WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - CHRIS DAWES

[The Reverend 1,736]

Anyone lese concerned about our mids??

I assume that we will tale a mid with pick 4 and Howe will spend more time in the midfield but geez we need some quality clearance players otherwise Clark and Dawes will get frostbite......

C'mon Jnr - don't worry be happy.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

We're being absolutely crucified on Bigfooty. I like it! I'm getting the same vibe from the rabble over there as I got after we grabbed Clark last year. Every Monday expert was lining up to tell us how we overpaid. I feel like we've moved from being a lowly corner hopper to a real trade week mover and shaker in the space of 10 days.

[pantaloons 2,019]

So does this trade show that its more likely that Rivers will leave now?

As far as I can gather, if Rivers and Geelong can get the paperwork together, he'll go there. It's not dependent on this deal. Unless of course Melbourne wanted to trade him. If we still want this Pedersen chap then we may need a better pick than 58 to satisfy North. But let's be honest, what would I know? I'm hardly going to spend my free time during the winter eagerly watching North games, and as such, couldn't pick Pedersen out of a lineup and that kind of makes my views on his abilities irrelevant. That said, pick 118 should do.

[PJ_12345 1,098]

That new car smell has just gotten even stronger!

[General 35]

With Viney and pick 4 being "ready to go" midfielders and Rory Taggert being a 2011 second round pick who has yet to play, fingers crossed Pre season draft pick 3 could get us another mid. I think Dawes is a great decision at pick 20. Anyone know who pick 20 was last year? Some of these draftees are much better on paper than when they arrive at the club.

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

I rate Dawes higher than I do Sharron Wellingham, he went for pick 17.

I think that this is a fair trade and will be a winner for the Demons for many years to come.

Well done to the footy department.

[PJ_12345 1,098]

We're being absolutely crucified on Bigfooty. I like it! I'm getting the same vibe from the rabble over there as I got after we grabbed Clark last year. Every Monday expert was lining up to tell us how we overpaid. I feel like we've moved from being a lowly corner hopper to a real trade week mover and shaker in the space of 10 days.

^^ Im loving this new agressive edge too.

Also let them have their stupid little dig, in the end it would have been impossible to match is $280,000 year contract at Collingwood.

We always and will always get the negative perspective from the press. We are the team everyone loves to have a crack at - and I love that because ill be the first to rub it in their faces next year - or the first one at the bar...

[Gippy Dee 48]

I'm just looking forward to Queens Birthday at the G!

Hope Big Dawes kicks 5+ and we rip the Pies a new one!

Oh how we can dream!

Gippy

[Gippy Dee 48]

I wonder what colour he wants his new Opel to be?

[H_T 3,049]

As far as I can gather, if Rivers and Geelong can get the paperwork together, he'll go there. It's not dependent on this deal. Unless of course Melbourne wanted to trade him. If we still want this Pedersen chap then we may need a better pick than 58 to satisfy North. But let's be honest, what would I know? I'm hardly going to spend my free time during the winter eagerly watching North games, and as such, couldn't pick Pedersen out of a lineup and that kind of makes my views on his abilities irrelevant. That said, pick 118 should do.

Well, if the thruth be known you would be wasting your time watching North games during the winter looking for Pederson. He spent most of his time at Werribee.

Just so happens he won their B&F this year from Ben Ross (who won the Liston Medal), Ben McKinley was 3rd.

For a guy on the outer, pick 58 should do it.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Saw this great post by a Saints supporter on BF.

Dawes jumper:

[Geddy Lee 582]

I love you.

[olisik 4,060]

I dont mean to be pessimistic or anything but I do think many posters on DL overate some of our new recruits.

Their are 2 ways to look at every player

Byrnes = Speedy midfielder who will fill a gap and bring in some professionalism

Byrnes = Ageing small forward who could not break into the firsts in a team which struggled to make the 8 this year.

Barry = Classy outside left footer with great run and carry and oozing talent

Barry = Jamie Bennell

Dawes = Talented professional gorilla who will help our team massively structurally

Dawes = Big overrated player who couldn't kick more goals then Brad Miller in 2012 which was overpaid for

Viney = Best inside mid of the draft and exactly what our team needs

Viney = Kid who is yet to play an AFL game and jumps the gun when talking to the media

Hogan = Best Forward since Franklin

Hogan = kid who did not look extremely excited about being taken by the dees and cant play for a year.

I am not putting any of these players in either of these categories yet until we see them run out for the MFC next year (or the year after)

I am feeling good so far but I don't want a repeat of my excitement from last years administration/coaching turn over which turned into the worst season the MFC has probably experienced.

Lets see how things go

Edited October 16, 2012 by olisik

[That's a Stretch 18]

Is it just me or does Dawes look a little like Paul Johnston??

[bandicoot 1,395]

Mark Neeld is going to win this club a flag.

Of that, I'm absolutely convinced.

Neeld might be good at enticing talent to the club however is yet to prove his coaching or player management skills.

Hope he can tick the other 2 boxes in 2013.

