WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - CHRIS DAWES

[w00dy 146]

If he's going, I think this could be a situation where the Pies want him out the door, more than he's wanting to leave.

After securing Cloke, and gaining the Q Stick, they'd need the salary cap relief, especially if they want to convince Wellingham to stay.

Given he's contracted, I'm sure they'd be willing to trade him cheaply to somewhere he is willing to go, just to get him off the books. 3rd round, even 4th round draft choice, or someone like Ricky Petterd, is what we would be looking at I'd imagine. No issues with it from me, then you've got Clark as the 1st forward, Dawes as the 2nd forward, Martin as the 3rd forward/ruck (aka our forwards coach). Very similar setup to the one that worked for the Pies.

Which also brings me to the main point, which is Lynch going to Collingwood doesn't take Dawes' spot, brings back the old structure they had with Brown playing, so he may not leave, but it puts much more pressure on him to perform, and it really tightens the screws on their salary cap.

[hardtack 10,871]

"MELBOURNE has confirmed its interest in Collingwood key forward Chris Dawes."

"Demons look to Dawes" (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149034/default.aspx)

[olisik 4,060]

Think we are keen as Neeld wants another Gorilla and we may not have the luxury of pick #4 to use on Hogan anymore without hurting our chances of bolstering up our midfield.

[3Dee 1,153]

Would happily take Dawes over 85% of our current list.

[Dee*ceiving 1,724]

I expect that Collingwood have picked up Lynch to play the Leigh Brown fwd-ruck role and let Cloke and Dawes resume their successful 2010 roles. I expect Dawes to stay at Collingwood.

I fear you are correct Old. They tried Dawes in the Leigh Brown role and it didn't work. Lynch will take that role now and Dawes will go back to the permanent forward role, which he performed well. Our main leverage on Dawes will be either of

A - Pies need to free cap space

B - they want a pick from us to dangle in front of the crows for Tippet.

[Dee*ceiving 1,724]

If we are to get him the Pies will definitely want pick 13 which is way over. But adding goldsack and a player or our 3rd or 4th rounder to the mix would work for me.

[Juicebox 629]

If Collingwood offload Dawes, but continue paying out the remainder of his contract, are those payments still included in their salary cap?

[olisik 4,060]

If GC Bid on Viney it could go like this

#3 Viney, #4 Toumpas/Wines, #13 Kennedy/Garlett/Stringer #26 Dawes = 1 Gorilla + 3 mids

If GC dont bid it could go like this

#3Toumpas/Wines, #4 Hogan, #13Kennedy/Garlett/Stringer #26 Viney = 1 Gorilla + 3 mids

I really like this play by the MFC to mitigate the cost of drafting Viney at #3

note: fk Caddy, kid already looks like he had a bad attitude and isn't worth putting up pick #13 for

[picket fence 17,986]

I'd take Martin over Dawes.

I wouldn't .....Id take Dawes a proven "Grunt target Forward" over a spare parts ruck, a better defender and a hopeless forward Martin anyday! If IF that is the possible scenario!

Don't let Dawes bad season fool you, he opens up play, can take a pack mark, is a target and would take a serious defender away from Clark.

Get at all costs!

[Devo 104]

Dawes would be a decent get. He is a proven key forward with extensive finals and premiership experience. The yarn about him not having the tank to play 2nd ruck on top of his forward responsibilities would explain an awful lot about his drop in form this year. He wouldn't have to worry about playing that role for the Dees, he could focus on getting to contests, taking marks and kicking snags. Dawes strikes me as a confidence player and someone who thinks pretty deeply about things, so making the game simple again would be crucial for him. He would also take a quality defender each week and, importantly, lessen our reliance on Mitch Clark. Every man and his dog knew that the ball was headed for Mitch on the odd occasion we got it forward of centre during 2012, so the opposition defence could key in on him and clog his space.

I'm also interested in what this means for Jack Watts. Targeting Dawes also suggests that the club has lost interest in developing Watts as a key forward, so we could expect to see the latter floating around half-back and the wing for the foreseeable future if Dawes comes on board. I have no issue with that at all, it means he can settle in a role and become the best player he can be. He has the pace, decision-making and the quality of disposal to be a real weapon in that position, particularly if he can get up the ground a bit and deliver with precision to the forwards.

