Travis Boak

[beelzebub 22,225]

Have geelong activated their compo picks?

Edited June 27, 2012 by belzebub59

[Dr. Mubutu 694]

Wonder if any straight player swap for boak would be feasible here?

Martin - How is ports ruck stocks going?

Trengove - Boak seems to be performing better, would this ruin the MFC culture?

Rivers - Playing the best he has for his career, his value now would be better then ever and will diminish in next few years

Blease - Young with potential, could be upset that his mate scully left?

You have got to be kidding me.

Rivers: Port wouldn't want. Pearce, Trengove, Schulz, Salter, I think they're set for third tall types. They'd need a true KPP.

Martin: They wouldn't want another developing ruck. They'd want a Jamar.

Blease: If he's upset that Scully left, surely he'd be off in that direction, as opposed to farther away? Don't forget, GWS will still play 6-7 games a year in Melbourne, as opposed to 2 at best in Adelaide.

Realistically, if we're not to use a high pick, they'd be looking at a player like a Davis, Fitzpatrick, or, dare I say it, Tapscott, plus our 2nd rounder.

We wouldn't go for that, so if it's to happen, we WILL lose a first-round pick.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Geelong have the Ablett compo, so they have 2 middle of the rung first rounders, both between say 13-16ish i imagine

I think that Cats pick will be around 16ish.

We're looking @ 3 & 13, I think.

Carlton Have 1st Rnd Pick currently @ 12, I think?

[Redleg 37,582]

Does anyone actually watch Port play?

Travis Boak would immediately be our number 1 midfielder. Currently as the primary midfielder in a poor midfield group he has had 25+ possessions on 50% of his games played this year. 5 of 10 he has had minimum 4 tackles. 6 of 10 he has had minimum 4 clearances.

I am not saying we should use it but anyone who thinks pick 4 is overs and a speculative kid makes more sense is kidding themselves.

Thank you. He is Port's top rated player.

[Hannibal 5,814]

As far as I'm aware Geelong haven't activated their compo pick for Ablett, so while they can trade it to Port it wouldn't be able to be used in this draft, which imo waters down its value in any trade for Boak. Port need talent now.

Ultimately I have to back the club's decision, but on the surface I wouldn't like to give up pick 4. That said, if we were able to get Viney for a second rounder I'd understand it. Boak, Stringer/Toumpas, Viney, plus pick 12 still in play is a very strong hand.

Some things to consider:

Imo, Boak is a better player than Jones, or Moloney. Boak is yet to have an A grade year and his best year is not as good as Moloney's best year, but Boak has more upside and the potential to be an A grader. Boak is only 23 and played 100 games, so he's coming into his best years of footy. I envisage we'd get at least 7 very good years out of him, i.e. 24-30.

Boak has been trying to lead a crap midfield at a young age. How would have Marc Murphy gone at Port without the likes of Judd to learn from ? If Boak played for a gun Victorian side would his appeal be greater ? I suspect so. It's far more difficult to shine in a crap team, so Boak's statistics and performances need to be measured in that light. Boak doesn't have Gerard Healy type class, but he does have class.

What are considered 'paying overs' when it comes to securing Boak ? And I meaning pay scale to Boak, not deals to Port. Geelong are a great club. Melbourne are not a great club. Melbourne have made many mistakes over the last 5 years and while we have a new team at the helm we still have to prove we can make the correct decisions and provide the right environment to once again turn this club into a great one. Put simply Boak wouldn't be paid overs at Geelong. Their culture dictates that he'd have to fit into their pay scale if he wants to play for them. Melbourne will pay overs, because they want good players now. I accept that when you're in Melbourne's position that you may have to make these types of financial decisions, but I also suspect that they can recoil on you down the track. I suppose it's the chicken, or the egg. We need to build a better list quickly, but not at the expense of the culture we're trying to build. It needs to be handled delicately.

Melbourne may consider a deal such as pick 12 and Tapscott. I like Tapscott a lot, but to get quality you have to give up quality, although Port may scoff at that deal, because Tapscott is still unproven. But they would be aware of him from his junior days and limited games at Melbourne.

I'd like Boak playing for Melbourne next year, but not at any cost. I'd consider giving pick 4, but not unless Viney could be acquired with a second rounder. While pick 4 may be considered speculative by some supporters on here there's enough talent identification expertise now to be pretty confident that pick 4 will get you an A grade mid. I know that there are the Morton's of this world, but I also know that just because you've picked poorly previously doesn't mean that you're consigned to picking poorly forever. Even Richmond with their terrible drafting have recently chosen Cotchin, Martin and Riewoldt. I'll always look at the blue sky picture in this regard and assume we'll get these early picks right and base my thoughts on any trade scenario accordingly.

But as I said, I'll have to have faith in the club's decisions.

Edited June 27, 2012 by Ben-Hur

[Scipio 5,868]

Dangerfield had done nothing last year to earn the coin he's on now.

I'm not talking about money though, I'm talking about his value at the trade table which I think is nowhere near pick 4.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Interesting- anyone pick up on this little nugget?

"Recent reports that Viney has already signed a long-term deal with the Dees are incorrect.

Viney has signed a memo of understanding with the club, in keeping with AFL rules, but it is not binding.

If forced to pay too high a price under the bidding system the Demons can renege, leaving GWS or Gold Coast with Viney."

Now that could put some fear in GC's or GWS's minds when it comes to calling a bluff. Got a definitive answer on the Viney "contract" now.

[beelzebub 22,225]

Well put there Ben.

[skills32 229]

Travis Boak:

Averages 22.4 disposals @ 64.3% efficiency.

Averages 3.2 marks, 3.7 clearances & 3.3 tackles per game.

They are Scully figures.

