32 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

We're a yoyo team atm. We need to show more than one week of strong form.

But we have.

It's been spoken about ad-nauseum that we've only really dropped 4 qtrs for the year that has unfortunately resulted in three narrow defeats and one moderate one - 2 of them with a skeleton crew on the bench that Richmond and Geelong have clearly benefited from.

A yo-yo team is quite wide of the mark. The Daniher years were yo-yo but not this season.

1 minute ago, McQueen said:

But we have.

It's been spoken about ad-nauseum that we've only really dropped 4 qtrs for the year that has unfortunately resulted in three narrow defeats and one moderate one - 2 of them with a skeleton crew on the bench that Richmond and Geelong have clearly benefited from.

A yo-yo team is quite wide of the mark. The Daniher years were yo-yo but not this season.

That's yoyo enough for me.

Losing any game because of one really poor quarter is exactly that.

The gap between our best and worst footy is yoyo-like.

 

 

4 minutes ago, Tony Tea said:

Richmond is reported to be leading the race for Brisbane's Schache. Are the Tigers now a destination club? Or is Schache a bust?

whether richmond will be a destination club come draft time and they finished ninth on the ladder, is another issue 

5 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

That's yoyo enough for me.

Losing any game because of one really poor quarter is exactly that.

The gap between our best and worst footy is yoyo-like.

 

 

It's a much shorter string on the yo-yo.

Dustin Martin was born to be a Magpie. And they can have him!  I reckon he is one social brain fade away from the end of a career.

1 hour ago, Bay Riffin said:

 

Yes but we were able to convince Hibberd as well who is a quality player.

I totally agree that Hibberd is a quality player and great pick up, but, he isn't in the same category as a Kelly or a Martin who are the 'gun' pick ups most would be talking about.  Technically, Hibberd filled a real need for us across half back but he is also proof that this is what we should be pursuing.  We are building a super list and we just need to recruit the right people to fill the holes we have on the ground, such as a key back.  

I think May is gettable for us and a tier down from a Martin or Kelly, but dollars might be the issue going forward.  A team like Hawthorn may be able to offer more.

1 hour ago, stevethemanjordan said:

 

A key-back and some class and foot-skills through our midfield is all we're lacking. I like Stretch, but not as much as some. He is nowhere near damaging enough with his disposal and I reckon we could do with a hard-running winger with elite foot skills.

 

Which key back do you have your eye on this year, Steve?  Let's take May and Lever off the table for a moment - who are the key backs that clubs would be willing to let go but that will also make our side better?  I agree that it's a need but I'm not sure who we would chase.

1 hour ago, stevethemanjordan said:

^

It's horses for courses. Let's say we offered the same money as other clubs had to either of Kelly or Martin.

Considering we passed on both of them in their draft years, do you believe they'd want to come to us?

I think there are players who'd want to come to us for sure. But not bonafide stars.

I agree with the sentiment steve, but the question for me is 'can we afford bona fide stars anyway?'.  List management decisions and Salary Cap constraints will become more and more critical over the next few years, as key players (eg. Petracca, Gawn, Hunt, Oliver, Hogan et al), come out of contract, and our first priority must be to satisfy our current and emerging stars to keep them together.  I expect that our approach to trading will be to go after proven B graders, to fill specific needs,  Hibberd is a good example of this. He's slotted in beautifully and didn't cost an arm and a leg.

I prefer we look for experienced solid players well performed players like a Lewis and Hibberd type. Forget a big name gun especially one that might bring along some baggage. We are going to have to pay big bucks to keep the likes of Oliver, Hogan Petracca, Gawn and Hunt for the long term if we start tasting success and other players will get more too. Don't know why there's so much interest in Schache. Done bugger all and will cost a premium just because he was a prime draft pick. Let others go for the big ticket players and we should look at who they discard to make way.

