Kit Walker

West Coast are probably going to want a top liner for Melbourne plus a number one pick. The one weakness they have seems to be a quality small-mid sized forward so Aaron Davey, Cameron Bruce or Brad Green plus a 1st or 2nd round pick. Don't think any of those 3 plus a first round pick is particularly good business for the demons whereas a 2nd round one may be. I doubt it's as simple as a straight swap for a player and a pick for Judd. More likely to try to get another first round pick via a trade (hopefully if another team is stupid enough to take Jamar for a first rounder - see Sydney/Jolly and St Kilda/Brooks in recent times) and trade a first and second round pick for him. That way may still end up with one, possibly two, top 25 picks. Don't want to deal ourselves out of the draft altogether.

Pretty sure Wayne Carey was too Neitz, McLean, Rivers probably the only untradeables on Melbourne's list. Probably some of the other young guys too (Jones, Bate, Dunn, Pettard, Frawley, etc) because you're not likely to get full value for them. If you're serious about trading at the top end or get a ridiculously good offer you've got to consider it.

I don't think he's one of the players in the gun this year. He has just turned 26 and has a penetrating kick, something that we are not overly blessed with in this team. When we'll have 9 players on the current list turning 30+ next year, Wheatley is pretty valuable either as a first 22 player or depth at worst. Must admit, I have been a bit of a fan because Melbourne doesn't have any players that can kick 60 metres (except Beamer occasionally and Neita's matchwinner yesterday!).

Strikes me as either a flanker or a winger, just given a key position post because of his size. Would be a much better player there IMO as he seems to have great endurance, a bit of pace and good hands. Poor decision maker but that should be able to be overcome if you just give him simple instructions and not pretend he is a playmaker like Trav. This thread is a pretty harsh call.

The talk around here (Ballarat) when he was drafted was that he was a good kid, great attitude, but very very green. Heard Danny Frawley say something similar on MMM last week. Would expect him to get a few more games for Melbourne this year and spend a bit of time back at Sandringham to play full games as a KPD.

Heard that too. Channel 7 really are pushing the boundaries with their football coverage Great to hear Belly was awesome. Fast, attacking and accountable - always happy to have that. Didn't see the game but apparently Wheatley was good too. 19 kicks to 3 handballs for him is good to see.

The only captain in recent times I can recall who was that young was Wayne Carey and I agree that it would be a bit much to expect Brock to captain a side that early. I would expect that Neitz is almost certain still to be captain next year but name Brock as Vice-Captain as have a real leadership structure. This idea of the players voting in a leadership group each year obviously isn't working because half the group each year get replaced when others have a good year.

Has to be. Only question is whether it would be next year with Neita to step down or the year after. If you manage to get a premiership captain who also happens to be the best midfielder in the game I don't see how you go past him. Love Brock but you wouldn't make a younger bloke captain ahead of Judd. Just for the record though, if we don't get Judd, Brock should be Vice-Captain next year (to Neitz) and Captain in 2009

I would have Pavlich, along with Jonathon Brown, as one of the two best players in the competition. However, I can't see any situation where Melbourne would be a realistic destination for him. He comes from South Australia and particularly the crows would move heaven and earth to get him. Also, Fremantle are probably (and it hurts to say this) closer to a flag than Melbourne are at the moment. Riewoldt is only a possibility if he moves for money or has a falling out within St Kilda. Judd seems the best bet as by the end of this year he will probably have been a dual premiership captain and brownlow winner with West Coast. Chance to challenge himself at home with the club he supported as a boy and may feel he has given enough to the eagles. Melbourne will probably finish 14th this year as Carlton and Richmond are a rabble and every team above them is likely to win at least 7 and a half to 8 games. That means pick 4 (Carlton 1 and 3 because they probably won't win 5 games). Judd would cost at least that and probably one of Melbourne's better young kids or someone like Aaron Davey (don't think WCE have a really good small forward). If that sort of trade was done I don't have much doubt that Judd would be the next MFC captain.