WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - CHRIS DAWES

[Harcourt 146]

People forget quickly just how rubbish Melbourne were this year. Being worried about pick 20 being "overs" is silly, we would be getting an experienced, strong and proven forward who would be a pillar to the team's structure.

Totally agree - what are we gonna do with pick 20 other than draft Addam Maric 2.

[mrtwister 650]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but does anyone think that Hawthorn would be happy with the following?

Hawks --->Pies - Clinton Young

Pies------> Dees - Chris Dawes

Dees-----> Hawks - Pick 20 (They have nothing in the 1st round)

[RalphiusMaximus 5,994]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but does anyone think that Hawthorn would be happy with the following?

Hawks --->Pies - Clinton Young

Pies------> Dees - Chris Dawes

Dees-----> Hawks - Pick 20 (They have nothing in the 1st round)

Looks a bit better my way.

[pantaloons 2,019]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but does anyone think that Hawthorn would be happy with the following?

Hawks --->Pies - Clinton Young

Pies------> Dees - Chris Dawes

Dees-----> Hawks - Pick 20 (They have nothing in the 1st round)

Hawthorn would be cracking open the champagne with that deal. Young's a FA and compo for him surely wouldn't get close to 20.

[Jaded No More 59,541]

[censored] the haters who said nobody wants to play for Melbourne. And ADC, FFS I think you need to end the torture for yourself and find another club to support.

[Guest José Mourinho]

Who do some of you think Pick 20 is going to be?

Nat Fyfe 2K13

[darkhorse72 1,765]

Pie wont want to keep him.. He's disgruntled and having just resigned on pretty good coin after the premiership year. They'll move him on with a bit of fuss like wellingham.

As for dawes himself we are not trying to get a 1 grade monster forward. but a hard working monster to contest in the forward line which we havem't had since Neitz retired.

Look how well Clark played once we was with us, far better than at Brisbane IMHO...

[Blinkybill 276]

De-lurking to congratulate the club on how they have handled the draft so far. Dawes and Clark in the forward halt; a gun mid-fielder with pick 4; Pederson to add ruck strength (hopefully); let's hope Rivers stays. Far better than expected.

Well done.

[Hannibal 5,814]

I know a number of Bulldogs fans who are greatly relieved today.

I doubt it. I don't know one person that barracks for Footscray, but perhaps we move in different circles.

Btw, what's your point ? Do you rate these Footscray friends as sharp thinking footy analysts ? Of the Footscray friends you know do they all happen to be footy smart ? That would be unusual if you take Demonland as any guide. Do you back their judgments over Neeld's and co ? Do you value their views more than people who have been actively involved in the AFL for years ? Including people that have played the game at the highest level ?

Or more accurately are you talking [censored] about these Footscray supporters you supposedly know ? You're really just trying to make some sort of point about your own view, aren't you ?

[spirit of norm smith 13,529]

Chris Dawes would be a very welcome addition. I hope the deal gets done. Yes for pick 20 swap is fair.

(we must keep pick 4 as untouchable).

No way to any suggestion of to Dawes &Collwoods pick 17 for MFc pick 4 (as suggested by one magpie supporter at the bar tonight)

[dee-luded 2,958]

Pick 20 and Stef Martin or Ricky Petterd would be my offer.

I'm happy to pay a little over the top for him.

Would rather that than miss out altogether.

How do youWe know we have offered P20 to them?

It's so far only media spec'.

We may have offered less than that, & maybe they want a 1st Rnd Pick?

[RalphiusMaximus 5,994]

I doubt it. I don't know one person that barracks for Footscray, but perhaps we move in different circles.

Btw, what's your point ? Do you rate these Footscray friends as sharp thinking footy analysts ? Of the Footscray friends you know do they all happen to be footy smart ? That would be unusual if you take Demonland as any guide. Do you back their judgments over Neeld's and co ? Do you value their views more than people who have been actively involved in the AFL for years ? Including people that have played the game at the highest level ?

Or more accurately are you talking [censored] about these Footscray supporters you supposedly know ? You're really just trying to make some sort of point about your own view, aren't you ?

