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Look at me, now look at your post, now back at me.

Because we're only up to 'i' in the name every single player game. Garrick Ibbotson anyone?

Yeah, he failed. Countless others have too. But he still gets to go and watch and have a beer and enjoy the coming renaissance. He loves the club and he deserves what he got and not a jot more. Move on, the club has. And his articles have made some petty good points; you fail with the best of intentions and the purest of motives. It does not a villain make,

I keep hearing that midfielders are easier to get yet we haven't nabbed one in a decade of high picks.

That floats like an anvil.

One thing floating pick 2 does is chum the waters. We say pick 2 is on the market, clubs don't offer true value players but do suggest players that don't warrant it and tip their hand. This could be useful with pick 20 to the fore. We can start a negotiation with the player - try to get them keen enough to come across, that's step 1. Then step 2: "Luke, they were falling over themselves to ditch you for pick 2."

I used to think Schwab was a great asset to the club, I would see him at preseason games at Casey walking the crowd, talking to the faithful and he sounded like it was all going in the right direction. I enjoyed the whiteboard Wed as it was different and gave an insight into the goings on and again sounded great. The further away from that period I get the more unbelievable it all seems, we are still paying for it and will for years to come, possibly decades. I understand moving on but I just find it hard to hear what he says or writes without a sense of petty "pppfffttt what would you know, look where we are now Cam.." An old boss of mine took me aside one day when I was in my mid-twenties and said to me: "I have two types of people who work for me. Those who are outcome focussed and those who are output focussed. I need you to become more outcome focussed." I always think of George Costanza when I think of output focussed, running around with a piece of paper in your hand "looking busy" but achieving little. Turned my working career around (well after a few years anyway). One thing that has always stuck with me is to try work towards and be an outcome focussed person. You can have all the output in the word but get 0 outcomes of value to the organisation. That is Schwab to me, he talks a brilliant game and knows the business insights inside out but his output was a lot higher than the outcomes he delivered to MFC. One thing he said today on the radio was a failed high draft pick was a "opportunity cost" and how high that opportunity cost was. Well Cam the opportunity cost of having you on board for so long would stretch into the millions.

Dylan Shiel for pick 2 would be a brilliant result.

but don't the swans have a no DH policy?

Did richmond really just give up their 2nd round pick for Hampson? That is poor trading. Injury prone. Can't kick. Goes missing when the pressure is on. Sure he is just a back up ruck. But 2nd round pick for a backup ruck? Jesus. Hope we don't do anything as stupid as that.

Thats not the Freeman you're looking for.

Not sure. The pressing need to get elite midfield talent into this club is clear. However, McDonald could be our FB/CHB for the next 10 years, and whilst we clearly need mids now, I maintain the view that midfielders are easier to come by than key position defenders. Missing out on a midfielder now is easier to remedy down the track than losing a star defender (i.e. it's going to be harder to find someone to replace McDonald than it will be to find someone to 'replace' Shiel). If I knew 100% that we will keep Frawley next year, then maybe this would be less difficult, but, taking into account our midfield stocks, I don't know if Shiel is worth McDonald. I do agree with you though that, in order to get some elite talent, we're may well have to be ruthless, so if it ended up happening, I wouldn't be upset.

Bomber fan just rang up trade radio to ask if the bombers could get pick 2 for trading Myers. lol

Look i agree with what you have written, my point was that he is generally a good footy person, like you say, ultimately not a good CEO, continually bagging him and get nasty and peronal with him is just not my go. ive moved on, reckon others should as well.

A mutual friend who works at ESP, it was no real secret. I asked if it was foxing for extra $$$'s. He said definitely not. He also said Geelong is the most desired destination for another target we're after but it's a case of getting it done. I asked if several official offers are put to a client including from Melbourne, he cut me off and said , if it's a player seeking more game time , it's likely they'll steer them toward that offer, if it's an established player they'll steer them toward the successful team. He said Melbourne us undesirable as a club , the brand damage and poor culture has meant young players and established players looking for success are not evening considering advances from us. He doesn't see us landing an established midfielder we've been making noise about. He thinks we'll be taking pick 2 to the Draft

Luke Shuey's Manager interviewed on SEN earlier this morning categorically stated that Shuey was contracted at the Eagles for the next two years, and wasn't going anywhere but staying at the Eagles. Tim Gossage and Glen McFarlane need their collective heads read. You can rule him out based on his managers statement.

If I was Viney and Mahoney and a team offered Pick 22 for Colin - I would take it. We will find out for certain in a couple weeks.

You would assume "talks starting" really means we've been talking to Shiel's management for some time and we've offered him a pretty attractive contract and now it's a matter of whether GWS is prepared to let a contracted player leave.

I'm really worried about us trading pick two for average to good footballers then watching Aish etc blossom into stars.

Different Freeman. Is it Groundhog Day?

best thing about Shiel is that he is an angry pric and tough as hell An angry [censored] who is a hell of a footballer Get him MFC, just get him

neither will help our midfield woes

Mahoney hinted that Shiel is in our sights. I'd be more than happy with a straight swap for pick 2.

Does anyone remember when CS came on here and told us he was glad none of us are in charge of the club? Hypocrite of the highest order.

Gary Ablett? Chris Dawes? The 'challenge' mightn't be the only factor (i.e. money is regularly involved), but it is what lured Ablett to the Gold Coast, and may be a part of what brought Dawes here. Agreed. If played right, pick 2 could have extra value outside of what we directly do with it.

I'm willing to predict our 1st rounder will be early in 2014 so only a very few clubs will be able to force us to use it.

I've been expecting Port Adelaide to make a play for Fitzy. Let's see what happens. He's the most tradeable player on our list, in my opinion.

