Why at this stage of our development do we need to target any player from any club?

If the recruiters have done their job we should have a young player able to take over any spot as they develop. I always thought it was only when you were approaching your window that you needed to trade to fill spots.

Completely agree.

Though Jack Gunston has sparked my interest, 19 year old tall forward who wants to play for a Victorian club. Would fit nicely into the young list and wont have to give a bucket-load to get him. Way better option than Dawes IMO.

Even though much of this thread is directed towards securing bigger names, I'd be interested to know what Neeld thinks about Simon Buckley.

I was disappointed that we let Buckley go - he was pretty unlucky in his final year with injuries. Always showed a bit - and I liked the fact that he grew up a Demon.

Views?

As an aside, I would like to see the MFC get a lot better at developing 'recycled' players - clubs like the Swans, the Saints, the Pies and a few others are masters of it.

Why at this stage of our development do we need to target any player from any club?

If the recruiters have done their job we should have a young player able to take over any spot as they develop. I always thought it was only when you were approaching your window that you needed to trade to fill spots.

Not entirely true because an experienced player can add impetus to the climb up the ladder ... and inject the right sort of attitude into a developing group.However I agree that any target should be mid age at most

This... Exactly what we need in the midfield. Hard at it 100% of the time with a great kick.

Not quite sure about great kick but Jordan Lewis was mammoth in the prelim final and his will and hardness but don't be sucked in.

Hodge and Mitchell are the real stars of that midfield and we need to find that quality player rather then finding the hardest and toughest.

Think one Jordie Mckenzie will be like him with one or two more preseasons anyway.

Mitch Brown from west coast, might want to come home.

Even though much of this thread is directed towards securing bigger names, I'd be interested to know what Neeld thinks about Simon Buckley.

I was disappointed that we let Buckley go - he was pretty unlucky in his final year with injuries. Always showed a bit - and I liked the fact that he grew up a Demon.

Views?

As an aside, I would like to see the MFC get a lot better at developing 'recycled' players - clubs like the Swans, the Saints, the Pies and a few others are masters of it.

THIS!

Was my favourite Dee before his knees gave way but if he can get games for Collingwood he can for us, at times he seamed to be the only one who wanted ball for us and we'll need that

I'd consider trying to swap Morton for Brad Ebert of West Coast.

I'd look at Wonna to West Coast. If thats what he wants.

If we're into Goddard, I'd look at trying to involve Davey in the deal to Saints.

Another Davey trade I'd look at would be to the Hawks who need speed and run off the half back area. And they Need a ruck whilst they're window is Open. I'd consider offers for Jamar & Davey If the trade is large & Helpful.

Also look at Sydney, re Aaron.

Our players 28 & above won't play a part in our next crack at the bigtime. And we need to bring in some strength & class.

I'd look to the Bombers to see what they wanted for Hille. Plays well tall forward. Could be OK for 2 Years.

But surely you pick a few for what they can do in the next year or two!

Draft for tomorrow. Trade for Today.

Draft for tomorrow. Trade for Today.

Our today will be coming around by 2013/14. This is when we'll be pressing the leaders of the comp.

We've got some building still to do. Players we'll lose one way or another by 2014 will be our over 28's.

Take it now.

I'd consider trying to swap Morton for Brad Ebert of West Coast.

I'd look at Wonna to West Coast. If thats what he wants.

If we're into Goddard, I'd look at trying to involve Davey in the deal to Saints.

Another Davey trade I'd look at would be to the Hawks who need speed and run off the half back area. And they Need a ruck whilst they're window is Open. I'd consider offers for Jamar & Davey If the trade is large & Helpful.

Also look at Sydney, re Aaron.

Our players 28 & above won't play a part in our next crack at the bigtime. And we need to bring in some strength & class.

I'd look to the Bombers to see what they wanted for Hille. Plays well tall forward. Could be OK for 2 Years.

I wouldn't do any of those moves.

They're all horrible suggestions.

I wouldn't do any of those moves.

They're all horrible suggestions.

Well, these boys are both 30 Yrs going into 2013, and @ their end. This is when we'll be entering our most competitive time, (window opening), and so we won't want to be losing retirements or senior players who have been regulars, to pull out and spots filled, with inexperienced players.

Better now.

Stephen Salopek is on the journo's 'Trade Bait' lists.

Earlier in his career he was going to be a gun and then nothing.

I know he has had shoulder issues.

Is he just rotting at Port and might succeed elsewhere or can he be consigned to the scrap heap?

Not sure if many will agree with me but i wouldn't mind Lachie Hansen. I'd only be willing to give up our second round pick and a Maric or Warnock and no doubt North would want more.

I just think in a new enviroment with the right coaching and some confidence he could develop into a good contested marking forward.

