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Speak for yourself. I'm stoked with where we are at and our prospects for 2018. I can't wait to get it started.

Port got the most out of Toumpas, so I'm sure they'll unlock the key to Jack.

I take back any concern about this deal.

Would anyone do this deal for Watts if he goes to Port? Port give: Pick 30 and 33 Dees give: Watts and 45 That makes Watts the equivalent of pick 22. Leaves us with: 28, 30, 33, 35 and 65 Use 65 for Balic. Possibly package two of the second rounders to get further up the draft to give us the mandatory three selections.

I normally consider myself to be fairly hard hearted about underperforming players, but your post is hugely disrespectful to a bloke who loves the club as much as the supporters do, and is loved by the playing group. He may have had an underwhelming career with us, and justifiably be on his way out the door, but let us at least show some class about it.

Hehe. Woke up in the middle of the night for the Lever deal, went to work for ten hours, came home, only to read that people are still complaining about spending overs for a future, consistent AA defender. This site has gone full-tilt. I speculated that we would accommodate the Crow's demand for paying two firsts while not spending a cent more than our original offer of 10 & 28 - so as to allow them to save face. This is exactly what has happened. What I failed to predict was that our own supporters would be duped by the 'two-firsts' hype and believe that we're the ones losing face. Forgetting everything else: it's a first and a first and a fourth for a first, second and third, with one of those firsts (hint: ours) being a genuine ready-to-go first and a known commodity with a couple years in the system. What the hell is the problem with that? Anyways, congrats to Josh and the team for once again showing we're on top the game while maintaining our good reputation and getting [censored] done.

Nup, sorry but huge problems with these statements - total BS. Jack was there and stuck with the MFC through some of our darkest times. Unlike the Weed who has had the luxury of developing in the twos, it's well documented that Jack was thrown in the deep end. Jack probably could have picked his club in 2010-2012 after his first contract ran out and bolted for the doors to a club that won more than 2 games a season. We need to repay that faith. His efforts this year in the ruck against Geelong and Richmond show he'll push himself to the point of exaughstion as good as most on the team. Delivered in spades on Queens Birthday and really helped lead us out of the wilderness that day, which I actually think was a bit of a turing point in the direction of our season at the time. He played as hard and we'll as all on the team against the Bulldogs, after which his season kind of fell apart a bit, but he wasn't the only one in that camp. And all his career Jack has played with the pressure of being that No.1 pick saviour under which we have seen others like Tom Boyd fold. I think it takes pretty decent mental toughness to play under the pressure and keep picking yourself up after the at times constant criticism that Watts has, so to call him a leaner is way off the mark. If Jack is around longer, for any success we have, he will have earnt every bit of the party that ensues.

Wow. At 21 Lever is the no.1 intercept possession player in the game, just shading Rance (9.5 to 9.4), and the no. 2 intercept mark in the game, just behind McGovern (3.8 to 3.6). This isn't a 25 or 27 year old wanting to come home. We've got this guy from the age of 22. Worth every cent.

Apparently North Korea are thinking of using trade radio over 6 weeks as a form of torture

I want success now. This helps. Whingers gunna whinge.

I don't want Jack to leave. Absolutely love him. I'm sure many posters can put forward plausible, well founded arguments for Jack and the clubs to part ways ...and I'm not saying they're wrong. It may be a good move for club and player. But I'll miss him if he moves on. For all his faults (which are relentlessly scrutinized), I have no doubt he loves the club. So I'm hoping for a miracle...

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Rockcliff, Motlop, Watts - likely to be added to an already hard midfield. Seems like they're trying to add the icing right now: Motlop and Watts. Reckon they'll be damaging. It's a bit rich for any of us to patronise the likes of Port on this stuff - we haven't played a final since 2006.

Well that interview was a bunch of pure bull dust...he is in Adelaide for Bernies wedding and has not said he has chosen Port. Fake news

Herald Sun reporting Gary’s abletts sisters passing. Makes all this talk of Jack Watts somewhat redundant really. 2 things: - Gold Coast, get the trade done - Demons fans, a little perspective may go along way. It’s only footy

If I haven't looked at this thread for 24 hours, I just go to the last page and find I haven't missed anything!

How tedious is this getting? The camp I'm in now is the "I'm well over discussing this, have said all I have to say a dozen times, and just wish whatever was going to happen would hurry up and happen so we can move past it" camp.

