Id also be tempted to put pressure on D Martin by offering up Sylvia and our first and 2nd rounder. Long shot but why not.

Him and Hogan in the team next year. God damn!

Personally I'd rather get a Dom Tyson or Dion Prestia with a two or three season apprenticeship under their belt than a Jordan Lewis type. Strategically it would suit us better ... and it would cost less.

Have to disagree strongly with this.

Lewis is exactly the type of player we need. Premiership player, vice captain at the best side in the league, with seniority and experience to mentor the younger leaders at the club. From a strategic perspective, he's a goal kicking midfielder..pretty much what we're crying out for. Differs from Byrnes and Rodan in that he's not viewed by the footballing fraternity as "washed up". At 26, he's far from it. On top of all that, he's tough as nails.

Honestly I can't see a downside. He's a big fish and if we landed him, as unlikely as it would be, we should thank our lucky stars.

Id also be tempted to put pressure on D Martin by offering up Sylvia and our first and 2nd rounder. Long shot but why not.

Him and Hogan in the team next year. God damn!

Sylvia is UFA and will not be apart of trades.

RFAs can be apart of trades as was shown with Monfries but this is a murky area as the ONLY reason PA traded for him was to keep their comp for Chaplin and Pearce 'pure.' If comp is abolished there is little reason to trade for players who are RFA other than to a team that is indignant toward their player - "we don't want you but we will match your contract anyway."

P_Man' Jordan Lewis has signed a new contract with Hawks - no chance for Dees unless we trade for him.

Have to disagree strongly with this.

Lewis is exactly the type of player we need. Premiership player, vice captain at the best side in the league, with seniority and experience to mentor the younger leaders at the club. From a strategic perspective, he's a goal kicking midfielder..pretty much what we're crying out for. Differs from Byrnes and Rodan in that he's not viewed by the footballing fraternity as "washed up". At 26, he's far from it. On top of all that, he's tough as nails.

Honestly I can't see a downside. He's a big fish and if we landed him, as unlikely as it would be, we should thank our lucky stars.

A don't disagree with your assessment of Lewis. By strategic I more meant that I'd rather save the $$$ and chuck them at Rioli or someone of that ilk. A matchwinner.

If Prestia , Tyson or one of these GWS/GCS boys comes on in leaps and bounds this year we should be going hell for leather to bring one of them to the MFC. Remember, they will also be around for the long haul in the event - heaven for bid - we start making the finals consistently.

What's true of both of our suggestions though is that we cannot remain static and head to the 2013 draft to collect another 18yo. We need a ready to go midfielder to add to the mix for round 1, 2014.

Theres no doubt Cyril has blue chip skills,but a bit inconsistent for me, goes missing alot.

Id rather a Dale thomas or Dal Santo who are both out of contract.

Consistent reliable midfielders are what we need.

P_Man' Jordan Lewis has signed a new contract with Hawks - no chance for Dees unless we trade for him.

A news article posted 11 hours ago lists him as being OOC.

I also thought Lewis had signed a contract with the Hawks recently. Perhaps the author of that article didn't check the list before they printed it. Wouldn't be the first time.

I'll see if I can find an article about Lewis signing.

As i thought, Lewis has signed on with the Hawks and should not be on the free agency list. It is noted in numerous articles recently, but gets lost amongst all the hype for Buddy.

"Yesterday the Hawks struck back, revealing to the Herald Sun they had re-signed free agent Jordan Lewis, now in his ninth season, to a new deal."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/hawks-would-lose-buddy-franklin-for-nothing-under-proposed-changes-to-afls-free-agency-rules/story-e6frg6n6-1226595082773

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/every-2013-free-agent-listed-and-every-club-rated/story-e6frexz9-1226594977631

As i thought, Lewis has signed on with the Hawks and should not be on the free agency list. It is noted in numerous articles recently, but gets lost amongst all the hype for Buddy.

"Yesterday the Hawks struck back, revealing to the Herald Sun they had re-signed free agent Jordan Lewis, now in his ninth season, to a new deal."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/hawks-would-lose-buddy-franklin-for-nothing-under-proposed-changes-to-afls-free-agency-rules/story-e6frg6n6-1226595082773

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/every-2013-free-agent-listed-and-every-club-rated/story-e6frexz9-1226594977631

Cheers LT.

Cheers LT.

No worries. It's a shame, as he is exactly the kind of character and player we"d benefit from with our cultural shift and midfield issues.

Could you have possibly picked a more FIGJAM picture?

Why?

Hawthorn are ruthless at this sort of stuff themselves. Refer Hale, Gibson and Gunston from Adelaide last year. Instead of being the hunted I think we should continue with going after good Out of Contract Players. Clark, Dawes and Byrnes shows we can do it. We should have the cap room and help the players we want get the best deal, improve our list or at worst clog up other clubs salary cap. We could become real pests now.

Wouldn't stop at CR either, lets get after some of those good GWS and GCS kids nicely tuned up for us after two years in the system and who may want to come home.

Anyone out of contract at Carlton?

The only really good "get" has been Clark. Collingwood clearly no longer rated Dawes and Byrnes couldn't get a game at Geelong. Attempts to get Ball and Warnock were laughed off.

Can't quite remember the scenario with Cloke but if MFC's offer bumped up his salary then there was at least some upside.

I'm still amazed (and pleased!!!) that we got Clark, but MFC doesn't seem to be viewed as a desireable home by top players.

The only really good "get" has been Clark. Collingwood clearly no longer rated Dawes and Byrnes couldn't get a game at Geelong. Attempts to get Ball and Warnock were laughed off.

Can't quite remember the scenario with Cloke but if MFC's offer bumped up his salary then there was at least some upside.

I'm still amazed (and pleased!!!) that we got Clark, but MFC doesn't seem to be viewed as a desireable home by top players.

Dawes and Byrnes havent played a game yet, but both are premiership players. Happy to have both on board. So will agree to disagree with you.

Could you have possibly picked a more FIGJAM picture?

Haha, would you have preferred the one below?

Dawes and Byrnes havent played a game yet, but both are premiership players. Happy to have both on board. So will agree to disagree with you.

I think it's more a case of we will have to agree to agree!!! Like you I'm quite happy with these signings.

But I was making the point that they weren't big signings in the sense that there was much competition for their services. Cheers.

i love the idea and as Docket said we have shown we're capable of landing a couple of big ones so anything is possible. I don't think Cyril will be the one pushed out however as he is just far too valuable to the hawks, but whoever is pushed out, they will stiil very likely be a handy player.

Dockett with 2 t's. As in the Amazing Left Footed Lenny Dockett! The Dockett Pocket Rocket as Rex Hunt would of called him if her were commentating in the late 40's early 50's. What a great time that would have been for all of us.

Theres no doubt Cyril has blue chip skills,but a bit inconsistent for me, goes missing alot.

Id rather a Dale thomas or Dal Santo who are both out of contract.

Consistent reliable midfielders are what we need.

Dal Santo ahead of Cyril?

You're out of your mind. Am I correct in assuming that by 'inconsistent' you mean there are games in which he doesn't touch it much?

Unlike any player we have, Cyril's defensive efforts, 3rd and 4th efforts, tackling, blocking and chase downs are like anything

I've seen in an AFL player. The mere fact that he is even within the vicinity of an opposition player in possession can result in a pressured kick causing a turnover. Are you aware of how valuable that is?

Don't even get me started on his offensive attributes. It's absolutely sickening.

Dal Santo... Pfffffffft

dal santo is handy, cyril turns matches