Wiseblood

I came in with low expectations and I was still disappointed.

@Deemented Are Go! - does your ex-missus happen to be Maggie Beer?

If he wants to come back home for money then I don't think we're ahead. You would expect the Saints, North (who have tried to poach anybody with two legs over the last couple of years) and Carlton to have more money to give. The Bombers wouldn't have a whole lot of wriggle room and us, well, we must have something to spare lying around. However, if he wants to come home to potentially win a flag, then the decision at the moment is a no brainer. Three of the mentioned clubs are absolute poo and going nowhere fast, while North are batting above their average, just like Mick Martyn did with any woman he dated in his lifetime. If we can offer him competitive money then we're a mile in front of all the clubs mentioned. I still think he's more likely to sign with the Eagles but I'd like to think we're a sneaky chance of nabbing him as well.

I'd be more than happy to get him, but the article doesn't reveal a whole lot. I'd be surprised if he didn't re-sign with the Eagles.

I've heard he wants nothing more than to stay a Demon and will sign a contract sooner rather than later.

So one minute he is never in the box, the next minute he does both during games...? Why anybody listens to a thing you say or backs you up in anything is totally beyond me.

Before we start jumping off the West Gate, again, let's wait and hear from a trusted source about issue first. Right now all we know, from a rumour, is McCartney will be on the bench instead of the coaches box. We know nothing else, regardless of what someone like Tom Morris (who has come up with some absolute shite this year) has to say on the matter.

Which means what? You seem to be trying to insinuate something off one piece of play.

Another positive step forward for the club. We all know what a fantastic player Trac is, but he is also a terrific person and just the sort of personality you need at the club. It's more great news for the MFC and I can't wait to see him tearing it up through the middle this season and beyond!

Everyone has at some point. It's the nature of the beast. We're the best at constantly bringing it up, though.

Will we have the coin to pursue another free agent this year? We do have plenty of players coming out of contract this year that could create space, but after nabbing Lever I can see us potentially being a little quieter come this off season. That does depend on many factors, though, so I could be way off the mark.

Great post @dazzledavey36! The thing that excites me the most about the club moving forward is the quality of people we are getting in. Of course football talent and ability comes first, but we seem to have not only drafted players who have that in spades, but also guys who bring so much leadership and maturity to the table as well. They are level headed blokes who will train professionally and uphold the high standards that we expect of our playing group. It's exciting to see!

Well said mate. I also like the fact that, if they do get a run in the seniors, that they have the proper leadership and support around them to succeed.

I'm just excited that we've got some terrific young talls on our list who can develop over the next 2-3 years and potentially play plenty of games together in our backline. It's bloody great stuff!

Out? We still have picks from the second round onwards. You are putting too much emphasis on the draft. You can improve your list in a myriad of ways that doesn't focus on first round picks.

I would have thought, with the recent success of some smaller players, that we wouldn't be so negative towards a players height. Let's give the kid a chance and a few pre-seasons before we start judging him purely on how tall or short he is.

Who would you have taken then oh wondrous talent scout? Taylor must have no idea. You should apply for his job with all your knowledge.

I think we did well to get him in the 40s. As @Deeoldfart mentioned above, he is clearly a bloke who has worked extremely hard to get himself back into draft contention and he has pace to burn. I don't expect him to play much next year but he has time to develop a bigger tank so he can involve himself with more consistency.

Good selection. Outside of Lever you could argue our other tall defenders (T Mac not included) are still projects as well, and selecting Petty not only gives us insurance but also gives him time to develop as well.

They commentators described him as the most competitive player in this years draft. For the moment, that sounds good enough to me.

What I liked the most about the small highlight package was the last goal - he ran from the back of the square through the middle and got the ball before getting round a couple of players and slotting the goal. Showed all the things you mentioned above as well as a willingness to run hard to position and not just look for the cheap possession. I wouldn't be disappointed if he fell to us at #30!

No, it doesn't. Of course he is going to say something very positive about a coach who has given him a lifeline. He'll do anything to stay in the good books. Absolutely spot on. He played with Trenners for 8 years and saw how hard the bloke worked to get his body right again, and even that wasn't enough. I don't think that will change now.

Absolutely stoked for Trenners. I think the club made the right decision to move him on, but I also feel as though he deserved a second chance elsewhere as well. Hopefully it's a positive outcome for all involved.

I wouldn't say he is passed his prime at all - he had a ripper of a season this year. The difference is they paid essentially the same price for a bloke who will be 29 when next season starts, while Lever is 21 and has a decade of great footy ahead of him. We paid a fair price.

Super article here on the trade if you can get past the paywall: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/melbourne-secures-star-defender-jake-lever-in-trade-with-adelaide/news-story/478b76c2d2f380b5c10dc191f2b54af5 Basically says we've done very well, while also discussing some areas of the trade that some would be concerned about as well. The line at the end sums it up for me - the time for early picks for us is over, and we need to add to our list to make a tilt at a flag. Jake Lever pushes us in the right direction in this regard in a big way.