So what you're telling me is my strategy is to make mistake after mistake with high draft picks?

Just because we stuffed up the majority of our high picks doesn't mean that building through the draft is a flawed strategy. The strategy is fine - it's the implementation of the strategy that is important.

Do you think if we had picked up the likes of Shuey, Rioli, Dangerfield, Beams, etc. we would be in the position we are in now?

No, I'm just saying improvement will be slow and right now I'm happy to get players who will at the very least get us out of the bottom four. Only from there can we start to build a team that will get into the top eight and then top four.

Living in Brisbane I see a lot of Lions games, Sauce can seriously play, he's not the guy to prance around and look busy like Frawley, he actually defends and directs the other back men. He can actually use the ball unlike our current back men. Have him and Harry O and we'll make big strides off back next year.

No, I'm just saying improvement will be slow and right now I'm happy to get players who will at the very least get us out of the bottom four. Only from there can we start to build a team that will get into the top eight and then top four.

I agree with this a lot

First step for us is to improve our depth and get out of the bottom 4 - Merrett will def help that cause

Living in Brisbane I see a lot of Lions games, Sauce can seriously play, he's not the guy to prance around and look busy like Frawley, he actually defends and directs the other back men. He can actually use the ball unlike our current back men. Have him and Harry O and we'll make big strides off back next year.

While I think your a little harsh on Chip (but fair calls) I agree that Sauce can play!

Get him Dees!

No, I'm just saying improvement will be slow and right now I'm happy to get players who will at the very least get us out of the bottom four. Only from there can we start to build a team that will get into the top eight and then top four.

I agree, and in the past I've been supportive of the 'slow burn rebuilds' as initiated by Dean Bailey that we've been stuck in ever since. This time though I'm at risk of dying of boredom waiting for the team to come good.

In regards to what Brisbane want for Merrett, I think the fact that they are shopping him around, they want to offload his contract, and they would take the steak knives as a trade.

You don't offer a player who is 30 and has 2 more years of a contract up for trade and then play hardball with any suitors that might come your way.

Yes, we would hve Melbourne'd any elite player during the past 10 years

I don't buy that argument.

It's not like Morton or Gysberts suddenly became great players at WCE and North. I can understand there may have ben 'damage' done already but they weren't even deemed good enough to be retained by their new clubs for more than a year.

Sylvia is another good example. Melbourne supporters went on and on every year about how good Sylvia could be. Despite being in a good footy environment and under an excellent coach he has been kept out of Freo's best 22.

I accept we have had development issues - but to say Dangerfield, Rioli, Beams and co. would have flunked at Melbourne and that guys like Strauss and Tapscott would be stars elsewhere is just plain wrong. Our drafting pre-2013 has been disgusting.

Well it'd actually be Merrett & 5 for Fitzpatrick, 3 and 62. We get 41 from Carlton for Fitzy & 62.

Merrett would be Full Back for 2 years allowing Frost to develop out at Casey.

And I reckon Pick 5 instead of 3 is neither here nor there. We should land Peter Wright at 5 who will help look after our ruck stocks which are far from great and he also has the ability to go forward. If we take McCartin at 3 it creates the problem of playing McCartin, Hogan & Dawes in the same forward line when none are capable of playing in the ruck as chop out.

Merrett is 30 next season. Surely we can do better than Merrett for a #3 to #5 swap. I would prefer a second round pick.

Yes, we would hve Melbourne'd any elite player during the past 10 years

That's a cop out.

So the good players we have are besides the point.

The ones who leave and can't make it at another club are also besides the point.

Anyone no good was great, but was Melbourne'd. Rubbish.

You need to talk to other clubs recruiters and find out what they said about many of our picks, we were a laughing stock at the draft in those years.

Most people in the know would agree that we stuffed up several drafts, end of story.

That's a cop out.

So the good players we have are besides the point.

The ones who leave and can't make it at another club are also besides the point.

Anyone no good was great, but was Melbourne'd. Rubbish.

You need to talk to other clubs recruiters and find out what they said about many of our picks, we were a laughing stock at the draft in those years.

Most people in the know would agree that we stuffed up several drafts, end of story.

We "Prendergasted" those drafts. Prendergasted.

It's a real word now.

I don't buy that argument.

It's not like Morton or Gysberts suddenly became great players at WCE and North. I can understand there may have ben 'damage' done already but they weren't even deemed good enough to be retained by their new clubs for more than a year.

Sylvia is another good example. Melbourne supporters went on and on every year about how good Sylvia could be. Despite being in a good footy environment and under an excellent coach he has been kept out of Freo's best 22.

