Mach5

People think this would be a leap of faith in the players not getting banned? What about Port with Ryder? The teams chasing Carlisle? The AFL must have the inside word, but be unable to release it publicly.

I worked with a guy who was close mates with Melksham from junior footy days, when Hird first came to the club and brought in the weapon. He passed on stories of how Melksham was handed a new diet plan that had him eating 2 full rotisserie chickens per day, amongst all the other things that were going on. The aim was rapid weight gain, and it worked at first, before 90% started dropping with soft tissue injuries. This is all before the supplements saga became public & I never heard any mention of that.

While we're at it, can someone please confirm the rumour I've heard that Ablett Jr has his eyes on a move from Geelong to the Gold Coast franchise?

Under-performing according to whose metric? What is your alternative to keeping him? Delist him? Trade him for a 4th round pick? These options do not improve the list. I don't think you've considered the implications, or you don't understand them. You don't get better by getting rid of every player that isn't a superstar. Right now he's in our 22. If we can't use him to improve our list, the aim is to persevere until he either develops into an even better player, or other players go past him and push him out of our best 22 or 25, then if his value is that low, you might move him on for little to no return.

Brett Anderson is known for very little other than being a self-proclaimed draft expert. He doesn't have ANY runs on the board in regards to inside knowledge with trades as far as I know. Fwiw I've been told Watts will stay, mostly because we're unlikely to get better value by moving him on.

Should give him a decent kick in the backside too.

VFL actually, but only really the one season.

I'm surprised so many are quick to believe that the Essendon 34 will actually get banned. Does no one remember the farce over in the NRL that WADA allowed to go unchecked? I'd say the distinct likelihood is that there are no suspensions to come for anyone.

The "highlights" are super average too.

Maybe if the club was parading him like a star signing, but so far it's only unsubstantiated rumours of a minor move that improves our list in some way, even if only slight. We could probably do without the drama.

For zero cost practically, and he filled a hole. Not exactly an epic stuff up.

I think Tyrone Vickery should be enough evidence that things aren't always so clear cut & final.

Look, I'm sure if we recruit him, it will be at minimal cost, and to raise the the absolute minimum standard for non-developing players on the list. ASADA related issues aren't an issue for me. The only issue would be overpaying, and I doubt we're silly enough for that.

So basically... Connors is trying to use the threat of going to Melbourne to push his clients' price up, or Melksham wants to be at Melbourne because he wants to get out & likes Goodwin & McCartney, so he's angling for MFC... Either way, I don't see a lot indicating that we are interested. It would hold a lot more weight if someone from the club gave an indication that we want him. And I'm sure if we do, it'll be conditional on him being cheap. Bog ordinary, but a slight improvement on Bail/Matt Jones/Riley/etc. Marginal improvement if no others are to be found.

FFS... I'm sure there's probably some supporters out there who think Cale Morton got a raw deal, but it's hardly indicative of anything... Your attempt to add credence to the idea of recruiting Melksham was beyond weak.

The bloke looks like the old hot tuna logo.

Still it has shown to have some value in the past. I get impeccable mail from another club, yet I was wrong about a certain defender just recently, as the drastic change of heart that had occurred hadn't been passed on to me. Made me look a little silly, much to my amusement. If anything it showed me that you can have the best contacts around, but this industry remains fluid and timing is everything.

Lovell? I'd be disappointed if we used anything earlier than a 2nd rounder on him, and even then I'm not overly enthused.

Fire Sale!

He's from Wagga. All rookies can be given a 3rd year I believe, but it's a bit more complicated than that. I think we have to apply and make him available to other teams in the draft. Can't remember exactly.

"Hi, this is Todd Viney, is this the bloke who lives next to Tomlinson's sister? Meet me in the Laverton maccas car park in 20 mins. I'll be wearing a red beret"

Very possible. Support for Maric, tutelage for Vickery & McBean who are both still ordinary ruckmen.

1. When was he ever touted the "next Moloney", by anyone? 2. If he really is the next Moloney, we shouldn't waste time - sack him now.

I'm fascinated to know who. I think it would be a case of buying his intellectual property, as he is very well known as being a master of his craft despite wearing concrete boots, and for being a capable teacher of young ruckmen. If true, the offer would likely involve an ongoing assistant role once the playing contract is up. My guess is Geelong.

He did spend his first couple of years as one of Riewoldt's understudies...