Remind me just how well Jack was going up forward before Neeld moved him to the back line. And then please remind me just how poorly Jack played as a back in the second half of last season. As I recall, he has played his best and most consistent football in the back half... and in the long term, learning to play back is going to result in him being a much better forward... a guy named Neitz ring any bells?

A guy named Rivers ring any bells? Being a good backman does not automatically mean you'll be a good forward.

A guy named Rivers ring any bells? Being a good backman does not automatically mean you'll be a good forward.

Considering Watts was recruited as the #1 forward in the draft, I suppose it would be expected he might make a reasonable forward... Rivers on the other hand was recruited as a back and played back. Neitz I believe was recruited as a forward but was played back to fill a need at the time (much like Watts) and by all accounts became a better forward for the experience. It makes perfect sense that if a forward can learn to think like a backman, it can help their game.

He is the best defender we've had in at least the last quarter if a century and probably half a century. He's better than Danny Hughes, Ingerson and Shanahan no-one else even comes close (although we have had such prodigies as big Al Nicholson, Phil Gilbert and Damien Gaspar).

Whoops, David Neitz certainly has him covered.

Look frawley is gone I think we can all see the painting on the wall. If he was to leave I would rather this year so we can get something decent back like a midfielder (Prestia) or first round draft pick.

Its sad but I think Neeld has to go with the amount of players lining up for the door..

I've said this elsewhere but you have to get like for like, if we were to lose Frawley we would need to get an AA 100 game plus 25 yo. A pick or a kid just won't cut it.

Watts for a 22 yo high draft pick big upside or maybe someone like a Prestia.

GC have no one for Frawley so they are not in the race, neither do St Kilda.

Can the supporters request a trade to another cub?

Watts to Brisbane for Daniel Rich. Watch this space.....

Watts to Brisbane for Daniel Rich. Watch this space.....

Hahaha! I'd take that in a heartbeat, but no way is it true

Where do we sign?

Watts to Brisbane for Daniel Rich. Watch this space.....

Considering Watts was recruited as the #1 forward in the draft, I suppose it would be expected he might make a reasonable forward... Rivers on the other hand was recruited as a back and played back. Neitz I believe was recruited as a forward but was played back to fill a need at the time (much like Watts) and by all accounts became a better forward for the experience. It makes perfect sense that if a forward can learn to think like a backman, it can help their game.

Yeah look, I don't disagree with you, I just think it's time he was moved forward. We struggle so badly between 70-40m out, would love to see his disposal utilized around that area of the ground for us.

Can the supporters request a trade to another cub?

There is plenty of room on the fence at the Uni blacks with me Robbie!

Whoops, David Neitz certainly has him covered.

Yeah fair call, Neitz looked like he would dominate CHB for us until Schwarz went down and Lyon's back went but considering he's our clubs all time leading goalkicker it's fair enough that I remember him as a forward not a defender.

Ok so Frawley is our second best defender in the last 25 and probably 50 years.

Yeah look, I don't disagree with you, I just think it's time he was moved forward. We struggle so badly between 70-40m out, would love to see his disposal utilized around that area of the ground for us.

I attended my first Dees game for the year live last week and saw Dawes lead well with purpose and on a few occasions mark it 60/70m from goal but had to take time to reassess with no big target to kick to. I thought if he and Clark were in the same side quick transition from half back to forward would be very realistic.

I attended my first Dees game for the year live last week and saw Dawes lead well with purpose and on a few occasions mark it 60/70m from goal but had to take time to reassess with no big target to kick to. I thought if he and Clark were in the same side quick transition from half back to forward would be very realistic.

I guess the short version of what I'm saying is I'd like to see Watts play between wing and half forward.

I guess the short version of what I'm saying is I'd like to see Watts play between wing and half forward.

Sorry Stuie got distracted with the kids while typing but I think you finished my post for me, I meant to add he (Watts) would be the link up player in this system/gameplan, what would also assist in this would be a second option of a player with great pace running into the hole provided by the forward leading up to the wing. We have Blease but need another 1 or 2 in the squad. Anyone know Rohans contract status

Watts as a forward for 8 weeks. If he does not crack it as our 3rd tall, then he can be traded. He need more forward options. Its now or never.

He lacks the intensity as a half back. His chase is poor, tackling is non existent. Sweeper role is the soft option.

Watts as a forward for 8 weeks. If he does not crack it as our 3rd tall, then he can be traded. He need more forward options. Its now or never.

He lacks the intensity as a half back. His chase is poor, tackling is non existent. Sweeper role is the soft option.

In 2014 Hogan will be our third tall. Howe will have to fit in there as well.

I like Watts' talent and I like him as a person but if he can't make it as a HBF - he is going to struggle to make it anywhere on the ground.

As many have suggested - wing

The "rebuild" gets longer and longer every time Melbourne lose talented senior players.

This is an excellent comment. I'd love to hear Neeld put on the spot and asked about it, but I can already imagine his reply... "It is what it is." Alarm bells ringing!!!!

