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Have you been asleep for the last two (or so) years? Do you have any other earth shattering news to cheer us up?

You are kidding, surely... Sewell is a veteran finals campaigner in one of, if not THE best midfields in the AFL, is very well spoken in terms of getting a message across, has a very good football brain and would provide the kind of leadership and guidance that our team is crying out for. Yes, he is 29 which probably gives him 3 good years in the game, but what he can offer would go far beyond that... he would be helping to develop a midfield that will carry us for the next decade. Sorry, but I can never understand the short term thinking that believes we should not be bringing in experienced mids who are in the twilight of their careers but who can offer the kind of mentoring that we would otherwise dream of (it would be almost like having another coach on the field). After all, it's not as if we are going to be playing finals in the next couple of years if we opt purely for youth and inexperience. I don't know, maybe it's a Gen-Y thing?

A quarter past five? What kind of a job is that? Mine usually finishes at five on the dot.

Probably right up until the point where MFC attempt it.

I think we are too impatient for trading results on here. It is VERY early in the process, and you never buy at first sight. All the business negotiations I have ever been involved in both here and offshore, you always start with an ambit claim to which your opposition fein outrage at the unreasonableness of your demands. It is part of the tactics. What would concern me most is if we did a deal so soon in the period. It would mean we had learnt nothing from the last 5 years. I’m very attracted to the suggestion on here that we have been “shopping” pick 2 around “with unreasonable demands for which no one is biting” (no doubt a rumour planted in the Press by opposition clubs to try and get us to lessen our demands). What this process does do though is to get other clubs to reveal to us who is really on the market, so we can then go back and target them later on with lower draft picks (and maybe players). Smart negotiating and miles ahead of our tactics of the past. I have always felt that the “pick 2 is on the table” was a bit of a ruse on our behalf – there are simply too many elite midfielders in the draft who would give us a champion for many years to come (except if we were silly enough to draft another Scully, but I think Roos is too smart for that – his record with the Swans in that regard was impeccable. He will very carefully check out “character". If we had have done that with Scully, even in a very limited form, we would have seen him and his father to be the complete tossers they are). No, I am very buoyed by what I am observing happening these last couple of weeks. We are employing far more sophisticated tactics than previously, and I am sure we will land so very tasty morsels before this is over. We just need to allow our negotiating team to go through the process. Really good deals take a long time to complete, and are often done at the "11th hour". We just need to be patient and enjoy watching this pan out. Hopefully we will take a few other clubs for a ride rather than the opposite, which is what has happened in the past. I’m really enjoying watching this unfold......

Jeez, the three-week trade period has been going for two days. Come back on October 25 and then complain about the result. And even then, if we don't get someone, it'll be for a good reason.

As it turned out I think the club did. Hogan - $cully

I can't understand anyone saying no to Sewell. He's just won his second premiership at the Hawks and despite being dropped earlier in the year, was an integral part of their flag success. If Hawthorn was asking for the #2 pick, alright, but he will come relatively cheaply. And of course we could play Sewell and Cross in the same midfield. FFS, have people already forgotten about how rubbish our midfield was this year? Jones, Viney, Sewell, Cross, Toumpas, Trengove and Grimes is at least competitive. Add Aish or an upcoming mid that we trade for pick #2 and we might be watchable next year.

Sewell shows fantastic leadership in tight games and finds an extra gear during finals footy. Perfect fit for us next year.

So much wishful thinking.

"St Kilda had shown interest in the 21-year-old, but AFL.com.au understands his decision will be between the Demons and Fremantle, which is keen to retain the on-baller" Sounds like we're a shot. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-08/trade-wrap-tuesday

Sewell? Ever listened to him on 360? Ever looked at his body? Seems to be one of the best trainers and prepares at hawthorn, and I think wants to go into coaching once he has finished. Can win inside footy 30+ times and consistently stands up in big games. (besides quiet gf this yr) 29, could get 2-3 years out of him in a playing assistant role.

Hopefully this is the last time.

Thanks to those who stuffed this club prior to the new regime. Free agency and trades will make strong clubs stronger while the rest rot in the background. Equalisation is further away day by day. I am furious that the MFC is not a club of choice for future jets, previous administrations should hang their heads in shame.

If this one isn't up to scratch it's going to be where the F is Nasher, because I'm going to flee to the Seychelles or something.

Absolutely. Sweeteners Dawes and Barry.

You're a particularly objectionable fellow.

Players don't want to come here because we are a running joke in the AFL at the moment. Inflate that percentage, play with some fire and belief, have a few wins and the wheel starts turning. FA doesn't care who you are or what your ladder position is, if you start acting like a competent club you can attract and keep good players.

Just don't get the doom and gloom. The problem with getting a Pick 2 worthy player to the MFC has little or nothing to do with the MFC and everything to do with clubs not wanting to release those kinds of players. Unless I've missed something and Rockfield, Shuey, Swallow etc. have all found new homes that aren't the Dees?

What I hate is player managers being interviewed on radio all the time. I understand for free agency the manager is involved but we now have managers being asked what deal between X and Y to get their player to a club is. Those deals have nothing to do with the managers, it's between the two clubs.

How long until the AFL backflip and declare that in the future long-term deals of this sort will not be allowed?

I did joke elsewhere Hannebery and Dew for #2

I didn't think anyone wanted to be at the Saints right now, including their own players.

Bub, sorry for offending, I just needed a bit of levity. Do you think we should target midfielders, I reckon that's what we should do.

