Let's not forget we have Jones & Vince to bring in this new generation - They're A graders in their importance on and off the field to us. Imagine if we didn't have them.

They're very good players on their day. They're a step or two down from A-graders.

16 and 35 for Bennell and 22.

Bloody good win for Freo.

Richmond and Gold Coast may have an entirely different view. GC may thank their lucky stars.

I wonder what they might do with pick 16?

Pick 3 & 35 for Howe & 6? Geez please nominate GC Jeremy...

The only thing this club can trade for is draft picks it's pathetic Roos hasn't landed a big fish since he got here and nothing will change in the next 2 weeks well the good clubs scoop the pool, it's just taken us 10

Years to beat Geelong and in one trade period the [censored] pricks have gone strait past us again what's the point.

Collingwood to go past us too with Trelour and Aish. Meanwhile we are begging for crumbs. It ain't easy being Melbourne lol

16 and 35 for Bennell and 22.

Bloody good win for Freo.

Fortune favours the brave ! That's why there winners .

Pick 3 & 35 for Howe & 6? Geez please nominate GC Jeremy...

Yeah this would be our biggest off season win if we could pull that off.

Choice of Curnow, Parish or Francis would be wonderful.

Massive win for Fremantle.

Freo must have given up on McCarthy. Will they play for Howe?

6 pick downgrade and a second rounder, it's a huge win for Fremantle if he thrives.

McCarthy might have to wait a year unless they use future picks.

The only thing this club can trade for is draft picks it's pathetic Roos hasn't landed a big fish since he got here and nothing will change in the next 2 weeks well the good clubs scoop the pool, it's just taken us 10

Years to beat Geelong and in one trade period the [censored] pricks have gone strait past us again what's the point.

Collingwood to go past us too with Trelour and Aish. Meanwhile we are begging for crumbs. It ain't easy being Melbourne lol

Haven't had a notification the sky is falling ....

Marcus Ashcroft now on TR. Let's see if Howe is mentioned.

edit: Ashcroft confirms that pick 3 and pick 6 with Howe has been discussed in a pick upgrade.

Is this the thread for "the sky is falling" ?

Some of you are jellybacks.

Haven't had a notification the sky is falling ....

Marcus Ashcroft now on TR. Let's see if Howe is mentioned.

Sorry - jinx.

Already feel sick watching Geelong clean up so easily so far.

At a minimum, West Coast should have matched the effort for Selwood. Complaining at the compensation for an RFA is redundant, they could have engineered a situation where they got something better and Geelong actually have to pay up.

Cats have killed it so far. Anyone who doesn't think they've already materially improved the list within three days is kidding themselves. And talk of a massive fall is nothing but hopeful.

Howe and 25 for Prestia and 3 and 6 swap

We end up with Prestia and 3 ..... Lose Howe and 6 and 25?

At a minimum, West Coast should have matched the effort for Selwood. Complaining at the compensation for an RFA is redundant, they could have engineered a situation where they got something better and Geelong actually have to pay up.

Cats have killed it so far. Anyone who doesn't think they've already materially improved the list within three days is kidding themselves. And talk of a massive fall is nothing but hopeful.

They got one of the best players in the AFL, of course they are materially improved their list. Who is arguing otherwise?

I am not sure how much Selwood or Henderson will help, as both are only average players. But anyone who gets an A+ grade midfielder is bound to see improvement in their list.

16 and 35 for Bennell and 22.

Bloody good win for Freo.

Very similar compensation to what we are proposing to spend on Melksham. I know which one I would prefer to take a punt on (hint: it's not the scrawny bloke with the WADA investigation hanging over his head).

Oh for god sake that a deep breath, go for a walk, have a coffee.

There is still a week of the trade period to go.

Roos arrived to a VFL level list that was always going to take five plus year to turn it into a top four list.

we are at the end of the second year.

The list improved substantially last year and will again this year.

As for Geelong you have no idea what they will produce next year why not wait and see before announcing their improvement.

We could easily improve by a similar amount and still beat them.

Oh so positive OD. I will get you appointed to the Cheer Squad.

Ashcroft says o'meara and Prestia ready for round 1

Could you believe that.

Jeez there are set dead set sad sods in here. The expectations that an A grader will all of a suddan leap us into a finals is outrageous.

Where was Port Adelaides A grader when they rose up the ladder? Where was the Western Bulldogs A grade elite when they rose up last year.

It takes 22 blokes not an individual. Wont be the end of the world if we dont land one.

Not disagreeing with you, but Boak, Wingard, Gray, Wines and Hartlett all say hi.

List managers should study examples from other leagues where trading future picks is accepted. It has absolutely destroyed the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL).

In the early 2000s, The Leafs did essentially what the Cats have done by loading up on stars and removing themselves from future drafts. The gamble didn't pay off as they never made it to a final and struggled for years. Not learning their lesson, they made a trade to acquire a star player (Phil Kessel) from Boston in 2009. This trade involved two future first round picks, and sure enough, the Leafs finished near the bottom despite having Kessel. Boston ended up having the second overall selection at the 2010 draft and the 9th overall selection in 2011, and landed two very, very good players. Toronto has qualified for the playoffs once since 2009, losing to, as you'd expect, Boston. They're now back down at the bottom of the standings with a terrible list, no end in site, and Kessel is now playing for Pittsburgh.

Your comparison with American sports such is NHL and NBA is not valid. Those sports have on rink/court numbers of 6 and 5 respectively. You add a Gretzky or LeBron onto any team, and you'll immediately become a finals team. The same doesn't apply to the AFL. Plus the future pick that Geelong are giving up next year will be between 12-18, which you'd hardly factor in as a potential elite player.

Also, by being successful you have more chance of being a destination club of choice for FA's and uncontracted players.

Official, Bennell & 22 for 16 & 35 to Freo. Maybe this paves the way for GC to get the Howe deal done!

Edit 22*

Agreed, we just need Howe to nominate Gold Coast now.

Not getting Prestia this year may be a blessing.

Next year he'll be out of contract, therefore making a trade more likely without needing to pay massive overs, and we'll have a good idea how he has recovered from his meniscus injury.

Agreed, we just need Howe to nominate Gold Coast now.

howe doesn't have to "nominate" anyone

we agree on terms with gc. then we ask howe to accept a trade. no "nominating" needed. he can accept or decline whatever gc offer him

howe doesn't have to "nominate" anyone

we agree on terms with gc. then we ask howe to accept a trade. no "nominating" needed. he can accept or decline whatever gc offer him

Yes, this has all got very arze about. His manager slyly runs that out about destinations etc and hasnt been pulled up on it.., well publicly. Im sure the club has a differing outlook.

Not disagreeing with you, but Boak, Wingard, Gray, Wines and Hartlett all say hi.

Exactly my point is that they developed their own. It just all clicked that year.

Whats to say it can't happen to us next year?

Exactly my point is that they developed their own. It just all clicked that year.

Whats to say it can't happen to us next year?

Nothing.....lets hope !!!! ( like hell )