Watts to Brisbane for Daniel Rich. Watch this space.....

How long for? My eyes are getting tired.

Have a look further upfield next time Frawley has the ball in his hands and you tell me what options he has to go to? His decision-making looks slow and poor because he is waiting for one of our players furtehr afield to present a decent option to him. He is not slow physically either.

Are you suggesting our forward setup could be contributing to the terrible pressure on our back line clearance attempts??? There is a lot of support for Leigh Brown on here, so we may have to look elsewhere for a cause

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-gold-coast-suns-have-joined-the-race-for-melbourne-key-defender-james-frawley/story-fn6pe9hv-1226647937604

Will the last player to leave the club please turn off the lights

Frawley is out with a hamstring injury, but hopes to return after the bye for the round-13 match against St Kilda.

"I'm back running a little bit now and over the next few weeks ... I will keep continuously running and building it up," the key defender said.

"I might be a sneaky chance for St Kilda."

"But I'm just focusing on now and (we'll) see what happens - I'm really happy at the club at the moment."

Frawley also backed embattled coach Mark Neeld, saying it was not his fault that the team was playing so poorly.

"Neeldy has done a really good job, to be honest," Frawley said. "Our group ... two years ago, our training standards were pretty poor.

"Since he's come in (with) Neil Craig, they've been pretty good, and they've really set our young list up - they've set the right training standards and the standards around the club.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-06-11/frawley-keen-to-stay-loyal-to-demons

Frawley is out with a hamstring injury, but hopes to return after the bye for the round-13 match against St Kilda.

"I'm back running a little bit now and over the next few weeks ... I will keep continuously running and building it up," the key defender said.

"I might be a sneaky chance for St Kilda."

"But I'm just focusing on now and (we'll) see what happens - I'm really happy at the club at the moment."

Frawley also backed embattled coach Mark Neeld, saying it was not his fault that the team was playing so poorly.

"Neeldy has done a really good job, to be honest," Frawley said. "Our group ... two years ago, our training standards were pretty poor.

"Since he's come in (with) Neil Craig, they've been pretty good, and they've really set our young list up - they've set the right training standards and the standards around the club.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-06-11/frawley-keen-to-stay-loyal-to-demons

There is growing speculation about the futures of some senior Demons such as Frawley, but he said on Monday he was happy at the club and planned to honour his contract.

"Right now, I'm pretty happy where I'm at," he told Triple M.

"That's more speculation, maybe in a year-and-a-half when my contract runs out.

"But I'm just focusing on now and (we'll) see what happens - I'm really happy at the club at the moment."

Asked what would happen when the end of his contract draws near, Frawley said: "I suppose the club will come back at me with another contract offer, but I'm not sure at the moment."

Didn't really fill me with confidence.

Dr. G, I came to the same conclusions as you.

If he doesn't see any significant improvements next year, and I mean wins on the board.

Then he will be off to the highest top 8 bidder.

I've heard that he may have already signed a heads of agreement type thing to join the Saints in 2015. Probably nothing but a rumour...who knows.

I haven't read the whole thread so excuse me if I'm bringing up something that has been suggested before, but how do people reckon Frawley would go in the midfield for us? Just seems to be very strong in the core, pretty good low to the ground and able to break a line from time to time. The question marks would be fitness, cleanliness of his hands at pace, disposal which seems to have dropped off and his propensity to take people on a bit too much. But still, I could see him being a help in close at clearances and being able to extract some ball to the outside for us (yes we struggle for outside mids too but the more quality ball you get from the inside, the easier it is for our developing outside players). I just have this sense that if he spent time in the middle he could develop into a real quality player in that area of the ground. Might also rejuvinate his enthusiasm for the club and the game a bit...feel more like he can influence the outcome rather than having it handed to him each week....

I've heard that he may have already signed a heads of agreement type thing to join the Saints in 2015. Probably nothing but a rumour...who knows.

I haven't read the whole thread so excuse me if I'm bringing up something that has been suggested before, but how do people reckon Frawley would go in the midfield for us? Just seems to be very strong in the core, pretty good low to the ground and able to break a line from time to time. The question marks would be fitness, cleanliness of his hands at pace, disposal which seems to have dropped off and his propensity to take people on a bit too much. But still, I could see him being a help in close at clearances and being able to extract some ball to the outside for us (yes we struggle for outside mids too but the more quality ball you get from the inside, the easier it is for our developing outside players). I just have this sense that if he spent time in the middle he could develop into a real quality player in that area of the ground. Might also rejuvinate his enthusiasm for the club and the game a bit...feel more like he can influence the outcome rather than having it handed to him each week....

It's not a rumour, it's complete [censored], just think about it logically.

• He is contracted to us next season
• Scott Watters is in no way assured of being St Kilda coach in 2015
• We do not know who will be Dees Coach next season
• St Kilda are on a decline & if Frawley was to leave it would be to play finals as money wont be an issue between us & the Saints
• If it was you wouldn't you see where things were at with your current club in 2014

FFS are we going to have to put up with 12 months of this