Edited May 17, 20178 yr by america de cali

I'm not sure a star tall back is our best approach. We have Tom McDonald who is strong, Oscar is developing and in another 2 years will be at the level of his brother. Provided Sam Frost can string more games together and not get injured as he has been prone too, I think he is a great prospect. Joel Smith whilst not as tall has a ridiculous vertical leap and showed enough aggression for mine early in the year before he did his shoulder to show he can be strong in a couple of years as well. 

We have the inside midfield strength. 

I agree with those that have said we need to target outside run. Another Jayden Hunt would be good! It depends on what we have to give up to get a 4-5 year player as opposed to at the draft. I also think we also need another key forward tall at the draft. Hard to get I know, but on the wishlist!

No point going after a Martin or Fyfe type in my opinion. Gun players, but give up far too much to get them and arguably put too much emphasis on one player. 

2 minutes ago, america de cali said:

I prefer we look for experienced solid players well performed players like a Lewis and Hibberd type. Forget a big name gun especially one that might bring along some baggage. We are going to have to pay big bucks to keep the likes of Oliver, Hogan Petracca, Gawn and Hunt for the long term if we start tasting success. Don't know why there's so much interest in Schache. Done bugger all and cost a premium just because he was a prime draft pick. Let others go for the big ticket players and we should look at who they discard to make way.

Reputation and panic is why there is so much interest.  He was highly regarded as a junior and clubs like the Tigers and Pies are desperate for that young key forward that will anchor their forward line for a decade.  Not sure if Schache is that guy, but they will go hard at him regardless.  It could work out well or blow up in their face.  It's the same as Boyd getting a million dollar deal and the Saints taking McCartin over Petracca.  

6 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Reputation and panic is why there is so much interest.  He was highly regarded as a junior and clubs like the Tigers and Pies are desperate for that young key forward that will anchor their forward line for a decade.  Not sure if Schache is that guy, but they will go hard at him regardless.  It could work out well or blow up in their face.  It's the same as Boyd getting a million dollar deal and the Saints taking McCartin over Petracca.  

always reminds me of this

 

2 hours ago, stevethemanjordan said:

^

It's horses for courses. Let's say we offered the same money as other clubs had to either of Kelly or Martin.

Considering we passed on both of them in their draft years, do you believe they'd want to come to us?

I think there are players who'd want to come to us for sure. But not bonafide stars.

Of course it is horses for courses and yes if they see success and the right $ they will come to us. Do we want them is our question, competitive and character are 2 of the biggest things we look for in players. Do we need bonafide starts, possibly 1 but gee wiz we have a few in the making on our current list.

I'll take it direct from Mahns, we have player managers calling us to see if we are interested and are listening to us when we call.

Destination club.

38 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Which key back do you have your eye on this year, Steve?  Let's take May and Lever off the table for a moment - who are the key backs that clubs would be willing to let go but that will also make our side better?  I agree that it's a need but I'm not sure who we would chase.

Just putting a few names out there:

Robbie Tarrant - North Melbourne

Lachlan Hansen - North Melbourne

Adam Tomlinson - GWS

Rory Thompson - Gold Coast

Kieran Collins - Bulldogs

 

Non of them are stars but could fit into our team as a strong fullback. 

44 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

I totally agree that Hibberd is a quality player and great pick up, but, he isn't in the same category as a Kelly or a Martin who are the 'gun' pick ups most would be talking about.  Technically, Hibberd filled a real need for us across half back but he is also proof that this is what we should be pursuing.  We are building a super list and we just need to recruit the right people to fill the holes we have on the ground, such as a key back.  

I think May is gettable for us and a tier down from a Martin or Kelly, but dollars might be the issue going forward.  A team like Hawthorn may be able to offer more.

I agree. I don't think we need to trade in a "gun" we've got Petracca, Oliver, Hogan and Viney on our list who will all need to be satisfied with decent contracts. A key defender who can kick/make good decisions, a skilled outside player with speed and a forward/ruck are our 3 priorities. We don't need to trade in a million dollar player for that and can look to draft some speed/skill.

