2 minutes ago, Is Dom Is Good said:

I don't always agree with you STMJ but I 100% agree with this comment.

Adding Gaff & Lever would propel us into top 4 calculations for next season without a doubt.

He would be very valuable on a wing at the G.

@stevethemanjordan does make some very good points

We could do with a gut runner with skills, despite his shortcomings. 

The question is what would you trade for him, and pick 10 is way too much IMO

3 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

@stevethemanjordan does make some very good points

We could do with a gut runner with skills, despite his shortcomings. 

The question is what would you trade for him, and pick 10 is way too much IMO

Yep, if Hibberd is a 2nd rounder so is Gaff in my view...but I guess we will see.

I know a lot of people comment that he is a downhill skier, but if you are not receiving the ball from your inside mids to feed it out to you.... you kinda look like a downhill skier don't you?

I'd be very happy if the MFC were interested in getting Gaff back to Melbourne. Again whether we can satisfy the needs of Adelaide and West Coast if we are into Lever.

21 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Might give a 2nd rounder for him.

Just isnt damaging enough , doesnt kick goals, doesn't tackle.  Racks up a lot of cheap ball.  Will that change at Melbourne?

If your'e an outside player who averages 30 touches a game you'd wanna be kicking around 20 goals.

He kicked 6 for the season.

I think of him doing a job not many of our players are doing at the moment and you could call it 'racking up the cheap ball' but he finds a lot of the footy (takes a fair few marks for a mid too) in the space between the 2 50s. His gut running allows for a better link between the defense and offense, so even though he's not kicking a heap of goals I'd imagine he'd be involved in an incredibly high amount of scoring chains.

Gaff not kicking goals seems to be more to do with the Eagles system than anything else, if you look at their goals kickers, only Sheed (11) kicked more than 10 outside of their regular forwards (Kennedy, Darling, Hill, Le Cras, Petrie etc). Whereas we had Jones, Tracc, Melksham, Harmes and ANB who weren't playing in a 100% forward role get over 10. Hopefully it'd be something he could add if he came to us, but doesn't seem to be as vital as the scoring opportunities he'd be involved with. 

17 minutes ago, Is Dom Is Good said:

I don't always agree with you STMJ but I 100% agree with this comment.

Adding Gaff & Lever would propel us into top 4 calculations for next season without a doubt.

He would be very valuable on a wing at the G.

Hard to believe that you would agree with STMJ's comment which includes a gratuitous sledge of Tyson.

I originally thought no way to this suggestion, but given Billy didn't come on as well as I expected this year (he may thrive next year though), I agree we need a quality link player such as Gaff and his past ties with the Dees may help get him interested in us.

As to what we can offer, assuming our top pick is already alligned to Lever, then we may have to consider offering our future No.1 and also send a quick forward (that's what they lack) their way.

People forget that Kent, until this year, was rated by all of us as a star in the making and he still might turn into an exceptional player if his training work ethic improves and his game-decision making becomes more refined. I'd be really shocked if the Eagles aren't interested in him. Not sure if Kent and a second rounder as trade would get it done, but it would go close.

6 minutes ago, rjay said:

Yep, if Hibberd is a 2nd rounder so is Gaff in my view...but I guess we will see.

Hibberd had just spent a year out of the AFL and had never been in the All Australian team, let alone the squad. He's also only just turned 25, whereas Hibberd played his first game for us at 27. 

From what I have seen he is definitely a between the 50s player. Maybe a second round pick plus swap of third rounders may be close to getting it done. Probably dreaming.

If Gaff stays at WC next year and leaves as RFA at the end of 2018, WC will get a 1st round pick compensation.  A trade this year would have to better that - pick 10 absolute minimum.

1 hour ago, Older demon said:

As stated by Jane in another post Gaff wants to return to Melbourne and his preference is MFC. Supporter and family links.

May I ask, do you have a connection?

Or are you simply repeating what Jane has posted?

If the latter, @jane02 can you confirm?

