Ward, Ferguson will not be there next year

I'd keep him on as depth, Batram's injury run this year shows that it's handy to have a backup and Godfrey has done pretty well this year.

The people i think should be on the move are:

Miller (Trade/Delist)

Fergs (Trade/Delist)

CJ (Trade)

Jamar (Trade)

These players have no trade value, they should all be de-listed, hopefully i will never see Jamar, Miller and Godfrey in a Melbourne jumper ever again.

When Jamar handballed straight into Eddie Betts who went on and kicked a goal i thought that would be something Bailey would be cringing at, we have to remember that last year there was only about 9 trades we may not even be involved in any but highly unlikely, im hoping there is more of a surge in trading players this year.

Green ( ????? )

Bruce ( won't go but is a possiblity )

Johnstone ( required player i think )

Miller ( Head home to Brisbane? ) maybe a trade for Cameron Wood ???

Are you people trying to leave us without a backup ruckman???

......

Miller ( Head home to Brisbane? ) maybe a trade for Cameron Wood ???

Why do many people on this site mistakely treat the AFL trade week as some sort of misguided family repatriation scheme for footballers from interstate?

I am at a loss what value Miller would have to Brisbane.

He has more chance at Richmond or Bulldogs.

Are you people trying to leave us without a backup ruckman???

*COUGH* We have a back up to White!

Trade Bate?

I really hope that was only ever suggested so you could make a (terrible) pun.

As Rhino has said on here many times players can only be traded if they are wanted by other clubs and most of the players we are trying to offload are not wanted. I disagree on Miller though, I think he has currency, as he can play both ends and for the right deal would be tradeable. However given the desire of many to delist Dutchy and Ferg ( who I would keep) Miller could become necessary as Rivers is alone in the key defence position.

Miller ( Head home to Brisbane? ) maybe a trade for Cameron Wood ???

Miller might be safe now with his old Mt Gravatt coach with us now.

Robbo- Late 3rd rounder, early 4th

Bruce - Late 2nd early 3rd rounder

TJ - Late 2nd early 3rd rounder

Why would we make trades that screw us royally. Even if u really believe that Travis Johnstone's market value is pick 35 (which is just stupid if u had ever followed a trading period), why would we swap a guy who is only 26, is our most talented player and at his best if in the top calibre of afl players, for a pick 35 who statistics show will most probably be delisted within 2 years and only has an outside chance of becoming a player of the quality of johnstone.

ur an idiot. it's one thing to be fair about trades, but its another thing to suggest screwing MFC especially when it is wholly unrealistic.

Johnstone of he open market, with his skills and ability to turn a game, would command ATLEAST a late first round pick and probably a pikc around 10-16

So what approach should Bailey take?

1. A minimalist top-up?

In this scenario, other than the three retirees, only the minimum de-listings need be made ... basically of hopeless cases. Will take the view that only three or four quality 1st, 2nd or 3rd round draft picks are useful (for example the draft of 2004 when we only selected Bate, Dunn and Newton), rather than a huge quantity of low-quality picks late in the draft. Means losing only a couple more fringe or aged players.

This scenario anticipates that either the list is basically OK or that it will take another year to find space to build quality, and that "evolutionary enhancement" is the best approach. May not be realistic ... the list needs considerable change at the lower end of the "talent" and/or "aged" pool.

2. A trading quick fix?

This scenario is the other end of the spectrum to minimalism. Look for any trade he can get for fringe players -- otherwise delist -- and trade a couple of good players like Bruce or TJ to top up picks below 20. This scenario means a radical change to the list and the realisation that a further 3-5 years is required for list development in any pitch for a flag.

Usually the scenario liked by a lot of disappointed supporters who forget that trading requires thought as to what you can get as much as what you lose. Can be over-estimated in value and may just mean trading dead wood for new dead wood. The type of scenario Carlton was forced into three years ago and which brought minimal results.

3. A developer of (any) young talent?

In this scenario, he'll give priority to developing inexperienced younger players -- new draftees and even those who have showed limited promise -- and fully de-list the older dead wood. May involve keeping younger fringe players like PJ, CJ and Miller and promotion of a rookie or two, at the expense of all the older fringe players. Could still trade an additional better player for a pick below 20 and pick up one re-cycled player with pick 3 in the PSD.

This scenario involves turning over the list with much new blood, and giving priority to even minimal potential rather than the same old fringe performance. Rid massive dead wood this year, especially players who have been on the list for a long time for little return. Runs the risk of killing experienced depth but minimises a further large turnover of aged players at the end of 2008 when players like White, Yze, McDonald and Neitz could also come up for retirement. On the other hand, may keep young players who just aren't going to make it for too long.

The club have tried to trade Ward in the last 2 trade weeks, so he's sure to be delisted.

You would think that Bailey will have a bit of a clean out, but most likely to take 2 years like Clarkson did when he took over at the Hawks.

To go also will be 3-5 of the following - Ward, Jamar, Miller, Ferg, Wheatley, Bruce, Green, CJ or Godders.

I'm tipping 6-7 changes to the list in total as we are not an absolute basket case like Hawthorn was when Clarkson arrived. He made 9 changes from memory to their list.

You would think that Bailey will have a bit of a clean out

I'm tipping 6-7 changes to the list in total.

A bit of a contradiction.

If we make 6-7 changes, that would only be, say, Ward, Ferguson, Warnock and Neville on top of Bizzell, Brown and Pickett. That's not a "bit of a clean out" ... that's only the "minimalist" scenario in my post.