Can we please rename this thread to The Jack Watts Groundhog Day Thread... there's probably just 5 or 6 pages of original content.

Jack when he speaks to the club next...

Has anyone watched the video of Mahoney on the MFC website discussing the Balic trade? He says, "we've probably got other priorities at the moment, both clubs [Melbourne and Fremantle], so we think, um, we'll be able to move on that [the Balic trade] probably a bit later". I'm not sure there's another way of interpreting that other than to say we're clearly working on another deal(s) before we turn our attention to the Balic trade. It really boggles the mind sometimes how people interpret what they hear in the media. Either people don't listen or they simply hear what they want to hear.

People seem to have comprehension issues, and as soon as they see "two first rounders" panic and ignore all other elements of the deal. Let me say again, according to the AFL draft points calculator, the end result of this trade is we have given up the equivalent of pick 10 and pick 32. Pick 10 and pick 32 for the best young defender in the game. If you're upset about that then you've got rocks in your head.

Sorry Siren, I'm calling BS on your inside intel. Your either rehashing social media or stating the obvious. Every year someone comes on here with 'inside knowledge' and self-back slapping and then almost disappears when shown up. With all due respect, I'm going to pay attention to the proven posters such as Chook or McQueen. But good for you and keep it up!

This is the most boring trade period ever, AFL need to decrease it to 5 business days next year stuff it.

If we got pick 15 everyone would be happy, but if it is 30 not so happy. Does that not tell us that we are reasonably happy to let Jack go, it is just the price.

'tis if you're a biscuit

How about .... " we rate Jack highly as a player but after discussions it may be best for him to look around. This being said both Jack and the club agree that if we cannot be adequately compensated for the services of a player whom this club regards as a significant contributor there will be no trade." The second sentence is the key and leaves room for bargaining as against hanging him and the club out to dry

Of course Killer Watts = Kilowatts =Power He has decided

For those who came in late, here is a summary of this thread so far . There's a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat which may not even be there.

Adelaide were going to take what they could get. Which club was going to offer anywhere near what we did? Like going to an Auction, and bidding 200K above reserve with your first bid

It's all about market saturation and media coverage. AFL would probably prefer it went for 6 weeks.

For those worried about us losing out on youth by trading out the two years of first rounders. Have a look at this demographic breakdown of the list. We don't need to worry about getting youth into the list. 22 players, half the list is 23 or under. 6 20 or under. Melbourne players who are 20 years and under: Oliver, Weideman, McKenna, King, Johnstone, Filipovic 23-21years : Viney, Petracca, Hogan, Hunt, Brayshaw, Salem, Harmes, McDonald, Stretch, ANB, JKH, Kent, Hannan, Wagner, Joel Smith and now Lever. 24 years: Tyson Frost Bugg are 24.

I agree with this post sue, everyone is entitled to an opinion. After all how boring would it be if we all agreed on everything? I think the reason some (like myself) have been so vehement in our opinions because I have seen some of the comments on here and other social media platforms which seem to be not just supporting Jack or criticising the FD but going all out in attacking Goodwin, McCartney, Mahoney and Jones amongst others. This really bothers me because other than this decision and the fact we underperformed in missing the finals I think this FD has run a tight ship the last few years and has runs on the board where they deserve the benefit of the doubt in this instance. Of course that doesn't mean their decisions can't be questioned or criticised but some of the calls have been completely unwarranted and could lead to potential destabilisation of the club. After the last decade of hell when we seem on the verge of some exciting times as supporters the last thing I or, I assume, any of our supporters want to see is for us to go backwards due to infighting or off field stability. We can argue the merits of the decision til the cows come home and ask for accountability for poor decisions but at the end of the day once the decision has been made we need to back the players and FD in to start getting results next year.

You don't replace a dozen players with 2 picks. We have the talented player already in Lever. That takes care of 1 of them. Picks are picks......excellent if you pick correctly, lousy if you don't, Certainty is more valuable than gambling. And the team that finished last get 1 pick more than the team that finished first i.e the first pick in the draft. Their next pick is 19, right behind the team that finished first with 18. You cannot build a team with picks alone, as we found out in years past. You trade for needs, which is exactly what we are doing. The same process as Sydney, Hawthorn and Geelong have been doing for the past 5 or 6 years, and they didn't have early picks. But they do have Franklin, O'Meara, Mitchell, Dangerfield....

