Jarka

The evidence backs my version. Bailey gave Ball a 'get out clause' and a couple of days later it's reported in the paper that he's going for the Nov draft. Coincidence? Perhaps. In the end none of us will ever know what really happened behind closed doors, neither does the papers. But I do think that some of us has taken all this just a bit too seriously. Thorpe is a better fit for us anyway

What he wants to do and where he ends up playing are most likely completely different. It's the nature of the draft and trade rules that the AFL operate under. Do you think that if Scully and Trengove had their choice that they would play with Melbourne? The pov was purely about manipulating the situation so the perception was that Ball's only choice is Melbourne if he was to leave the Saints. The point that he was initially not interested in us is irrelevent with this exercise, it's about creating a scenario where he is forced to become interested. If you think it's all a joke and everything has already been decided then why bother continuing with the discussion. This is just some harmless discussion in the off-season, relax mate

Wolf, you may well be right, it's just my opinion, and I don't believe for one second that's it's gospel just because I believe it. I personally believe that he'll stay at the Saints, but lil stinga had a point that alot of people dismissed fair too quickly imho

Wow, you completely missed the point.

The club has been speaking to his manager, that's how things normally work. Are you saying that he's already made his decision

You're missing the point, and so are alot of others. Ball has yet to say he's not interested, we're still in the negotiation stages. What Bailey did was to give him a way out before any real discussions have taken place. Prior to Bailey's comments Ball would have realised that if he wanted to leave the Saints then we would be his likely destination and then he'd be forced to consider us and really research where we're heading. With no other option but the Saints or Demons he may have realised that we're not so bad. But now, because he's basically been given an 'out' clause he can dismiss us as a destination. As I said earlier what our real intentions are is irrelevant, it's the perception which is the most important thing. Oh, and this attitude that 'we only want players who'll bleed for the club' is laughable. Modern football is a business, this 'playing for the jumper' tripe is an outdated idealoligistic fairy tale that is now irrelevant. Does anyone honestly believe that either Scully or Trengove would choose to play for Melbourne if they had the choice? If you do then you're kidding yourself.

I kind of understand what Little Stinga is saying, and I admit that I tend to agree with him. It's all about perception, not about what we really will do which is almost irrelevant in this case. Ball has been presented a way out with his negotiations with us, publicly even. It's not the right way to go about it, well not my opinion anyway. We should be presenting a situation where if he leaves the Saints he will end up at Melbourne regardless of whether he goes via the psd or the Nov draft and then we should sell our club going forward. I'm not having a Bailey bash session here, I like him as a coach and think he's doing great things, but in this situation we're coming across as the 'nice guys', we need to be more ruthless than that.

Yes, i've heard that he really is big on having the right people around him. Looking back at his career at Windy Hill he was very good at getting rid of those who held different views to him.

I don't know...I haven't made up my mind whether the whole 'expanding into West Sydney' is a good idea or not. The Swans have been in Sydney for 20 odd years and they still haven't been completely accepted by the local market. Having two teams in the market just seems frught with danger. The upside is huge though if it works. As for Sheedy, well, after his comments about the MFC following his unsuccesful application for our coaching role I think he was exposed for what he really is. A professional person does not make public comments like that. Then there was the whole Richmond fiasco... Is his heart really into it or is he just looking for a retirement plan? I much prefer the GC17 model. But then again I prefer to base a multimillion dollar organisation on a solid business plan based on proven and sound facts rather than relying on a razzle dazzle publicity stunt such as a promo photo of a fat, over the hill bloke in lycra pyjama's, wearing his undies on the outside.

Publicity stunt

Has Emma Quayle done her mock draft already? Could you post a link please, hers and the Burgatron one (big demon fan by the way) are the only two I really take notice of. On topic, if Ball is available Thorpe in the psd would be a good result, especially if he gets his head right

Daniher and competitive finals sides? Sounds like the starting line of a joke.

