"There's a strong argument," Gil McLachlan on a Priority Pick.

[Adam The God 30,644]

I don't think they would either but I would ask the question, I want to see how far they will go. A key forward also holds the hopes they might have of a flag and this is there chance to get one.

I just think if you look at the premiership sides of recent times, it's won in the midfield, not by a single full forward. I know you're not saying he'd win it single-handedly, but Carlton's strength is their midfield. If you trade away your best mid with another on the verge of retirement, very quickly it becomes a C grade midfield.

However, I think it's worth asking in most of these situations.

[rjay 25,347]

I just think if you look at the premiership sides of recent times, it's won in the midfield, not by a single full forward. I know you're not saying he'd win it single-handedly, but Carlton's strength is their midfield. If you trade away your best mid with another on the verge of retirement, very quickly it becomes a C grade midfield.

However, I think it's worth asking in most of these situations.

Good points, will be interesting to see how their midfield holds up over the next few years with a couple getting near the end and no obvious replacements with the exception of the injury prone FA Thomas.

[Adam The God 30,644]

Their window is closed IMO.

[Demon Disciple 12,492]

Would anyone trade watts and a first round pick to get a star midfielder?

Before last week I would have considered it now in not sure. But with Hogan Clark and Dawes I'm not sure if watts is more valuable to us than a star mid. ..

You would have to consider it. Sure Watt's form has been better since Neeld has gone, but in his now 5th year at the club, he is yet to prove his draft status.

And the more logical train of thought is, given he does better in the forward line, we have plenty of options there, yet we have very little of quality mids. Trade excess for something we lack - common sense dictates this.

Would only do it if the mid is a very, very good mid with quite a few years left in his career (so not a Bernie Vince).

[CBDees 3,167]

You would have lark to consider it. Sure Watt's form has been better since Neeld has gone, but in his now 5th year at the club, he is yet to prove his draft status.

And the more logical train of thought is, given he does better in the forward line, we have plenty of options there, yet we have very little of quality mids. Trade excess for something we lack - common sense dictates this.

Would only do it if the mid is a very, very good mid with quite a few years left in his career (so not a Bernie Vince).

Watts has a better injury record than Clark and Dawes and Hogan hasn't even played a game in the firsts yet. Watts is too good a player to trade just as he comes into his prime and we are not as over-rich in forwards as some think. Trade off Spencer to GWS if we need a mid!

[Demon Disciple 12,492]

Watts has a better injury record than Clark and Dawes and Hogan hasn't even played a game in the firsts yet. Watts is too good a player to trade just as he comes into his prime and we are not as over-rich in forwards as some think. Trade off Spencer to GWS if we need a mid!

Of course he would have a better injury record. That would require him to put his body on the line

(he took a great mark in the back line with only a minute or two to go last weekend)

[P-man 13,367]

http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/07/05/melbourne-deserve-the-priority-pick-just-dont-give-it-to-them/

[rjay 25,347]

http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/07/05/melbourne-deserve-the-priority-pick-just-dont-give-it-to-them/

Good to see you are back after your last, last post 'P_Man' but I believe "Melbourne deserve the priority pick, just give it to them". I don't understand why some supporters are against getting this assistance. Writing for something called the roar are you sure this is not a set up.

[P-man 13,367]

Good to see you are back after your last, last post 'P_Man' but I believe "Melbourne deserve the priority pick, just give it to them". I don't understand why some supporters are against getting this assistance. Writing for something called the roar are you sure this is not a set up.

Yeah, I probably shouldn't make promises I can't keep.

No I can't be sure it isn't a set up because it's an open forum, but that's a bit cynical to assume someone who takes an opposing view to yours is a stooge. It's just an opinion.

[Fat Tony 5,322]

http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/07/05/melbourne-deserve-the-priority-pick-just-dont-give-it-to-them/

Puff piece from a 'supporter' who is obviously keen on self flagellation.

[rjay 25,347]

Yeah, I probably shouldn't make promises I can't keep.

No I can't be sure it isn't a set up because it's an open forum, but that's a bit cynical to assume someone who takes an opposing view to yours is a stooge. It's just an opinion.

