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Dan Houston

dazzledavey36
in Melbourne Demons

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We really are determined to follow Richmond into mediocrity if we make short term list management decisions at the expense of longer term improvements. Just ask them how the Jacob Hopper trade is working out. 

The only way forward for this group is to bring in quality kids with high draft picks. Anything else is Goodwin trying to save his own [censored]. 

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    19 minutes ago, poita said:

    We really are determined to follow Richmond into mediocrity if we make short term list management decisions at the expense of longer term improvements. Just ask them how the Jacob Hopper trade is working out. 

    The only way forward for this group is to bring in quality kids with high draft picks. Anything else is Goodwin trying to save his own [censored]. 

    Firstly Houston is a far better player than Jacob Hopper (or Tim Taranto for that matter)

    Secondly our list is in a far better position to contend and far more balanced on age profile than Richmond’s was at the end of 2022

    Our only top line players over 30 next year will be Max, May and Viney (TMac and Melksham too if they continue on)

    Meanwhile we have the likes of Trac, Oliver, Lever, Fritsch, Langdon and ANB in their prime years

    Not to mention a strong cohort of younger players who are starting to become stars in their own right - Kozzy, Rivers, JVR, McVee, Windsor to name a few 

    Richmond were super top heavy with all their best players over 30 and nearing the end of their careers, with essentially no top line talent in either the middle or younger age bracket of their list (save for a couple of players like Bolton and Balta)

    I get that we need to balance contending with bringing in young talent from the top of the draft, but I think we’re in a far better position to do so than either Richmond or West Coast have been in recent years when they’ve traded away picks to try and keep their windows open with essentially no young talent already on their lists 

    Edited by demoncat

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    If Houston was a free agent, by all means get him. But a running half back/wing is not our most pressing need. Giving up 1st round draft picks for a 27yo, who doesn't move the needle, is poor list management.

    If the club genuinely believes we are still in a premiership window, then use draft capital on addressing our obvious needs.  Houston is an upgrade on Hunter and Billings, but that's setting the bar low.

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    1 minute ago, demoncat said:

    Firstly Houston is a far better player than Jacob Hopper (or Tim Taranto for that matter)

    Secondly our list is in a far better position to contend and far more balanced on age profile than Richmond’s was at the end of 2022

    Our only top line players over 30 next year will be Max, May and Viney (TMac and Melksham too if they continue on)

    Meanwhile we have the likes of Trac, Oliver, Lever, Fritsch, Langdon and ANB in their prime years

    Not to mention a strong cohort of younger players who are starting to become stars in their own right - Kozzy, Rivers, JVR, McVee, Windsor to name a few 

    Richmond were super top heavy with all their best players over 30 and nearing the end of there careers, with essentially no top line talent in either the middle or younger age bracket of their list (save for a couple of players like Bolton Balta)

    I get that we need to balance contending with bringing in young talent from the top of the draft, but I think we’re in a far better position to do so than either Richmond or West Coast have been in recent years when they’re traded away picks to try and keep their windows open with essentially no young talent already on their lists 

    You lost me when you compared Houston to Taranto.

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    4 minutes ago, mo64 said:

    You lost me when you compared Houston to Taranto.

    Yeah pretty sure I’d take a player who is rated the second best kick in the entire comp over a bloke who can get 30 but who butchers every possession  

    I thought people have been crying out for us to improve our kicking skills? Now we target someone who would improve us massively in that regard and we shouldn’t ask the question?

    Edited by demoncat

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    13 minutes ago, mo64 said:

    You lost me when you compared Houston to Taranto.

    Taranto is a just a run of the mill plodder

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    Two first rounders for Houston would be crazy IMO. No doubting his quality as a player but realistically we’d only be getting 2-3 quality seasons out of him before he declines. We also need a bit of rejuvenation on the list with Gawn, May, Lever, Salem and even Trac and Clarry starting to get on the older side of things. I don’t think we should be chips in for a flag anymore, that ship has sailed.

    If Houston was 24 and playing the way he is I’d have no qualms with it, but that kind of bounty shouldn’t be wasted on a 28 year old ,unless it was prime Dusty or GAJ.