As much as Kelly or someone of that ilk would help us, i really think players of Gaff's stature are the players to go for eg Lever (Gun but not a superstar - despite the alleged large contract). Why go for a superstar or two that cost copious amounts when you can get very decent players cheaper to make up a very decent team. Even though Kelly would help, i just don't like the thought of throwing the kitchen sink at one player when you can make a collectively good team. Just my two cents y'all

27 minutes ago, rjay said:

Yep, if Hibberd is a 2nd rounder so is Gaff in my view...but I guess we will see.

Gaff was a pick 4 so they'd want a first rounder minimum which is fair.

I'd offer our 2018 first-rounder and Kent for their 2018 second-round pick.

What about this pick 10 and 28 to Adelaide for Pick 18 and Lever, pick 18 and Kent to WCE for Gaff.  

2 hours ago, Red and Blue realist said:

I think they'll be asking for a minimum of our first this year or next, and for mine that price is about right. I doubt we'd be able to send a player like Kent and our second to get it done, maybe if Jeffy wanted to get home permanently after the things he had to go back for this year, but only raising him if he wanted to go back.

He was All Australian 2 years ago, and was in the squad last year. Also had the 8th most disposals this year and only Clarry had a higher disposal efficiency in the top 10 but Clarry has nearly 3 handballs for every kick while Gaff kicks far more than he handballs. He'd fix the issue of delivery inside 50 and the transition between our back half and Fwd50. I think he'd suit our needs more than Lever if we could only get 1, dream result would be both but I can't see that happening. 

I like how you have raised Jeffy going home question and would hope that our club would at least ask the question with Jeffy and his management on where he is at with family etc.

Jeffy is coming off probably his best season (AA last 40) and at 28 his trade value will only slide from here. He clearly would solve some of the Weagles pace issues up forward and should be suited to their new stadium, their climate (hotter the better) and they seem to again be set for 2.40pm Sunday home games.

If he wanted out, then now's the time. If he doesn't then that's fine - he is still integral to our forward structure (but that may change in next two years).

 

24 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

If Gaff stays at WC next year and leaves as RFA at the end of 2018, WC will get a 1st round pick compensation.  A trade this year would have to better that - pick 10 absolute minimum.

You are speculating that he is a first round pick. The link below indicates that they have to be in the top 5% of earners across the AFL and be over 25 years of age.... I'd be amazed if Gaff is in that bracket... I doubt he is in the top 5% at WC.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-07/revealed-what-it-takes-to-earn-firstround-free-agency-compensation-  

Tom Mitchell was effectively traded for pick 14 and (swap of 3rd round picks), Brad Hill was a second round pick. Hoskin-Elliot was a second round pick as a guide to what happened last year. Even Dangerfield the year before was 9, 28 and a speculative player in return for Danger and pick 50.

Downhill skier or not, we need players that will improve our footy team. Watching the Dees this year tells me that we need an infusion of new talent and skills that come with that talent. Anyone with Gaffs disposal count and skill level has to be a huge bonus. I have also seen him win the contested footy and be hard at the contest regularly, so I don't reckon he's soft. 

Gaff and lever fill the two biggest holes on our list. 

How we work out a trade that gets both over the line I have no idea, but if we get it done without giving up to much I'd be stoked. 

 

4 minutes ago, Abe said:

Gaff and lever fill the two biggest holes on our list. 

How we work out a trade that gets both over the line I have no idea, but if we get it done without giving up to much I'd be stoked. 

 

Tyson + Kent (WA Boy) for Gaff. Hang onto Pick 10 + 2nd rounder for Lever + 3rd rounder. Draft Rockliff as an UFA to replace Tyson as that inside midfielder. 

West coast with Priddis + Mitchell hanging up the boots would see Tyson as a much needed addition.

In: Gaff, Lever, 3rd rounder, Rockliff.
Out: Pick 10, Tyson, Kent, 2nd rounder.

 

2 minutes ago, juzzk1d said:

Tyson + Kent (WA Boy) for Gaff. Hang onto Pick 10 + 2nd rounder for Lever + 3rd rounder. Draft Rockliff as an UFA to replace Tyson as that inside midfielder. 

