Interesting talk earlier tonight on SEN Mark Fine's programme.

Now we have Mitch Clark can we play Steph Martin, Mark Jamar and Max Gawn in the same side??

Is it Steph at CHF and Clark at FF or vice Versa??

What does everyone think the coach has in mind??

I think Steph could work at CHF myself Watts on the Flank and Half Back...But it sure changes our dynamic this trade..

Thoughts....?

Stephan Martin and Mitchell Clark. One has two first names and the other two surnames. Weird.

Stephan Martin and Mitchell Clark. One has two first names and the other two surnames. Weird.

A take most interesting Yoda...Deep but ultimately right!!!

Jamar and Martin are the second tall in the forward line when not in the ruck. They never go to the bench and Clark is the main forward that the forward line revolves around.

I think it will work...after a fashion...and Steph should be given a few games where he dominates the time in the ruck.

From what Neeld has said - he sees Clark as a forward, Clark sees himself as a forward, and I don't see it affecting Martin and Jamar much at all. Gawn was never going to be a first 21 next year. He has a while to go yet. I hope he sticks around.

Watts should play most of the season setting up play from the backline. Clarke will play ff, relieving jamar in the Ruck. Martin will struggle to get a game. Gawn and Fitzpatrick are years off afl standard.

Watts should play most of the season setting up play from the backline. Clarke will play ff, relieving jamar in the Ruck. Martin will struggle to get a game. Gawn and Fitzpatrick are years off afl standard.

So we spent Pick 12 and around $700k on a back-up ruck?

Keep the investment out of the ruck and kick it down his throat, and watch a forward line with Jurrah facing the goals when the ball hits the deck.

He will be dangerous...

i think both of you are right...Mark Fine made the point we had drafted the wrong person!!

Typical shallow st.Fail supporter....it will be a rotating forward line...as well as a rotating bench.

That's how i see it when all are playing...I do hope we hold on to Big Maxy Gawn...he will be such a weapon in 2-3 years.

Jamar and Martin are the second tall in the forward line when not in the ruck. They never go to the bench and Clark is the main forward that the forward line revolves around.

I think it will work...after a fashion...and Steph should be given a few games where he dominates the time in the ruck.

From what Neeld has said - he sees Clark as a forward, Clark sees himself as a forward, and I don't see it affecting Martin and Jamar much at all. Gawn was never going to be a first 21 next year. He has a while to go yet. I hope he sticks around.

Probably looking too far ahead but Gawn may have significant trade value if he's judged expendable at the end of 2012 and we need to add weight to another blockbuster deal.

With Jack Viney to come in, one 23 - 25 yo A-grade mid could well be the last piece of our puzzle.

Clark at FF with jurrah and green in the pockets. Watts as a very mobile and athletic CHF with Martin at CHB. I think Martin can make CHB his own.

Gawn was never going to be a first 21 next year. He has a while to go yet. I hope he sticks around.

I hope he won't go anywhere. He looks good to me. I can see him taking the no.1 ruck mantle down the track. He's a keep for me.

Watts should play most of the season setting up play from the backline. Clarke will play ff, relieving jamar in the Ruck. Martin will struggle to get a game. Gawn and Fitzpatrick are years off afl standard.

Martin will do far more than struggle for a game!!!

Geez he was one shining light from an awful 2011.....

Talented Boy.

Yes I heard that on the radio WYL....I knew someone would to rain on our party....He did have a few valid points tho and was saying Clarke had only kicked 64 goals in 81 games and having 1 good year in 2010. But if he plays forward he will probably get the No 1 defender and free up the others. He also went on to mention that Melbourne need more in the midfield and that by giving up pick 12 this would lessen their chances in this regard.

Would our two compensation picks plus a quality young ruckman (use Gawn for argument's sake) be enough to net us an A-grade midfield talent at the end of '012?

Nah, i disagree. if pick 12 in any draft can offer a 23yr old ready made 200cm key forward with tonnes of mobility youd take it every time. i cant believe we got him for just pick 12. love doing business with the lions!!

Stef Martin in the backline as KPD and ruck rotating.

Jamar first ruck.

Clark FF.