    For comparison we traded a single first rounder, pick 6, for Steven May who was younger and a better player than Houston. In a more important position too. And even THAT was borderline overs, luckily May has been awesome for us. 
     

     

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    7 minutes ago, poita said:

    We really are determined to follow Richmond into mediocrity if we make short term list management decisions at the expense of longer term improvements. Just ask them how the Jacob Hopper trade is working out. 

    The only way forward for this group is to bring in quality kids with high draft picks. Anything else is Goodwin trying to save his own [censored]. 

    I get your point. We really are at a juncture at the moment. I still think we have a premiership capable team. Despite Gawn's age, he is still at his peak - or close to it. May for me, is the one that is starting to show his age. 

    Our midfield isn't old - actually its right where you want it to be to have a crack at a flag. ANB, Trac and Oliver and bang smack in their prime years, Rivers, Kozzy, McVee, Sparrow our young brigade. Windsor a puppy and Lingers still running strong. Viney is likely past his peak, but is still servicable and will give 100%.

    So do we shut up shop and do a mini rebuild? Its a real hard one and i change my perspective on this everyday. W

    Houston straightens us up and opens up a plethora of options. Frankly Bowey and Salem have been underperforming for a while and i think it shows with our ball movement and rebound. 

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    31 minutes ago, mo64 said:

    If Houston was a free agent, by all means get him. But a running half back/wing is not our most pressing need. Giving up 1st round draft picks for a 27yo, who doesn't move the needle, is poor list management.

    If the club genuinely believes we are still in a premiership window, then use draft capital on addressing our obvious needs.  Houston is an upgrade on Hunter and Billings, but that's setting the bar low.

    He's rated 2nd best inside 50 kick in the AFL. He's in his absolute prime. I'm on board doing it.

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    Either way we are going to be very active this trade period.

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    7 minutes ago, Bang Bang Bang said:

    Two first rounders for Houston would be crazy IMO. No doubting his quality as a player but realistically we’d only be getting 2-3 quality seasons out of him before he declines. We also need a bit of rejuvenation on the list with Gawn, May, Lever, Salem and even Trac and Clarry starting to get on the older side of things. I don’t think we should be chips in for a flag anymore, that ship has sailed.

    If Houston was 24 and playing the way he is I’d have no qualms with it, but that kind of bounty shouldn’t be wasted on a 28 year old ,unless it was prime Dusty or GAJ.

    For comparison we traded a single first rounder, pick 6, for Steven May who was younger and a better player than Houston. In a more important position too. And even THAT was borderline overs, luckily May has been awesome for us. 

    My main concern with the rejuvenation is the arrival of the Tasmanian team. 

    We're still in the window now, but we're not leading the pack like we were last few years and lots of teams can  now win the comp. So it would be a risk trading early picks for a player at this peak given whats on the horizon. But with trades like this, you can only judge the success depending on the future outcome.

    He'd definitely improve the team though

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    1 hour ago, reynolds46 said:

    If Houston has made his intentions clear that he wants out, this will become a distraction for Port Adelaide and they should 100% trade him and offer up their first pick to the MFC to get him off their books whilst continuing to pay a large portion of his salary. 

    I cannot believe Cornes hasn't suggested this yet.

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    55 minutes ago, mo64 said:

    You lost me when you compared Houston to Taranto.

    Lol, and I bet you spend half your time complaining we don't have enough good ball users. Houston is an elite kick that could not only play half back, but play through the middle, ie in our midfield, so addresses a direct need.

    Taranto, despite being a Melbourne supporter growing up, is a slow player who butchers the ball.

    I bet you'd be screaming for us to trade Taranto if he were at Melbourne...

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    Which DH “ journalist” initiated the BS that a trade will only get done if we give up 2 first rounders? I’m sure no one at Port said this. 

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    1 minute ago, Neil Crompton said:

    Which DH “ journalist” initiated the BS that a trade will only get done if we give up 2 first rounders? I’m sure no one at Port said this. 

    Jay Clark and the midweek tackle gang on Fox. Likely as their teams  aren’t chasing him.