Forward, good in the air and on the ground. Pretty agile and can kick too, which is a bonus. Mature age I believe.

C'mon guys, let's not get all up in arms over a newspaper article. Remember how wrong all the papers were over Aaron Davey? Most of the journalists have no idea what's going on, it's a proven fact. We just need to sit back and let the club do it's work, if Ball comes to us it's a bonus, if not, that's life. Ball doesn't owe us anything so getting upset at him is pointless.

This romantic idea that all players now bleed for the jumper is such an antiquated view. Football is now a business, most footballers these days are career players

Melbourne should offer to take him for a one year contract and then agree to trade him to the pies for a 2nd rounder next year if he goes into the psd. We get: A good midfielder to provide support and leadership to our young midfield for a year A chance to fill up our salary for one year A bonus 2nd rounder next year Ball gets: His wish to end up at Collingwood Collingwood gets: Ball Make the agrrement 'in principle', who knwos, he may end up liking it here

I want to make a change to my picks, swap Rohan for Black

He'll go to whoever drafts him...

Tiramisu

Nov Draft 1. Scully 2. Trengove 11. Rohan 18. Troy Taylor 34. Thorpe PSD 1. Ball We get the two best kids in the draft, take the best slider with 11, pick up a Jurrah clone @ 18 and Thorpe is taken as a gamble. Ball in the psd is the icing Oh man, I need to take a cold shower.

I think sometimes we forget how difficult it is for some kids who don't have the advantage of being brought up and raised in a place like surburbia Melbourne with a good education and a stable family environment. Maybe it's just me, but I'm a firm believer that just about everyone should be given the chance to redeem past wrongs. For the first time while I've been a MFC supporter I also honestly believe that we are in a position to assist guys like this. We have the leadership within the team (Davey) and a coach who understands the hurdles in front of these kids. We also have a president who excells in this area. Melbourne is the perfect club for a kid like Troy Taylor to find himself and flourish as a person.

Not sure if I agree with Smith. Kokoda means different things to different people. For some it's about honouring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for a belief about our basic way of life, it's about honouring those men who were brave enough to defend us with their lives. It appears Smith could be doing a bit of granstanding with this article, for a change...

I haven't seen him play but from what I've heard he is a x-factor plus kid, similiar to Jurrah skill wise. Now for the negative. Got caught up with the wrong crowd when he was younger and I believe he got into trouble for a robbery, not exactly sure of the details but it was pretty serious apparently. Football has been his redemption since the troubles have taken this place Basically I would love to see this kid on our list, I believe everyone deserves to make amends for past wrongs and football is helping him do that. At 18 he'd be a great pick. Edit: Snoop Dog over at bigfooty is a well respected watcher of junior talent, his mock draft is one of the few I take notice of. Here is what he says about him... # 23 – West Coast Troy Taylor / NT / 190cm / 77kg This guy is set to be one of the stories of the draft. From all reports a terrific kid but has run into trouble as a teenager. Apparently footy has helped him through and had a marvellous championships. Massive amount of x factor and will be groomed for key fwd. In the Jurrah, Motlop type mould of a 3rd tall fwd. Fitness base seems good and keeps on presenting. Can take a terrific mark and his finishing skills are good without being elite. Frame is still a bit wiry but his athleticism will allow him to get out on his own enough times or if in a pack allow him to leap. This guy is just an excitement machine. Could well go even earlier than this. http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=647838

I have to be honest, I was hoping that we'd get Swift with the pick we used on Strauss. Towards the end of the year Swift started to show what he's capable of, the kid is going to be a very good player. It sucks watching him run around with the Eagles when we could have picked him instead, but the club decided to go with Strauss, so I reluctantly trust their judgement. As already mentioned Strauss has great disposal and is really strong, hopefully he'll be a regular player in the future. Would fit in very nicely on a HBF once he gets over his injuries.

H, I completely agree. If he's available for a pick that we're prepared to spend on him then we should take him regardless what he wants.