KingDingAling

In regards to Fitzpatrick, I thought we should've pulled the trigger earlier. He isn't very coordinated and has poor skills, I think he done well to remain on the list for this long. Most clubs would've cut him after a couple of years.

Yeah that is what I think. Without the WADA situation, pick 25 for Melksham I could live with. But taking into account the prospect of a 2 year ban, I think there are some at the club with compromised views (Goodwin) about Essendon players. The only rational explanation for mine is that the AFL have reassured clubs that they will be compensated - in the face of WADA bans to players.

Yeah, that is pretty good, I'd do that.

Moloney stated yesterday on SEN that part of that plan was to improve upon the picks we have, and also to include blokes around the 23-25 year mark.

Can you blame MFC supporters for being pessimistic about trading? After a decade of Prenagast, not to mention the mismanagement that resulted in our club getting pinged for tanking, I'd be more surprised if MFC fans were supportive of our recruiters/list managers.

They'll get their academy players.

Essendon recruiters are a level above ours. They've even managed to checkmate St Kilda - a club who embarrassed us last trade period. Don't underestimate Dodoro. He gets the job done. Essendon are just going about moving along all their quality deadwood, that way when the WADA ban comes around, it won't affect them as much.

Maybe because we aren't in the running for Carlisle.

Yet the only thing that matters is WADA. Its no good being able to play footy if you can't grace the field. Pick 25 for a slightly above VFL level (on results) player, who faces the prospect of a 2 year ban. Aghh, no thanks.

Give Howe 2 options - GC or Carlton (PSD). It then becomes fairly simple. If he wants to lumber at Carlton, good luck to him.

Yes, we hold the cards, Howe can go to the PSD if he doesn't like it.

The PSD is a big threat. I don't think Howe will want to go to Carlton. Force his hand. GC or Carlton.

He indicated that Howe was involved in part of a potential pick swap (pick 3 for 6) with GC.

At some stage, you'd have to think we'd grow a pair. Howe can either agree to go to a club that provides the best deal for MFC - or try his hand in the PSD.

laughable trade. When Melksham gets 2 years, with a bit of luck Goodwin goes with him.

None. He is a star. He has a better inside game than Goddard did at the same age, and he is isn't afraid to lay a tackle. I think the main thing that stands out about Francis is he is a great decision maker, and he reads the play exceptionally well. I couldn't have Parish ahead of him, I couldn't have him anywhere near him.

Yeah, true, they are as good as gone.

On face value I agree. But, if you take in consideration GC choice of draftee, then it is perfectly reasonable. If GC rate a kid who they think will be there at 6, then they essentially get Seedsman as a bonus. They obviously rate Seedsman.

I'd be inclined to keep Watts. I still think his best football is ahead of him. Watts will get better with age, his consistency is also underrated by many.

If we can manage to trade our way into pick 3, that would go a long way to rectifying that. Aaron Francis is a fine decision maker, it would be a dream to land Francis.

Yeah, good replacement for Cross, but I wouldn't go offering anything other than a late pick for Rosa.

My perspective on Vince hasn't changed, he will play until he is 35. Cross is a different footballer, and Rosa, well, I am not sure, he is a little bit Vanilla. I assumed he was older than 28 though.

He is nearly 30. I know its a shallow draft, but geez. *Note... I stand corrected, he is 29 in November.

Essendon supporters say the same about Melksham. My old man is an Dons supporter and he laughed his head off when I told him we were into Melksham. To his credit, he did elaborate as to why he didn't rate Melksham - too many turnovers, and a poor decision maker.

I think Collingwood will accept a 3rd round towards the end of the trade period.