[timmyo64 44]

anyone worrying about the lack of picks in the "super draft" should fear not. we started with 3,4,13,26 and have ended up with 3 top 5 picks, plus dawes. essentially we paid picks 13 and 26 45 for dawes, barry and 58.. I'll take it! clever manipulation if you ask me.

Bringing in Hogan also gives us the chance to give another 50/50 player who obviously has talent another year to prove him self (gysberts)

[Pates 9,660]

Is it just me or does Dawes look a little like Paul Johnston??

I just threw up a little.

[Axis of Bob 11,839]

Really good news.

Dawes is a young key forward that allows us to keep (and learn) the structure that Neeld wants us to play.

But, more than that, he's a noted leader on the training track and comes from a successful environment that has won a premiership. He knows what success looks like (just like Byrnes) so he will automatically be able to help set the standards that Neeld is demanding from the rest of the players.

He's going to be a role player, not a superstar. He will be a cog that helps everything else work better, rather than a Mitch Clark type that is able to rip games apart by himself. And we know that he'll play that role because he's a professional that comes from a culture where playing your role is paramount.

In addition we get 2 or the top 5 midfielders of this draft plus the best key position player (even if we have to wait a year).

[bandicoot 1,395]

The last 10 years of 20th draft picks

2002 will minson

2003 Sam butler

2004 dean polo

2005 Paul bower

2006 Tom hislop

2007 Tony notte

2008 Tom swift

2009 Nathan fyfe

2010 jaydon pitt

2011 haydon crozier

Except for fyfe Dawes has the other 9 players easily covered.

Great pickup for Melbourne.

[Pennant St Dee 13,301]

All in all pretty good trade period so far, no matter what you think of Dawes still a big target who will provide a contest and bring the ball to ground. IMO will get back to his form of 2010/11 without the added burden of playing the pinch hitting ruck role. Whilst we still need mids we will have two in Viney and really starting to warm to Wines for more hardness.

Starting to get the pieces together of a hard unit still a long way to go but in two off seasons Neeld has managed to recruit two power forwards, 3 if you count Hogan who will have a lot less pressure on him when he starts playing in 2014.

I had heard it was being reserved for JV but straight swap to Dees number 31 for you Dawesy welcome aboard

[deejammin' 2,373]

One of the main things people are doing in their critique of the Dawes trade is obsessing over picks. Not even saying who they wanted for 20 but getting really upset because in previous drafts good players were available there. So I thought for the argument how about this:

Viney Rated Top 5 Pick, We pay 26

Hogan, Potential No.1 Pick, We pay 3

Pick 4, Rated No.4 Pick, We Pay 4

Barry, Rated 30s, We Pay 13 to 20 slide

Dawes, Drafted 28 2006, + 6 Years of experience 2 GFs and a Premiership we pay 20 + 45 to 58 Slide

Byrnes, Drafted Rookie, We pay some of our Moloney compo.

If you look at it purely in picks every deal can look bad, or good depending on your outlook.

The fact is we will have 2 high quality mids + a mid 30s rated mid who our club clearly rate. A premiership small forward/mid from one of the most successful clubs of the past decade. And a KPF from a premiership side who is young and could potentially fill a role in our forwardline for 8 years.

I am happy. I think we will be better than last year. I am looking forward to Dawes sticking it up the big Q-Stick and Collingwood next year by hitting the best form of his career.

Edit: Thanks Jonesy!

Edited October 16, 2012 by deejammin'

[Sir Why You Little 37,120]

Great news Demons. 2 big key forwards & Hogan in the wings.

Neeld is a man of his word.

See what the war chest can do.

Keep it topped up Dees it will be needed in years to come.

P.S. up yours Denham.

Edited October 16, 2012 by why you little

[RalphiusMaximus 6,088]

Yea and you most likely same time last year said Clarke was an unproven hack up forward and we paid overs.....easy to pick holes from afar isn't it. Why don't we just see how this unfolds and at the very least we have a player who is an automatic walk in to our team. This gives us someone who even when playing poorly has a higher work rate than some of our mid field...it's the most positive off season we have had in years. People need to give their tortured souls a rest!

Why waste time being cynical...we have done that all season in fact many seasons!

Sit back and enjoy the fact we aren't losing games this time of year...

Did you think that about the Mitch Clark deal 12 months ago too?

Actually, I was quite happy with the Clark deal last year. I'd seen some of his good games and thought if he could produce that sort of form for us he'd be massive value. Dawes on teh other hand I consider to be a capable middle of the road forward, and not worthy of a first round pick.

[Jonesy!!! 27]

Barry, Rated 30s, We Pay 13

Didnt we pay 7 spots in the draft for barry.. so 13 -> 20.. as hogan is the pick 3 barry is the slide from 13->20

but i do like your table and they said they were after 'net gain'.. id say we well and truly have that

as neeld said.. we dont need 5-6 new skinny kids.. we have those already,

Edited October 16, 2012 by Jonesy!!!

[deejammin' 2,373]

Jones, Trengove, Viney, Pick 4, Grimes, Howe, Blease, Byrnes, Tapscott, Strauss, Bail, Mckensie, Magner, Gysberts, Davey, Taggert, Tynan.

All these players will rotate through our midfield next year. Not great, but not as dire as many are saying.