I personally think that Mark Johnson would be worth picking up purely because he is a hard at it no nonsense player of which we are currently lacking in our back line. He might be able to do the Nathan Brown jobs. Interesting reading the Herald Sun yesterday and it stated that his running times were some of the best at Essendon which to me shows that he can be an asset to the club for a few years.

Also when people talk about the players we have taken that have turned out to be duds annoys me because it comes down to the recruting staff that are picking up dud players. Not every player taken in the PSD is a dud and I think it is time for the club to take a risk and pick up someone like Johnson in the draft because he may turn out to be what we need. If he turns out to be a dud then so be it, but atleast we gave him the chance to show what he can do. Dont foget that sometimes gambles pay off.

Ashley Sampi is now available.

He is 23 years old and may be worth rehabilitating.

Ashley Sampi is now available.

He is 23 years old and may be worth rehabilitating.

No for me...

Maybe he IS worth rehabilitating, but we would need a coach and footy department that had the "Pagan" touch. That is, turning basket-case footballers into hard-working players. We couldn't do it with Pickett, but then maybe the new coaching panel could. the point is, are you willing to role the dice and find out later that DB and his men aren't in the Pagan mould? I reckon wait a few years and let's see what they're made of. Also, I'm not sure Sampi was ever all that good. Yes he took a screamer with Adem's help, but what's he really ever done? Really...

There has to be better players to take a risk on hasn't there?

No for me...

Maybe he IS worth rehabilitating, but we would need a coach and footy department that had the "Pagan" touch. That is, turning basket-case footballers into hard-working players. We couldn't do it with Pickett, but then maybe the new coaching panel could. the point is, are you willing to role the dice and find out later that DB and his men aren't in the Pagan mould? I reckon wait a few years and let's see what they're made of. Also, I'm not sure Sampi was ever all that good. Yes he took a screamer with Adem's help, but what's he really ever done? Really...

There has to be better players to take a risk on hasn't there?

well said..that is why we use chris connollys expertise to see if its worth picking up riley dunn!!

No for me...

Maybe he IS worth rehabilitating, but we would need a coach and footy department that had the "Pagan" touch. That is, turning basket-case footballers into hard-working players. We couldn't do it with Pickett, but then maybe the new coaching panel could. the point is, are you willing to role the dice and find out later that DB and his men aren't in the Pagan mould? I reckon wait a few years and let's see what they're made of. Also, I'm not sure Sampi was ever all that good. Yes he took a screamer with Adem's help, but what's he really ever done? Really...

There has to be better players to take a risk on hasn't there?

I wouldn't touch Sampi. Too much trouble for player that struggled with the demands of AFL when he actually played it.

I dont know if I would cherish the "Pagan" touch. There were a number of key footballers he has struggled to bring into line including Pike, Carey and Fevola.

I think Pagan has been out of touch with AFL for quite some time.

I hope FCS that DB is not in the Pagan mould.

I dont know if I would cherish the "Pagan" touch. There were a number of key footballers he has struggled to bring into line including Pike, Carey and Fevola.

I'd dispute Fevola. His career was finished until Pagan came along.

I'm probably just splitting hairs anyway, your point is still just as valid.

I wouldn't touch Sampi.

I would. Let's not be too precious, after all they are only footballers. Sampi is a talented player and football clubs imitate life in that some people mature later than others. Indigenous players can sometimes present their own challenges, but with a good network of support and different environment, he may thrive. He fits our 23 and under criteria, has pace, and we could do with a goal kicking forward crumber.

You would never have touched Pike either Rhino, it doesn't make you right.

I don't know Sampi's problems, but if we can't take a chance on nurturing unfulfilled talent every time someone has blotted their copy book, or struggled in a particular environment, then we're not much of a club. I don't think it's much of a punt, btw. The upside is very good and the downside doesn't lose much.

He's stated that he'd like to come to Melbourne (the city) and he may not have thrived under the ego driven West Coast mantra or the spotlight of a small two team town.

