http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-18/lions-waiting-on-leuey

Brisbane Lions free agent Matthew Leuenberger has put off contract negotiations until the end of the year and has been left out of the team for this week. Prodigiously talented, though injury ravaged, he has struggled to share the ruck duties with the MFC's own Stefan Martin.

With Jamar most likely hanging up the boots at the end of the year and neither Gawn, nor Spencer beating down the door; could Melbourne spend some of their massive salary cap surplus on this 202cm, 104kg, athletic ruck?

I would certainly think that as a free agent, who would only cost money and not a player/pick, Leuenberger would be a good addition to the list and the presumptive starting ruck in 2016.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-18/lions-waiting-on-leuey

Brisbane Lions free agent Matthew Leuenberger has put off contract negotiations until the end of the year and has been left out of the team for this week. Prodigiously talented, though injury ravaged, he has struggled to share the ruck duties with the MFC's own Stefan Martin.

With Jamar most likely hanging up the boots at the end of the year and neither Gawn, nor Spencer beating down the door; could Melbourne spend some of their massive salary cap surplus on this 202cm, 104kg, athletic ruck?

I would certainly think that as a free agent, who would only cost money and not a player/pick, Leuenberger would be a good addition to the list and the presumptive starting ruck in 2016.

Injury prone is still a worry....

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-18/lions-waiting-on-leuey

Brisbane Lions free agent Matthew Leuenberger has put off contract negotiations until the end of the year and has been left out of the team for this week. Prodigiously talented, though injury ravaged, he has struggled to share the ruck duties with the MFC's own Stefan Martin.

With Jamar most likely hanging up the boots at the end of the year and neither Gawn, nor Spencer beating down the door; could Melbourne spend some of their massive salary cap surplus on this 202cm, 104kg, athletic ruck?

I would certainly think that as a free agent, who would only cost money and not a player/pick, Leuenberger would be a good addition to the list and the presumptive starting ruck in 2016.

He is the type of player we desperately need, a ruck/mid...

Worth a punt as a free agent one would think.

Wouldn't overpay him with his injury history, but would certainly be keen on an offer.

Unless Sandilands retires I think most interstate teams are pretty set for rucks. Port, West Coast and GWS are surely out of the picture. And Sydney might be trade banned so unable to offer above average wage.

So he might be looking towards Victoria.

I think the following clubs are pretty set: North (Goldstein), Dogs (Minson), Richmond (Maric), Hawks (McEvoy/Ceglar), Saints (Longer/Hickey), Bombers (Bellchambers)

Unless you think Leuny can play well in a 2 ruck system I can't see them investing in him.

So that leaves:

Geelong - but they might need the Danger money and have got so many injury prone big men.

Collingwood - who might stick with Grundy and Witts if they have solid years this year

Carlton - who have Kreuzer, Wood and Warnock all on the list but don't get much from him.

Maybe not too much competition if we can convince him of the team having a solid future and him being a part of it.

A ruckman will be the #1 priority at seasons end for the MFC

A ruckman will be the #1 priority at seasons end for the MFC

doubt it... its still ready to go mids

Good mids can win 'anyones' taps

An talented but injury prone ruckman from the Brisbane Lions? Haven't we gone down this path before with not too much success?

An talented but injury prone ruckman from the Brisbane Lions? Haven't we gone down this path before with not too much success?

You've got me stumped... Who?

You've got me stumped... Who?

I wish I could suppress bad memories as well as you...

You've got me stumped... Who?

are you in a Ditch in the Dark ?

Wow...

Don't know how I put that out of my mind..?

Now gonna try to put it out again!

are you in a Ditch in the Dark ?

Don't start going all GNF on us BB!

A ruckman will be the #1 priority at seasons end for the MFC

doubt it... its still ready to go mids

Good mids can win 'anyones' taps

A ruck who can get a lot of his own ball would be a priority I think.

This type of player is another mid rather than just a tap gorilla.

Wouldn't overpay him with his injury history ...

Then you won't get him. Why choose Melbourne unless they paid overs ?

An talented but injury prone ruckman from the Brisbane Lions? Haven't we gone down this path before with not too much success?

Like..?

Like..?

Oh come on...

Where's all this depth gone......

We need a ruckman, another key forward(even if we draft one) and still more mids.

Wouldn't overpay him with his injury history, but would certainly be keen on an offer.

Unless Sandilands retires I think most interstate teams are pretty set for rucks. Port, West Coast and GWS are surely out of the picture. And Sydney might be trade banned so unable to offer above average wage.

So he might be looking towards Victoria.

I think the following clubs are pretty set: North (Goldstein), Dogs (Minson), Richmond (Maric), Hawks (McEvoy/Ceglar), Saints (Longer/Hickey), Bombers (Bellchambers)

Unless you think Leuny can play well in a 2 ruck system I can't see them investing in him.

So that leaves:

Geelong - but they might need the Danger money and have got so many injury prone big men.

Collingwood - who might stick with Grundy and Witts if they have solid years this year

Carlton - who have Kreuzer, Wood and Warnock all on the list but don't get much from him.

Maybe not too much competition if we can convince him of the team having a solid future and him being a part of it.

imo look to the blues unloading a ruck. so I think they could be looking as they refresh the culture there.

.... now would we look at Kreuzer? if he was able to get a change of scenery?

imo look to the blues unloading a ruck. so I think they could be looking as they refresh the culture there.

.... now would we look at Kreuzer? if he was able to get a change of scenery?

What would you give Carlton... a trainload of 'irony' perhaps

Edited April 17, 201510 yr by beelzebub

Partly depends on how well, and in what kind of roles, Gawn develops. But our ruck stock is very limited once Jamar retires (and I hope he'll play on a few more years) and Looburger is clearly an option.

Getting him as a free agent would be a major win, with the standard caveat that we should never grossly overpay anyone.

What would you give Carlton... a trainload of 'irony' perhaps

ironing? don't believe in it.

No, I'm wondering with the now publicly accepted 'blue print' that is still dripping wet. that the first problem with the blues is the culture is soft & irresponsible.

as we now know, the only way to change that, is to clear out the infected & bring in fresh minds & abilities, in the areas they want to improve in.

they're rucks have underperformed brilliantly, & the Kruz is just about done over there IMO. he needs a fresh start & surrounding before he gets too old. he is now 25.

there could be a merry go round this year in ruck stocks? & with changes in the pipes Re rotations??? I think I'd like the kruz...

Edited April 17, 201510 yr by dee-luded

I recall his name popping up on the trade table. Word on the vine was he wanted to go back west.

Intriguing prospect, could elevate us another notch if he were fit and firing. Just unsure of the cost, his injury history would have me worried if we had to pay big for him.

Then you won't get him. Why choose Melbourne unless they paid overs ?

Because I don't know who else will offer him regular first team football and I don't know many teams who have the cash around for a 2nd ruck who can't play forward.

Obviously things change between now and the end of the year but right now I don't think there'd be a heap of interest for clubs paying him big money.

imo look to the blues unloading a ruck. so I think they could be looking as they refresh the culture there.

.... now would we look at Kreuzer? if he was able to get a change of scenery?

No way. Kreuzer is more injury prone than Leueny. He's also not as good. Very little physicality and isn't a big man.