No...not BECAUSE of Watts...with his help. You see not all clubs expect him to be the saviour nor token whipping boy. Watts will play a role, I suspect one much better suited to him and possibly better understood by his new coach. Watts......is a finisher etc..like icing on a cake....all the better for having it there Wont surprise me is Jack plays something of a roving sweeper role. I can promise you one thing...Port players wont ignore him on the ground !!

Saw a few games he played and went through his highlights on you tube. He is young 20, big and strong 199cm and 96 kgs. Clearly has done the gym work looking at his guns. Has a good straight kick. Knows how to lead and does. Reasonable hands in the marking contest. Was a number 2 draft pick only 2 years ago. Has his best footy in front of him. Could also in time do a bit of ruck work as relieving 2nd ruck. He will be cheap as that mooted trade shows. Downside is some emotional issues that hopefully can be overcome now that he is back in Victoria and with some assistance. If Hogan leaves or tMac as a FA or Weid fails to come on, he would be there. Pedo will be gone in a year as well. I just see a good opportunity here.

It takes hard working players who play for one another & the team. Not one sided player types who do as they feel, when they like.

Free Agency - I expect us to be very active.

Don't back pedal now. You've consistently maintained that we should be and are in the market for trading Stringer in to MFC.

it might be argued ( for no real outcome ) that possibly we blinked first and maybe a slightly better deal would result if say sorted monday or tuesday after the Crows could "sweat" it out over the weekend. But that's probably more fanciful dreaming than practical. Lever went at 14 in a fairly decent draft year. He's now had THREE years of development and conditioning . He landed an AA squad possie in only his third year and leads ( or near to ) the comp in some very demanding and impressive areas. So in effect he's now a value added #14...ready to go ...( and more ) player who seems for all intents able to keep his feet , not just stay on the field It's very easy to talk up new acquisitions I grant you that. What we are dealing with here is an absolute known. There's no guessing. There's no real development required. And he's good to go NOW. The various values ever applied to Picks are notoriously wanderous in nature. All picks come under the "What If" banner., all a bit Russian Roulette only with more chambers full..i.e NO Guarantees about anything. I'm not sure what playing hardball would have achieved if at the expense of playing 'clever' ball. Often in the trade period we see deals unfold , or indeed FOLD because of time constraints. Irrespective of how long trade periods are many will go down to the wire...and many opportunities present as things become fragmented. The one aspect of Josh that impresses me ( there might be some that don't ...but that's not for here ) is his teams ability to conjure. If i would suggest to anyone anything about trade is judge it best at the end. I think we've paid just about market for Jake in terms of ability, availability and expedience of business.

I hope we go the other way and take all kids with our picks. The past few years we have traded in Melksham, Hibberd and Lewis. Before that it was Vince. Now we are bringing a ready made player in Lever. Oscar will have further developed leading into next year. Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw and Salem a year older. Across the board our side is going to be a lot more mature than last year (especially physically). The extra year into Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw, Salem and Hunt - will be massive for us. We can afford to take kids in this draft IMO. We don't need mature bodies as much as previous years, because we have developed them. They will be ready now.

Ess: Francis & 23 for Stringer & 27 Adel: Cameron & 16 for Francis & 12 Dogs: Stringer & 27 for Schache & 23 Lions: Schache & 12 for Cameron & 16 Seems reasonable but a lot of stuffing around with small position shuffles. I reckon the four club reps would have walked away happy but with headaches trying to keep track of all that!

And because he only plays well against us. Another step to building a dynasty that can beat North one time.

Is there a chance this whole episode is a surreptitious rocket for Jack? He's unlikely to secure a trade just because of the way the chips have fallen so will wind up staying at Melbourne. Perhaps will shake off some of his apathy and if not then really on the block next year? He frustrates me but he's also been part of a club that went to hell and back during his time. I've always hoped Melbourne's success would come with Jack Watts part of it so both sides were validated. Just a dream I guess.

One of the thinge I despise about this so called professional era. These guys are entitled to have a life, have different personalities and not be robots all the time. I think Roos understood that and managed his team accordingly, but I'm not sure that Goodwin does.

Watts is a senior player. Oliver was still a teenager when that happened and afterwards pulled his head in after being spoken to. The rationalisations on here are astounding.

Bernie Vince has won a b&f. No matter how hard your critearia this has to be a win for a pick in the 20's