Hello all,

I am gladdened by the news that A Wonnaeamirri is returning to train with the Dees and attempt to win a new contract, and potentially fill the void of small forward. Despite his imminent return, I have recently been pondering the value of Luke Power to the MFC.

Although Power is getting on at 31 (08/01/1980), he is out of contract and is not a certainty to be re-drafted by a team that has salary cap issues and is rebuilding. While Simon Black is clearly worth keeping due to his brilliance in the centre square, Power has less value to the Lions as a flanker, where young blokes tend to start their careers.

Power would be better than any of our current small forwards (Maric, Bennell, Wonna, Jetta). He could also be a fantastic mentor to the small forwards who remain in the team. Beyond that, he is a true leader and has premiership experience that would be great for the entire group (I don't really consider Robbie Campbell to be having much influence at the moment).

He's from Victoria and as such he would probably be open to the idea of playing in Melbourne.

I'm not sure what the Lions would want as a trade, but they couldn't ask much due to his age and cost. Players that come to mind are Maric or Bate (preferable), but possibly Lynden Dunn, who is a talented player forced out by Petterd, Jurrah and Howe. A second round pick seems reasonable considering we have enough young blokes.

Right now the Dees are seriously lacking leadership, senior players with genuine class and composure under pressure. It seems in all of the Dees big losses this year (and there have been plenty), the minute there is a lack of composure, it become contagious.

I understand that Power would keep one of Maric, Wonna, Bennell or Jetta off the field. Personally, I think Maric is struggling, Bennell will end up in the backline or on a wing, and Jetta is a natural midfielder. Wonna is our most best chance of becoming a star forward pocket who can move up the ground, and as such I think recruiting in this area is not foolish.

Youth has been the policy at the Dees, but I'm sick of having 'youngest list' status. We have the quality kids, I don't have an issue with bringing in genuine leaders who can play footy and have a positive influence on the group.

I would be interested in your thoughts.

Edited July 20, 201113 yr by Bhima

Pass. That's about it

Hello all,

I am gladdened by the news that A Wonnaeamirri is returning to train with the Dees and attempt to win a new contract, and potentially fill the void of small forward. Despite his imminent return, I have recently been pondering the value of Luke Power to the MFC.

Although Power is getting on at 31 (08/01/1980), he is out of contract and is not a certainty to be re-drafted by a team that has salary cap issues and is rebuilding. While Simon Black is clearly worth keeping due to his brilliance in the centre square, Power has less value to the Lions as a flanker, where young blokes tend to start their careers.

Power would be better than any of our current small forwards (Maric, Bennell, Wonna, Jetta). He could also be a fantastic mentor to the small forwards who remain in the team. Beyond that, he is a true leader and has premiership experience that would be great for the entire group (I don't really consider Robbie Campbell to be having much influence at the moment).

He's from Victoria and as such he would probably be open to the idea of playing in Melbourne.

I'm not sure what the Lions would want as a trade, but they couldn't ask much due to his age and cost. Players that come to mind are Maric or Bate (preferable), but possibly Lynden Dunn, who is a talented player forced out by Petterd, Jurrah and Howe. A second round pick seems reasonable considering we have enough young blokes.

Right now the Dees are seriously lacking leadership, senior players with genuine class and composure under pressure. It seems in all of the Dees big losses this year (and there have been plenty), the minute there is a lack of composure, it become contagious.

I understand that Power would keep one of Maric, Wonna, Bennell or Jetta off the field. Personally, I think Maric is struggling, Bennell will end up in the backline or on a wing, and Jetta is a natural midfielder. Wonna is our most best chance of becoming a star forward pocket who can move up the ground, and as such I think recruiting in this area is not foolish.

Youth has been the policy at the Dees, but I'm sick of having 'youngest list' status. We have the quality kids, I don't have an issue with bringing in genuine leaders who can play footy and have a positive influence on the group.

I would be interested in your thoughts.

Is that you Luke?

Interesting idea, I guess it would come down to his asking price though. Can't imagine the club being willing to part with much given its youth focus.

BTW - I miss your training reports Bhima. Was the main reason I used to read Demonland and the site has gone downhill in the quality of debate and content as a result.