    But he’s ultimately named his destination which like LJ lowers his price somewhat. I think we work closely with Freo to split our pick and stay in the draft this year as best as well can. 
     

    Freo are much beater positioned to go with two top 10 picks vs 1 + 2 late first rounders. But I am biased. 

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    5 hours ago, poita said:

    We really are determined to follow Richmond into mediocrity if we make short term list management decisions at the expense of longer term improvements. Just ask them how the Jacob Hopper trade is working out. 

    The only way forward for this group is to bring in quality kids with high draft picks. Anything else is Goodwin trying to save his own [censored]. 

    He would be a fine replacement for Gus

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    3 hours ago, Gawndy the Great said:

    Jay Clark and the midweek tackle gang on Fox. Likely as their teams  aren’t chasing him.

    But he’s ultimately named his destination which like LJ lowers his price somewhat. I think we work closely with Freo to split our pick and stay in the draft this year as best as well can. 
     

    Freo are much beater positioned to go with two top 10 picks vs 1 + 2 late first rounders. But I am biased. 

    The issue is Dan Houston is contracted, whereas Jacko wasn't.

    If he is hellbent on leaving then often a club will eventually get the deal done, but there will e a fair bit of haggling in this one I'd say.

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    2 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

    The issue is Dan Houston is contracted, whereas Jacko wasn't.

    If he is hellbent on leaving then often a club will eventually get the deal done, but there will e a fair bit of haggling in this one I'd say.

    Potentially - i dont recall how Power are on the trade front. We do have a reputation of being easy to deal - no doubt the SA's will try to take advantage of that situation. It would be good for us to have a few options running to minimise the perception of desperation. 

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    Just now, Gawndy the Great said:

    Potentially - i dont recall how Power are on the trade front. We do have a reputation of being easy to deal - no doubt the SA's will try to take advantage of that situation. It would be good for us to have a few options running to minimise the perception of desperation. 

    I don't think we are easy to deal with, so much as we are happy to pay fair value for a player without haggling over small things.

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    5 hours ago, demoncat said:

    Firstly Houston is a far better player than Jacob Hopper (or Tim Taranto for that matter)

    Secondly our list is in a far better position to contend and far more balanced on age profile than Richmond’s was at the end of 2022

    Our only top line players over 30 next year will be Max, May and Viney (TMac and Melksham too if they continue on)

    Meanwhile we have the likes of Trac, Oliver, Lever, Fritsch, Langdon and ANB in their prime years

    Not to mention a strong cohort of younger players who are starting to become stars in their own right - Kozzy, Rivers, JVR, McVee, Windsor to name a few 

    Richmond were super top heavy with all their best players over 30 and nearing the end of their careers, with essentially no top line talent in either the middle or younger age bracket of their list (save for a couple of players like Bolton and Balta)

    I get that we need to balance contending with bringing in young talent from the top of the draft, but I think we’re in a far better position to do so than either Richmond or West Coast have been in recent years when they’ve traded away picks to try and keep their windows open with essentially no young talent already on their lists 

    Excellent summary of the Tiges comparison - none at all really.  Could add in Clarko's faiure to build the hawks on the run - remember Jaeger O'meara anyone.

    Our profile is ripe for quality top up in some areas. Just needs to be well managed.

    After reading this afternoons Age update on Trac's progress, and the steps are younger players have taken, looking forward to 2025,  and tomorrow night.  I expect to beat Gws,

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    21 minutes ago, Gawndy the Great said:

    Potentially - i dont recall how Power are on the trade front. We do have a reputation of being easy to deal - no doubt the SA's will try to take advantage of that situation. It would be good for us to have a few options running to minimise the perception of desperation. 

    I had a quick look at their trade history and there's nothing outlandish and they all seem ok to reasonable trades:

    Paid a F2 for Alir (Syd)

    Received Pick 12 and a F3 for Pick 16 and Peter Ladhams (Syd)

    Paid basically R2 plus late picks for Sweet (Dogs) & P50 (wouldn't have done that one personally but each to their own)

    F2 tied to Freo for Soldo (Toiges).

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    59 minutes ago, Deelectable said:

    Sparrow & F2?

    If that alone gets it done, I'd be staggered. 

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