My 2c: We need to bolster our midfield, a key forward would be handy and unless some absolute quality is available I'd hang on to our first rounder & compo picks. I think the most realistic option for this trade period is to look at one or two guys who could fill a role, a somewhat 'moneyball' approach that won't cost the earth.

Midfield targets:

John McCarthy

Xavier Ellis

Clinton Young

Ben Ross

Sam Reid (WB)

KPF

Daniel Stewart

Brent Macaffer

Lachie Hansen

I do not see us having to give up a huge amount for any of these players and believe they could fill a role in our best 22.

Midfield targets:

John McCarthy

Xavier Ellis

Clinton Young

Ben Ross

Sam Reid (WB)

KPF

Daniel Stewart

Brent Macaffer

Lachie Hansen

I don't mind these... especially your midfield choices. But you gotta think, which ones in that list would push one of our midfielders out of a position? I'd only be confident in Mccarthy and Ellis doing that at this stage.

Dee Luded are you happy to keep on losing if we do happen to get rid of our experienced players?

I would entertain losing one older player but only if we got something of real value in exchange.

You still need experienced, and hopefully good player around the youth. Just look at the eagles this year! (I know they tanked 2 years ago which makes their improvement not as great) but there older, experienced players played as good as they could this year and helped the younger players. We can only hope that players like Green, Davey, Jamar, Moloney, Rivers, Sylvia play there best and then we will improve. (as I am assuming our youngsters will naturally get better) I hope!

If we pick up a player like Xavier Ellis I will throw up!

Dee Luded are you happy to keep on losing if we do happen to get rid of our experienced players?

I would entertain losing one older player but only if we got something of real value in exchange.

You still need experienced, and hopefully good player around the youth. Just look at the eagles this year! (I know they tanked 2 years ago which makes their improvement not as great) but there older, experienced players played as good as they could this year and helped the younger players. We can only hope that players like Green, Davey, Jamar, Moloney, Rivers, Sylvia play there best and then we will improve. (as I am assuming our youngsters will naturally get better) I hope!

Look, I think your wrong If you think that losing the Russian will transpire into slowing our progressive climb up the ladder over the next 4 Years.

It would effect us a little next year, maybe One ladder spot or two Max.

Burt Max Gawn will come on quicker with the resposibility and I would also try to grab Hille cheaply as he's slightly older than Mark and plays the forward role better. He would/could be our forward and our insurance. With Gawn and Martin/Fitz as 2nd ruck.

If the Russian was willing to go to the Hawks, or Port (Boak) or Crows (Dangerfield or other) or GWS + comp pick+, for a 17Yr old. This would definitely pay off in the long run.

As much as I love him, Aaron davey could be a good option for trade.. Besides last year, he has good market value and teams like st kilda, hawks, sydney and even west coast might be interested offering something big for him... If we could get a first round pick, trade that to the crows for dangerfield, or pies for dawes.. The only thing I would worry about is the effect it has on wonna and jurrah?

As much as I love him, Aaron davey could be a good option for trade.. Besides last year, he has good market value and teams like st kilda, hawks, sydney and even west coast might be interested offering something big for him... If we could get a first round pick, trade that to the crows for dangerfield, or pies for dawes.. The only thing I would worry about is the effect it has on wonna and jurrah?

I agree, lets face it, he's not Cyril, and he's at his most worth Now. Even after a poor year. His pace and delivery would be very valuable for those in the window trying to gain advantage over their top 5 combatants.

Dee Luded, as I said before, I am happy to trade 1 of our experienced players, but not all of them.

If we did lose Jamar, who I would probably prefer to keep, we better get something bloddy good in place of him.

I rate Gawn and Martin and I think Spencer has a lot to offer too, so he can be replaced, but as I said in my previous post, we still need some exprienced players to help out the younger ones.

John Patton in two years time, hope we throw a bucket load of money at him.

Dee Luded, as I said before, I am happy to trade 1 of our experienced players, but not all of them.

If we did lose Jamar, who I would probably prefer to keep, we better get something bloddy good in place of him.

I rate Gawn and Martin and I think Spencer has a lot to offer too, so he can be replaced, but as I said in my previous post, we still need some exprienced players to help out the younger ones.

Who are you talking about?

If Jamar agreed to go for a Big payday, and we could emboss that,,, then someone like a Hille could be chased as a top up insurance for our Tall forward/Ruck option. Or other Tall or Campbell...

Would you like to get Boak for a Russian deal?... Russian + there interested in Maric, + a 2012 pick (4th rnd) for Boak?

As much as I love him, Aaron davey could be a good option for trade.. Besides last year, he has good market value and teams like st kilda, hawks, sydney and even west coast might be interested offering something big for him... If we could get a first round pick, trade that to the crows for dangerfield, or pies for dawes.. The only thing I would worry about is the effect it has on wonna and jurrah?

I don't think it will make anything worse with Wonna who has already been distracted over 3 seasons, & is rumored to want to move on.