Wiseblood

It's Pick 25 because of where we finished. It makes a pick in the third round, which is in the early 40s, too low. If we finish higher up the ladder then our second rounder would be somewhere between 30-32. That's just the way it is. If we get something back that's a bonus.

If Carlisle says yes to going to the Hawks then the Saints only have themselves to blame. They should have known that the longer it dragged on the bigger chance there was of other teams getting themselves involved. Now it's happened. They could have gotten on the front foot, like many other clubs, and gotten the deal done in 24-48 hours but they decided to be stubborn and now face the prospect of missing out entirely. Plus it will greatly annoy many other clubs that they've also allowed the Hawks to get even stronger.

If you go up the page a bit you'll see that we have already said the Pies will need to do more than offer Kennedy to get a deal done. Seriously mate, have a look and a good think before you post.

No, your comprehension skills are what sucks. The club has already said the Pies will need to offer a lot more than Kennedy to get the deal done. If you could read or pay attention you would know that.

True, but he doesn't fill their huge need up forward. Still a risk for them. Plus they've had to give up their first rounder for him which, I'm guessing, they may have earmarked for McCarthy. Makes it difficult to get him now.

He'll go elsewhere at the end of next year IF we don't move forward as a club. If we can show him further improvement with a view to finals then there is no reason why he can't choose us as a destination club at the end of 2016. If we go backwards or simply tread water then I wouldn't blame him if he looked elsewhere.

That should put to bed any notion of him coming to us... this year. But wait for some poor souls who still believe we are a chance to get him this year. I feel sorry for them.

True. I can't really argue with that. The Cats, however, did win their 3 flags on the back of very good drafting and some very handy father/son players falling in to their lap. They may have added the odd player, like Ottens, that helped put them over the top but if you look back through their list the majority of their premiership players were drafted in, not traded for.

Of course I would stuie. I asked the question of will it be worth it more in relation to if they don't win a flag will trading all those picks have been worth it. I'm probably letting my hatred of Geelong cloud my judgement a little though so I'm happy to admit that. As for draft picks - I agree. We put too much stock in draft picks and their value. Melbourne supporters should understand this better than anyone. But you do need an influx of youth coming through and missed a few years of getting some of those quality players could hamper you in the long term. I'm not saying it will, only that it could.

I'm not arguing against the players they traded in - clearly if Melbourne got all 3 of those players it would instantly make us a much, much better side. Dangerfield would transform us as a club just on his own. Selwood and Henderson are serviceable players who, if fit, will also add something to their side as well. The only argument I'm making is that, if they don't get another flag in the next few years, then even with these guys their premiership window may slam shut and they would have mortgaged their future in doing so. It's a risk, but I guess if you don't take risks then you don't give yourself a chance at winning a flag. As well as the four players mentioned above they will also lose Bartel soon as well, and with Kelly, Johnson and Stokes all moving on as well that takes a large chunk of their experience with them. They may well challenge and be a Top 4 side next year, but will it all be worth it in the long run? Time will tell I guess.

Just a small heads up: Marty Pask, who manages Dion Prestia, is going to be on Trade Radio at 12pm. I'm assuming he will just re-iterate his stance that Prestia will see out his contract but it will probably still be worth a listen so we can all dissect the tone and emotion of how he says it so some can hold on to the hope that we will still get him this year.

They still have no ruckman, with Wells even admitting today it's going to be a struggle to get Zac Smith to the club after they've traded away 3 picks already, and their defence is aging with Taylor, Lonergan, Mackie and Enright all set to retire in the next couple of years. No doubt they will be competitive but they still have some major holes in their line up to go with some kids who still have plenty to prove. Or I could just be hoping like hell that the Cats are still a middle of the road team.

Henderson has officially been traded to the Cats for the 2016 first round pick. Cats have taken a huge gamble by trading away these picks. Interesting to see it it pays off.

Melbourne rivals? That could be Hawthorn, St. Kilda, Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, Melbourne, Nth. Melbourne, Richmond or the Western Bulldogs. So yes, I suppose we might be on that list somehow.

Where has that been reported?

Tell him he's dreaming...

Pick 3 and their second rounder for Howe and 6 would suffice. That second rounder, with ours, potentially lands us Kennedy and Melksham to go with who we believe is the best player in the draft after the two key position players.

Very interesting choice of player mate. The people who don't like or rate Watts, and there are plenty, would be happy to see him go. The rest not so much and of course they would be critical of the club. That's human nature. What is we traded Angus Brayshaw during this trade period? He loves the club and EVERY poster on here would be critical of the club. Even if we received 4 first round draft picks for him most would pot the club, and rightly so. I would be in that camp. There are two sides to every story. The club would have presented a contract offer that they believe reflected his value to the club going forward. I don't necessarily agree with the figures being floated around about what others have offered, but at the same time he clearly felt he was worth more money rather than realising the club needs to be very smart about how we use the salary cap going forward with many players to re-sign over the coming years. It's a different landscape and I'm happy that the club won't budge on what it is offering him, which wouldn't be all that low to honest. Howe didn't like it and flogged himself to other clubs through his manager all year. That's pretty poor IMO. While many others showed faith in the club and it's direction he went off chasing a little more money and assurances that he'll play on a half forward/wing, even though we all know that's not his best position. He doesn't have the tools or the smarts to play well in that position. Roos knew it, Goodwin knew it... Howe doesn't.

Hop off the high horse Redleg. Outside of a select few I think others are beginning to realise that, yes, we may not have made a huge effort to keep him, but he hasn't made a huge effort to stay either. Hatred is not something I would use for Howe, and I think most on here would agree. Disappointment is more fitting. It's disappointing to lose him, but ultimately he is someone we can well and truly cover. I think the club knows that as well. Your last line is silly as well. EVERY club forum would do exactly the same thing. It's naive to think otherwise.

Garry is right too. I find him jumping ship at this stage baffling. Clearly he was a bit of a sook and didn't like being played down back, which only highlighted the fact that he isn't a team player. Instead of doing what is best for the club who huffed and puffed and decided to take his bat and ball and go elsewhere. Good riddance.

I thought Slobbo, for once, summed up the Howe situation quite well today: "Jeremy Howe asked for a trade from Melbourne on Monday. He wants somewhere about $500,000 and the Demons basically said you bugger off. For a guy who can mark the ball and, as yet, do none of the other fundamentals very well, it points to a huge salary and a huge ego for a player whos living on taking a speccie every second week."

Settle down fellas. The bloke tweeted that we are apparently one of 4 clubs interested. Means nothing at this stage. Everyone is reacting as if a giant sinkhole has opened up and swallowed the club whole.

Suns seem very keen on him which suggests, with the interest from other clubs, that they might be willing to part with Pick 3 for Howe and Pick 6. Moving up three spots allows us to take who we believe to be the best midfielder in the draft, or gives us a little extra power in terms of trying to pry an A grade mid loose from somewhere. Either way I think it's in our best interests to try and send him to QLD.

He must be related to hogans_heroes then...

I'm not exactly comfortable with the deal either but he isn't worth our first rounder, obviously, and he is worth more than our pick in the 40s. Unless we can get another pick this deal is about as fair as it's going to get.