Can someone please answer this question "what would Dawes bring to the side that Stef Martin can't"? We all juiced up (not of the Newton variety) over the improvement of Stef this year, I wonder what he could do if played as an 80% full forward/20% ruckman?

I am a massive Dawes fan ( Mister mojo risin') for one reason only ( and I will qualify this by saying he has been off the boil since his return from injury). He is defensively fantastic - 2nd, 3rd and 4th efforts to chase,, harrass and keep the ball in the forward half is great. And he presents and presents again.

HOWEVER - this may be able to be drilled into existing player by a good coach. It is difficult to teach Dunn or Bate to mark like Travis Cloke but you can instill a sense of desperation into them to do the hard things that Dawes does. Having hands like bear traps is a natural talent but the desire to work your arse off can be ingrained into the less talented.

The obvious implication is that we have compo picks which could be used this year for Dawes or next year for Pendles when his contract expires, on the assumption that Collingwood were willing to do either deal.

I would rather take a punt on jesse white or Chad Cornes as a Temp who can teach JW & Cook/Fitpatrick. Cornes is hoping to go to GWS for a 1Yr deal, but Port aren't going to delist,

unless someone gives them something???

Save our picks to use on Gaff or Boak, or Pendlebury next year.

Wonder if Dawes has a really really good relationship with our new coach??? Hmmm the possibilties of raiding the magpie nest with our new magpie insider - pendles next year anyone?

I can see an arm wrestle of high proportions for him with the Blues trying to steal an inch of rope off the pies in their tug of war. I see the Pies and Blues and Saints fighting one another. Then there's the miserly Dogs.

Again people on here needing to decide between midfield & forward line. The fact is we need to beef up & improve both. I also think the question should be will a mature Fitzpatrick become as good as Dawes and can Martin develope into a key forward

Better, IMO. The boys quick, balanced, tall, & skilled. Just needs to get games now and stay free of injury. 2 Yrs behind Steph Martin.

Nice having all this tall timber but who is going to pick up the crumbs? Neeld sees a hole in this area as well . Never thought Dawes was a very gifted mark for his size . We need some cash in pocket to snare Patton in 2 years time .

Nice having all this tall timber but who is going to pick up the crumbs? Neeld sees a hole in this area as well . Never thought Dawes was a very gifted mark for his size . We need some cash in pocket to snare Patton in 2 years time .

IMO this is another area in this years rookie draft I'd rather take a couple of quick skilled smalls.

I like one we have, but need more.

I think we need to be realistic about what it would take to prise Dawes from Collingwood. Pick 12 would be the starting point, and we'd need to throw something else in as well (third rounder / Warnock if they felt it could free Tarrant to go forward, particularly as Brown eases himself back). Good key forwards don't grow on trees, and it's likely that in nine days time he'll be a back-to-back premiership player in that role. His size, strength and the defensive aspects of his game give us something that our other forwards already mentioned don't. It probably won't happen - he'd have to be thrown some serious money to leave Collingwood in their current barnstorming state, and if Carlton are in the hunt they tend to find a way to get their "recycled" players if you catch my drift. Personally, I'd love to see him end up at Melbourne. I think it'd have a great impact on the development of Watts and Jurrah, allowing them more freedom and the ability to play roles more suited to them.

Whatever we decide to do, I think pick 12 should be well and truly on the trade table. We can solve some midfield issues in the 2012 draft with Jack Viney and compo picks/O'Meara.

I dont quite see the 'potential superstar' in Dawes that others seem to, he's a role player in a very well drilled side.

I fear that once he's out of that system as a big banana, he will fall short of expectations (see any player from the Melbourne Storm that has been developed from scratch and then left to chase the big money in the last five years).

Compare his averages to Brad Green this year:

Marks avg - Green 5.0/Dawes 4.4

Goals avg - 1.8/1.5

Disposals avg - 15.9/13.7

I know they're not like for like, but its widely perceived Green had a disappointing season.

Offer this man a 5 year $600,000 contract now!

I dont quite see the 'potential superstar' in Dawes that others seem to, he's a role player in a very well drilled side.

