It's that time of year!

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

we need a ruck, we need pace, and we need another long term CHF, KPP.

I suggested this a few days ago, but if we were able to get our hands on another top 10 pick, would it be silly of the MFC to recruit both Rance and Henderson?

With the likes of Rivers as our 3rd man up, Rance (our genuine FB or CHB), Carroll, Frawley, Petterd, Bell and even Bartram having a stint in the backline, it does create a formidable back-line in years to come!!!

With Newton, Henderson, Davey, Bate, Dunn and Sylvia, that forward line looks rather good as well.

We could draft for mid-fielders next year, this would be rather good IMO, as the mid-fielders usually don't take as long to find their feet, and with another year under the belt with the example of Rance and Henderson, in 2-3 years time we could have a rather good line-up all over the park.

[beelzebub 23,383]

and so I go back to the point. If he's injured..or carrying an ijury that persists.. what is his true value going forward.. thats he's position, and that also of the club..going FORWRD.

A primary forward needs to kick 3-4 a game, a seconday around 2-3.. so which was he?

I concede he is still an excellent player when fit. I would still happily grant him a 2 year deal ( if he is appraised as a low injury risk going forward )

He just seems very inconsistent on the 2nd efforts.. but that may wel lbe a result of fitness as opposed to endeavour and effort .. same result though isnt it !

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

what i also found with Robbo this season, is that many times during a game he did nothing, and only came into it and kicked his 2 0r 3 when we were down by heaps or when it was inevitable we were gonna lose.

He needs to get more involved when the game is on the line. But that could be said about a lot of players this year.

[sylvinator 96]

i reckon if MFC were clever, they would use the fact that Adelaide and Port Adelaide are desperate to gain pick 4 so they can pick up Ebert.

because the demand for pick 4 is very high, MFC could get something really awesome for it.

What if we gave away pick 4- in return gained pick 8-10 plus a highly rated youngster...thatd be great.

[deanox 9,989]

I suggested this a few days ago, but if we were able to get our hands on another top 10 pick, would it be silly of the MFC to recruit both Rance and Henderson?

With the likes of Rivers as our 3rd man up, Rance (our genuine FB or CHB), Carroll, Frawley, Petterd, Bell and even Bartram having a stint in the backline, it does create a formidable back-line in years to come!!!

With Newton, Henderson, Davey, Bate, Dunn and Sylvia, that forward line looks rather good as well.

We could draft for mid-fielders next year, this would be rather good IMO, as the mid-fielders usually don't take as long to find their feet, and with another year under the belt with the example of Rance and Henderson, in 2-3 years time we could have a rather good line-up all over the park.

so basically, would we trade robbo, a proven performer but with questionable value going forward, for henderson, a young KPP with potential to be a good player, but no guarantee he will ever play a match...

its a gamble, but its up to the footy dept to decide if its a gamble worth taking...

[beelzebub 23,383]

i reckon if MFC were clever, they would use the fact that Adelaide and Port Adelaide are desperate to gain pick 4 so they can pick up Ebert.

because the demand for pick 4 is very high, MFC could get something really awesome for it.

What if we gave away pick 4- in return gained pick 8-10 plus a highly rated youngster...thatd be great.

this might be a very sound way to get an instant effect for a draft pick...

Maybe pick 4 and 21 for someone like Ebert and the Crows pick ..is 10 ?

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

so basically, would we trade robbo

We wouldn't have to give up Robbo necessarily, we could trade TJ (not that i support that option, i would rather see Robbo traded than TJ).

I just didn't list Robbo in the forward line because in 2-3 years time he would be 31/32. He would no longer be part of our future.

[deanox 9,989]

We wouldn't have to give up Robbo necessarily, we could trade TJ (not that i support that option, i would rather see Robbo traded than TJ).

I just didn't list Robbo in the forward line because in 2-3 years time he would be 31/32. He would no longer be part of our future.

no worries.

i do like the idea of trading for top draft picks however. or trading for quality kids. i dont like the idea of trading for 25 and aboves tho...

[Demons 32 235]

I suggested this a few days ago, but if we were able to get our hands on another top 10 pick, would it be silly of the MFC to recruit both Rance and Henderson?

This would be my ultimate satisfaction from the off-season. Unless we could somehow get Cotchin in draft.

Find a way using Robbo and pick 21 to get that extra top 10 pick.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

No one is able to perform when injured, look at Judd!

Thats one of the issues 28 yo, last 2 years been injured..... tick tock tick tock

FWIW & IMO I would pay up for Judd given his condition.

40 goals = useless?

11 against Carlton and 7 goals against a 2nd game Collingwood player in a defence that was missing Clement, Presti, Wakelin and lost O'Brien in the 1st quarter.

That 18 goals in downhill skiing country = easy games. There were about 22 goals in 15 games.

His goal haul on the face of it overvalues the manner of his contribution.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I'll also bet London to a brick that we will not trade pick 4.

[beelzebub 23,383]

I also bet London to a brick that we will not trade pick 4.

I doubt it too...but there are options.. Should always be at least open to offers.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I doubt it too...but there are options.. Should always be at least open to offers.

Where our list is ATM we should be focussing our pick on selecting the best available young player. I have not seen evidence of any player good enough and available and that we want that we would pitch that trade pick.

If anything we should be seeing what we can achieve through smart trading from our list to seek a further pick in the Top 10.