I'd certainly look at him.

I wouldn't touch Sampi. Too much trouble for player that struggled with the demands of AFL when he actually played it.

I dont know if I would cherish the "Pagan" touch. There were a number of key footballers he has struggled to bring into line including Pike, Carey and Fevola.

I think Pagan has been out of touch with AFL for quite some time.

I hope FCS that DB is not in the Pagan mould.

Yeah. Ok. Well, I didn't say I'd want a Pagan clone, just someone with the Pagan touch... I could have said the Matthews touch, or the Sheedy touch... Being good with misbehaving footballers is all I was talking about. You could be a good development coach, a clever match-day tactician AND good with the basket-case players...

Troubled and talented footballers always provide a challenge for Clubs seeking success but also wanting to maintain a winning and popular profile and culture.

IMO Sampi was a talented but inconsistent and sometimes undisciplined footballer. I am not sure he had ever worked out what was really required for AFL and whether he wanted it. Off field the issues arising for him were serious and numerous and raise serious questions of character. They did seem to have been directly linked to the more cancerous aspects of the WCE and if Sampi ran away to the bush from a small two club town then a big city is not necessarily the medicine.

By all means look at Sampi but the words "CAVEAT EMPTOR" apply. FWIW, I think Pike's (periodical) indiscretions were minor to Sampi's issues. Pike had a very very fortunate career and made the most of it despite his off field behaviour. But that's another story.

Yeah. Ok. Well, I didn't say I'd want a Pagan clone, just someone with the Pagan touch... I could have said the Matthews touch, or the Sheedy touch... Being good with misbehaving footballers is all I was talking about. You could be a good development coach, a clever match-day tactician AND good with the basket-case players...

I am not sure what the Pagan touch is as I have given 3 significant talented and troubled footballers who Pagan has failed to change or manage.

I understand the issue with managing misbehaving footballers I dont think the label is at all accurate. I am not sure Sheedy or Matthews are necessarily better replacements.

I think Pike's (periodical) indiscretions were minor to Sampi's issues. Pike had a very very fortunate career and made the most of it despite his off field behaviour. But that's another story.

Pike was a p!sshead who was sacked from 2 clubs and headbutted the current CEO of a third.

How much of a d!ckhead do you have to be ?

As for Sampi ? It's the measure of a club and their leadership of how well they can nurture a wayward talent. Naturally there'll be times when you say "thanks but no thanks", but to dismiss Sampi out of hand when we aren't privvy to all the facts seems silly to me.

I would. Let's not be too precious, after all they are only footballers. Sampi is a talented player and football clubs imitate life in that some people mature later than others. Indigenous players can sometimes present their own challenges, but with a good network of support and different environment, he may thrive. He fits our 23 and under criteria, has pace, and we could do with a goal kicking forward crumber.

You would never have touched Pike either Rhino, it doesn't make you right.

I don't know Sampi's problems, but if we can't take a chance on nurturing unfulfilled talent every time someone has blotted their copy book, or struggled in a particular environment, then we're not much of a club. I don't think it's much of a punt, btw. The upside is very good and the downside doesn't lose much.

He's stated that he'd like to come to Melbourne (the city) and he may not have thrived under the ego driven West Coast mantra or the spotlight of a small two team town.

I'd certainly look at him.

Sampi made it public that he didnt want to play footy. he had no passion or desire to be an afl footballer due to the committments. There is nothing wrong with what he decided but its a complete waste of a pick to get him. If he doesent wanna play, he doesent wanna play. Simple as that

Sampi made it public that he didnt want to play footy. he had no passion or desire to be an afl footballer due to the committments. There is nothing wrong with what he decided but its a complete waste of a pick to get him. If he doesent wanna play, he doesent wanna play. Simple as that

Now he does. And who knows what led him to that decision. Sometimes you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

It's as simple as that.