I fear that once he's out of that system as a big banana, he will fall short of expectations (see any player from the Melbourne Storm that has been developed from scratch and then left to chase the big money in the last five years).

Compare his averages to Brad Green this year:

Marks avg - Green 5.0/Dawes 4.4

Goals avg - 1.8/1.5

Disposals avg - 15.9/13.7

I know they're not like for like, but its widely perceived Green had a disappointing season.

Demondave did watch the game last night?

Dawes kept the Pies in it.

If the dees do not make a play for this guy we are out of our brains.

He is just what we need big tough does not get pushed aside and kicks goals.

Do not see too many of those at the MFC

Demondave did watch the game last night?

Dawes kept the Pies in it.

If the dees do not make a play for this guy we are out of our brains.

He is just what we need big tough does not get pushed aside and kicks goals.

Do not see too many of those at the MFC

100% agree - the amount of heat this guy drew was incredible. If we nab him and he draws 2 or 3 defenders every week, our mid forwards are going to have a constant supply of the footy.

Agreed, he was fantastic last night. we should do everything we can to get him... Perfect compliment to cook and Watts...

I would be after him in a big way.

But get ready to pay through the nose unless Neeld can get him to say he wants to come to us...

I would be after him in a big way.

But get ready to pay through the nose unless Neeld can get him to say he wants to come to us...

We surely must have a bit available after that other bloke leaving.

Whatever it takes for mine rpfc.

on mmm was said that Jack watts had had lunch with him ....

this was quoted before the game

of course garry lyon new nothing about it when asked

I dont quite see the 'potential superstar' in Dawes that others seem to, he's a role player in a very well drilled side.

I fear that once he's out of that system as a big banana, he will fall short of expectations (see any player from the Melbourne Storm that has been developed from scratch and then left to chase the big money in the last five years).

Compare his averages to Brad Green this year:

Marks avg - Green 5.0/Dawes 4.4

Goals avg - 1.8/1.5

Disposals avg - 15.9/13.7

I know they're not like for like, but its widely perceived Green had a disappointing season.

"sob" Have a look at last nights game & have another look at last years finals, Good players play well in finals!

I reckon, subject to not giving up too much, why wouldn't we have him? How many times does our midfield look up and see a bunch of Melbourne blokes with gorillas on them, and have nobody to kick it to? We don't have a forward who can beat any of Glass, Scarlett, Ben Reid and similar types. Why wouldn't recruit seemingly the only big forward who is available? I think that would free up Jurrah, Green and Pettard etc and stop them being the 'big' marking target down forward.

We surely must have a bit available after that other bloke leaving.

Whatever it takes for mine rpfc.

I just meant in terms of a trade.

Money should be no issue.

First round draft pick and Ricky Petterd would be Collingwood's asking price.

Petterd's a keeper for mine. Chases, does the team thing and never squibs it.

We need someone like Dawe's for our forward line, no one can dispute this. I'd give up pick 12, bit I'm struggling to figure out what we could give them that we have excess of, and they'd want.

First round draft pick and Ricky Petterd would be Collingwood's asking price.

No way, too much.

Dawes would be valuable to us, but not that valuable.

Straight swap maybe.

Petterd plus a 2nd rounder at most.

Anybody who says we already have a player like Dawes (Cook, Watts, Fitzpatrick) is kidding 'emselves.

Dawes is a neanderthal. He's big, strong and can split pack. None of our forwards possess those skills, so if he is even possibly available, GET HIM!

The bottom line is that IF Neeld thinks that Dawes is worth bidding for, he will know exactly what he is worth, and what would be too much.

There is really no option but to place our trust in Neeld: he appears to be most impressive and has a greeat cv.

First round draft pick and Ricky Petterd would be Collingwood's asking price.

This would be Collingwoods asking price, you always start high and lower it, Bate might be more appropriate than Petterd imo, with the first rounder, as said Neeld will know Dawes capabilities and if he goes for him he will be worth it, also Dawes would be walking so he can nominate a club and Collingwood can turn up or get nothing

The issue is other clubs sniffing around though. Although I think we're in the best position if we were going to have a go, there's a few around who would be very interested in him.

Based simply off last night I'd take him though, what an absolute beast of a forward he was.