Pick 21 should be considered for a trade or addressing specific needs within the draft

[old55 23,691]

Robbo's useful - he's a pack marking, goal kicking, sometime match-winning forward - that's why he's got trade value. I don't think you'll see too many articles where clubs are chasing players who are useless.

But he's 29, has a bung knee and is not a team player.

Yze and Bizzell illustrate the risks of giving players in this situation 3 years, we're absolutely right sticking with 2 years or trade him if we benefit.

[Choko 493]

I think there is almost no chance Robbo would leave the red and blue. Yes, other clubs have shown interest, but it's another thing ltogether to think he wants to leave.

And, I haven't seen it said here, but if he is out of contract, can't he just walk? Like, why would the dogs have to trade for him?

[mo64 5,881]

I suggested this a few days ago, but if we were able to get our hands on another top 10 pick, would it be silly of the MFC to recruit both Rance and Henderson?

Bailey has already stated that we will draft the best available kid, rather than for needs. I still have nightmares about Molan and Lamb, and I'm not convinced that Frawley was the best available at pick 12.

[old55 23,691]

And, I haven't seen it said here, but if he is out of contract, can't he just walk? Like, why would the dogs have to trade for him?

Sure he could .. but he loves the club

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

Bailey has already stated that we will draft the best available kid, rather than for needs. I still have nightmares about Molan and Lamb, and I'm not convinced that Frawley was the best available at pick 12.

Well of the players below Frawley, the likes of Riewoldt, Sellar, Jetta and Hawkins (who was father/son) are the only ones that would spring to mind in terms of a "better choice". Hawkins we couldn't get, Sellar would have gone home after his 2-year contract, Jetta has hardly lit the world on fire in his 3 games, and Riewoldt had the same type of season as Frawley.

We looked at what we needed in last years draft (given it was another "super draft"). A backman was the answer and still is the answer. and we need a permanent CHF. That's why if we could snare both Rance and Henderson in the draft, it would be a great effort.

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

Over on 'ology there's talk of Leigh Brown from the Kangaroos. 194cm and 100kg's. Just interested in what the Demonland posters think of him.

[TonyMelb 7]

No one is able to perform when injured, look at Judd!

mo64, I never equated individual goal kicking with team success. However as a forward, it is Robbo's main job to kick goals. He was our leading goal kicker this year, despite poor delivery from the midfield and so forth. Therefore, he has done his primary job.

It would be nice if he chased more, didn't go to ground as often, etc etc... but he did his job.

spot on! If Robbo is to be traded on basis of his 2007 perfomance - chasing etc poor (partyly due to dicky knee!) then why aren't those wanting him traded criticising the Skipper as well???? Neita's job is alo to kick goals and he was run off by the defenders also - perhaps more. Less goals than robbo. Robbo should not have been played in several games as clearly not fit> Especially after Neita's 300th should have been sent off to get fixed.

[brey9186 102]

Melbourne get - Steven Salopek and pick 5

Port Adelaide get - Pick 4 and Mark Jamar

Bulldogs get - Russell Robertson and Pick 14 (or what ever Port get at seasons end)

what do we think of this? Bulldogs get a key forward, and only lose a few spots in the draft, we get a talkented youngster, only lose 1 spot in the draft, and get rid of a bit of junk, Port get the chance to get Ebert

still gives us the chance to draft Rance or who ever, and we pick up salopek, who has a relationship with Bailey already, would add pace to our midfield too

and if port dont want to play, talk to Adelaide, we get knights and meeson (and pick 5) while still sending jamar back to SA (where he is apparantly highly rated)

[The Fergburger 0]

Melbourne get - Steven Salopek and pick 5

Port Adelaide get - Pick 4 and Mark Jamar

Bulldogs get - Russell Robertson and Pick 14 (or what ever Port get at seasons end)

.

I don't think port wont Jamar

I think if we trade Robbo to the bulldogs there will be no other teams will be involved.

[sylvinator 96]

Melbourne get - Steven Salopek and pick 5

Port Adelaide get - Pick 4 and Mark Jamar

Bulldogs get - Russell Robertson and Pick 14 (or what ever Port get at seasons end)

what do we think of this? Bulldogs get a key forward, and only lose a few spots in the draft, we get a talkented youngster, only lose 1 spot in the draft, and get rid of a bit of junk, Port get the chance to get Ebert

still gives us the chance to draft Rance or who ever, and we pick up salopek, who has a relationship with Bailey already, would add pace to our midfield too

and if port dont want to play, talk to Adelaide, we get knights and meeson (and pick 5) while still sending jamar back to SA (where he is apparantly highly rated)

that would be awesome from our point of view...not sure if bullies or port would agree.

i think it would extremely clever of melb to use the fact that Port want pick 4 badly to our advantage. In this draft, from pick 3-8 are all potentially as good as eachother.

Rance, Henderson, Palmer, Morton, Ebert, McEvoy, Masten...it is anyones guess who will be the best out of this awesome bunch. if we have pick 7 or 8 instead of 4 we could still pick up the best one...

btw, i really rate Salopek and would love to get him

[BrownlowBruce 1]

maybe i wont have to follow melbourne next year... all my fav players willl be at better teams

[dee-luded 2,959]

maybe i wont have to follow melbourne next year... all my fav players willl be at better teams

?Maybe you just get seduced by the flashy 'Bling type' players, instead of the real creator type.