So I notice that people are kind of worked up about the Cloke question.

Putting Cloke aside (and Cook for that matter), and assuming that Neeld is dead set on drafting another big forward, who else is realistically available?

Here are a couple being thrown around on bigfooty to get you started (not that I'd want all of them). Who's missing?

Kurt Tippett (Adelaide), 202cm, 25 yo

Pros:

Proven talent

Kicking bags

Immediate impact

Can ruck

A good age

Out of contract

Cons:

Recent concussions

Will cost us to trade

Shaun McKernan (Adelaide), 196cm, 21yo

Pros:

Can't get a game up forward due to Tippett, Jacobs and Walker

Cheap trade

Young

Can take a grab

Can ruck

Cons:

Unproven (limited opportunity up forward)

Daniel Merrett (Brisbane), 195cm, 27yo

Pros:

Unrestricted free agent

Versatile

Can ruck

Aggressive

Immediate impact

Cons:

Short term solution - a bit old

Not a big goal kicker

Not a natural forward

Jesse White (Sydney), 196cm, 24yo

Pros:

Cheap/Free trade

Aggressive

A good age

Can ruck

Cons:

Averages < 1 goal per game

Unproven (has had opportunity)

Obligatory inclusion in these types of posts for the last few years

Nick Salter (Port), 190cm, 21 yo

Pros:

Proven goalkicker in SANFL

Natural forward

Long, accurate kick

Can't get a game up forward due to Schultz and Butcher

Cheap/Free trade

Young

Cons:

Currently injured

Frequently injured

Unproven (limited opportunity up forward)

Scott Lycett (West Coast), 202cm, 19yo

Pros:

Can ruck full time

Young

Can't get a game behind Kennedy, Darling, Naitanui, Cox, Lynch

A goal with his first kick (I love it)

Cons:

Unproven (still very young)

Re-signed for 2 years in June (probably not realistic)

Not a cheap trade

Quentin Lynch (West Coast), 192cm, 29yo

Pros:

Consistent veteran

Immediate impact

Ruck rotations

Free agent (I think)

Cons:

Probably won't want to leave WA

Short term solution - too old

Charlie Dixon, (Gold Coast), 200cm, 21yo

Pros:

Rumored to want to leave

Young

Aggressive

Can ruck

Versatile

Gold Coast must cull list

Cons:

Unproven as an AFL standard full time forward

Interest from other clubs, not a cheap trade

Lachie Hansen, (North Melbourne), 197cm, 23yo

Pros:

A good age

Good in patches

Versatile

Has shown continued improvement

Cons:

Lacks aggression

Not consistently an AFL standard forward

Not a natural forward

Charlie Dixon would top my list of that lot...would probably cost a lot due to possible rival bids.

He has the right combination of aggression, work ethic and talent to suggest that he will become a genuine talent, just a matter of how whether the price would be reasonable.

Anybody know the status of Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)?

Really impressed with his off the ball work as well as the more obvious stuff.

Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,

That's what we need.

Most reports I've read indicate that if Tippett were to leave the Crows it would be to go to Queensland (preferably Brisbane but possibly GCS). If we could lure him to Melbourne though, I'm all for it.

Tippett is the only one from that list who piques my interest.

Tippett is the only one from that list who piques my interest.

Even with the brain issues?

Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,

That's what we need.

Yes, and I have an inkling he would like make sure that the Scully Compensation gets us close to what we lost - a talent with 3+ years in the system.

I am sure the F/S bidding will determine how hard we go for a trade like this but if we 'trade' for any type of player it would be a midfielder.

That is why we are going for Cloke - he is a RFA - don't have to give up picks and he seems to be the most 'movable' star of the Free Agent Class of 2012.

Even with the brain issues?

If neuro testing shows he's okay, I don't see his bad run of luck with head knocks Kurtailing his career.

Charlie Dixon would top my list of that lot...would probably cost a lot due to possible rival bids.

He has the right combination of aggression, work ethic and talent to suggest that he will become a genuine talent, just a matter of how whether the price would be reasonable.

Anybody know the status of Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)?

Really impressed with his off the ball work as well as the more obvious stuff.

Yep,Definately!

Charlie Dixon will be a gun fwd I think!

The guy is huge & once he gets some pre seasons into him he will go alright i reckon.

Outside of Tippett - who would cost a lot in return, I think the best tall forward of above who we haven't seen a great deal of is McKernan. His build is good and I've seen him crash some packs and spend time in the ruck last year. Because of Tippett, Walker and a great ruck in Jacobs (snigger @ Blues) he has only played 25 or so games in 3 years.

He could be one to look at, and I'd imagine wouldn't cost as much as a Tippett. The other would be Dixon.

However, that said Cloke is a RFA and now appears on the move. And wouldn't cost a pick, just $ which would have been planned and allowed for courtesy of strategic list management. Plug n' Play is Cloke.

I'd like McKernan.