[whatwhat say what 18,920]

Boak would be not just our best midfielder but a terrific leader on and off the field too.

He's not super quick but his skills and vision are outstanding. He can play inside and outside.

But I'll wager it's Geelong or the Power for him.

[Mac7 309]

Pick 4 for Boak is overs. He is a B+ player.

Would rather use picks that low in the hope on unveiling an A or fingers crossed an A+ superstar.

[Dr. Mubutu 694]

Interesting- anyone pick up on this little nugget?

"Recent reports that Viney has already signed a long-term deal with the Dees are incorrect.

Viney has signed a memo of understanding with the club, in keeping with AFL rules, but it is not binding.

If forced to pay too high a price under the bidding system the Demons can renege, leaving GWS or Gold Coast with Viney."

Now that could put some fear in GC's or GWS's minds when it comes to calling a bluff. Got a definitive answer on the Viney "contract" now.

Yep. Good to see the club are stepping right up to the table, poker faces ready. Will be an interesting post season, even if it will be diluted by the trade period, for some reason, stretching over 3 weeks.

[beelzebub 22,225]

Maybe a coach from Geelong ?

[olisik 4,060]

Blease and mid round compo to GWS

17 yr old pick to port & handshake agreement not to bid on Viney

Boak to MFC

Pay for Cloke

Petterd and pick 3 to GC for there pick 2 and handshake agreement

We get pick 2, 4 Viney, Boak and Cloke

We lose Petterd, Blease, pick 12 and some coin

Edited June 27, 2012 by olisik

[Dr. Mubutu 694]

Wouldn't be surprised if we use pick 12, especially if the club can somehow bluff GWS and GC not to bid on Viney.

Toumpas

Stringer

Boak

Viney

3rd round pick

Magner promoted

Draft success.

[skills32 229]

I said somewhere before that we should let it be known

that if gcf and gws want to bid 1 or 2 they will be stuck with him, but only for one or two years and then he comes back to us having got his development years out of the way. And a thank you very much.

[Akum 2,660]

Same could be said for Moloney

Yep, and if Moloney had the same stats while copping a heavy tag each game against the best in the business, we'd say he's having by far his best season yet. That's my point. Boak would be a great get.

[Scipio 5,868]

I said somewhere before that we should let it be known

that if gcf and gws want to bid 1 or 2 they will be stuck with him, but only for one or two years and then he comes back to us having got his development years out of the way. And a thank you very much.

Do you think Jack and Todd would be happy with this?

[olisik 4,060]

Do you think Jack and Todd would be happy with this?

The success of the club is a bigger factor then the 'happiness' of a few people

Edited June 27, 2012 by olisik

[Deemon 47]

I think Beams will stay @ the Pies. I don't think he wants to leave.

I reckon the Pies will sort it out, or Cloke will go, & they're others will stay.

IMO we can't afford to have Cloke.

The longer it goes on the more likely it seems to me that they will sacrifice Cloke to keep the others. I can see why we would look at Cloke but I don't think he's worth what he wants and agree about the affordability. I think we need key midfielders more, but we're coming up against that hard question of why would you want to come to Melbourne when you could stay at Collingwood and play finals?? Or go to Geelong and play finals?? That's going to be a hard thing to get around.

[Hannibal 5,814]

They are Scully figures.

Boak's having a disappointing year. He was expected to take the type of leap that Sloane and Dangerfield have at Adelaide, but it hasn't happened. If you look at his stats they were better the previous 3 years, although there's not a lot in it. But as stated, the footy community expected this to be his real break-out year.

His best year was in 2010 when he was the third banana behind Kane Cornes (who had his last really good year) and Dom Cassissi. I'll put it down to two reasons - the pressure of now being considered the main man by his team and the opposition; and perhaps he's been distracted by a big decision that's been looming for some time.

[McQueen 17,863]

I said somewhere before that we should let it be known

that if gcf and gws want to bid 1 or 2 they will be stuck with him, but only for one or two years and then he comes back to us having got his development years out of the way. And a thank you very much.

Whiskey

Tango

Foxtrot

[skills32 229]

Do you think Jack and Todd would be happy with this?

Doesn't mean we have to go through with it but it would cause some deep thought.

Would we have taken Scully if we knew there was a big chance he would go to gws after two years?

I don't think so.

Just upping the ante.

Edited June 27, 2012 by skills32

[hardtack 10,126]

Imo, Boak is a better player than Jones, or Moloney. Boak is yet to have an A grade year and his best year is not as good as Moloney's best year, but Boak has more upside and the potential to be an A grader. Boak is only 23 and played 100 games, so he's coming into his best years of footy. I envisage we'd get at least 7 very good years out of him, i.e. 24-30.

Boak has been trying to lead a crap midfield at a young age. How would have Marc Murphy gone at Port without the likes of Judd to learn from ? If Boak played for a gun Victorian side would his appeal be greater ? I suspect so. It's far more difficult to shine in a crap team, so Boak's statistics and performances need to be measured in that light. Boak doesn't have Gerard Healy type class, but he does have class.

Moloney may be no spring chicken, but Jones is just 6 months older than Boak, so I'm not sure why you include him in an age comparison. Statistically (going on an earlier post that cited Boak's stats), he is not so different to Jones and when you consider where we are at and where Port are at, it could be argued that Jones is out-performing Boak. It could equally be argued that Jones is trying to lead a very ordinary midfield at a young age.

I'm not arguing for or against getting Boak (although my preference would be for Beams), but please don't denigrate our players at his expense.

[Binmans PA 26,053]

Boak's another Sylvia. Got potential, has delivered a couple of times, but for a player his age doesn't impact games regularly enough. No thanks. Go one of the kids.

Really, Cloke and say a player of Sewell's calibre would be the only players I'd target for season 2013.