With all the talk about our recent drafting, I thought it might be interesting to look at how we have fared at the trade table over the last 5 years given enough time has passed to allow judgement on most of these trades. Also, thought it might be interesting given we have declared that we may be looking to trade actively this year.

2011

In: Mitch Clark

Out: Pick 12 (Sam Docherty)

in: Pick 52 (Josh Tynan)

Out: Matthew Warnock

Verdict: obviously it is hard to tell what guys around pick 12 from last year's draft are going to go on to do, but the way Mitch Clark has performed this year and given his relatively young age, this one obviously gets a big tick. As for the Warnock trade, it was always a bit of a nothing trade, but given Warnock looked to have no real future at Melbourne and Tynan even impressed enough over his first pre-season to earn a game in Round 1, this one gets a tick aswell.

2010

In: Pick 53 (Tom McDonald)

Out: Kyle Cheney, Pick 66 (Paul Puopolo)

Verdict: Cheney seemed like decent depth at Melbourne and when he was traded for a very low pick I was a little suprised. But given Prendergast got this pick about as perfect as he could of given the scarce pickings at that end of the draft, it gets a tick also. Interestingly, Hawthorn also did well picking up Puopolo, so turned out to a bit of a win-win.

2009

In: Pick 11 (Jordan Gysberts)

Out: Brock McLean

Verdict: a big one at the time, as a player who was earmarked as a future captain of the club was traded. McLean by this stage had slowed to snail's pace and has done very little at Carlton since his move. I still have reservations about the player Gysberts can become, but getting pick 11 for McLean was the perfect case of selling at the right time.

2008

N/A

2007

In: John Meesen

Out: Pick 38 (Myke Cook)

In: Pick 14 (Jack Grimes)

Out: Travis Johnstone

Verdict: the Meesen trade didn't work out. For one, Meesen looked out of his depth even at VFL level at times, before injury got to him, and given a mid level pick was given up for him, it is obviously a flop. The Travis Johnstone trade on the other hand was another masterstroke, not only did they get rid of an ageing and mentally flakey individual, but drafted a player who is captain of the club at the age of 22.

So overall, in the last 5 years, we have managed to stuff up just 1 trade, which only came at a relatively low cost. At the same time, we have done some very good bigger deals, both trading players out (McLean, Johnstone) and trading players in (Clark). Hopefully that inspires a little confidence going into trade week this year.

What did we get for the thomson trade to the crows? Does anyone know seams they got the better on that one.

What did we get for the thomson trade to the crows? Does anyone know seams they got the better on that one.

Pick 12 which we on traded to Geelong for Brent Moloney. Geelong bundled that pick 12 with something like pick 15 for Brad Ottens.

The problem is that there are very few trades. POsters will often say lets trade away 8 players and it is simply fanciful to think that could be done. Particularly when we are a bottom side and players like Bennell (for example) can't get a regular game.

So the reality is we have done really well to trade in the past few years. Sydney though has done a lot better and their ability to turn average players like Shaw, Mattner, Richards into really good role players is amazing. Also their ability to unearth potential superstars like Mumford and Kennedy is first class. That is what we need to aspire to. Some more ballsy decisions to target player types we need and search for and secure them.

The problem is that there are very few trades. POsters will often say lets trade away 8 players and it is simply fanciful to think that could be done. Particularly when we are a bottom side and players like Bennell (for example) can't get a regular game.

So the reality is we have done really well to trade in the past few years. Sydney though has done a lot better and their ability to turn average players like Shaw, Mattner, Richards into really good role players is amazing. Also their ability to unearth potential superstars like Mumford and Kennedy is first class. That is what we need to aspire to. Some more ballsy decisions to target player types we need and search for and secure them.

Sydney are a marvel with their trading and recycling of players. A lot of it obviously has to do with a culture that has been created at that club and a strong development history, which I don't think is present at Melbourne, or many other clubs for that matter. Probably the team I respect most in the AFL, and we could do a lot worse than looking at how they do things.

You had me 'Forest Demon' until the 'Mentally flakey' bit about TJ . And the 'get rid of' bit stands out as well . If you had of left it at the 'Ageing' bit it would have been ok .

There is just no need to talk about such a past player in such derogatory terms . Trav played many terrific games for the club .

If you totaled all the put downs , insults and demeaning comments about recent past and present players , there wouldn't be many that would escape (often) unfair scrutinization . Neitz is the only one who never seems to cop it .

Neitz is the only one who never seems to cop it .

And Wrecker!

You had me 'Forest Demon' until the 'Mentally flakey' bit about TJ . And the 'get rid of' bit stands out as well . If you had of left it at the 'Ageing' bit it would have been ok .