37 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Which key back do you have your eye on this year, Steve?  Let's take May and Lever off the table for a moment - who are the key backs that clubs would be willing to let go but that will also make our side better?  I agree that it's a need but I'm not sure who we would chase.

Well they'd be first on the list for me, but aside from them I'd enquire about Jackson Trengove from Port who I believe is a free agent. I've gone a bit off Mackenzie at West Coast, he keeps getting injured. Any of May, Lever or Trengove would be huge gets. I understand people think Tom McDonald, Frost and Oscar are enough, but as far as quality goes I completely disagree. 

You only have to look at St Kilda's injection of Carlisle and Brown to see what it's done for players like Roberton and Webster who both had to play much taller last year and sacrifice their natural game. 

Tom McDonald needs to play more freely as that third tall up and having Frost and Oscar in the same side makes us vulnerable, especially if our mids aren't on top. Frost is only a game away from committing crazy and bizarre errors. I like him, but he is hit and miss. 

We just need a really settled, strong and mature key defender who does a lot right and who can change the dynamic of our backline and give confidence to others to play their natural game.

The other side of the "destination club" phase is that some of the ok but fringe players may want to leave to get opportunities elsewhere, i.e. ANB, VDB, etc... if they feel they can't play their freferred position at MFC but may fill that role elsewhere..?

 

1 hour ago, stevethemanjordan said:

^ As has been said before, contracts rarely matter these days if a player wants out.

If Adelaide had satisfied Carlton with their offer, he would have been there. They didn't and he stayed.

 

Ok Fonz....can you just admit you could be wr.....

We all know that uncontracted players get where they want to go...we have to go back a long way to find one that didn't.

Contracted players are a little more difficult as the club has more the whip hand as we've seen with Gibbs and McCarthy.

If a deal is struck with the clubs then it will be done.

You were making a point on St Kilda having a better bargaining power on Martin & Kelly than we do.

They don't on an uncontracted player if the player wants to come to us.

Martin is also a free agent so there need be no negotiation with Richmond, just a big pay rise for Martin.

I'm not particularly interested in either by the way as I think the cost benefit doesn't add up.

Is Martin definately leaving or just holding out to test his market value??

2 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

The other side of the "destination club" phase is that some of the ok but fringe players may want to leave to get opportunities elsewhere, i.e. ANB, VDB, etc... if they feel they can't play their freferred position at MFC but may fill that role elsewhere..?

 

That's a good point - and I guess thats the reality of not been the best player in a particular position. I also get a feel that most of on Demonland feel we don't need a gun per se - and that being a Destination club with good 'kulcha' means you get B graders to fill specific roles, whilst we have A graders who have grown and matured organically in the MFC system.

16 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

We just need a really settled, strong and mature key defender who does a lot right and who can change the dynamic of our backline and give confidence to others to play their natural game.

Totally agree with you on this...

6 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

The other side of the "destination club" phase is that some of the ok but fringe players may want to leave to get opportunities elsewhere, i.e. ANB, VDB, etc... if they feel they can't play their freferred position at MFC but may fill that role elsewhere..?

 

well you often have to give to get. It's about us bettering OUR role players

1 hour ago, daisycutter said:

whether richmond will be a destination club come draft time and they finished ninth on the ladder, is another issue 

Of course they're a destination club....destined for 9th !! 

46 minutes ago, Siren said:

Just putting a few names out there:

Robbie Tarrant - North Melbourne

Lachlan Hansen - North Melbourne

Adam Tomlinson - GWS

Rory Thompson - Gold Coast

Kieran Collins - Bulldogs

 

Non of them are stars but could fit into our team as a strong fullback. 

Daniel McStay

13 minutes ago, rjay said:

Totally agree with you on this...

I agree with it as well rjay and @stevethemanjordan - the trouble will be finding the right player for the right price.  

I like the idea of Trengove and he may be someone falling slightly under the radar in terms of interest.  The problem we face is prying them free from their clubs, as they don't just grow on trees and are easily replaced.  Hopefully as the season progresses a few other viable options present themselves.