Wiseblood

I don't think Cloke will come to us either, and I don't believe we will actually pursue him, but there are players out there who can help us in that age bracket. Mitch Clark hasn't gone too badly since he arrived at the club either. I think that the clubs short sightedness with Bailey on board is what hurt us, as we put ALL our faith in the just developing kids and we didn't widen our vision to include some experienced, hard bodied players who could also help the club moving forward. I don't think Neeld will make that mistake.

So what's Travis Cloke then? A NQR or chasing a flag? Your sweeping generalisations are wrong. There are plenty of players out there in that 23-30 category who can help us, it's just a matter of finding the right ones.

Our interest came out of left field - Clark made it clear he wanted to leave Brisbane. While I'm sure we have our fingers in many pies it doesn't seem that "big fish" is really out here for us on the market this yet, but more than happy to be proved wrong!

But who do we throw the cheque book at? It's all well and good to make the claim we need to throw some money around but there doesn't seem to be any players who are worth it right now. We can front end some contracts to get up to the TPP and then save that money for the following season. I think we will add a variety of players to our list who will stand for everything that Neeld does - hard working players who are fit, can spread from a contest and stick to the game plan no matter what. There are guys out there who are not A listers who fit that mould and I'm sure the club is chasing them. Outside of Cloke and Goddard though, whom we won't get, there doesn't seem to be a big name player either out of contract or willing to leave their club to come to Victoria.

Is he worth the risk though? The big fella intrigues me but I have the fear that he trains the house down, does a hammy and we never really see him in the red and blue. But one thing is certain - we need another key forward target to support Clark, and Gumbleton is someone worth looking at if he comes cheap.

I can't believe it reached 80 posts to be honest.

Sounds a little bit like James Strauss when we first drafted him! Everyone raved about his kicking but didn't really mention anything else. And no, that is not a knock on Straussy who I rate very highly. Would just love to know more about Marschall as I think getting a player or two with a few more years experience at WAFL, SANFL or VFL level would be something worth looking at.

And I'm sure he has been mentioned in this thread but the Bummers have only offered Gumbleton a one year deal which he is not to keen on (yet) - would he be worth chasing or is he too injury prone and not worth the trouble? I'd be on the fence but, like most mentioned, wouldn't be against it if he came on the cheap.

I find it surprising at the moment that we aren't being linked to more players after making it clear that we will be big players come trade time. You would think we would be doing some serious work behind the scenes as more players become available. Guys like Jordan Russell and Josh Toy would be excellent pick ups and would probably come quite cheaply, although with Toy it's hard to know what the Suns want in return. I think over the coming weeks more will become available but we have to stay realistic guys - I don't think we will land a "big fish" like Clark from last year but rather look to add some experience, leadership and strong work ethic through a variety of players that we can land cheaply while adding some serious talent on the upper end of the draft. And please, no Riemers! The guy is more interested in going the man than finding the footy!

Bate? He's too important to our structure going forward. Send them Cook, tall forward for tall forward.

It's that time of the year. People sit around at work and do nothing but make up trades and then post them as if it's the greatest deal anyone has ever heard of. 1% of them will make any sense or be a fair trade for both teams. The other 99% will be "Ricky Petterd for GCS Pick 2, get it done Demons!" or a trade that is so grammatically incorrect with horrendous spelling that you can't understand a word of it.

Jake Spencer would be a handy player if we were in the 1980's but his skills are atrocious and, even if he is decent in the ruck, you just can't carry those types of players anymore. Every time he goes to kick every Demon fan shudders. Can't fault his effort but he won't make it.

Fair call that. Loves being the number one ruckman and excels in the role. If, and it's a big IF, we traded him you would want something pretty good in return.

I don't think that matters too much right now. The Bombers are the obvious choice for a destination right now as they were very keen last year, and then there are the other clubs that seem to be in the market for another midfielder. Geelong have been linked to Boak and Gysberts, two midfielders, and the Saints could use a young midfielder with Lenny on his last legs. I have no doubt that we will at least enquire and see where we sit in terms of his interest and what the Suns are after. I'm assuming we do that though, and I'd be disappointed if we didn't at least have a crack at a handy young midfielder who would be a terrific pick up.

True. They might have interest in Spencer as a second ruckman to Smith and if Pick 13 and Spencer got the deal done I wouldn't be disappointed with that. That pick could then go with another first rounder of some sort for Tippett IF he decides he wants to head home.

Wouldn't mind the club throwing Pick 13 their way, although if others like St. Kilda and Richmond are keen we would need to add a sweetener that the Suns actually want. Who that is I'm not sure... and no, Ricky Petterd because he is from QLD doesn't count in my book as I don't think the Suns would be that interested in him.

Plus Jurrah is out of contract so he can basically go to Port without them having to give us anything, let alone a very handy young player who will be important for them going forward. Won't happen.

I'm in the same boat in terms of getting him, and I think he would probably cost too much to get. Let the Bombers throw the kitchen sink at him.

I wouldn't read TOO much into B&F results - Scully finished fourth in the GWS count which, as we all know, is completely wrong when looking at the season he had. Caddy can play.

Perfectly put Hogan. Getting Byrnes means getting a guy who brings a wealth of experience that he can share and model for many of the players at our club. He can run around in the forward half putting on some pressure, which he does well, and snagging a few goals. His experiences at Geelong will be invaluable for our young squad and if he fills his role for 2 years while others develop, and we basically get him for nothing, then it's nothing but a good thing for us going forward.

While he is certainly no world beater he would come cheap and come from a winning culture. Plus he fills a void we have for a zippy player around goals. Can fill a role for a few years and bring plenty of GOOD experience with him. No drama if he comes over for nothing.

How do we know this hasn't been made up? The media are experts were creating something completely out of nothing, plus the VFL commentators got it completely wrong today as it's never been suggested Cook or Gysberts have been delisted. Cook was only a possibility after a "meeting" with Neeld while there is interest from Geelong in Gysberts and nothing more than that as Gysberts is still under contract. Mountain out of a mole hill today really.

It sounds as though it is Aaron himself who is reconsidering his future. I'm certain that, if he think he can go on but knows he won't get a run here, then the club will facilitate a trade for him. I think talking about loyalty is overboard until we know more. Outside of Junior I think the club has stood by many of their players rather well over the years.

And you know this how? It's not a huge loss, the club is trimming the fat. It's a good thing.

Regardless it's VERY interesting. He is another of the "old firm" as I like to put it who have been with the club for a while but haven't been up and about for the last few seasons. While I have loved Flash and what he brought to the club it's clear that he isn't the player he used to be and, like Beamer and to a lesser extent Green, would be the main culprits when it came to going missing in big games. I'd be sad to see him either traded or retire but, in terms of moving forward, it's a positive move (again!) for the club after the last 6 years. The wheels are turning.