There is just no need to talk about such a past player in such derogatory terms . Trav played many terrific games for the club .

If you totaled all the put downs , insults and demeaning comments about recent past and present players , there wouldn't be many that would escape (often) unfair scrutinization . Neitz is the only one who never seems to cop it .

You can sugar coat it if you please Macca, but unfortunately that is the truth. I loved Trav as a Demon, and he was sublimely skilled but he let himself down with his mental application at times. Up here in Brisbane, I know they were miffed by his approach to his career.

Surely we are allowed to point out negatives in players. It aint all rosy.

Good assessment, our trading record is pretty good in recent years. Hopefully this year we are aggressive and throw these picks around.

You can sugar coat it if you please Macca, but unfortunately that is the truth. I loved Trav as a Demon, and he was sublimely skilled but he let himself down with his mental application at times. Up here in Brisbane, I know they were miffed by his approach to his career.

Surely we are allowed to point out negatives in players. It aint all rosy.

Trav was what he was . I accept him for that

His draft number has condemned him IMO

Jury is still out on Gysberts & Frank Grimes for that matter. Neither is yet to set the world on fire.

Neitz is the only one who never seems to cop it .

Ol' Cpt.Rubberchest.

Pick 12 which we on traded to Geelong for Brent Moloney. Geelong bundled that pick 12 with something like pick 15 for Brad Ottens.

And Richmond used the picks to select blokes like Adam Pattison, Danny Meyer and Dean Polo... ouch.

Adelaide still won massively in this trade.

Ol' Cpt.Rubberchest.

Ha ! I should have known you'd come through with that little gem 'My TD' ! :-)

And Richmond used the picks to select blokes like Adam Pattison, Danny Meyer and Dean Polo... ouch.

Adelaide still won massively in this trade.

very much so. Beamers been ok but Armament is a gun.

I think you may see Neeld take a leaf outof the Swans book come trade and draft (latter picks)

You had me 'Forest Demon' until the 'Mentally flakey' bit about TJ . And the 'get rid of' bit stands out as well . If you had of left it at the 'Ageing' bit it would have been ok .

There is just no need to talk about such a past player in such derogatory terms . Trav played many terrific games for the club .

If you totaled all the put downs , insults and demeaning comments about recent past and present players , there wouldn't be many that would escape (often) unfair scrutinization . Neitz is the only one who never seems to cop it .

Macca go and check your sugar coated memory. Its clearly got hazy. TJ had great skills and played 2 repeat two good seasons - one where he won the B&F and the second where he came third.

He did not finish in the top 10(!!!!!) in any other year. That's how the club rated him. A clearly wasted talent who could not accept the rigours of being an elite sportsman. The description of FD I think is apt.

BTW we have another one of those and his name is Colin.........

TJ had great skills and played 2 repeat two good seasons - one where he won the B&F and the second where he came third.

Not sure but I'll tip they were contract seasons aswell.

And Richmond used the picks to select blokes like Adam Pattison, Danny Meyer and Dean Polo... ouch.

Adelaide still won massively in this trade.

Geelong win by a short margin. Ottens was a major reason Geeeelong won 3 flags. Should have been 4.

Thompson is a gun by the way. Beamer is not.

TJ is still running around up here with the Aspley Hornets. His approach to facial hair continues to divide opinion.

Macca go and check your sugar coated memory. Its clearly got hazy. TJ had great skills and played 2 repeat two good seasons - one where he won the B&F and the second where he came third.

He did not finish in the top 10(!!!!!) in any other year. That's how the club rated him. A clearly wasted talent who could not accept the rigours of being an elite sportsman. The description of FD I think is apt.

BTW we have another one of those and his name is Colin.........

I'm not sugar coating anything - more like being fair minded - not venting

TJ is still running around up here with the Aspley Hornets. His approach to facial hair continues to divide opinion.

I used to live not too far from the Lions training ground, and I saw him on at least 10 or 20 times burning around on a tiny little scooter, big helmet on, and with the beard flowing, driving through the streets of East Brisbane. Always used to make me laugh.

TJ is at the Galleon in st kilda today and as he is with the president of Chelsea heights, I am guessing he might have another game for them this weekend. He played for them 2 weeks ago.

lets hope Jack Watts doesn't turn out to be another Travis Johnstone

lets hope Jack Watts doesn't turn out to be another Travis Johnstone

C'mon, man. Recruiting in 1997 was both archaic and irrelevant compared to today.

TJ would be lucky to go round one by 2012's standards.

No.1 draft pick comparisons would be fine if we weren't talking about a glorified 'Lucky dip' !