[Dee*ceiving 1,724]

Dawes would be a decent get. He is a proven key forward with extensive finals and premiership experience. The yarn about him not having the tank to play 2nd ruck on top of his forward responsibilities would explain an awful lot about his drop in form this year. He wouldn't have to worry about playing that role for the Dees, he could focus on getting to contests, taking marks and kicking snags. Dawes strikes me as a confidence player and someone who thinks pretty deeply about things, so making the game simple again would be crucial for him. He would also take a quality defender each week and, importantly, lessen our reliance on Mitch Clark. Every man and his dog knew that the ball was headed for Mitch on the odd occasion we got it forward of centre during 2012, so the opposition defence could key in on him and clog his space.

I'm also interested in what this means for Jack Watts. Targeting Dawes also suggests that the club has lost interest in developing Watts as a key forward, so we could expect to see the latter floating around half-back and the wing for the foreseeable future if Dawes comes on board. I have no issue with that at all, it means he can settle in a role and become the best player he can be. He has the pace, decision-making and the quality of disposal to be a real weapon in that position, particularly if he can get up the ground a bit and deliver with precision to the forwards.

I like most of what you've said Devo except the bit about Watts. I actually think adding Dawes to the side will aid Watts' development into a key forward.

Clark and Dawes will command the number 1 and 2 tall defenders leaving Watts with a 3rd string tall or undersized journeymen.

The instruction to Watts in this scenario must be to run, run and run some more and gather possessions across the wing and half back and then press hard and fast to deep inside 50 when the team is on the burst and back his speed and play reading to get on the end of balls running back with the flight.

I think it could be just what Jack needs to progress from what he is now to what he may be able to become without undue pressure.

[beelzebub 23,390]

If Collingwood offload Dawes, but continue paying out the remainder of his contract, are those payments still included in their salary cap?

I beleive that is the case, but why would they be doing so ?

If he comes here he'll have a new contractI should imagine

[beelzebub 23,390]

Amazing how one or two players can dramatically re-arrange the team dynamics

[Lucifers Hero 40,524]

12 months ago I'd have been alot more excited about this, but to say he's been cod ordinary this year would be paying the guy a compliment. The last type of player we need to be recruiting is a passenger.

Christ I hope Neeld knows what he's doing.

Neeld seems to have a bit of a love affair with things Collingwood. Hope he gets over it soon or we will end up with a heap of Collingwwod discards (yes I heard Buckley's protestations about wanted players).

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Well there you are Dawes is now going to explore his options after a chat with Bucks.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/dawes-to-explore-trade-options-20121003-26yw8.html

Collingwood got Lynch because they obviously feel they are lacking in the forward line and it may be that Dawes is the perceived weak link; who knows.

[olisik 4,060]

Well there you are Dawes is now going to explore his options after a chat with Bucks.

http://www.theage.co...1003-26yw8.html

Collingwood got Lynch because they obviously feel they are lacking in the forward line and it may be that Dawes is the perceived weak link; who knows.

Looks like we are a good chance. We can trump the Dogs pretty easy on this as all our picks are 1 higher then theirs each round.

[loges 6,767]

Neeld seems to have a bit of a love affair with things Collingwood. Hope he gets over it soon or we will end up with a heap of Collingwwod discards (yes I heard Buckley's protestations about waned players).

Point is their discards may well be better than our current players

[Deez 298]

yeh, i say grab him. he's big, he's proven he can play to an acceptable level.

we don't need him to be a super star, clark will be the star.

All we need from him is his best which will be a 2nd forward, crash the packs, rough up defenders and contribute on the score board.

get us another gorilla.

[Sir Why You Little 37,313]

A lot of people forget Dawes had to Ruck a lot during last season.

It quite possible that his forward work was down because he was just puffed out!

[GM11 787]

Forget Wellingham, get Dawes!

[beelzebub 23,390]

Neeld is looking to fill roles. Dawes' would be that of a 2nd up forward. Very little rucking if any

[rpfc 28,925]

Well, if he is gone, lets try and improve our team.

[PartyTimeJohnny 537]

Ben Niall: Dawes Manager, saying that they are exploring their options outside of Collingwood. Dawes is reportedly 'hurt' by events this week.

[McQueen 17,867]

Dawes' manager discussing on trade week radio now.

http://www.afl.com.au/portals/0/2010/offseason/trw/twr2012.html

[olisik 4,060]

Dawes and Wellingham for picks #13, #45 and Martin

End up with Viney, Wellingham, Toumpas(or another high mid), pick #26 and Dawes