I would still be looking for a new home regardless if we land Hale or not.

If I was PJ I would still be looking for a new home regardless if we land Hale or not.

State league or AFL?

I get the feeling the new interchange rule makes Spencer too much of a

liability outside of a ruck contest.

I don't think he'll be upgraded at the very least.

We're not getting Hale I don't think. So I would think that logically means we'll be keeping Johnson.

That doesn't make logical sense to me - PJ is not capable of playing the role we were targetting Hale for, otherwise there would have been no need to target Hale in the first place.

He is capable, but not to the same level of output.

We'll have to make do with PJ & our kids for another year if we miss out on Hale, I feel.

That doesn't make logical sense to me - PJ is not capable of playing the role we were targetting Hale for, otherwise there would have been no need to target Hale in the first place.

It does to me.

Hale is not only being targeted for his ability to play as a tall forward.

The other main reason he is being targeted is bc other than Jamar we have PJ and 3 teenage ruckman. Hale would be an upgraded version of PJ in the role of back-up ruckman.

If we don't get Hale and Jamar goes down, we are pretty stuffed, but no where near as stuffed as we would be if we delisted PJ also, and had to rely on 3 teenagers who would be absolutely mauled by most opposition ruckman.

He is capable, but not to the same level of output.

69 games so far over 7 yesrs suggests otherwise.

I get the feeling the new interchange rule makes Spencer too much of a

liability outside of a ruck contest.

I don't think he'll be upgraded at the very least.

Regardless, MFC still have to develop the next generation of ruckman and Spencer is about 3 years ahead of Gawn in that process. I think he will be elevated.

If we don't get Hale and Jamar goes down, we are pretty stuffed, but no where near as stuffed as we would be if we delisted PJ also, and had to rely on 3 teenagers who would be absolutely mauled by most opposition ruckman.

And if we keep PJ and have to ruck him we would be absolutely mauled by opposition ruckman. I keep remembering QBW 2009 where Josh Fraser got BOG on PJ. Eek!

PJ is no insurance or protection. I'd rather risk a Spencer than extend time to a player who is a proven no go in either role. And if worse came to worse, I would pinch hit Dunn or Martin in the ruck.

I trust the FD have done their homework and listened to the MASS Public Opinion from the rank and file on this site.

That doesn't make logical sense to me - PJ is not capable of playing the role we were targetting Hale for, otherwise there would have been no need to target Hale in the first place.

PJ can perform that role, just not very well. Now that we're not going to get Hale, we have to have someone who can perform that role (ruck/forward), so it's gotta be PJ (or I guess Stefan Martin could but his ruckwork is worse than PJ's).

PJ can perform that role, just not very well.

In other words he cant fulfill that role. And if the FD were chasing Hale then they must be thinking likewise.

Now that we're not going to get Hale, we have to have someone who can perform that role (ruck/forward), so it's gotta be PJ (or I guess Stefan Martin could but his ruckwork is worse than PJ's).

Wrong.

How could Martin's ruckwork be worse than PJs???

I'd rather risk a Spencer than extend time to a player who is a proven no go in either role. And if worse came to worse, I would pinch hit Dunn or Martin in the ruck.

Very irresponsible imo.

Sylvia or Dunn in the ruck is plainly irresponsible, they will be seriously hurt if forced to ruck regularly.

Spenser, Fitzpatrick and Gawn and clearly years away from being competitive in the ruck and it would be unfair on their development to throw them to the wolves. Why do you think the Suns picked up Fraser, a complete spud ruckman? For one reason only. It would be completely irresponsible for them to throw an 18 year old up full time against 100kg mature ruckman. I don't think our FD would agree with your line of thinking.

If Jamar went down, PJ would be our only realistic option, and our only hope is that he can play reasonably competitively like he showed in 2-3 games this year.

How could Martin's ruckwork be worse than PJs???

PJ might be Martin's ruck coach.

On a serious note I think we have nothing to lose in prioritising Martin as a ruckman this off-season with as many resources possible (even if it is 3 or 4 years too late).

Sink or swim.