Cameron Schwab writing about club management is like Terry Wallace writing about list management.

Sat what you like about Cam, but he knows his Football, and knows his players. was a great recruiter in his early days. I might be one out, but i dont have the hatede fof him like so many others and the disrespect shown for him is a bit boring to be honest. And no, i am not CS.

I recall being at a "Before the Bounce" function, and for some reason Schwab was explaining to supporters Michael Newton's value as a forward, after someone had obviously asked a question about him. He was telling the group that Newton's value was in providing a contest, that he jumps high for marks and even if he doesn't take the mark, the ball will fall close to his feet and makes it easier for our smalls to crumb off him. All I could think at the time, beyond it being crap, was "why are you even getting involved in this sort of discussion? You shouldn't be commenting on this. You're the effing CEO..." He was like one of us on this forum, being popped in the position of CEO, but really wanting to be involved in the football side of things. Couldn't help himself.

I'm sure there's a joke about Tom's dad and squealing like a pig in there somewhere . . . .

I've been trying to work out who we could possibly snag for pick 2 and it's tough to see a deal happening. As others have said, why would a club trade a known 22-24yo gun for a potential 18 yo gun? Would only be because a) they have an abundance of talented mids and want to manage the age dispersion and/or b) one of their players want to return to Melbourne and they want to get some value for them. So the likely candidates are from interstate clubs; hence the rumours of Sloane, Rockliff, Shuey and Swallow. Sloane signed an extension for 3 years in 2012 and is club champion (not likely to go anywhere), Brisbane apparently rejected our offer for Rockliff, leaving Shuey and Swallow as candidates. I think Swallow is the most likely as he ticks both a & b boxes.

I hear a rumour that the club has a number of feelers out and is waiting to see who bites before making up their minds on whether to trade off pick 2 or not. Very reliable source.

Inside and outside mids are outdated concepts. We need good well rounded mids who win thier own footy and run hard to receive. Please lets not repeat the mistakes of Bailey/Prendergast. I am sure the current fd know what they want.

It's Trengove. He's our captain.

Showed why he was highly rated back in his junior days. Tall super quick forwards dont grow on trees and we are blessed to have him in our side. Roos rates him highly and i cannot wait to see him take his game to the next level with more confidence and development. People have forgotten Fitzy has beaten the odds to play AFL footy and contribute like he did this year CFS and then diabetes nearly haulted his career. This guy has some serious determination and courage. I sti shake my head at people that still want to trade him after what he showed this year.

Adams clearly doesn't want to play for Melbourne, and Shiel is still contracted. Let's try and be just a tad realistic.

Scotty21, the bomberblitz organiser, was talking february...

Hi guys, hello from Manchester. Robyn Van Persie says hello. I am away for a few days and Sylvia leaves, Greg Healy leaves and a mates horse wins the Manifold Stakes. What is going on? No good rumours for us ATM. Getting the feeling that FA may be a disaster against for the AFL. Don't think it will achieve what was hoped. The strong get stronger and the weak are further weakened. Well done AD. We should go hell for leather to get the highest compo possible for Sylvia considering we got no PP. Buddy and Tippett to a club that won a flag and get another million every year paid by the AFL is a disgrace when we get a million asa once off and it is the biggest deal ever according to the media and the other clubs. At the same time we get the sh.t timeslots and are condemned to mediocrity with no ability to earn real money. It is a disgrace. Even the Mancurians agree with me. I am looking around for possible players but they are only good with a round ball. Looking forward to seeing WJ soon and discussing the MFC. Keep up the news guys, it is much appreciated by all Demonland readers.

Schwab was on SEN this morning. "Mario from Doncaster", a regular caller who is usually a bit of a [censored] held on the line for about 10 minutes just to pay out on Schwab and Prendergast on how poor their recruiting was during his time. Mario then went on to ask if Lucas Cook would be drafted again, it was actually quite funny and quite satisfying to hear.

He's gotta use that desk for something I suppose...

You have been really pushing the Shuey thing Smithy! There is going to be know hiding if it doesnt happen now! Haha I really hope it does though! I rate Shuey very highly.

And the weird thing is, I hadn't realised that Scully was a Crows supporter when growing up:

Word today - two clubs very interested in attempting to win pick 2. west coast 'entertaining' idea of shuey trade. Doesn't guarantee it will happen but I trust the source. remember this post

Naysayers stuck in the pre-Roos era. I know for a fact that at least two clubs are very interested in pick 2. I know that Shuey is viewed as a definite possibility. I know that west coast now with a coach will entertain the idea. it was the same naysayers that said there was no chance we'd get Roos. We have and we have already grown in stature as a consequence. we are win win. We get a good trade we do ok. But few trades ultimately come through and then we just pick up Aish or Kelly.

He does write well, but also, after xx years in football admin, is able to contribute a P.O.V. from the inside. Some of his historical insights were interesting/revealing. Says something about him though: he was always a CEO operating mainly from the PR/marketing side, and perhaps not surprising that he has taken up the pen.

A few years ago a mate who is a Kangaroos supporter posted a bs trade on the Roos forum and stated it from sources "inside the club" that at face value appeared feasible just to see what the reaction would be. Within half an hour, blokes were ringing up SEN with it. People post all sorts of crazy crap at this time of the year............believe none of it unless it comes from the club.

It's from the FB page that throws up ridiculous stuff lifted from forums and 'trade radio'. It's not true.

You're even thicker than I thought. Biffen said Varcoe had been good lately and that the concerns I voiced were from some years ago, but not "now". I then proceeded to give his "lately" stats, i.e. the last 2 years, which contradicted Biffen's assertions. As usual, this significant point will escape you. Second dumbest poster I've ever come across. Congrats.

Put Frank Grimes back in number 16.