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That is truly disgusting.

The drink driving/sexual offending Family club.

I do... in a way. What's our biggest issue been? It's depth. Our depth sucks. When we get a few injuries and the replacements are guys like M. Jones and Bail, you know we have serious problems. Melksham, Bugg and Kennedy represent a clear upgrade on many other players. Melksham will be best 22. Bugg and Kennedy will be knocking on the door. We haven't had that in a long time. We bemoan how easy it is for guys to get games, and improving our depth puts pressure on the list to perform. There is more to it than that and I don't feel as though I've articulated it very well. I guess what I'm saying is that the above 3 do improve the list and, if we can't get an A grader in this t trade period, then we need to focus on getting better in other ways so when that gun player does become available they are interested in playing for us.

Can't see the point in shopping Toumpas for a 3rd round pick (or worse). Given the 'experts' say that this years' draft is not too flash, any untried 3rd rounder is not likely to offer anything significant. I would rather persevere for another 12 months with Toumpas

He is NOW the second best attacking halfback at the club. IF Salem moves into the midfield, Melksham is the best halfback we have. We've just markedly improved out backline for only pick 25, and he is better than Mitchie, Newton, Lamumba, Grimes, JKH, Riley, McKensie, Bail, Matt Jones, Harmes, White etc. For just pick 25. Nah, I think I'll write an angry righteous email to Josh and [censored] about my pain. Where is my waaaahmbulance?

most likely.In 2017? He'll 100% be in Victoria, and highly likely be a Demon.

In truth, I don't really blame Howe. He's been offered a contract by Melbourne that was designed to force his hand and make him leave. He knows he's not wanted at the MFC. That said, his interests are of no concern to me. None whatsoever. I only want what's best for the MFC and to maximise his trade value. And I'd play as hard as I can in doing so.

I know what they are and do, but Paul Roos being involved guarantees nothing. You seem to think, "well, if Paul Roos wants them it must be a good idea". I don't. Whether it be Henry Playfair (Geelong), Paul Chambers (Geelong), Mark Seaby (West Coast) or Lumumba he's not immune from recycled duds.

Hawthorn's interest in Fitz is most likely there because he's a DFA.

One of the great modern footy media paradoxes (along with how someone could appoint Mark Robinson as their Chief Football Writer), is that a guy who completely ruined Richmond's list is known as 'The List Manager'. This is a guy who had absolutely no idea how to build a list and picked Tambling over Roughead and Franklin. I'd rather listen to a drunk duck discuss our list than Terry Wallace. At least, I'd get something out of it.

Yes it is.

How can Collingwood manage to get Aish, Howe and Treloar in one trade period?

Watch out for the Melkshaqattack. No?

I used to find it really frustrating to see how stupid, reactionary and reflexively negative a lot of posters (generally the most prolific ones, but not all of them) on here are. Now I just find it amusing and wonder how anyone could possibly live a happy life when they are so doggedly committed to trying to make themselves unhappy.

didn't he notice garlett?

If his recruitment alone makes Salem a better player and a midfielder, it was worth it. I rate Salem only behind Hogan & Brayshaw for talent* *Apologies to Petracca- waiting to see him in action

How about we let him play a game before making him the new whipping boy?

Melksham being a better player than the player Essendon take at 8 is a plausible outcome.

Pfff, what would Pelchen know? Or Goodwin, McCartney or Roos? Demonlanders said it was a terrible deal so it must be.

MFC at trade week "c'mon help ol' Josh out here"

I think I feel ill...

I agreed with what Plough said Our list still has massive holes. We are paying for years of rubbish incompetent drafting....

Howe was never pushed out of The MFC he switched himself off when it suited him I am so sick of paying wages to players like this

Josh is out of his depth and it shows.

I'm sure all Demonlanders will join with me as we restate our deeply-held long-term belief that these innocently duped players have suffered enough and should be free and unencumbered to play on next year

I would say our biggest issue is we have no A graders...yes we have a few who more than likely will be but we still lack true star power.

Mahoney has said this trade period that we are not yet a destination club. However, as we improve, we will become a destination club. We have targeted a player and acquired him with a minimum of fuss. What does this say? This tells Dion Prestia, Jaeger O'Meara or whoever we are trying to get, that if you choose to come to the MFC then you will be able to get here without a fuss. It says that the club will do the right thing by you to ensure that you aren't screwed over and potentially thrown into the pre-season draft. Can St Kilda say that? Why hasn't Essendon been able to land anyone decent? Look at what Hawthorn is doing to get Carlisle; they're just getting the job done without a fuss. If you were a player choosing between us and the Saints, would you choose the team that may potentially throw you under the bus or will you choose the team that has shown that it will get the job done for you?

North are copying what Hawks and Swans have done for years. They have identified what they need and are paying pick 15 for a known quantity with a few years on the clock that they will get more out of than a draftee. They have an ageing list of stars and want a crack at a flag. Anderson provides the outside run and speed they lack. If Wells and Anderson both play well next year and their older players stand up they will see themselves as a genuine chance. I think it's a good strategy and they have the footy IP to judge Anderson. Draft picks are hugely over rated. There was a recent article that said you've got just as good a chance of a player at 40 as 15. I'm not at all concerned about Melksham at 25. You've got to back your IP to make the right moves. It's what's made Hawks so successful.

No. Stop seeing things without its context. If Hawthorn are giving him two seconds of thought it is because he is a DFA and available for nothing. Does anyone really think we would get anything decent for him? 'Oh, no, rpfc, but he could be a part of something bigger!' At some point, the argument above becomes redundant - if a player of little worth is involved in something bigger then they are what we call 'steak knives' and those are ubiquitous - they're everywhere - so to answer the question of the thread: No.