There is a big difference between being de-listed and deciding you dont want to be in that club/town any longer.

Ryley Dunn was delisted.

Ash Sampi has walked out.

Even if he isnt picked up by us he adds to the tapestry that looks like a richer PSD than we have seen for a few years.

DB was on the radio saying MFC will not be considering Ben Cousins in the Pre-season draft.

Sampi made it public that he didnt want to play footy. he had no passion or desire to be an afl footballer due to the committments. There is nothing wrong with what he decided but its a complete waste of a pick to get him. If he doesent wanna play, he doesent wanna play. Simple as that

I would look at Sampi, as I would at every possible recruit and then I would probably dismiss him. My reasoning is fairly simple. He walked away from his football career. He was then given the chance, with plenty of prior notice, to undergo a fitness test with the Eagles. He refused to undergo the test yesterday. What does that suggest? To me it suggests that he isn't fit and didn't want to fail the test. Running away from tests is a habit with the Eagles. Leopards rarely change their spots. He had talent but was undisciplined and the latest episode suggests no change. There are other players more desperate to play AFL than him and I would look at them first.

He refused to undergo the test yesterday. What does that suggest? To me it suggests that he isn't fit and didn't want to fail the test.

Fancy being unfit in late October having not trained for weeks ? Go figure.

I don't really give a flying whether we get Sampi, but he'd be more talented than many on our list. Being the 38th player on the list wouldn't be the worst punt I've seen.

I'm in Hannabal's and Redleg's camp. I'd look at him.

First thing to do is to identify his problems and see if we have the ability to deal with them. Remember, we have a completely different looking footy department this year. We've got two development coaches and an innovations coach to assist our three assistant coaches and senior coach. That's a lot more resource than last year and we've put this structure in place to help us deal with and develop players.

The second thing to do is to determine what we pay for him (not money, which pick).

In a thin draft I'd spend one of our later picks on him if he passes the "we can deal with it" issue. He's a very talented footballer.

are people talking about the same pagan that won two flags and took north them to a couple of grand finals. And saying he couldnt manage carey? he is the best player i have ever seen!

I'm in Hannabal's and Redleg's camp. I'd look at him.

First thing to do is to identify his problems and see if we have the ability to deal with them. Remember, we have a completely different looking footy department this year. We've got two development coaches and an innovations coach to assist our three assistant coaches and senior coach. That's a lot more resource than last year and we've put this structure in place to help us deal with and develop players.

The second thing to do is to determine what we pay for him (not money, which pick).

In a thin draft I'd spend one of our later picks on him if he passes the "we can deal with it" issue. He's a very talented footballer.

Yep agree with that, there doesn't appears to be much else on offer and we can cut and run on a one year contract if it turns to custard.

Says he will nominate for the ND ...

"He'll nominate for the national draft and he's prepared to play for minimum wage. That's about $10,000 more than a third- or fourth-round draft pick," van der Wielen said.

so we would need to consider 53, 69 or 85 for him.

are people talking about the same pagan that won two flags and took north them to a couple of grand finals. And saying he couldnt manage carey? he is the best player i have ever seen!

No. It was just me. The issue was Pagan's ability to manage players who had off field problems

Carey was a magnificent player and one of the best. And Pagan does deserve credit for that. However behind the scenes, Carey's off field behaviour and indiscretions were known, tolerated and went unmanaged by Pagan and the Club. Unfortunately it came to a public and destructive climax for Carey and his personal life.

We really really need another crumber, so it would make sense for us to look at Sampi.

However, he does have shades of Byron about him, minus all the medals!

minus all the medals!

The ones yet to come are the interesting ones.

Of all the players mentioned so far Sampi is the one I'd choose. However, at this stage I'd still prefer to take a punt with an untried talented kid from either the VFL, SANFL or WAFL

I don't see the point in drafting untrieds in the PSD. You might as well just draft them in the ND or the RD if you think they're worth anything. It just seems to defeat the purpose of the PSD to me.