Edited July 20, 201113 yr by Ascobar

If it was on a PSD free I wouldn't say no, but wouldn't want to pay anything.

No chance realistically though.

Would have been a very solid idea 2 years ago. He is too old now...For me, Maric is worth persevering with.

Great player. And he would provide great leadership.

He won't be there for our next premiership tilt though.

I would much rather give the games to maric or another youngster.

And also, spots on the list are precious this year. Who would you delist in order to get him?

Would love him as an assistant coach here one day.

id love to see maric actually get a good go at it for the rest of the season, not sure of hes stats the other night but they wouldnt of be real high, but in saying that he kicked 3 goals.... what more do ppl want from a forward pocket!

Absolutely not.

Power is massively over-rated. No room for him anyway. No, Neit, Nay.

He is not over rated at all.

He has has a stellar career at Brisbane where at his peak he was a very damaging footballer. However he is now in his twilight. Age and injuries taking their toll. Most football observers realise that with Power.

I am baffled why the OP would see Luke Power as being a "fit" for MFC when the Club has been clear on what its trying to achieve. And even if MFC were to seek an "old hand" then I would have thought there would be more appropriate targets.

A big No from mee.

Power's a gun.

But, no.

Luke Power has had an outstanding career, but I think it's now time for him to 'sign off' gracefully. If our Footy Department thought there was truely a place on our list for someone of his ilk, Junior McDonald would still be a Melbourne player ........ and if there is still lingering discontent within our playing group about Junior's departure, I don't think recruiting Power would do anything to heal that malaise.

its almost like saying lets recruit barry hall now that he will be available.

Well, I'm certainly glad that there is consensus on this thread.

I think the idea of Luke Power is more about a desire to get one or two experienced blokes at the club who have legitimately successful backgrounds. Power wouldn't be around for a GF tilt, but might help us make the finals, which would be a good experience for all involved. I think I've become a little detached this season as every time I get my hopes up the Dees have fallen apart.

For me Power isn't a Barry Hall type of recruit, as he wouldn't be a key position player, but someone who could fill a need in a position that is not critical on the field, but one where he could improve the team in the short term and be a mentor to our young list.

I too miss the training reports, but as I'm no longer living down the road from AAMI park, I'm afraid there won't be too many more. I too look forward to training reports from others but they are few and far between atm.

Well, I'm certainly glad that there is consensus on this thread.

I think the idea of Luke Power is more about a desire to get one or two experienced blokes at the club who have legitimately successful backgrounds. Power wouldn't be around for a GF tilt, but might help us make the finals, which would be a good experience for all involved.

I think the Club is clear about getting games into the younger talent that will lift us in the coming years. I cant see how Power will help us into the finals if he is denying a younger player a spot in the team to get experience when we seriously challenge.

For the hand wringing about Junior and Bruce going, its given a great opportunity to play Tapscott, Nicholson and Evans.

Bad luck you cant continue with your training reports.

luke power ? not for me bhima.

had you said let's offer nathan fyfe a $3m/5 year deal, you would have got me in for that for sure. unfortunately, i don't know his contract status, but i imagine freo would want him signed up for good. but with pav, sandilands and mundy on hefty contracts, i would be happy as i am sure others would if we had a shot at fyfe. but that is for another thread mate/

maybe ballantyne is another option.

The real issue here is the loss of Bhima's training reports. How has the MFC allowed this valued resource to be lost?

I demand answers!

Typical of the cozy, late-sipping culture of loss-acceptance and self-satisfied inferiority to do nothing while the demonland milieu is deprived of Bhima's work.

Damn you, Stynes, damn you!

But seriously, Bhima, I really enjoyed those reports over summer - you kept my addiction fed - and I am very grateful that you put in the effort.

The Peter Vardy experiment garnered some favourable results. Could LP fill a similar void? Maybe, though I tend to agree with others pointing back to the benefits of sticking with the youth policy

Might be the only Power going down in value when a carbon tax is introduced.

It sounded like a good idea for about 30 seconds.will be well past it by the time were challenging for our next flag and would hate to see him keep maric,bennell,jetta,Dunn or Ricky Bobby out of the side!no chance for me!

I think there there will come a time when this type of idea is valid. I just don't think that time is quite upon us yet.