I've made no secret of the fact that I think Dawes is a waste of money and tradeable commodities. I don't rate him at all. As I said, I know a number of Bulldogs fans (some of whom are quite knowledgeable) who were horrified when their club was linked to him as well and are now very happy that he appears Melbourne-bound. I also know quite a few Melbourne fans who agree with me that he isn't worth what we are going to pay for him. I've been a massive fan of the moves made so far but this one is in my opinion a flop.

[Hannibal 5,814]

I've noticed a few people conveniently question the worth of pick 20 on the back of Dawes. Pick 20 should get you an exceedingly good player in this year's draft. One of the reasons that a club like Collingwood will stay competitive while remaining in the top 4 and not having access to the sharp end of the draft is that they are able to trade away expendable players like Dawes and Wellingham and end up with picks like 17, 18, and 20, which is what they look like taking into this year's draft.

In recent years pick 19 gave you Shuey and 20+ picks gave you Beams, Sloane, Fyfe, Hannebery, Redden and others such as Rockliff, Suckling, Blair, Dahlhaus, etc. Collingwood choose well and will remain competitive with the picks 20 of this world.

[Hannibal 5,814]

I've made no secret of the fact that I think Dawes is a waste of money and tradeable commodities. I don't rate him at all. As I said, I know a number of Bulldogs fans (some of whom are quite knowledgeable) who were horrified when their club was linked to him as well and are now very happy that he appears Melbourne-bound. I also know quite a few Melbourne fans who agree with me that he isn't worth what we are going to pay for him. I've been a massive fan of the moves made so far but this one is in my opinion a flop.

I'm not rapt in Dawes for 20 either, but I don't believe you have a plethora of Footscray mates that are now sighing with relief. I suspect it was just a throw away line to make your point. But even if it wasn't, I don't place any credence in Melbourne supporters' views, let alone Footscray's.

A few pages ago I gave stats he had from a very good first half of 2011 before he succumbed to injury. If he can replicate that form then pick 20 is a steal. If not...

How about we now just wait and see how he goes ? Much like Mitch Clark from his half season of this year.

Btw, what were your views when Clark was recruited ? Or do I need to search the forum ?

[Yossarian 1,808]

Way to [censored] all over a dude's parade for a throwaway line Ben-Hur.

[Guest]

I view getting Dawes as another step in the road onto where Neeld wants us to be. The acquisitions of Byrnes, Dawes (potential, not over the line yet) and Clark were done to bring in a harder and more demanding culture to the club. Dawesy ain't the second coming of George Patton crossed with Royce Hart but he has been at a club that has been pretty successful since 2006 and one that has won a premiership. He has observed the kinds of behaviours that win flags and hopefully can bring some of that insight to Melbourne.

Some posters on the 'Land and Cameron Schwab might not want to acknowledge this but our culture is one of the worst in the AFL at the moment. Jake Niall summed it up best when discussing the development of Ted Richards into a star at Sydney 'Would Richards have become a star, at say Melbourne?' I thought it was pretty telling that he chose us in his comparison.

Despite all my bagging of the Bailey years, I will acknowledge that some pretty promising kids were recruited in that time. Unfortunately, no one was ever around to show them what was required to make it at the top level. We now need to top up with some hard nosed experience so those youngsters drafted in '09-10 aren't a complete write off.

[Binmans PA 26,594]

All these signings must be making some players are MFC nervous. I hope we retain Garland to play as our 3rd tall forward.

He's a defender and should be played as such. His record on Buddy in the past is solid as is his record against Rioli. Two very different players, but highlight his flexibility and value as a defender.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Way to [censored] all over a dude's parade for a throwaway line Ben-Hur.

Keep it in your memory bank, Sunshine.

[BarnDee 287]

where is america de cali , or what ever her name is ? , says no one want to come to us , mmmm if you read this amereca ggf ~!

[Biffen 12,450]

where is america de cali , or what ever her name is ? , says no one want to come to us , mmmm if you read this amereca ggf ~!

You are a Classic.

phhhht....

[hardtack 10,186]

I'm not happy if we have to give up pick 20.

He is not worth 20 and we still need to build our midfield.

I'm very happy with trading one of our top 20 picks for a tall (Hogan), but to trade another one for another KPF in Dawes is a bit too much for me. I was really hoping we'd pick up 3 gun midfielders with JV, pick 4 and 20.

