Gator

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.

He was played too early. No doubt. But I think we'll reap the rewards of that sooner rather than later. i see what you don't like about him, i.e. slow as treacle and poor foot skills, but (unlike his Brother) he plays within his limitations and has already shown the capacity to improve. His role won't be exciting, but it will be important.

With regards to Oscar, there is one better player that was taken after him in the 2014 ND (Harris Andrews) and we didn't have access to him (QLD zone). There's another player as good, or better, and we didn't have access to him either (Zaine Cordy - F/S). There are a few better from the rookie draft, but in the main they're older and form part of what's good about that draft. i.e. opportunities to mature age or hopefuls that missed the ND. So in essence, Oscar was an excellent choice at 53 in that particular draft and there's not a single chosen player (that we had access to) better. And he's only going to get better.

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

I've only read page one, so it may be mentioned later on, but what about turning a pick in the 20s into Frost, ANB and Oscar ?

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.

I agree that he shouldn't be criticised for training during this period, especially as it's a troubling time. That said, and he might be doing them, core exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses are far better than isolation exercises. Bicep curls are almost a waste of time.

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.

Wells confirmed on SEN this morning that they (Geelong) can afford Watts from a salary cap point of view but won't give Melbourne the type of pick they want, i.e. pick 20. He also intimated they wouldn't give up their third, although I doubt Melbourne would take that anyway. He left some wriggle room dependent upon any compensation pick they may get for Motlop should he leave.

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

I don't answer stupid questions.

Don't know don't care. Google it.

Back Taylor to pick a quality player at 29 or keep a culture killer ? I'll back Goody. They have reasons for wanting to move Watts on. No guarantees with the pick, but I'll back the reasons behind it.

But what about all of those in the 30's, 40s, 50s, and beyond who are superb players ? When you have a pick in the late 20s don't you also have access to those ? Do you want me to name a few or 30 ?