Gator

After "crunching the numbers" Plough says the trade on a points system (I think it's been said by others) values Lever at pick 4. Said it's a "win/win".

Judd probably the closest. Pick 3, 20 (close to first round) and Josh Kennedy.

Apologies. I don't think there's ever been 3. Is that what you mean ?

I'm one who likes the deal, but also likes draft picks, as I recognise the value if you get them right. I just think the timing was right for this deal. We've stockpiled elite talent over the last 4-5 years and now is the time to back the list for a genuine assault up the ladder.

It's the first time 'ever' since Treloar 2 years ago.

In essence: Lever (top 3 worthy and a known quantity from 2014) + 35 For Pick 10 + a pick in the teens in 2018 (hopefully) Plus loose change where we're better off. It's a no brainer.

Hindsight: If the 2012 draft was done again Viney would be a top 5 draft pick, probably top 3. If the 2013 draft was done again and Hogan participated instead of being a 2012 mini draft pick he'd be a top 5 pick. If the 2014 draft was held again Petracca and Lever would be top 3. If the 2015 draft was done again Oliver would arguably be no.1, but certainly top 2. That's 5 elite talents from the pointy end of the draft over the last 5 drafts periods. Another club would be hard pressed to match that (other than perhaps GWS).

Yes, Frost is in. Rockliff is a good extractor, but doesn't have huge hurt factor or pace. He's not what we need.

THE AFL SHOUTER‏ @THEAFLSHOUTER 29m29 minutes ago More THE AFL SHOUTER Retweeted Jay Clark Biggest thing there is Lever is only 21. Great pick up for MEL. Worth the 2 first rounders. #THESHOUTER THE AFL SHOUTER added, Jay ClarkVerified account @ClarkyHeraldSun Intercept marks avg '17 1 JMcGovern 3.8 2 Lever 3.6 3 Howe 3.4…

No, we haven't.

Off to work on my best 22 for 2018 ? We've just added a player who will immediately be in the top 10 on our list. Nothing to sneeze at.

For every top 10 pick in Oliver there's a Grant, Vickery, Butcher, Moore, Aish, Toumpas, Morabito, Conca, Gorringe, Gumbleton, O'Rourke, Morton, Buntine, Sumner, & Freeman. These are the more recent top 10 fails (injuries included), but there are also plenty who are just solid foot soldiers. Lever is the best young defender in the game with a decade ahead of him. He's only going to get better. He fits into a perfect profile in that he's in the same age bracket as Viney, Hogan, Petracca, Salem, Oliver, Brayshaw, Hunt, Osca, ANB, Stretch, and Weideman. That's a great core who'll grow together. You've got to give to get and I'll take the certainty of Lever over the speculation of pick 10 and a future pick in the teens. As we get better we'll also have other players keen to join the club. But I ask you, how many recent top 10 draft picks have Adelaide, Sydney, and Geelong had since 2008. Adelaide's last top 10 draft pick was in 2008. They also got Brad Crouch in a mini draft. So let's say two top 10 quality players in 9 years. Since 2008 Sydney have had 2 top 10 draft picks, plus Heeney, who would have been. Three in 9 years. Since 2008 Geelong have had 1 top 10 draft pick. One in 9 years - and that was pick 10 itself. Let's throw in Hawthorn. Since 2008 Hawthorn have had zero top 10 draft picks. Zero in 9 years. Melbourne ? Ten in 9 years, including Hogan from the mini draft. You can [censored] and moan about giving up pick 10 and a future pick in the teens, but we've had our time in the draft and it's now time to get proven quality players into the club and start making an assault on the ladder and competition. It was a no brainer and I couldn't be happier.

Rapt with this. Three AA squad members now in our back 6 plus the improving Oscar, speedster Hunt and developing Frost. Some outside speed and Weideman stepping up would help complete a very talented side.

As they should. Good player and worth around the Tuohy pick from Geelong.

This post reminds me of the howls of indignation during the 2015 draft period before Mahoney and co worked some magic, which netted two top 10 picks and our current Best & Fairest winner. How about we have a bit of trust and not climb walls every time we hear a suggestion, or even a deal ?

There's no way they'll make their offer worse. It's fanciful to think so.

That's great, mate, but imo there's not a hope in hell they'll do that. They also want to do the right thing by Lever, who's shown good faith in selecting the MFC as his club of choice. The club won't want Lever, or his manager thinking we're playing funny buggers. This is why we made a good offer to start with. You're welcome to a different view.

Adelaide are so pist off because they know how good he's going to be. He plays the modern zoning game to perfection. He reads the play better than anyone else, he knows exactly the right time to leave his own man, and he either takes a brilliant intercept mark, or kills the contest with his fist of fury. He's not fast, but he is agile, he usually hits his targets by foot, and he's renowned in Adelaide for his sidestep. He also has courage. We're talking about a guy who is 13 days older than Oscar McDonald. How much improvement has Oscar still got ? Lever's the same, only far more talented. Oscar can play with Lever for the next 8 years and he'll learn from him. Lever spent 3 years with Talia, which will only help. And let's not forget that Lever was made captain of Vic Metro as a bottom age player, i.e. too young to be drafted that year. Let that sink in. How many bottom age players are chosen to captain their state ? He captained Petracca and would also know Brayshaw well. This is a terrific coup for the MFC.

We've already put picks 10 and 27 on the table. There's zero possibility we'll recant.

Lever missed 5 games. On ave. votes per game he came 10th.

I'm not sure what the final top 10 is, but here it is with one game to go. He made the AA squad, but not top 10 in their B&F. Hmmm

Lever missed rounds 1 and 2 with a hamstring.

Adelaide knew Lever wasn't staying before the finals started. They still chose to select him to represent the AFC on their biggest day. To say that we'll select you for a GF, even though we know you're leaving, but we'll then block you from turning up to the B&F is about as small minded as you can get. That's why it's a plastic club.