3 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

No, I'm informed reliably they do.

I got married in those socks and that was a lucky day, we beat Essendon too.

48 minutes ago, Deecisive said:

We have a player here potentially in reasonably high demand from other clubs and we are bagging him as not being good enough,way to go to lower his trade value.

Deecisive, I'm pretty sure we don't hold any new IP here. Clubs aren't eagerly awaiting our next post to make their next trade move

Edited August 24, 20177 yr by Demons1858

Thank God

4 hours ago, rjay said:

Jake has been smashed by their 2nd tier ruckmen in the past....why would they be interested?

They are about to lose 2 key position players, and a heap of age/experience.  They have very little depth in the "big man" category, especially in the ruck.  Jake is competitive at best against a majority of rucks in the league, but the reality is for the dogs, quality rucks don't just appear.  He would be an ample stop-gap until something better comes along/develops, and will cost the SFA in the process.

I reckon he could make a fist of it as the number one at a new club given the right headspace. Strong, aggressive, big tank, tackles with intent, can take a mark and kick goals when given the opportunity. He ticks some boxes.

Plenty thought Martin would amount to little. He's gone okay.

I wish Pencil luck next season wherever he is.

 

2 hours ago, beelzebub said:

As if anything we say is going to alter reality.

Other clubs' FD/recruiting will have established the relative value of every player. Just as our's will have.

Stop talking sense.

6 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Stop talking sense.

Sorry. At least be comforted in knowing it's rare..

1 hour ago, The Chazz said:

They are about to lose 2 key position players, and a heap of age/experience.  They have very little depth in the "big man" category, especially in the ruck.  Jake is competitive at best against a majority of rucks in the league, but the reality is for the dogs, quality rucks don't just appear.  He would be an ample stop-gap until something better comes along/develops, and will cost the SFA in the process.

Jake is not a quality ruck, not knocking him but he is a battler. Struggles against players with half decent ruck craft and doesn't do enough around the ground.

They already have Tom Campbell who I suggest is a better, more rounded player. They also have Tim English developing, probably a couple of years away at least.

They would be looking at a walk up 1st ruck and probably will go after someone like the big yank at the pies.

1 hour ago, P-man said:

Plenty thought Martin would amount to little. He's gone okay.

Martin had shown plenty when given the number 1 slot here but was unlucky that Jamar was the chosen one and a few side issues got in the way.

He looked like failing again at Brisbane until fate stepped in (Big Luey injury) and he got the number one slot and hasn't really looked back apart from a short time where they again thought they could make him a KPP and share the ruck.

He needs to work on ball. Simple.

 

53 minutes ago, rjay said:

Jake is not a quality ruck, not knocking him but he is a battler. Struggles against players with half decent ruck craft and doesn't do enough around the ground.

They already have Tom Campbell who I suggest is a better, more rounded player. They also have Tim English developing, probably a couple of years away at least.

They would be looking at a walk up 1st ruck and probably will go after someone like the big yank at the pies.

Martin had shown plenty when given the number 1 slot here but was unlucky that Jamar was the chosen one and a few side issues got in the way.

He looked like failing again at Brisbane until fate stepped in (Big Luey injury) and he got the number one slot and hasn't really looked back apart from a short time where they again thought they could make him a KPP and share the ruck.

He needs to work on ball. Simple.

 

That's my point, quality rucks are rare. Jake isn't. You misunderstood if you think I'm saying he is.

But I'm confused, are you saying Cox is first ruck worthy? I'd take Spencer any day over Cox. And if Spencer is either pushing for Campbell''s spot, or potentially taking it from him, then he's worth the 2 year deal for them.

1 hour ago, rjay said:

Martin had shown plenty when given the number 1 slot here but was unlucky that Jamar was the chosen one and a few side issues got in the way.

He looked like failing again at Brisbane until fate stepped in (Big Luey injury) and he got the number one slot and hasn't really looked back apart from a short time where they again thought they could make him a KPP and share the ruck.

Irrespective of what promise Martin showed as a primary ruck on any given week, he was never Melbourne's number one man. He went to another level once he took on that mantle another club. I'm not saying Spencer will do the same. But I think he could.

I think personal issues with Neeld (and a run in with Todd Viney) was why we never saw the best of Stef.

His 2011 form was quite solid. From memory, he barely got a look in once the reality bus got parked in the driveway.

We tended to put less emphasis on current form back then. Pedders would have made way for Watts/Gawn without the question being asked if it were possible to play all of them if it were 2011.

Yes Big Jake is likely to make move on. Likely option is Power .  They have plenty of salary cap and need to support Ryder. Lobbe is not up to it

Edited August 24, 20177 yr by spirit of norm smith
Sx

12 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Yes Big Jake is likely to make move on. Likely option is Power .  They have plenty of salary cap and need to support Ryder. Lobbe is not up to it

So he will go from being a back up for Gawn to a backup for Ryder.

