There's a set of players who are "must-sign" premiership core that we're building a flag team arouind and need to protect from GWS and free agency. It will prove difficult to protect every player on our list and there's a vital core.

There's currently 8 on my must-sign list: Scully, Frawley, Watts, Sylvia, Davey, Jurrah, Trengove, Grimes.

I think Frawley, Watts and Davey contracts make them safe from GWS at least but we really need to focus on signing the rest.

There's other very good players like Garland, Morton and McKenzie who are close to must-sign and could join it.

Jamar could easily be on it but I think that Spencer provides depth in that role.

I expect a few more to put their hands up and join that list e.g. Jack Viney and some current development players.

Add Maric to the list

I'd say Mark Jamar would have to be considered as one of the most important players on our list.Don't you?

This link has all players and when they come out of contract: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=767361

Only relevant players for GWS are those who go out of contract this year or next year.

This year:

Jake Fitzpatrick

Max Gawn

Brad Green (Upgraded to Veterans List)

Jordan Gysberts

Addam Maric

Stefan Martin

Cale Morton

Tom Scully

Colin Sylvia

Austin Wonaeamirri

+ the rookies

Obviously we want to keep our whole list together... BUT. The only REALLY important ones (in terms of our long term premierships aspirations) are Scully and Sylvia. Would suck big-time to lose Gysberts and Morton and others, but wouldn't seriously derail our progress and we'd get compensation.

Contracted to End of 2012

Rohan Bail

Clint Bartram

Matthew Bate

Jamie Bennell

Sam Blease

Lucas Cook

Troy Davis

Lynden Dunn

Colin Garland

Jeremy Howe

Mark Jamar

Neville Jetta

Nathan Jones

Liam Jurrah

Tom McDonald

Jordan McKenzie (Upgraded to Senior List)

Brent Moloney

Ricky Petterd

Jared Rivers

Jake Spencer (Upgraded to senior list)

James Strauss

Luke Tapscott

Jack Trengove

REALLY important signatures are Garland, Jamar, Jurrah and Trengove. Once again, would suck to lose anyone else, but only those 4 would really set us back from winning a premiership.

If we can sign those 6 players (Scully, Sylvia, Garland, Jamar, Jurrah and Trengove), and obviously re-sign 95% of the others as well, we should consider ourselves relatively unscathed. We have to accept that like all teams, we might lose a player to GWS. As long as we get compensation and its not one of those 6 guys, i'll be relatively content. Obviously we don't want to lose anyone, but we have to be realistic about who is really really important going forward.

If we can sign those 6 players (Scully, Sylvia, Garland, Jamar, Jurrah and Trengove), and obviously re-sign 95% of the others as well, we should consider ourselves relatively unscathed. We have to accept that like all teams, we might lose a player to GWS. As long as we get compensation and its not one of those 6 guys, i'll be relatively content. Obviously we don't want to lose anyone, but we have to be realistic about who is really really important going forward.

We're on the same track and if those lists are right then Grimes joins Watts, Frawley and Davey as safe. My list is just a little tighter - I really rate Jamar but in the long run I think Spencer provides cover. Garland is on the brink but then so are Morton and McKenzie for me. It's just where you rule the "must" line - mine has Scully, Sylvia, Jurrah and Trengove.

I think Garland is becoming increasingly important each season, we struggle without him really.

We're on the same track and if those lists are right then Grimes joins Watts, Frawley and Davey as safe. My list is just a little tighter - I really rate Jamar but in the long run I think Spencer provides cover. Garland is on the brink but then so are Morton and McKenzie for me. It's just where you rule the "must" line - mine has Scully, Sylvia, Jurrah and Trengove.

I sort of know what you're coming from, old55, but I get so nervous when Spencer goes near the ball....

I sort of know what you're coming from, old55, but I get so nervous when Spencer goes near the ball....

Spencer provides short term cover, but in my eyes and the clubs i believe, Max Gawn is the one they want to come along. Have a look at Sandilands dominate the competition- that is what they are hoping with Gawn if he can get his body right...

Our list is too hard to access at this point. Half of our list has less than 50 games played against their names. With some of these players we won't know what we have got until after next season or beyond.

Some names on that list that are not mentioned as "core" players could end up being the face of the MFC. We just don't know yet.

At this point I would like to retain 90% of the current list for the next few seasons to see where they can go.

I wouldn't be surprised if Gysberts management were being spoken to by GWS. Potential is obvious from 3 games and could go for a cheaper rate than Scully might pull due to injury concerns?

Believe that Velocity also manage Gys??

Who knows - probably plenty of talk going on with mgrs due to the GWS horizon.

Add Maric to the list

Still has to prove himself in my opinion. NAB Cup games do not count.

Our list is too hard to access at this point. Half of our list has less than 50 games played against their names. With some of these players we won't know what we have got until after next season or beyond.

Some names on that list that are not mentioned as "core" players could end up being the face of the MFC. We just don't know yet.

At this point I would like to retain 90% of the current list for the next few seasons to see where they can go.

The team is difficult to see but the Flag Core © is there: Watts, Frawley, Trengove, Scully, Jurrah, Morton, Grimes, McKenzie and Garland will provide the base, the star capability, to win flags.

For some reason I keep on thinking Morton is Gws bound.

Add Maric to the list

If you think Maric belongs on this list then you don't quite understand the topic.

For some reason I keep on thinking Morton is Gws bound.

If Morton was the only one to be poached by GWS I would be resting easy. Morton is far from a core player, Has played 50 games in some of Melbournes worst teams and really has to prove himself.

Add Maric to the list

He's had a good pre-season, but...

Jamar could easily be on it but I think that Spencer provides depth in that role.

I lile the idea of your thread, but if you equate these two it totally destroys your credibility as a judge of any player

There's currently 8 on my must-sign list: Scully, Frawley, Watts, Sylvia, Davey, Jurrah, Trengove, Grimes.

I think Frawley, Watts and Davey contracts make them safe from GWS at least but we really need to focus on signing the rest.

My must sign are Watts, Frawley, Jurrah, Trengove, Scully, Grimes, Garland. In that order too. Could name another 7 who i'd like to sign but these 7 are must.

I lile the idea of your thread, but if you equate these two it totally destroys your credibility as a judge of any player

I didn't "equate" them. The new rules mean only one tap ruckman can play. By the time we're challenging for the flag Spencer will have improved further and I expect him to be adequate back-up for Jamar. Then there's Gawn coming through as well. The thread is "must-sign".

This is all from memory...but i think the below players are safe from GWS offers.

Watts- Signed a 3 year deal last year.

Frawley- Signed a 4 year deal last year

Jurrah - Signed a 3 year deal last year.

Grimes- Signed an extended deal during the off-season.

Davey- Signed a 4(or5) year deal

Nathan Jones, Jetta, Bennell ?