It's that time of year!

[alpha33 277]

According to Greg Denham in the Australian [Dogs' interest turns to Robertson] Russell Robertson has attracted the interest of the Western Bulldogs.

At 28, going on 29, and wanting a three year contract it's going to be a tough call for the club. No-one's immune from trading and if the Doggies want him they'd need to be able to offer us something worthwhile in a trade for someone of Robbo's stature at the club.

[Bingo 241]

Would hate to see him go, but everyone has a price.

If the doggies do go for him what would you expect to get?

1st round draft pick?

Or maybe due to the fact we've just lost 2 HBF in Brown and Ward maybe something like McMahon and a 3rd rounder?

Would like to hear you're thoughts as i'm just kinda guessing here.

[Tassie Devil 28]

According to Greg Denham in the Australian [Dogs' interest turns to Robertson] Russell Robertson has attracted the interest of the Western Bulldogs.

At 28, going on 29, and wanting a three year contract it's going to be a tough call for the club. No-one's immune from trading and if the Doggies want him they'd need to be able to offer us something worthwhile in a trade for someone of Robbo's stature at the club.

If the price is right move him on - no need for a forward who flaps around on the deck like a landed fish and makes no 2nd efforts

[Jarka 767]

1st round pick or one of their better young players, although I'm a little surprised, I thought that height would be an important factor for them.

[Hannabal 4]

1st round pick or one of their better young players, although I'm a little surprised, I thought that height would be an important factor for them.

He's not worth a first round pick.

Let's be realistic.

[occo 2]

Would hate to see him go, but everyone has a price.

If the doggies do go for him what would you expect to get?

1st round draft pick?

Or maybe due to the fact we've just lost 2 HBF in Brown and Ward maybe something like McMahon and a 3rd rounder?

Would like to hear you're thoughts as i'm just kinda guessing here.

McMahon is an awsome player. I rate him very highly however i dont think bulldogs with give both McMahon and a round pick. I would be happy with getting McMahon or a pick tho. Im up for the idea. More picks we can get the sooner we can start building a good team. We seriously need to address the spine of our team and ruck.

[Brocky 4]

1st round pick or one of their better young players, although I'm a little surprised, I thought that height would be an important factor for them.

I think they just want someone who can kick goals, Robbo can.

I'd be suprised if the Bulldogs would give us a 1st round pick for him.

[Nasher 33,133]

He's not worth a first round pick.

Let's be realistic.

He's worth a second round pick. What's more use though, a kid taken in the second round, or a forward who could kick 40-50 goals?

I'm not sure I'd bother trading Robbo for a draft pick, I think he's more useful to us than what his currency is. I'd trade him for the right player though.

[Brocky 4]

He's worth a second round pick. What's more use though, a kid taken in the second round, or a forward who could kick 40-50 goals?

I'm not sure I'd bother trading Robbo for a draft pick, I think he's more useful to us than what his currency is. I'd trade him for the right player though.

It all depends where you think the list is at. If we are in a rebuild phase you would trade him for a pick.

[Kit Walker 207]

He's worth a second round pick. What's more use though, a kid taken in the second round, or a forward who could kick 40-50 goals?

I'm not sure I'd bother trading Robbo for a draft pick, I think he's more useful to us than what his currency is. I'd trade him for the right player though.

What do you think about Giansiracusa perhaps plus a 2nd/3rd round draft pick?

Have no interest in McMahon - seems like a smaller version of Ferguson. ie. Too slow, too small, too weak

[Hannabal 4]

What do you think about Giansiracusa perhaps plus a 2nd/3rd round draft pick?

Have no interest in McMahon - seems like a smaller version of Ferguson. ie. Too slow, too small, too weak

They wouldn't do a straight swap let alone throw picks in.

[sutti 0]

I doubt he would move on. He said in some news paper article that he was committed and still wanted to be apart of the Dee's. But if he did, he's not worth a 1st round draft pick.

McMahon is an awsome player. I rate him very highly however i dont think bulldogs with give both McMahon and a round pick. I would be happy with getting McMahon or a pick tho. Im up for the idea. More picks we can get the sooner we can start building a good team. We seriously need to address the spine of our team and ruck.

Your serious? Basically every single possession he gets goes to the opposition or goes out on the full

[Jaded No More 58,709]

He's worth a second round pick. What's more use though, a kid taken in the second round, or a forward who could kick 40-50 goals?

I'm not sure I'd bother trading Robbo for a draft pick, I think he's more useful to us than what his currency is. I'd trade him for the right player though.

Exactly.

Where are we going to find those 40-50 goals next year?

I don't want a second round pick for our second most important forward, and one of our only match winners.

If they are not willing to part with a first round pick, they can go get another McDougal.

Just as a sidenote, if a player is out of contract, and he does not agree to a trade, what happens? I assume the only option the club has is to let him walk for nothing or sign him?

I just can't see Robbo agreeing to leave. He will cave into our contract demands before he even contemplates leaving IMHO.

My bias about this topic is kind of obvious, but I genuinely believe that trading Robbo will do us more harm than good.

Edit: Great news about Jonesy signing a 2 year deal. We could have been a bit more generous and given him 3...

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

He's worth a second round pick. What's more use though, a kid taken in the second round, or a forward who could kick 40-50 goals?

I'm not sure I'd bother trading Robbo for a draft pick, I think he's more useful to us than what his currency is. I'd trade him for the right player though.

Agree with Brocky and Nasher on this.

Robbo efforts this year were on the back of two hauls against Carlton and a bag of 7 against Collingwood where their backline was diminished. Otherwise he has been ordinary, injury prone and increasingly playing for himself.

[occo 2]

I doubt he would move on. He said in some news paper article that he was committed and still wanted to be apart of the Dee's. But if he did, he's not worth a 1st round draft pick.