Hardly seems like a great career move. The problem is that no one would be promising him the first ruck position. 

I have a friend who works at the local footy club and with a sports agency. He says 8 clubs are interested in Jake and Melbourne is not one of them. As of now he said 4 clubs are actively pursuing for his signature. I see why too. You can get him cheap as chips and if your main ruckman goes down, you have a reliable backup. 

4 hours ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I think personal issues with Neeld (and a run in with Todd Viney) was why we never saw the best of Stef.

His 2011 form was quite solid. From memory, he barely got a look in once the reality bus got parked in the driveway.

Mitch Clarke would chuckle at that euphemism Colin!

15 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Mitch Clarke would chuckle at that euphemism Colin!

Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more !!!

44 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Mitch Clarke would chuckle at that euphemism Colin!

Would be a Kodak moment...of sorts 

I think clubs may be interested in Spencer in the same manner WC were interested in drafting Johnathon Giles. If you are a top side and your ruck stocks are volatile - then a Jake Spencer as a back up option makes sense. I would think Richmond, Essendon, Bulldogs, Geelong, GWS, Adelaide, and Sydney - could all do with back up options. Spencer will get picked up if we cut him loose. Not only are we living in an era of sub par ruck man, but also an era of injury prone players, an era of concussion, and an era of soft tissue injury. Not to mention the fact that a player only has to miss tackle, or aggressively handle an opposing ruckman and he is suspended. If opposition teams do not have 3-4 ruck man on their list then they are stupid.

Edited August 24, 20177 yr by KingDingAling

30 minutes ago, KingDingAling said:

. If opposition teams do not have 3-4 ruck man on their list then they are stupid.

So that would mean we have to draft another 1-2 ruckmen if Jake leaves....what fun for the trade board.

Very important perhaps for Weideman to develop his ruck skills as well as his forward play.

9 hours ago, HulkHogan said:

I have a friend who works at the local footy club and with a sports agency. He says 8 clubs are interested in Jake and Melbourne is not one of them. As of now he said 4 clubs are actively pursuing for his signature. I see why too. You can get him cheap as chips and if your main ruckman goes down, you have a reliable backup. 

That is good news.  He will have a better chance of getting AFL games as the 1st back up ruckman.  Now that Pedobear is re signed and the success with TMc ruck/forward, Jake is 2nd or 3rd back up so little chance of getting games.

The club has been pretty decent about these types of trades and won't ask a lot for him so it will be a win/win.

If Gawn and Pedo get injured, who does our rucking? Because it's not like we've ever had our 2 main rucks injured for long periods of time. Oh, wait....

Need 4 rucks on list. One young and developing (King, though he's very much unsighted even at VFL), one main ruck (Gawn), one forward/ruck (Pedo) and one back up (???? was Spencil).

Pencil + 1st rounder to crows for Lever?

8 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

If Gawn and Pedo get injured, who does our rucking? Because it's not like we've ever had our 2 main rucks injured for long periods of time. Oh, wait....

Need 4 rucks on list. One young and developing (King, though he's very much unsighted even at VFL), one main ruck (Gawn), one forward/ruck (Pedo) and one back up (???? was Spencil).

Spencer's lack of impact around the ground is what has limited his opportunities.

Pedo playing second fiddle adds much greater value and even Watts was effective enough in there.

Sure he'd be fine to have as insurance in case Gawn did go down again but I hardly think he'll be cool playing the rest of his career as a backup option only.

And if he goes, perhaps we'll bring in a mature-age ruck of sorts. I imagine Mitch King will be nearly ready for an AFL taste next year also.

13 hours ago, HulkHogan said:

I have a friend who works at the local footy club and with a sports agency. He says 8 clubs are interested in Jake and Melbourne is not one of them. As of now he said 4 clubs are actively pursuing for his signature. I see why too. You can get him cheap as chips and if your main ruckman goes down, you have a reliable backup. 

Reliable ????? You must be kidding.   I think Jake has had maybe 1 season in 8 which has been injury free  

7 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Spencer's lack of impact around the ground is what has limited his opportunities.

Pedo playing second fiddle adds much greater value and even Watts was effective enough in there.

Sure he'd be fine to have as insurance in case Gawn did go down again but I hardly think he'll be cool playing the rest of his career as a backup option only.

And if he goes, perhaps we'll bring in a mature-age ruck of sorts. I imagine Mitch King will be nearly ready for an AFL taste next year also.

So if Gawn and Pedo go down in 2018, it's Watts and King? Not sure we've ever been good at picking up a mature ruck that's willing to play VFL only until AFL injuries. I'd keep Spencil. 

As you say, it's also matter of Spencil being prepared to play as insurance in VFL. Every player wants to maximise their chances.

Edited August 25, 20177 yr by Moonshadow