Clark at FF with jurrah and green in the pockets. Watts as a very mobile and athletic CHF with Martin at CHB. I think Martin can make CHB his own.

These are my thoughts as well. Clark FF with Jurrah and Davey at his feet, Watts roaming CHF with Howe/Petterd/Sylvia/Green/Trengove rotating off the flanks. Stef Martin to take the Cloke type forwards and resting ruckman in defense. He did well there in his first season and I don't think he ever really got the hang of playing a key forward role, not to mention his lack of accuracy with set shot kicking. I would rather see Martin on Cloke next Queens Bday than Rivers again. It also frees up Frawley to play a more attacking defensive role and allows Garland and Rivers to play the medium/small defender role with Rivers floating across as third man up similar to Maxwell.

It also gives us some flexibility to throw Watts behind the ball as a playmaker and put Martin at CHF to swtch things around.

With regards to Gawn, I wouldn't want to lose him and what happens will depend on his development. If he comes on next year and demands a starting spot then we could look at trading Jamar if he has some currency, possibly bundled with a comp pick or 2. I'd prefer to hold on to Jamar but if it comes down to a choice between he, Martin & Gawn, he'd be the first on the block due to his age.

Edited October 17, 201113 yr by Dr. Gonzo

Yes I heard that on the radio WYL....I knew someone would to rain on our party....He did have a few valid points tho and was saying Clarke had only kicked 64 goals in 81 games and having 1 good year in 2010. But if he plays forward he will probably get the No 1 defender and free up the others. He also went on to mention that Melbourne need more in the midfield and that by giving up pick 12 this would lessen their chances in this regard.

He wasn't completely stupid in his thoughts, but it was from an outsider....the rotations in the forward line could be a huge weapon...Every team needs more in the Midfield...Jack Viney was not mentioned...I like what Neeld has to say in Clark's introduction press Conference.

He knows exactly what he wants to do....

Stef Martin in the backline as KPD and ruck rotating.

Jamar first ruck.

Clark FF.

Sounds pretty good to me. Jurrah working his magic, Watts presenting across half forward, getting on the end of Bleases dashes through the middle. Dangerous

The alternative is to look at trading Jamar in 2012 or 2013 and building our ruck stocks around Gawn (and Martin). Keeping Jamar and losing Gawn is like repeating the White/Jolly scenario.

i think both of you are right...Mark Fine made the point we had drafted the wrong person!!

Who did he think we should have gone after? O'Hailpin?

The only problem with the Stef to KPD argument is what happens when it's his turn in the ruck? Can't send Jamar back there so will have to try and reshuffle our defense when that happens and try and limit his ruck duties to relieving for 5-8 minutes per quarter.

Edited October 17, 201113 yr by Dr. Gonzo

The alternative is to look at trading Jamar in 2012 or 2013 and building our ruck stocks around Gawn (and Martin). Keeping Jamar and losing Gawn is like repeating the White/Jolly scenario.

Good point Maurie....i would hate to see Max Gawn Rucking against the MFC in 2017....he will be enormous!!!!

Who did he think we should have gone after? O'Hailpin?

He didn't actually say, just made the point that we now had too many big blokes.

Who did he think we should have gone after? O'Hailpin?

The only problem with the Stef to KPD argument is what happens when it's his turn in the ruck? Can't send Jamar back there so will have to try and reshuffle our defense when that happens and try and limit his ruck duties to relieving for 5-8 minutes per quarter.

Finey's just jealous because his beloved 'Aints are on the cusp of a steady 15 year decline.

Martin will do far more than struggle for a game!!!

Geez he was one shining light from an awful 2011.....

Talented Boy.

I agree, I think he has a huge role to play for many years to come. will be in our starting 22 most weeks I'd say.

We need to get a few games into big Gawn along the way too. He will perfect to take over from Jamar as number one ruckman in a few years time.

The alternative is to look at trading Jamar in 2012 or 2013 and building our ruck stocks around Gawn (and Martin). Keeping Jamar and losing Gawn is like repeating the White/Jolly scenario.

Indeed. Gawn's our future big man IMO and that's probably a good strategic way of looking at it.