According to Hutchie's column in the Sunday Age, prospective coaches were asked if they would trade Trapper! An interesting question from our selection panel! I hope the answer from all candidates was only if a suitable trade could be arranged. He would have to be worth a first round pick - surely. A very good record in finals, a club B&F winner and usually wonderful skills. On the other hand, perceived to have wasted his natural ability, seen as lazy and hasn't played many "full" seasons. I'd be reluctant to let him go but I guess all avenues need to be explored.

I wouldnt trade trapper he has great skills and leadership. Also i think it would be pointless to trade a ready made player for a draft pick who might not make it. I think trading players from the core group of 24-27 year olds isnt goin 2 help us win premierships we need 2 cut off the fringe players which i am sure everyone agrees on but i dont think trading trapper is the right thing unless we get a very good deal

I really hope we hold onto trapper.

I'd trade Bruce before i'd trade TJ. Trapper in his new role, could well get Bruce's possession numbers and he has must better disposal than Bruce.

It would be interesting to see who commands a higher price come trade time!

If we were to trade Bruce, then i reckon we wouldn't need to make another big trade. But if TJ were to be traded, i would still see what Bruce is worth.

trades are relevent to what you GET !! if what you could get represents a better value 'fit' to the NEW team.. then you trade. If you dont...you dont trade. Its not really that hard to digest

Trapper in his new role

What's his new role?

trades are relevent to what you GET !! if what you could get represents a better value 'fit' to the NEW team.. then you trade. If you dont...you dont trade. Its not really that hard to digest

Oh yes some common sense and logical thought.......

Thank goodnes for you bezlebub :D !!!

I wouldnt trade trapper he has great skills and leadership.

Haha good one!

My dog seems to have more interest in AFL sometimes than he does.

I'd trade Bruce before i'd trade TJ. Trapper in his new role, could well get Bruce's possession numbers and he has must better disposal than Bruce.

It would be interesting to see who commands a higher price come trade time!

If we were to trade Bruce, then i reckon we wouldn't need to make another big trade. But if TJ were to be traded, i would still see what Bruce is worth.

For the 50th time, we won't trade bruce as he signed a 3 year deal earlier in the year, deadset someone has to sticky a thread noting this cos i'm getting sick of repeating it..

For the 50th time, we won't trade bruce as he signed a 3 year deal earlier in the year, deadset someone has to sticky a thread noting this cos i'm getting sick of repeating it..

I think the Heffernan rule relates to "new" contracts. By definition Bruce's contract is not new, because he has played one year of that contract now.

I think the Heffernan rule relates to "new" contracts. By definition Bruce's contract is not new, because he has played one year of that contract now.

He can still be traded as long as he agrees to the trade and his income remains the same or is higher. If we do trade him then we would probably conrtribute to his salary for the remaining three years of his contract with us.

Unless we get the mother of all deals i cannot see us trading our first or second round picks. Hardly ever works.

There are a few fringe players that will be looked at closely. Injuries this year have shown we have a few young players with good potential, Petterd, Bode. We have a number of good young players coming thru, Jones, Bate, Dunn, Newton etc who all will be very good. Geelong have shown that it takes a few years of smart drafting to develop a good team. Bartel, Ablett etc seem to have been there for years.

I wonder how TJ feels about this question being asked at the coaching interviews?

Haha good one!

My dog seems to have more interest in AFL sometimes than he does.

i know what your saying, he isnt the typical leader, but i disagree. i think shows many leadership qualities. he directs the play, he is often in there trying to fire other players up. he works hard at the morale of his teammates. i am not saying he is captain material, but these acts are all examples of leadership...

i know what your saying, he isnt the typical leader, but i disagree. i think shows many leadership qualities. he directs the play, he is often in there trying to fire other players up. he works hard at the morale of his teammates. i am not saying he is captain material, but these acts are all examples of leadership...

Very perceptive! TJ has been exhibiting some leedership with the players this year both on an off the field. Would not be a good time to trade him. Hopefully TJ just used as an example in the selection process!

Hopefully the questions also included HOW would you trade a senior player!!!! (Wonder whether MFC has learned anything from the Woewodin debacle!)

Of the senior players would think now that trapper would be one of the last ones wouold want to trade in a period of change over to new coaching regime. Would have thought only Cam Bruce would be of trade value but would be as noted only if he was willing particpant.

it would be funny if trapper was secretly disguised as someone else on the selection committee, and voted against any coach who suggested trading him... :D

Very perceptive! TJ has been exhibiting some leedership with the players this year both on an off the field.

Unfortunately, the "leadership" exhibited by TJ is not the sort that develops successful teams. No one doubt his skills but he is lazy and his application of those skills is poor. I just dont like players who point to others to pick players they wont pick up and do not do the hard yards. In 10 years at the Club he has been an chronic underperformer on his talent pool.

TJ shows about as much leadership as school kid leading a gameboy slumber party.

Its says alot about a Club when supporter dream that a new coach will change a player when it is 100% the responsibility of the player himself.

The trading of Woewodin was a courageous and sensible move. I hope Bailey treats likewise for a good deal for a few other overrated unperforming sacred cows.

i think shows many leadership qualities. he directs the play,

And I thought he was just pointing at his direct opponent and asking someone to man him up ...

I wonder how TJ feels about this question being asked at the coaching interviews?

Quite possibly he may come away with a clearer understanding of his "position" and the realities of football life.

To translate...he may extractus digit !!!!

I think the Heffernan rule relates to "new" contracts. By definition Bruce's contract is not new, because he has played one year of that contract now.

It relates to the first 12 months or a contract, not a footy year. I think he signed towards the end of October last year, meaning the trade period this year occurs in the 12 months. Therefore, he cannot be traded.

someone correct me if I'm wrong ( what am I saying..they'll be lining up !! ) A player can stil lbe traded inside the first 12 months ..IF...IF!!!! They agree to it ?

someone correct me if I'm wrong ( what am I saying..they'll be lining up !! ) A player can stil lbe traded inside the first 12 months ..IF...IF!!!! They agree to it ?

I don't think so. Now I could be wrong, but I beleive it can only happen in 'exceptional circumstances', whatever that means. The point being you only signed him less then 12 months ago, so why do you want to trade him now. The rule is in place to protect players not clubs.

someone correct me if I'm wrong ( what am I saying..they'll be lining up !! ) A player can stil lbe traded inside the first 12 months ..IF...IF!!!! They agree to it ?

That's a requirement for all trades, if a player won't agree to it - then it can't happen eg. Ryan Ferguson to Hawthorn.

Haha good one!

My dog seems to have more interest in AFL sometimes than he does.

If you watch games closely enough you will see he pays a lot of interest in games. The same old supporters using trav as a scapegoat gets annoying. Ask any one close to the club and you will find he is very serious about set ups and helping the younger players. Yes he is a bit immature of the ground but when the game is there to be won he tries the hardest ie. david neitz 300th. the same game where jeff white more than once failed to put his body on the line and run hard to contest. But same old people with the same old crap about johnstone.

Back to the topic of whether Bailey 'wants' to trade Trapper...

It seems to be agreed that all the candidates were asked what they would to with Trav if they got the job. From what I've read, Bailey's answer was different to the other candidates, and it really impressed the panel. Surely... obviously... it was more than a simple trade or keep response.

I put it to you that playing Trapper as a sweeper across the half back line (as we did for the first time in round 22) was Bailey's idea. Riley was then instructed to give it a run in the final game - a couple of days after the interviews and once Bailey had been confirmed as next seasons coach. Plausible?

TJ fans rest easy, I can't see him going anywhere soon.