Firstly, I believe that the best forward setups going forward will probably tend to include two gun KPF and a mobile third tall. It is also important to have a genuine key forward that can play as second ruck within this mix. Surrounding the KPF needs to be a mix of midfielders or crumbers (and I think Carlton has shown you cannot really have three crumbers). This type of setup provides enough space for the big forwards to operate and ensures enough forward pressure is able to be applied when the ball hits the ground.

At present our midfield is stuck in the Third World and we have an abundance of KPFs which we won’t be able to fit all into the one side. While many will consider our depth in this area to be a good thing, I think we also have to consider the option of trading out a KPF at the end of the year in order to boost our midfield. And this is before any potential Priority Pick #1, which would likely be used on Tom Boyd if it is kept by MFC, because by reports Boyd is the standout #1 in the draft pool. However, a problem we would face with this approach is that most of our key forwards would not reap there full market value at the trade table at this point in time. This is where I see our KPFs currently at:

• Mitch Clark is coming off a bad injury and therefore would not be in high demand. And I doubt we would want to ever trade him if he can get back to fitness. A fully fit Clark also provides some flexibility because he can play in the ruck.
• Jesse Hogan looks to be a genuine top 10 AFL player of the near future and will play immediately next year. He is the most valuable player on our list and is untradeable.
• Jack Watts is finally starting to show his ability at AFL level. Watts has some versatility, in that he can play forward and back (as well as potentially on the wing), but I think he is likely to play his to play his best footy as a third tall forward. I am pretty confident that Watts will improve as he gets stronger/older and I don’t think we would get his full worth at the trade table at this point in time.
• Jeremy Howe also has some versatility in that he can play through the midfield as well as forward. With his marking ability, however, he is really best suited to playing in the forward line. We may get somewhere near Howe’s value if we put him up for trade.
• Jack Fitzpatrick is a long-term project who is starting to show some good signs. Fitzpatrick is also flexible in that he can play as a second ruckman. I think Fitzpatrick has a lot of talent given his pace and size, so I would be reluctant to trade him at such a young age in the absence of an exceptional offer. We won’t get anywhere near good value in a Fitzpatrick trade unless he continues his recent good form for the rest of the year anyhow.
• Provided Max Gawn can stay fit he will likely be our first choice ruckman going forward. Gawn doesn’t have the biggest tank and has shown ability to play as a deep forward. While his ability to play on the ball will improve with a good preseason, I still think he will have to spend good periods ‘resting’ in the forward line next year.
• Chris Dawes is our least flexible key forward in terms of position (possibly along with Hogan) and he has shown that he is not really able to play as a second ruckman. Dawes displays strong leadership and his form has improved since transferring from Collingwood. Dawes is reasonably mobile for a man his size, he takes a few paces to get going and is no Lance Franklin in terms of forward pressure. Dawes trade value has potentially improved with his form since last year. Dawes is 25, so is approaching the peak of his powers. He also commands a high salary/level of salary cap space.

Given this summation of our position, I feel we may have to consider trading Dawes at year end. While this move would be highly unpopular, it may also significantly improve our team, particularly in three years when we hope to become a contender. Carlton, Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Bulldogs are crying out for a KPF at the moment. Some potential trades could be:

1. Dawes + #20 + #40 -> Bryce Gibbs + #50
2. Dawes -> Pearce Hanley
3. Dawes -> Tom Liberatore
4. Dawes + #20 -> David Swallow

I am not strongly advocating this move and the trade would have to be fair, but I think it may be necessary to improve our chances in the future.

Why waste people's time with rubbish.

hell no

You would have a better ROI if you hang onto Fitzpatrick, play him in as many games as we can until the end of next year with the hope of his value increasing dramatically.

They are most likely not all going to be fit at the same time. He is a MUST keep.

Appreciate the hours it took to write your post, but no way.

ahhhhhh NO

Hogan will take some time, and we should rush him. This year in the VFL has been perfect for his development, he then come into the senior side and has little pressure on him with Dawes/Clarke/Watts/Fitz.
If we rush him in there (like Watts when it was him and Robbo down there) its not going to help.

I see Clarke as our Fwd/resting Ruck,
I see Dawes as the true CHF
Watts has a ranging HF
Howe something similar, maybe deeper
Hogan (when he plays) will rotate with Dawes
realistically Fitzy won't be playing if all three are firing. But thats half the beauty.

If we throw all our eggs in the Hogan basket and trade Dawes, we have Watts (been linked to trades, and hasn't shown he is everything YET), Clarke (Still injured, don't know if he'll be back?) Fitzy (has shown a little bit, but......)