Your serious? Basically every single possession he gets goes to the opposition or goes out on the full

McMahon was one of their best defenders last year. Yes he has had a shocker this year but he showd people last year that he can actually have a real impact on the game. Anyway thats just my opinion

[Kit Walker 207]

They wouldn't do a straight swap let alone throw picks in.

Probably not with picks, but they do have a large contingent of that mid-sized running type of player. And Robbo plays like a tall forward, despite his size - something that the dogs desperately lack.

The reported offer of a 3 year contract to a 28/29 year old shows that they rate him pretty highly.

[jacey 333]

Probably not with picks, but they do have a large contingent of that mid-sized running type of player. And Robbo plays like a tall forward, despite his size - something that the dogs desperately lack.

The reported offer of a 3 year contract to a 28/29 year old shows that they rate him pretty highly.

I reckon they'll offer a second round draft pick or a third rounder and a bit player.

The players we'll be looking at are Gia, McMahon, Sam Power or Ray.

I don't want Robbo to go or think he will

but if he keeps playing hard ball with his three years, i'm backing the club.

[IWAP 168]

Same article has Tenace up for grabs

Anyone interested?

[Gouga 512]

I reckon they'll offer a second round draft pick or a third rounder and a bit player.

The players we'll be looking at are Gia, McMahon, Sam Power or Ray.

I don't want Robbo to go or think he will

but if he keeps playing hard ball with his three years, i'm backing the club.

I agree. Don't want him to leave, but if he holds out for three years he might leave the club with no choice.

The Bulldogs player I'd be interested in is Dale Morris. He'd be a good inclusion to our backline.

[WonnaJurah 5]

i keep hearing fev going to the dogs

surley they cant get both, but we will take Ryan Cross

[jacey 333]

i keep hearing fev going to the dogs

surley they cant get both, but we will take Ryan Cross

Ryan Cross plays for the Sydney Roosters, dowsn't he.

Daniel Cross is untouchable.

Ryan Hargreaves is okay but he'll just add to our long list of mid/tall backmen.

The Bullies really rate Morris and i think he'll be a hard player to get.

They are going to trade the small quick mids that i listed. Hasn't Rocket said he'll have a close look at them (hinting trade)?

[grazman 6,602]

I agree. Don't want him to leave, but if he holds out for three years he might leave the club with no choice.

The Bulldogs player I'd be interested in is Dale Morris. He'd be a good inclusion to our backline.

Wont' get Morris, along with Harris he's untouchable.... I'd trade Robbo and Miller for a second round pick and Gia.... Fev is apparently off the table, hence the Bullies offering Robbo a three year contract. I think its pretty simple... If he loves the club he'll sign for two years, otherwise it's thanks for the memories.

[sylvinator 96]

id trade Robbo (29yrs old in Nov) for Ray + 3rd round pick.

this is a win-win for both teams. Robbo would fit very well into bullies structure and they are desperate need of a genuine forward who can kick 40 goals a year.

demons on the other hand have an aging list. even with our recent retirings/delistings we still have 5 players 30+, robbo and Whelan 29, Bruce, carrol , wheatley,TJ and Green 27 going on 28...

we arent going to win a premiership in the next 2 seasons, so its time to start thinking about what our team will look like in 3 years.

Farren Ray is on the outer at the bullies after an average season and would be offered for trade for the right deal.

Farren Ray:

187cm, 87kg, 21 years, 62 games under his belt (including 20 this season).

He was pick 4 in 2003 draft (after Sylvia and before Mclean). He is an obvious talent and has played matches in which he has won 28 possies and 3 goals. this seasons form has been relatively poor however.

He has a beep test result around 15.3 which is outstanding.

I would this him a great addition to our midfield. he has good pace, is strong in the air, neat skills and has a decent goal sense. Also, he can be an outside player but also can get his own ball if required.

Farren Ray would be an astute get by our match committee if we got him. his average season this year means we could demand a 3rd round pick to go along with him.

[Little Goffy 12,729]

He's worth a second round pick. What's more use though, a kid taken in the second round, or a forward who could kick 40-50 goals?

Robbo averaged three goals a game to kick those 40-50 goals this year (and be our leading goalkicker by what, 20 goals?).

Assessing realistically -

With an interrupted season, carrying injury and in a collapsing team, 40-50 goals.

With an imporved injury situation, we could bank on 50+ goals.

With other forwards injury free, it increases his freedom.

With a midfield actually delivering, another step up.

Best realistic scenario for Robbo is to put in another 70 goal season or two before he retires.

Worst realistic case is 40 goal / 15 game years, which continue to include a few game-breakers each season.

So we're looking at a player with a bad season returning 40+ goals, and a good season bring in 70.

And while we all get annoyed about his habit of doing a cartwheel belly-flop several times a game, there's no denying that he is a genuine matchwinner. Even a couple of this year's wins hinged on Robbo up forward.

And he's really not that old. I'd honestly give him the three year contract because I think his commitment to the club is such that he would retire gracefully if he just couldn't contribute anymore.

Keep.

[tallstuey 33]

Are you all mad!

Robbo is worth plenty to the club in many many ways.

1)He is a very useful second or third target up forward. Great marking skills.

2) No forward pocket or flanker kicks bags each week. He does a sensational job of getting a couple most games with bags quite often through the season and I think 30-50 goals is very very handy.

3) He has carried an unstable knee joint problem this year and to have played at all is remarkeble.

4) He can play key position if we really need him to should we loose a tall forward.

5) He is very quick and skilled at ground level.

6) He markets the club beautifully and speaks to the supporters - not at them.

7) He is passionate AND DISPLAYS IT which is more than most do.

In other words, even though he is 28 or 29, he is EXACTLY what Melbourne need, even if only for a couple more years.