Garbo

Stretch was an inside mid as under 18 the only reason he has been playing outside when he gets in the team is due to his lack of size and the fact we currently have better options for that role. With another preseason he will make major gains next year expect him to be most improved

I think you would find neither the lions or blues would give up pick 1 for Lever if they were in a position to get him. Martin yes, Lever no. Lever at this point is still a largely unproven kid who plays loose on the 3rd tall and takes a good intercept mark. I'm fairly sure he will turn into a fine player but it's hardly a given that he will be A grade let alone the next big thing. Look at Scully for an example he left us on big money was meant to be a marquee player for gws, there was no reason not to expect big things from him, and while he has been solid I would hardly call him a star, what makes Lever such a sure thing in comparison that anyone would give up so much.

That and none of them are a gorilla to make up for it, unless we are just conceding the opps FF will kick his 4-5 every time.

I know he would be a 10 year player but I hope he can bring a lot more than he did on Friday as if he comes to us he will cost us an arm and a leg, with ANB resigning im not sure what we would trade other than picks, frost is probably the only uncontracted player we have with any value

Things can change quickly but as of this year Lewis would be one of the first selected each week and unless Injury gets him I don't expect that will change next year either. It would take a fair number of players to go past him before we was outside of the best 22. Outside of Stretch, Maynard and Smith who would be potentially pushing him out anyway.

Nothing in the short term, him or frost would be dropped against some teams, if tmac goes back again then both could be out at stages. Long term you would keep one as back up and trade the other, At this stage I rate them both fairly equally but I think omac has more upside so u keep him

In the afl era, Melbourne has never had a midfield star but we have had some damm good players, Cam Bruce, Yze, Viney and Tingay, Jones would be at the top of my list. Oliver could go past them but hasn't done so by a long way yet, as a pure mid I haven't see a better start to a career so much so it is easy overlook how exceptional he has been for a 19 yo 30 something game player, his average games are better than his peers best games so far.

The difference is Lever wants out and is out of contract, if he nominates dees the crows either take what we offer or they get nothing. Its a balancing act as you want to keep a good relationship with other team in case the shoe is ever on the other foot and if he nominated for the draft we would need to use a first round pick anyway, so that becomes the starting point. Ideally you find a player on our list who is looking for more opportunity and we can afford to lose, a number of our inside mids fill this criteria (ANB the obvious choice, Tyson doesn't as clearly unless you think he is on the way out.) Then add a pick on top and deal done, depending on the quality of the player going with it this would vary but any best 22 player shouldn't need to be paired with a with a round 1

Beggars can't be choosers, if he nominates us then we would be Crazy to give up a 1st 2nd and a best 22 up and coming player. I wouldn't be at all surprised if ANB took a similar trajectory to what matt crouch has this year next year. This trade doesn't have to be a win-win, the time of dees fighting for scraps from other teams needs to end and part of been a destination club is bending the other teams over the proverbial barrel at trade time. It's also important in the long run we keep our first round picks so as we can continue draft high quality players, we are still a long way from the top and more than 1 player from been a flag contender, selling the farm is not the smart way forward at this point

Don't think the price will be that steep, something like ANB (from SA out of contract) and our 2nd rounder would get the deal done.

Its not what he said its what he didn't say. The normal response would be that they love it at club x and want to play on there next year but just need to work out the details. What he said was "I'm pretty happy here and I'm working through that each week, its good to be working through that, I think I've to to focus more on my football and executing each week" not a huge difference but we can hope.

I honestly don't get all the hoopla around Lever, Sure he's a good player but the way most here are talking and what you are willing to give up you must be expecting him to be one of the best players in the entire league which is simply not and will not be the case. Outside of Silvagni when has this ever been the case with a backman. KP backs are the one position where you can get away with NQR players as they offer most of the benifits at a fraction of the cost, you want to put your picks/money into mids and fwds. For comparison, not saying Oscar is better but not that far off either

I was more referring to the hawks team that won the flags. At any rate my point was more around not selling the farm to get players in either via trades or big $. Getting someone like Lever in will require both these. What does that mean for say Petracca when he comes out of contract, how can the team sell the line that he should stay for less when we bring in mercenaries on big $ Omeara was a horrible trade and one that I hope demons don't replicate

I hope we arent trying to get him or Kelly, I can only think of 2 big trades Hawks: Burgoyne and Dogs: Boyd (arguably would have won anyway and forced by Griffen walking) to teams who then went on to win a flag, it's the smart trades for a player on the outer at there current side or the free agent since you give nothing up in return you want to go after. The hawks are the best example of this, they trageted free agents and players needing a 2nd chance. That or you draft a premiership team like the cats. You don't have to look far for the converse. Swans recently with Tippett and Buddy, Cats with Danger, Blues with Daisy and Judd, Pies with Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams, Tigers with Prestia, Lions with Fevola, us with Mitch Clarke, Hawks this year for O'meara. I'm sure there are many more but you get the point

Dislocated his finger during the gc match so would be a chance to miss any way.

Start worrying if he doesn't sign by start of next season. We have more players out of contract this year than in contract Nothing to worry about yet