Jake Spencer re-signs

[Spirit of the Demon 256]

Spencer signs two-year deal

Is it co-incidence that this comes just hours after the Hale decision to choose the Hawks?

[Spaghetti 264]

Spencer signs two-year deal

Is it co-incidence that this comes just hours after the Hale decision to choose the Hawks?

Doubt it's coincidence, but I'm sure they would have kept him regardless, maybe on a lesser deal though.

[sylvinator 96]

Spencer signs two-year deal

Is it co-incidence that this comes just hours after the Hale decision to choose the Hawks?

Don't think it was Hale or Spenser.

I mentioned this in another thread, but Cam Schwab in his stream a few weeks ago said Spenser would definitely be offered a contract and that the clubs rates him and hopes he'll develop into a very good player one day.

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

Spencer signs two-year deal

Is it co-incidence that this comes just hours after the Hale decision to choose the Hawks?

It does look ugly: "Ummm, Jake. We couldn't get Hale so would you like to sign this contract?"

Probably co-incidence though, or his management wondering if he might be best served going somewhere else if we did get another ruck. I can't see a contract being put together that quickly.

[Little Goffy 14,639]

No Hale moves our salary cap position a bit, you'd assume.

He's probably been told 'wait til we figure out Hale, if we don't get him we'll kick in an extra $20k.'

I can't find anything sinister in it, even if there is a bit of coincidence.

[Whispering_Jack 30,631]

I've heard Chris Connolly talk up Jake Spencer as a future ruck prospect on a number of occasions and there's no doubt in my mind that Jake was going to get a new contract and an upgrade from the rookie list.

The timing of the new contract is co-incidental. This is the time of year clubs usually finalise rookie contracts.

In any event, I thought the FD was looking at Hale principally as a forward with the capacity to do a bit of pinch hitting as a ruckman. Spencer's certainly not that sort of player at this stage of his career.

[Disco Demons 92]

Well done Jake,,,his hot date for the bf got him over the line

[The Chazz 4,077]

It does look ugly: "Ummm, Jake. We couldn't get Hale so would you like to sign this contract?"

Probably co-incidence though, or his management wondering if he might be best served going somewhere else if we did get another ruck. I can't see a contract being put together that quickly.

Gee that's fantastic news...NOT! Sorry, just not a Spencer fan one bit.

Not sure if he's switched on enough to think the way you do Rojik!

[Rogue 585]

Spencer is a #1 ruck prospect.

Hale was a second ruck/forward prospect. (Newton would be happy we didn't get Hale IMO).

[Jaded No More 68,972]

Speaking of rookie promotions, do we know if Jordie McKenzie has signed a new deal?

[No16 1]

Will have a better idea of where he is at at the end of next year... If he hasn't cemented a spot as our backup ruckman by then he will be on very thin ice going into his last year...

Edited October 8, 2010 by No16

[Hiram Cowfreak 78]

Speaking of rookie promotions, do we know if Jordie McKenzie has signed a new deal?

If we take draft picks 12 and 32 + Spencer we don't have another pick to use to upgrade Jordie!

Someone else must be be about to get traded or delisted, Jordie must join the senior list with Spencer....my guess is Cheney or Paul Johnson

[baysidedave 246]

Doubt it's coincidence, but I'm sure they would have kept him regardless, maybe on a lesser deal though.

only on about 80,000-100,000 at the most

[demoniac 1,336]

only on about 80,000-100,000 at the most

Spencer has shown enough for mine to get the 2 year contract and upgrade to senior list. Turns 21 today. 203cm and 100kg so is the right build. Is not afraid of the physical stuff which is essential for a Ruckman. Competitive in the ruck and his overhead marking is improving. Generally runs to good positions. In the context of the 3 interchange and 1 substitute rule he is in essence a Nm 1 Ruck rather than the more versatile second ruck/follower position that the new rules seem certain to result in. Jamar turns 28 next year so hopefully has 4 or 5 years left which would have Spencer ideally situated at 25 or 26 to take over. If he develops at a reasonable rate he may even play first ruck with Jamar spending more time up forward and relieving Spencer in the ruck.

Gawn only turns 19 in December and missed most of the year recovering from injury so is a fair way off.Have only seen limited footage but is written up as being capable forward. Fitzpatrick turned 19 in June. Only seen limited footage of his footy but reports indicate he could be the versatile tall utulity who can ruck and go forward or back that the introduction of the substitute results in.

All in all I think we have good ruck depth but we are going to have to be patient while they develop. In the meantime we may be forced to perservere with PJ. Hopefully a large part of his pre season will involve drills where he puts his hands up in the air and tries to mark it or at least bring it to ground. Martin could also be an option for this role. Certainly he is a better option fwd than PJ and probably on par in terms of ruckwork.

Edited October 8, 2010 by demoniac

[kegs 0]

The reason he got a new contract is simple folks. Miller left and he took Pia with him there fore spencer had to stay because his lady friend is hot, the ledger has to balence people

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Spencer is a #1 ruck prospect.

Hale was a second ruck/forward prospect. (Newton would be happy we didn't get Hale IMO).

Agree with that. Happy with this news.

If we take draft picks 12 and 32 + Spencer we don't have another pick to use to upgrade Jordie!

Someone else must be be about to get traded or delisted, Jordie must join the senior list with Spencer....my guess is Cheney or Paul Johnson

Jordie will be upgraded.

The question is would the FD use pick 32 or keep PJ. They offered pick 32 for Hale who they saw as a supeior option to PJ.

I think PJ is gone. Cheney is contracted in 2011. But the Club could find a gratuitious trade for him to another Club for a draft pick MFC will not use.

[DirtyDees DDC 187]

If we take draft picks 12 and 32 + Spencer we don't have another pick to use to upgrade Jordie!

Someone else must be be about to get traded or delisted, Jordie must join the senior list with Spencer....my guess is Cheney or Paul Johnson

If no trade is available is it possible that they can move PJ to the rookie list - similar to Newton and Meeson last year?

That would give us 4 draft picks. The club can then use the last 2 to promote McKenzie and Spencer from the rookie list.

I see PJ joining Newton as our senior rookies - Newton is picked for the China game and looks like he's still a required player.

[Adzman 2,154]

At this risk if sounding unpopular, I would much prefer to have Spencer on the list for 2 years at 100k than have David Hale on our list (at the expense of pick #32) for 400k per year for 2 years.

[Disco Demons 92]

spencer has never kicked a goal at AFL level in 8 games and has a long way to go. he's 21 now...i would expect him to play more in the ruck to allow jamar to play in the forward line.

melb will need to stockpile ruckmen with a cap on rotations...jamar, pj, spencer, martin, gawn, fitz.

if spencer, gawn and fitz can get going then the future looks bright.

[Big Kev 371]

Speaking of rookie promotions, do we know if Jordie McKenzie has signed a new deal?

Not as yet Jaded.

[Hannabal 4]

Good old Jake.

At least he'll be good for a few belly laughs next year.

[1858 285]

To my mind Spencer was always going to be at least a 2 yr contract. The club has stated since day 1 that he is a project player, they're looking at long term development.