I accept we have had development issues - but to say Dangerfield, Rioli, Beams and co. would have flunked at Melbourne and that guys like Strauss and Tapscott would be stars elsewhere is just plain wrong. Our drafting pre-2013 has been disgusting.

this just shows how desperate we are for some success, some stars to hold hope in. We should never have been allowed to get this way for 50 Yrs. thats very ingrained pain, & acceptance of not much.

we are rebelling now, & the AFL have stepped in to try to help. we have to learn to be noisier wheels with our feet at the turnstiles to get things happening.

Merrett is 30 next season. Surely we can do better than Merrett for a #3 to #5 swap. I would prefer a second round pick.

no, strength & maturity is just what we need, & 'Change' to alter our culture ways... the strength & maturity to hold the place together as we Roos & Stone & friends, teach our young all over again, 'the Right Ways'

Frost will need some guidance & I'm sure won't play every game as he learns & develops so we need players from either end of the age bracket, those talents young & learning, & those older & stronger who can hold the Fort.

In regards to what Brisbane want for Merrett, I think the fact that they are shopping him around, they want to offload his contract, and they would take the steak knives as a trade.

You don't offer a player who is 30 and has 2 more years of a contract up for trade and then play hardball with any suitors that might come your way.

but he may be a part of a deal involving Beams, Lamumba, picks & other?

I don't buy that argument.

It's not like Morton or Gysberts suddenly became great players at WCE and North. I can understand there may have ben 'damage' done already but they weren't even deemed good enough to be retained by their new clubs for more than a year.

Sylvia is another good example. Melbourne supporters went on and on every year about how good Sylvia could be. Despite being in a good footy environment and under an excellent coach he has been kept out of Freo's best 22.

I accept we have had development issues - but to say Dangerfield, Rioli, Beams and co. would have flunked at Melbourne and that guys like Strauss and Tapscott would be stars elsewhere is just plain wrong. Our drafting pre-2013 has been disgusting.

I think a good culture and a good system can somewhat "salvage" a poor pick, but we had the bloody quinella.

I agree, and in the past I've been supportive of the 'slow burn rebuilds' as initiated by Dean Bailey that we've been stuck in ever since. This time though I'm at risk of dying of boredom waiting for the team to come good.

I'm simply at the risk of dying waiting for the team to come good.

I'm simply at the risk of dying waiting for the team to come good.

At least you've seen a MFC premiership in your lifetime mate.

At least you've seen a MFC premiership in your lifetime mate.

Yes, I'd not long celebrated my 38th birthday!

Yes, I'd not long celebrated my 38th birthday!

I could live to your ripe age of 90 and never see a Melbourne flag.

Then again, I could get to that age and never see Melbourne win another game full stop.

I could live to your ripe age of 90 and never see a Melbourne flag.

Then again, I could get to that age and never see Melbourne win another game full stop.

You pizzed again Moonie?

We "Prendergasted" those drafts. Prendergasted.

It's a real word now.

The filter on Demonland is stuffed. How do posters get away with using words like this?

It's amusing that no one ever has it on good authority we are looking at Sauce or Frost yet everyone is all over Danger or any other highly sought after target. A couple

I reckon Sauce would be a good addition the club with Frawley and Clarke gone... A useful swing man to help fill in while Hogan develops. We still need some mids though.... so would be a bonus if packed up

Say pick 2 for Sauce and Redden? (not sure if thats a good deal for the Lions but I like Redden he's a sold player) And I do like a good rumor so keep them coming lads.......

Mahoney stated on SEN we are looking at both.

Mahoney stated on SEN we are looking at both.

Not sure what you mean but that was my point

It wasn't until Mahoney on SEN or Trade Radio brought it up that we on Demonland were talking abou tthem as targets..... Where is all the good mail and inside sources al la Paddy D?

Not sure if anyone bothered to listen to Peter Schwab yesterday on SEN, but he said in reference to Merrett that they had been talkin to a few teams about him and that Melbourne was a team "that had shown some interest but that has now dropped off."

I'd assume asking price is too high for our liking.

Not sure if anyone bothered to listen to Peter Schwab yesterday on SEN, but he said in reference to Merrett that they had been talkin to a few teams about him and that Melbourne was a team "that had shown some interest but that has now dropped off."

I'd assume asking price is too high for our liking.

Thank God.

Hope we are into big Sauce he is a valuable aqquisition for many teams and will be snapped up . Play him as a defender at the dees all year we are undersized against alot of teams .

Daniher

Hawkins

Clarke

Tippet

Hale

Norfs young Ben

The list goes on

I'd be disappointed if we didn't try and get him to plug a gap for a couple of years at the right price.