Gator

Up to you. I'm not invested in your emotions either way.

If you want an insight to Lever read this excellent article by Emma Quayle back in 2014. It shows his determination, his leadership, his preparation, his drive, and his competitiveness. We've got a guy with the same type of steely resolve as Viney joining the club. They've already had a boxing session in Richmond together. What price do you put on an individual with these traits ? Anyone have any idea how important Luke Hodge was to Hawthorn's success ? It's guys like Viney and Lever that help clubs become great. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-draft-how-draft-prospect-jake-lever-found-other-ways-to-be-noticed-20141109-11jc35.html

Two pick 10s for Lever ? You wouldn't hesitate to get a proven 21 year into your club. He's worth at least pick one, if not more. Some bleat and all I think about is Lever, Hogan, Petracca, Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, Hunt, and Salem growing together. We're the envy of the competition yet some can't see past losing a probable pick next year in the teens. I'm glad I'm wired differently to some of you. These two will be happy to be on the same side.

Steven Smith was OK. But little more than that.

You know you've been pathetic for 50 years when key defenders of the calibre of Danny Hughes and Steven Smith are making teams. I'm not saying that's wrong by the way, just an indictment.

I've never opened the Scully thread, so don't know what it's about. but I'd like this to go for longer. Is it possible ?

Good effort, although Grinter wouldn't make my second side let alone the first.

Thanks, Beard. I have that nong on ignore, but your reference in this instance is welcomed.

I'm not a Robbo fan, but that is a very good article. Another fun stat ? Watts has 13 Brownlow votes from 153 games. Oliver has 15 from 35.

Flim flam. Secondly, you're assuming my "feelings", although in this instance you're correct. There's no reasonable basis to make your assertion against a first year coach that got his team to the most wins since 2006. Just flaky arguments from afar. How do you think Clarkson went in his first few years ? What is clear is that the players love the coach. This has been clarified by plenty of people with connections to the club. The fact that we come back from so many horrible positions to either win or nearly win shows they listen to him in breaks. The rest will get sorted. There was still a very young team being fielded most weeks. You're making concrete conclusions from weak assumptions, in my opinion.

There was no provocation. You said we paid overs for Lever so I asked you a question. Since when is asking reasonable questions provocation ? But anyway, it's silly to quit over 1 point. I have many more than that. Show a bit of Wattsy style mental resilience. Imagine what he's been through. Throwing in the towel over a lousy point ? Get a grip.

So you've come to this conclusion based on one game ? Just expand a little and I won't have to play "Simon says".

You've come to this conclusion because of one player ?

No worries. We differ.

Who's arguing otherwise, Old ?

Ron, a protege of Norm, has often said he doesn't give any plaudits for natural ability. His attitude is that you didn't earn it, it was gifted to you by your parents. He wanted players that would make the most of themselves. Ron was also famously toughest on his most talented players. I don't think Jack would have made it through half a season under either Norm or Ron.

Noted.

Jack isn't a contested beast or clearance king, so he relies on his kicking skills to provide maximum value. But in reality, his finishing skills are a luxury that won't be difficult to replace. Jack averages about 10 kicks per game and kicks inside 50 would be a lot less than that. The average disposals in a game are about 750, which means Jack's kicking is occurring about 1.33% of the time. Put simply, in an average game of footy Jack isn't kicking it 98.7% of game time. It's nice when he does, but his tiny cameos will be one of the easier things to replace. His affect on games is minimal. And it's not like he won't be replaced. We will still choose 22 players.

He mustn't think so. He's too scared to confirm it.

No. He gets in on merit.

I must have missed it. What was your answer to the question, "would you trade pick one for two other picks, i.e. pick 10 and one the following year in the teens (hopefully) ?

Another one for the dummies. Melbourne Demons In: Jake Lever, Harley Balic, pick 31, pick 36, Adelaide’s 2018 third-round pick. Out: Jack Watts, pick 10, pick 66, Melbourne’s 2018 first-round pick, Melbourne’s 2018 fourth-round pick. Melbourne paid a lot to recruit Jake Lever but he will prove to be worth every penny – there’s no other player his age who is anything like him, and the Demons will find themselves a with a unique, elite player in their backline for ten years to come. Harley Balic I like too and he came cheap. No complaints. Unlike most I am guessing, I reckon trading out Jack Watts was a good call. He’s been little other than a headache for near on ten years and there’s a point where it’s just not worth the effort anymore. Melbourne will have a quiet few years at the draft table but have assembled more than enough talent to take them to the pointy end of the ladder over the next decade. The Crowd’s grade: B (52 per cent)My grade: A http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/10/20/roars-2017-afl-trade-period-report-card-every-club-graded-voted/

After you answer my question...

There's one who's far more trigger happy than the good Doctor ever was. A nice guy too. Which must say something about me

I'd contribute to this thread, but there are too many mad Leftist Merlinos on this forum.