I can't get excited by Kennedy of Bugg. Kennedy is a small NQR midfielder and Bugg a strong bodied defender/tagger who'd be fringe best 22. I understand we need better depth, but all I can conclude is that this draft must be an absolute stinker.

Jeez you lot go to water easily. Essendon are going to the well in a big way - trading out experienced players and loading up on draft picks. Sure, they might look like geniuses in 5-8 years time, but they could also get very badly burned - MFC of all supporters should know the risks involved in going to the draft. Have a look at past drafts - there's always at least two and as many as four bust draft picks in the top 10. That's a 20-40% chance you'll pick a complete dud that won't play 50 games, and that's if you're generous and call picks like Richard Tambling a decent selection. Then there's a lot of just decent players; sure you might get Nick Riewoldt, but you're just as likely to get Mitch Thorp, and far more likely to get Lachie Hansen. The MFC is continuing its strategy of incremental improvement. It's too early to say if it's a better or worse strategy, but what's certain is we're taking much less of a gamble. I just cannot understand why we are collectively throwing ourselves off a cliff over this.

He's a Demon now so I'll suck it up and give him a clean slate, which I'm sure he'll appreciate... Welcome, Melksham.

Amused by some and their change in original stance now that Melksham will be wearing red & blue. Predictable.

I was a Howe fan but don't like the way he has gone about the whole contract/trade process. That aside posters may be underestimating his value to GC and Pies beyond any marketing: - He was our leading goal kicker in 2013 (28 I goals I think). Both GC and Pies need goal kickers. - He can play in defense so makes him a bit of a swingman. - He has the ability to be an on-baller who rotates thru the middle/wing. So there is a lot more to him than his 'speckies'. I think he will do well in a new environment. Anyway, the more players from our 'dark days' we move on the better so lets get a fair deal and be done with him.

Not inclusive of The Footy Show appearance fees and Collingwood sportsmen nights, etc.

Depth is a highly valuable commodity. bringing in players to provide competition and a back up plan can only be bettered by bringing in stars, but we can't have 44 stars on the list.

only if you want to beat yourself up over nothing

The reason is: first he played the "oh, I'm just waiting for the end of season to resume negotiating with Melbourne" game. For every player who does that and goes on to re-sign with their club, there are 20 who have already checked out mentally. Howe is one of the 20. Second, he could have said before trade week that he wants to go to Collingwood instead of being coy and implying that he's prepared to go to GC. He's stuffed our trade week strategy. In short, it is the apparent dishonesty that gets people going.

No. Fitzpatrick has been a better defender than forward and we have better players down back. Max King is the same height as Fitzpatrick and is a far better prospect in the forward/ruck role, albeit he's 1-2 years away. It just might be that Hawthorn are more deficient in some areas than us. Cheney had better prospects at Hawthorn and Adelaide than he did at Melbourne. It's all about list balance.

No we weren't. His time with us was up, especially with the additions of Oscar & Frost. He was very good at VFL level this year and I thought was good in two of his three senior matches despite tunnel ball. I thought he could of been useful steak knives for a trade, but didn't see him with us for 2016. I wish him well. Always liked him.

who's rfa ? certainly not Howe

Think yourself lucky that you haven't met him. Absolute nutcase, especially after 3/4 of a bottle of Whisky. Gets all ranty over the smallest things. As we are twins, I've, been mistaken for him all of my life, and for someone with a horrible memory for people, its a nightmare. I never know if I have forgotten the face, or have never met them before. faulty

few things I've heard. Not sure why GC don't cut their losses now and use his contract status as a tool to extract more than they'll get next year.

Welcome to the "This Might Turn Out Okay. Let's Wait and See First" club mate

Posted this on another thread, how would you react if it came off? If we get two 2nd rounders from Pies for Howe, from Freeman and Seedsman deals and another for Toumpas, we could then swap three second rounders to GWS for pick 8 and Bugg and maybe another pick or player like Tomlinson. Three 2nd rounders have far more points value than 8, which GWS need for their Academy stars. We then get Kennedy for our 3rd rounder. For the cream on the cake, we then give 8 and 6 to GC for Prestia and 3, with maybe another player or pick coming back to us.

Just read an article the Hun that Collingwood plan to turn him into an 'Isaac Smith' wingman who can push up forward... Wowee aren't Collingwood in for a rude shock! W anker..

From the 'Fox' website: MELKSHAM WORTH THE MONEY MELBOURNES acquisition of Jake Melksham raised plenty of eyebrows, but according to list manager expert Chris Pelchen he is worth the money. The Dees parted with their second selection at the draft pick 25 for Melksham, who has never lived up to his potential at the Dons. Melksham, 24, has played 114 games with Essendon after being taken with pick 10 in the 2009 national draft. Although he has averaged just 16.5 disposals per game in that time, Pelchen believes a second-round selection still represents fair value. I think its a fair price for both clubs to pay, he said. Ultimately, Melbourne gets the player they want and Essendon gets fair value in return. Coming through the TAC Cup, he had enormous potential. He was a leader both in endurance and speed. Hes a prototype AFL player in terms of size. Unfortunately, he hasnt lived up to his potential. In saying that, hes 24 and hes got over 100 games of experience. He should be ready to play his best football. I say should because at the moment he hasnt reached any great heights. Melbourne would be investing in the fact his best football should be ahead of him. They will know in the next 12-24 months whether it ends up being a good buy. If he becomes the player we thought he would become, then its a cheap buy at pick 25.

Tell him it is GCS or try your luck in the draft.

Bit harsh on Kent and telling the development team to lift their socks, they have done well in the 2 years they have been there. Otherwise I thought it was pretty much right.