Our problem in past years is we are too predictable going forward, (same problem Collingwood have this year)
the beauty of this potential forward line is the unpredictability.
On their day each of Watts, Clarke, Dawes, Hogan, Howe can all easily kick 5

ahhhhhh NO

Hogan will take some time, and we should rush him. This year in the VFL has been perfect for his development, he then come into the senior side and has little pressure on him with Dawes/Clarke/Watts/Fitz.

If we rush him in there (like Watts when it was him and Robbo down there) its not going to help.

I see Clarke as our Fwd/resting Ruck,

I see Dawes as the true CHF

Watts has a ranging HF

Howe something similar, maybe deeper

Hogan (when he plays) will rotate with Dawes

realistically Fitzy won't be playing if all three are firing. But thats half the beauty.

If we throw all our eggs in the Hogan basket and trade Dawes, we have Watts (been linked to trades, and hasn't shown he is everything YET), Clarke (Still injured, don't know if he'll be back?) Fitzy (has shown a little bit, but......)

Our problem in past years is we are too predictable going forward, (same problem Collingwood have this year)

the beauty of this potential forward line is the unpredictability.

On their day each of Watts, Clarke, Dawes, Hogan, Howe can all easily kick 5

I'm impressed that you took the time to read more than the word "Firstly" (which is where I stopped).

Dawes + #20 + #40 -> Bryce Gibbs + #50

Hardcock for [censored]. No thanks.

Dawes should not be traded no. Not really an inspring or intelligent trade scenario here considering we just got him.

If we didnt have him after Mitch went down then what? Fitzy?!? Dawes is a chaser/leader/pack splitter and slots his few goals 2-3 a game. Worth his coin to stay and not an option to trade.

It's an interesting point.

Whilst I don't think the club should trade Dawes specifically, I do think the value of having so many players of one type is you can afford to trade them and there are a number of teams that need key forwards.

In the case of Dawes he provides leadership and experience, two qualities we desperately need.

Worth considering at least I reckon. Gotta put up something good to get something good in return. Would wanna know Mitch'd be making a full recovery first though

It's an interesting point.

Whilst I don't think the club should trade Dawes specifically, I do think the value of having so many players of one type is you can afford to trade them and there are a number of teams that need key forwards.

In the case of Dawes he provides leadership and experience, two qualities we desperately need.

He also plays, unlike Clark.

This is a nice problem to have, but if we end up trading one of our key forwards at seasons end I reckon it will be Fitzy, I hope we keep him, but he'd be the most likely to go possibly on his own accord for more opportunities given our list of tall forwards. If GWS miss out on Franklin and trade their early (Boyd) pick we could always offer Fitzy and our 2nd round pick to GWS for Adams & their 3rd round pick?

You can't trade Dawes, or Clark, after going to such lengths to convince them to come here. What a shocking message to send to any players who might be considering coming here in the future.

Firstly, I really wish people will stop calling Hogan a future superstar or this " top 10 AFL player of the near future" crap. Do we really want to screw up another like Jack Watts?? Poor Wattsy only just come out a week ago saying all the hype, pressures and expectations of being drafted number 1 was his biggest problem and hurdle to overcome.

I would rather be telling Hogan he is average and unproven in AFL football, so he can get even better than he already is (with no pressure at all)

Secondly, even if you had typed up 20 paragraphs and 40 bullet points, nothing will convince anyone with knowledge of football to trade Dawes. He is not only proving the 'paying overs' wrong, but that guy is going to be a massive part of this clubs rebuild. He gets up our players, he takes absolute no crap from anyone and he is arguably the best leader we have out on the park come game day. Better yet, he loves the MFC just like Clark. Those two are never leaving.

You trade fringe talls to clubs seeking height, not a player you only just brought to the club. No one would even take over the contract anyway. We paid "overs" remember?

Dawes should be Captain. Not even considered Trade.

He equals Leadership.

Clown.

I actually did this when I read the first post, so thanks

Valid point regarding the abundance of talls, although not Dawes. Keep playing Fitzpatrick, get his reputation up and trade him to one of the clubs in the Boyd market (who lose of course). He won't make the final 22 next year with all those forwards listed (when Clark and Hogan come in).

no

gee let me think about this for a second.......ah no

Dumb idea.

Forward Line -

Watts / Dawes / Howe

Fitzy (rest Ruck / HFF) / Hogan / Blease

Ruck - Gawn

Ruck Rover - Mitch...

Problem solved...

KEEP EM ALL!!!!