What to say about the Dallas game? Romo can do no wrong until the 4th quarter. Great by the bengals and KC. The same cant be said about the giants and jags. Packers may be playing without cCay Matthews for a while. I'm trying to get my head around Freeman in purple. Will ponder go from a starting QB to a 3rd stringer? Cassel played very well in London and will probably start next week. I'd imagine freeman will need time to get used to the offensive scheme so he may be a starter soon. Our offence is pretty simple though. Hand it to AP. Repeat that 40+ times a game. Then to confuse the defense, Play action then throw it out of bounds just to remind the defense that we might throw it. Then hand it back to AP.

If Tapscott is on more than $250K then that helps explain why we are so crap.

hardtack...its not just a Gen Y thing , its a "dont bloody understand footy " thing !!

I liked what Balmey said about Geelongs trades. "We don't talk about them till they're done." MFC would do well to follow the same process.

It all started with Judd, and now everyone, including players with no runs on the board believe they can call the shots. in the past players were traded all the time against their will for the betterment of the club. I agree that clubs like Brisbane and GWS should be looking for the best deal not simply appeasing deserting players.

pick 38 is going to be more use than our current pick 108.

Yes Tapscott's salary to Jones would be way better value.

Because the correct saying is "the proof of the pudding is in the eating". To quote Urban Dictionary: The original saying is "the proof of the pudding is in the eating", basically meaning that something has to be experienced or utilised in order to prove how good it is. This phrase got messed up by idiots who don't quite understand what they are saying."

Sleeve has already mentioned he has a mate that works at ESP. And whatever I may think of him he wouldn't air it unless it was rock solid information.

Ok, let me get this straight. 1. You've been thinking 2. Because we are not a desirable destination we have to offer more to a club than a desirable club. 3. Because we are not a desirable destination we have to offer more money to the player to play for us. Good thinking. Keep it up! PS: I'd send this advice to Todd and Roosy, it could be a game changer.

Can we please look past players with no meat and not likely to get a lot. Aish's dna doesnt suggest to me he would stand the crunch too long in the REAL world of BIG MAN"s footy ...the AFL SANFL isnt the AFL..its a tad better , if, than better VFL. We've already got one SA lightweight that needs years. Can we get the next Wines please...this time...can we. !!

I'm of the opinion that we will get none of the players that we are after and I wonder if Roos is beginning to believe the job is even bigger than he thought. We have a coach for the next two or three years and I guess that any players we approach will look at that and think why should I commit if he won't. We must get the name of the Senior Assistant out as soon as possible; there is too much uncertainty at the moment. I think Roos should have just signed on and not made a point of saying he was getting out in two or three years; there is just too much of the temporary and not enough of the permanent at our club.

who is ??? lol

Ryan Ferguson!!!!! He could have been ours years ago!!! Sewell I mean.

Unless we get a superstar midfielder like Dangerfield, Pendlebury etc pick 2 should be off the table. I'm sure the club are smart enough to know this is the benchmark for what you should expect in return. They are just throwing that out there in the hope a club is going for a radical list change. This pick will be used on the 2nd best kid in the draft. I'll be happy with that.

Bucks, Rocket and Pert sitting next to me in my hotel bar in Manchester. Heard the name Adams mentioned a couple of times. If Shaw goes to GWS you can lock it in I would suggest. Bucks said he thought we might be pretty quiet in trade week when I asked him. He looks fit enough to still play.

Ummmm awkward question, why aren't your dogs all ready signed? Fair weather?

Well we won't be doing it with pick 2 going by your post on the trade/draft rumour mill:

How about this for a deal: Shiel for 2 clean. GWS can not do a deal with Adams' selected club. PSD2.

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.

Yep we're the only team in Victoria with the cash/pick combo to lure an interstate player home. I can't believe the Longer situation. Pick 7 a couple of years ago. Decides he's homesick, nominates the reigning premier as his preferred club (with the last first round pick) and is still contracted until the end of next year. Hawthorn then have the gall to suggest that they'd like Longer but don't want to use their first round draft pick. At least in the Shiel situation we'll be able to provide adequate compensation to GWS.

Just been reading the thread about server errors and costs etc. So, given it's trade time I wondered who, if any Dland could trade out to raise a few bucks to keep the site going? Who has any value to other sites? Just a few thoughts- OD? Sorry mate but with limited time ahead not worth much. Young dee? Inexperienced but prolific – possible trade to Bomber blitz. WYL – Has pizzed everyone off so no trade value. The Big [censored]. Sprays it everywhere – but hoping someone will take him. Biffen. Serious drug and lifestyle problems. A bit like Garlett – no interest. DC. Flouts his underwear in public – obvious exhibitionist – maybe a bit of run on occasions but would go cheap. Stuie – Wants to be Captain but ..... Moonshadow – couldn’t really even put him up for trade. Obvious user of illegal substances, bizarre lifestyle. Clearly has mental issues. Sounds a bit harsh I know but due diligence would find him out. Ben Hur – Would want to be Captain even more than Stuie – obvious friction there. ‘ ... bubsie??? Effed up due to name change. That Clint Eastwood bloke – Jesus Christ That Song bloke with the buffed breasts and RTG are both Schoolteachers – not worth a cracker. Sorry guys – I left another dozen or so failures out ( at least). I simply became too depressed. Demonland is about as tradeable as MFC. Of course I, modestly, must mention myself, high trade value but loyal. So don’t worry, I’ll stick.

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

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

After reading the thread on Freeman, I am starting to think that he may suit our purposes for 2014 more than Aish. At least he has a more developed body to throw into our midfield next year, especially when we already have a lighter framed and highly skilled outside mid in Toumpas.

Was lucky to get a third season in the first place IMO. I tipped him to be delisted at the end of last year and was surprised at how howled down I got. I doubt anyone's too surprised this time around.