Gator

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That's what eyes are for.

Some pre-draft reading for those who want to know more about Balic. You'll note that they all have him well below the pick 38 he went at due to concerns over his scaphoid injury. Snoop Dog Pick 13 Adelaide - Harley Balic (Sandringham Dragons / 186cm / 80kg) Lovely looking player who just glides around the park and looks pretty effortless. Basketball background and has that spacial awareness, time and poise kids from that background often have. Does all things pretty well but its his work rate that I like. Clean at the stoppages and very sure with his hands. Ball use is good and he is very good in the air. Has played HF and HB as well but I think he will start more as a HF type who when they body is right will push up. His ability to do special things is evident and he could be attacking near goal. Why: Be a nice addition to the Crows mids but you could realistically see so many kids in this spot. Burton could be but I think he will be there at the next. Bonner as well is a type they want but with Seedsman and Hampton they may be covered. Knightmare Pick 17. Harley Balic (VIC – MID/FWD) Height: 186cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 05/01/1997 Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Reminds me of: Poor man’s Jackson Macrae Brief bio: Balic has some tricks and plays with that basketballer several other recent draftees have. Balic stands out most with his decision making ability and vision with ball in hand. He consistently chooses the right option and often finds some really damaging targets. In terms of execution while he has the vision and decision making ability by hand and foot it can be a mixed bag as sometimes he will hit his targets, and other times miss. Similarly finishing from set shots and field kicks at goal further improvement is required as he lacks consistency in front of goal. He is also more of a short-medium distance kicker as someone with only average penetration. A further strength of Balic’s is his strength of marking overhead with his leaping ability making him a threat in the air which gives him potential to play forward of centre. Athletically Balic is good overall. He is not a linebreaking threat but moves well, has strong endurance and excellent leaping ability. As a contested ball winner Balic at this stage is not a factor as someone who is a receiver at this point. Emma Quale Pick 22 (Sandringham Dragons. 187cm. 82kg) Smooth-moving midfielder who gets involved all over the ground. The rationale: The Roos have a strong crew of inside midfielders. Balic would provide a point of difference. He can move through all three parts of the ground and slides easily through traffic. Big Footy Phantom Draft Pick 8 Gold Coast At the moment Harley is a talented prospect who has a lot of upside. His performances have been good this year and he has really improved this year. You look at some of the good afl players and a lot of them have had draft years where they have really improved. I look at Harley and see a kid who has a ton of improvement left and has the potential to be a very good midfielder. His awareness is excellent, he has time with the ball, good vision and makes good decisions. He is an above average athlete yet not elite and he moves well. The upside is his disposal is improving and he is good above his head. He wins clearances yet not at a great level yet, he is not soft and is strong over the ball. He finds the ball well and his ball use improved. He is not an elite kick, they float a little and he is not proven as a mid so he is a risky pick. He does have the tools to be an A grade player. I was hoping Francis or Parish slid to this pick but alas it was not to be. Lemming Pick 8. Harley Balic - VM (186.0 cm, 80.0 kg - Midfielder) Reminds me a little of a younger Mundy. Looks like he is only going at half pace and you want him to look more active. He has grown on me as a player. (He may get adjusted down in my rankings at some point) Yabadoo Pick 18- st.kilda The saints are crying out for midfielders, and I can see Balic developing into a smooth moving classy midfielder. Will start his career as a high half forward and build up his tank. Strong overhead.

Petracca isn't the best performed (yet) of the class of 2014. But if there was an open market he'd still be the first one every other club would take.

Some here will know of Colin Wisbey who has a quality eye for footy and players. His detail is legendary, although I don't provide that here. Here's his rankings from 2014 prior to the draft: 1 Christian Petracca 2 Jake Lever 3 Caleb Marchbank 4 Jarrod Pickett 5 Angus Brayshaw 6 Jordan De Goey 7 Liam Duggan 8 Nakia Cockatoo 9 Patrick McCartin 10 Paul Ahern 11 Jayden Laverde 12 Jarrod Garlett 13 Blaine Boekhorst 14 Touk Miller 15 Billy Evans 16 Alex Neal-Bullen 17 Lachlan Weller 18 Hugh Goddard 19 Marc Pittonet 20 Daniel McKenzie 21 Connor Blakely 22 Sam Durdin 23 Brayden Maynard 24 Edward Vickers-Willis 25 Joe Maishman 26 Corey Ellis 27 Daniel Nielson 28 Peter Wright 29 Lukas Webb 30 Harrison Wigg 31 Tom Lamb 32 Daniel Butler 33 Jack Lonie

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.

You're saying exactly what my lunatic Brother has been saying all day. I'll say to you what I said to him. I don't care. You be annoyed and I'll be happy. It's not an argument I have any interest in continuing.

I understand that. I've been arguing with my furious Brother all afternoon. The MFC thought the deal fair and obviously want to retain a good reputation. By crunching the numbers in this deal Lever is valued at pick 4. He's top 3 in the 2014 draft now. If you want to get the best young defender in the league out from a rival club you have to pay a fair ransom. This club was addicted to draft picks for years. Let's be happy we've got our best trade in 20 years and we're one of the top couple of young lists in the competition.

We may well trade back in.

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 ?

When the Dockers Footy Manager (Lloyd) was interviewed (on departure) and asked about Balic he confirmed he wants to return to Melbourne, but we haven't caught up with the MFC, so we'll do that tomorrow. I know it's been referenced, but It's now clear Balic has chosen Melbourne.