Hopefully we can get the deal done without losing 20.

I bet you would complain if you won a $10mil lottery and then found out you had to share it with 5 other winners. So far we have had a great FA/Trade period.

As for the midfield, we have Viney probably Wines, Jones, Trengove, Ray, a guy named Couch (who did just ok in the VFL), Howe (who Neeld described as a potential elite midfielder), Barry etc. No doubt we will pick up a couple more in the drafts.

You can have all the elite midfielders in the world, but if you don't have anyone to deliver the ball to up forward, then what's the point? The other thing is that Neeld has stated through this whole process is that we need experience injected into the club... and he has been true to his word and is giving us that in spades.

I for one am ecstatic over what they have achieved thus far.

[Bay Riffin 1,427]

Guys in a year where he and cloke were average, they still made the top 4. He helped provide some structure and does a lot of 1 per enters.

He is not anything great but does require some attention. He like tippett get underrated but you notice it when they are not there.

I am seeing a common theme from neeld for big bodies and he fits the bill.

Don't rate blokes on just skills or even talent I reckon. Cook has much better kicking then Dawes and probably better hands but it means squat if they cant create contests or get out positioned too easily. Watts has twice the talent but Dawes has provided more for his team with great intensity, sheparding, buffeting for cloke etc. team player but huge bloke and gives 100%.

That's beats most of our list and pick 20 seems fair. I would have loved another strike at a midfielder but we have a unique opportunity here.

We can almost get hogan Dawes Viney pick 4 in say wines and an nt kid that has recruiters drooling.

That's pretty unique.

Edited October 12, 2012 by Bay Riffin

[Northern Summer 292]

He was a Dees supporter as a kid.

So too was Chris Heffernan, Simon Buckley and Brent Moloney. .

[dee-luded 2,958]

Guys in a year where he and Cooke were average, they still made the top 4. He helped provide some structure and does a lot of 1 per enters.

He is not anything great but does require some attention. He like fillet get underrated but you notice it when they are not there.

I am seeing a common theme from neeld for big bodies and he fits the bill.

Don't rate blokes on just skills or even talent I reckon. Cook has much better kicking then Dawes and probably better hands but it means squat if they can create contests or get out positioned too easily. Watts has twice the talent but Dawes has provided more for his team with great intensity, sheparding, buffeting for cloke etc. team player but huge bloke and gives 100%.

That's beats most of our list and pick 20 seems fair. I would have loved another strike at a midfielder but we have a unique opportunity here.

We can almost get hogan Dawes Cindy pick 4 in say wines and an nt kid that has recruiters drooling.

That's pretty unique.

Yep, no one argues about the 'Cats' being slow, or how they are too big bodied.

They have positive proof of the benefits.

[Carrot Top 947]

In recent years pick 19 gave you Shuey and 20+ picks gave you Beams, Sloane, Fyfe, Hannebery, Redden and others such as Rockliff, Suckling, Blair, Dahlhaus, etc. Collingwood choose well and will remain competitive with the picks 20 of this world.

Rockliff was PSD. Dalhous was a rookie. Suckling rookie, cut and re-rookied. Last time I looked we've still got picks there. Other than that you've listed 7 players out of how many hundred that went #19 or over? Why not list all the rubbish picks as well?

I'm not overly wrapped about Dawes for #20 and the rest of the shuffle, but I do support the theory of what Neeld and co are doing: draft the best available, and trade for needs. #20 gives you an OKish chance at a good player, and a good chance at a rubbish one. What it won't give you is a good chance at drafting a good player that also fills a need. Far too much would have to go right for that to happen. The powers that be have decided that we need a big unit or two added to the list (and ready to play) so we are trading for them. We won't get what we want with lower picks so pick 20 and a shuffle it is.

Will Dawes be worth it? I don't know. I didn't think Clark would be but not many would argue that today. Will Collingwood pick a 100 + gamer with #20? I don't know about that either. Maybe they have a one in five chance at that. Maybe less. Maybe they'll strike gold. What I do know is that you can't look at a draft from a previous year and say 'Well Joe Bloggs went at pick 27 and became a gun, so we should never trade #27 unless we are given a gun in return'. It doesn't work that way.