Nah, just the name the 'roar' is the same as a tiger fan page, I know this is not it but we have enough rubbish spoken by mainstream journos without putting out these views from within our own ranks.

What do you think would be better? option 1: pick up two out of Scharenberg, Aish, Kelly or Sheed or option 2: pick up just one of the 4 named. To me it's a no brainer and I don't understand why supporters would be against it. It's not tanking, the people responsible for that are no longer at the club. It's not a culture issue, no one is saying lose games to get a PP, the past record shows we deserve it.

So lets push for it, there are no negatives that I can see. What are the negatives that you see?

[P-man 13,367]

Nope. The Roar is fairly well known, covers all sports, and has nothing to do with the Tigers.

In all walks of life, the rewards feel all the sweeter when they've been achieved off your own bat, as is the kudos. This also isn't the first time the club has gone cap in hand. We bang on about wanting respect in the competition. I don't think this furthers that aim a great deal.

Is this list as bad as has been shown so far this season? I'm not yet convinced that it is. Maybe the next few weeks will reaffirm that it is, but I'm willing to reserve judgement at this point. I've seen signs in the last couple of weeks that just maybe we're not a complete trainwreck. Let's not discount that player development has stalled under Neeld and a new coach is already starting to release the shackles.

I get the arguments for. A period of prolonged failure and largely uncompetitive this year. If any club "deserves" it right now, it is Melbourne. But I'd be wary of playing the long suffering card when the Tigers have played 2 finals in 30 years. They've managed to rebuild and look to be on the verge of good things. Without draft assistance.

Of course I want what's best for the club, I simply don't think this one is as black and white as we MUST HAVE IT.

[mjt 640]

Their window is closed IMO.

Well if there's is closed ours is welded shut.

[rpfc 28,966]

Two things:

1. Stop intimating that the only options are a PP or nothing. Draft assistance is the promise of an even competition. Not simply a pre-draft selection.

2. No-one sees it as a 'Miralcle Cure' or a 'Cure All' - there is no one thing that will get us out of our malaise but turning down little things that help us out is not advisable.

[Adam The God 30,644]

Well if there's is closed ours is welded shut.

They needed to get the job done with Judd two years ago. Like the Bulldogs, they took too long to address their KPF deficiencies. They've missed it now.

[mjt 640]

They needed to get the job done with Judd two years ago. Like the Bulldogs, they took too long to address their KPF deficiencies. They've missed it now.

I was surprised they never chased Dawes, there loss our gain.

[Adam The God 30,644]

I'd say their cap is a big problem. They couldn't fit him in. Since Judd's VISY contract expired, the AFL ensured they followed the rules that the rest of us have to abide. That said, since Judd is a veteran, his contract shouldn't have a big bearing on their cap. But who knows?

[rjay 25,347]

Nope. The Roar is fairly well known, covers all sports, and has nothing to do with the Tigers.

In all walks of life, the rewards feel all the sweeter when they've been achieved off your own bat, as is the kudos. This also isn't the first time the club has gone cap in hand. We bang on about wanting respect in the competition. I don't think this furthers that aim a great deal.

Is this list as bad as has been shown so far this season? I'm not yet convinced that it is. Maybe the next few weeks will reaffirm that it is, but I'm willing to reserve judgement at this point. I've seen signs in the last couple of weeks that just maybe we're not a complete trainwreck. Let's not discount that player development has stalled under Neeld and a new coach is already starting to release the shackles.

I get the arguments for. A period of prolonged failure and largely uncompetitive this year. If any club "deserves" it right now, it is Melbourne. But I'd be wary of playing the long suffering card when the Tigers have played 2 finals in 30 years. They've managed to rebuild and look to be on the verge of good things. Without draft assistance.

Of course I want what's best for the club, I simply don't think this one is as black and white as we MUST HAVE IT.

I think our list is ok but not good enough to compete with the new clubs. You've mentioned to tiges and if they don't win it this year, which is highly unlikely then their chances are next to none. Carlton unless they can spend their way in are also on the way down, I can't see where there improvement will come from unless they take some risks, trade and buy heavily at the end of this season.

Nothing is a must have but each of the premiers over the last few years have had some leg up from the AFL rules of the time. The only way to get respect is to win games then all else is forgotten unless you are Essendon.