A bit of a contradiction.

If we make 6-7 changes, that would only be, say, Ward, Ferguson, Warnock and Neville on top of Bizzell, Brown and Pickett. That's not a "bit of a clean out" ... that's only the "minimalist" scenario in my post.

A huge cleanout is 9 players. A big cleanout is about 7. Not minimal at all.

Thats 7 new players. Personally im hoping for a huge cleanout.

With Bizzel, Brown Dog and Byron gone.

Now hoping for Ward (retire), Ferguson, Jamar, Warnock, Godfrey, Neville.

Be traded or de-listed, those guys need to go.

But you know, id be happy to go a step further and trade away a strong player (not TJ) and get a quality player. I would be happy to see 9-11 players gone and replaced through trades, draft (pre-season and under 18's), rookie elevations.

I'm tipping 6-7 changes to the list in total as we are not an absolute basket case like Hawthorn was when Clarkson arrived. He made 9 changes from memory to their list.

I disagree. We could may 9 changes, and improve our performances.

In addition to the 3 retirees, would could easily delist another 5 without greatly impacting on the quality of our list. The 5 being Godfrey, Neville, Ward, Holland, Miller. I haven't seen Neville play, but the others don't have the football brain or talent to be a good AFL player.

Also, we seriously need to trade for a young ruckman such as Wood. This may involve swapping draft choices and players. I'll throw this one up. Sylvia for Wood.

3 trades I would be happy with:

Trade 1

Bruce and White to St.Kilda

St.Kilda first pick to Brisbane

Charman to Melbourne

Trade 2

Johnstone and Jamar to Port Adelaide

One of Carlile/Chaplin/Pettigrew and Port Adelaide 2nd pick to Melbourne

Trade 3

Chris Johnson to West Coast

Sampi to Melbourne

The first trade delivers us an effective ruckman. The second trade a much needed CHB and the third trade could be considered a risk but if Sampi decides he wants to play (which he has indicated) chances are it won't be at West Coast. Could be a handy addition to our forward line.

Gouga,

Given St Kilda have Gardiner to get back next year I am not sure they want White. I would have thought TJ would have been better suited to St Kilda. With the Clarkes and Fiora, I am not sure Bruce fits in there line.

Will Port want a ruckman that kicks backwards? Dunno know.

Is CJ being traded under the family repatriation scheme as I am not sure that he offers WCE anything. I would give Sampi a very wide berth. His mind and attitdue is apparently a long way from football. He will be cut by WCE so he is PSD material.

Sylvia for Wood.

That trade is akin to selling a car without a RWC. Very risky for Brisbane.

OP is an open ended curse that has no cure and player with it or a history are poor trade bait.

3 trades I would be happy with:

Trade 1

Bruce and White to St.Kilda

St.Kilda first pick to Brisbane

Charman to Melbourne

Not sure if it was yourself that has posted this before, but we would be effectively giving up Bruce for nothing with that Trade and St Kilda are the clear winners. I am not a fan of Bruce at all at the moment as he can not seem to kick or handball effectively at all at the moment, but we all know he is capable of doing so. I would hope that will be his focus this pre-season along with fitness.

Charman is not worth that trade at all and White is actually a better ruckman, but just hasn't had a decent midfield every game for the clearances.

U got most of that right. I love Godfrey but enough is enough and MFC need to look forward. This means that we must get rid of him.

Holland has shown some accuracy infront of goals this year but again too slow. Same as ward. I think its time to flood that defence with younger players. I disagree with your comment over Warnock...i think he has shown some glimpses and next year is still rebuilding in my opinion so lets replace Holland or Ward with Warnock.

I wont comment on Neville cause i havnt really watched any of him so ill leave it up to others.

As for trades: this will sound harsh but it needs to be done:

Robbo- Late 3rd rounder, early 4th

Bruce - Late 2nd early 3rd rounder

TJ - Late 2nd early 3rd rounder

Hopeful team lineup 2009: Bartram

B: Carroll ? Bell

HB: Rivers Frawley Pettard

C: Green Jones Dunn

HF: Bate ? Sylvia

F: Davey Newton ?

R: ? McLean Moloney

I.C: Bartram, P.Johnson, ?, ?

Edited by mod.

That trade is akin to selling a car without a RWC. Very risky for Brisbane.

OP is an open ended curse that has no cure and player with it or a history are poor trade bait.

Also extremely risky for Melbourne. An unproven, untried ruckman with 10 games in 3 years.

The reality of the situation is that there is little point for Melbourne trading Bruce, TJ or Green for anything less than a late first round draft pick and I doubt that would be offered. An upgrade of picks for a fringe player (CJ, Jamar or Miller spring to mind) similar to West Coast trading McDougall may be a more likely trade.

Edited by mod.

We can't go into next season with the same ruck stocks. White will probably be playing his last season, and Jamar and Johnson aren't up to it. We need to take a risk on Wood, who's yet to reach the maturing age of a ruckman.

Trade 2

Johnstone and Jamar to Port Adelaide

One of Carlile/Chaplin/Pettigrew and Port Adelaide 2nd pick to Melbourne

Hate this deal.

Im ok with the idea of getting Sampi, but id rather get him with pick 3 in the pre-season draft.

Hate this deal.

Im ok with the idea of getting Sampi, but id rather get him with pick 3 in the pre-season draft.

Another fisherman.