West coast with Priddis + Mitchell hanging up the boots would see Tyson as a much needed addition.

In: Gaff, Lever, 3rd rounder, Rockliff.
Out: Pick 10, Tyson, Kent, 2nd rounder.

 

Tyson won't agree to go to Perth. He's a Melbourne (the city) boy through and through. 

He could potentially be used in a three way trade involving carton and Gibbs to the crows 

1 hour ago, Abe said:

Gaff and lever fill the two biggest holes on our list. 

How we work out a trade that gets both over the line I have no idea, but if we get it done without giving up to much I'd be stoked.

We wait a year for Gaff when he is a free agent and we don't need to trade.

We should make finals without him next year.  Then he arrives in time for our premiership window. Nothing lost in waiting a year and we keep our 1st round pick and hopefully get a gun as well as Gaff.  Or use that pick for someone like Whitfield...

20 minutes ago, Ouch! said:

You are speculating that he is a first round pick. The link below indicates that they have to be in the top 5% of earners across the AFL and be over 25 years of age.... I'd be amazed if Gaff is in that bracket... I doubt he is in the top 5% at WC.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-07/revealed-what-it-takes-to-earn-firstround-free-agency-compensation-  

Tom Mitchell was effectively traded for pick 14 and (swap of 3rd round picks), Brad Hill was a second round pick. Hoskin-Elliot was a second round pick as a guide to what happened last year. Even Dangerfield the year before was 9, 28 and a speculative player in return for Danger and pick 50.

I think he would be in the top 5%.  It takes a substantial offer to get him to move and there would be a competitive bidding war.

Prestia went for pick 6 (and 2nd round swaps) on a reported 5 year x $700k deal.

27 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

I think he would be in the top 5%.  It takes a substantial offer to get him to move and there would be a competitive bidding war.

Prestia went for pick 6 (and 2nd round swaps) on a reported 5 year x $700k deal.

the top 5%. Quote from the Ouch! link: "To put that figure in perspective, a wage that ranks in the top five per cent of players aged 25-plus would put the free agent among the game's top 15 earners".

Hard to imagine a future Gaff contract would be in the top 15, for WCE to get a 1st round pick (ie 'Band 1 Compensation'). Maybe 'Band 2' (end of first round pick) but they seem to be more in the lap of the AFL gods to determine.

bidding war  As an FA he can nominate his destination club so their would be no competition - unless WCE make a higher bid to keep him as Adelaide threatened to do with Danger.

 

Not sure that non-FA trades (Prestia, Mitchell et) are a good basis to predict FA comp picks.  They aren't comparable eg Hawthorn got pick 19 for Buddy and had Dusty left Richmond they would receive a similar compensation pick depending on where they finish.

 

I reckon Watts would love Gaff to come to the Dees

He'd be the new whipping boy by round 5 I reckon

Gaff plays well when WC plays well. and is poor when they are poor.

I'd pass, especially as we would need to give a good player or a first rounder.  no way WC would take a 2nd rounder

Not overly excited by him.

31 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

We wait a year for Gaff when he is a free agent and we don't need to trade.

We should make finals without him next year.  Then he arrives in time for our premiership window. Nothing lost in waiting a year and we keep our 1st round pick and hopefully get a gun as well as Gaff.

As always, useful added info. 

2 minutes ago, DubDee said:

I reckon Watts would love Gaff to come to the Dees

He'd be the new whipping boy by round 5 I reckon

Gaff plays well when WC plays well. and is poor when they are poor.

I'd pass, especially as we would need to give a good player or a first rounder.  no way WC would take a 2nd rounder

That's the tale of a classic outside player. When the team stinks then they always look the worst.

He can kick the pill and has good skills and we need this more than anything imo. We have enough bulls to win it but need some polish.

Gaff, Lewis Taylor, Shaun Grigg, the Hill brothers, they're all the type of players I personally struggle to like running so wide to win the pill but they're all important.

Right now Stretch and ANB are our two and Stretch seems to have gone backwards and ANB has improved but still isn't s great kick.

Getting him in is a definite yes from me