Ive seen him a few times as an U-17 & on telly with the Crows. I like his game, his speed & agility & looks a smart footballer, but not yet as physically developed as Tippett.

I would Definitely offer McKernan $$$$$ to come back to Vic,,,,, & north are well serviced for talls so we may not have to fight that avenue atmo.

I'd also chase Merrett for a quick instant impact. Although I think we have others playing a similar role. His aggression would be a great help.

Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,Mids, mids,

That's what we need.

This thread isn't really about whether we need mids more than a key forward. It's about what key forwards might be available other than Cloke, given that Neeld appears to be trying to bring another one in. If you actually think about it, if we brought in, for instance, Shaun McKernan with a cheap trade or Merrett (free agent) to play a role in our structure, it would actually leave plenty more room in the salary cap for other mids given what we are rumored to have offered Cloke (not that I want this discussion to degenerate into how we should be using our salary cap).

Edited July 25, 201213 yr by Hazyshadeofgrinter

This thread isn't really about whether we need mids more than a key forward. It's about what key forwards might be available other than Cloke, given that Neeld appears to be trying to bring another one in. If you actually think about it, if we brought in, for instance, Shaun McKernan with a cheap trade or Merrett (free agent) to play a role in our structure, it would actually leave plenty more room in the salary cap for other mids given what we are rumored to have offered Cloke (not that I want this discussion to degenerate into how we should be using our salary cap).

I like your way of thinking Hazy, the thing that holds me back is the uncertainty of McKernan. Merrett is usually injury free, but longevity ? Maybe another couple of years, 3 at best. I want longevity with a Clark combination. Tippett would be one to provide longevity but he'll cost an early pick and we need to address the midfield.

My concern remains the midfield and if you're right on Neeld appearing to want a plug-in key forward to help Clark, my ideal scenario would be to replenish the midfield with 3,4,12 & F/S and $pend some on a RFA. The trick is, convincing him.

Without knowing exactly how much room we have under our salary cap makes it interesting. And the large amount of players that still need to be re-signed even more intriguing.

I like your way of thinking Hazy, the thing that holds me back is the uncertainty of McKernan. Merrett is usually injury free, but longevity ? Maybe another couple of years, 3 at best. I want longevity with a Clark combination. Tippett would be one to provide longevity but he'll cost an early pick and we need to address the midfield.

My concern remains the midfield and if you're right on Neeld appearing to want a plug-in key forward to help Clark, my ideal scenario would be to replenish the midfield with 3,4,12 & F/S and $pend some on a RFA. The trick is, convincing him.

Without knowing exactly how much room we have under our salary cap makes it interesting. And the large amount of players that still need to be re-signed even more intriguing.

If your primary concern is the midfield, then I wonder if you would prefer McKernan and Goddard to Cloke.

Either way, I'm mostly just interested in hearing about KPFs who are not Cloke.

Edited July 25, 201213 yr by Hazyshadeofgrinter

If your primary concern is the midfield, then I wonder if you would prefer McKernan and Goddard to Cloke.

Either way, I'm mostly just interested in hearing about KPFs who are not Cloke.

Fair enough re: Cloke

Re: McKernan/Goddard. I like Goddard, certainly loved him 12 months ago (~18 months ago), but my concern then was leadership and I have more confidence in the current captains and the group than I did back then.

But the question is - Is McKernan another project player ? Or will he be something ? He certainly has the size and tools, much like Hawkins.

Certainly food for thought and if he's not getting a look in at Adelaide....it's worth exploring all options.

Either way, I'm mostly just interested in hearing about KPFs who are not Cloke.

Lucas Cook, All-Australian CHF a couple of years back and 1st round pick.

196cm tall - at a club who has had notoriously poor development program and has had some injuries. Is currently not being given a go in one of the worst AFL forward lines, is out of contract and could be available.

He did say Cloke and Cook aside...

Mark McLure mentioned on 360 that Travis Cloke isnt in the top 50 players.

Robert Walls says he should be dropped.

Stan Alves says that he should stop blaming umpires, says he has bad body language.

Matthew Lloyd thinks he has played one good game in the past month - and I think Lloyd was being generous.

David King touches on Clokes current form and says that you are getting what you see atm,

Would you pay a million a year plus, for Travis Cloke in 2012?

If we are splashing a million plus a year around, we dont solely have to look at Cloke.

For that coin, it would get most players interested.

If we are splashing a million plus a year around, we dont solely have to look at Cloke.

For that coin, it would get most players interested.

Yep, but we also have to trade picks or players to land them.

And, cop a tip, we're not the only club who'll part with loads of cash to get him.

Not irrelevant considerations.

I am all in for Grundy at Pick 3! This aside;

- Dixon would be a good get, but he is a QLD native and cant see him wanting out. Pick 4 & a player for Dixon & Caddy??

- Jusin Westoff? Have always liked him as a forward and pinch hit ruck. Accurate kick and one grab mark. Almost untouchable I would think.