Goodvibes

I think we're paying overs and Adelaide might be unders but that's where the later pick exchange might come in to play. We've got to remember that we're the ones driving this trade. Adelaide also motivated. GWS least motivated. Current climate suggests we might have to get a little radical. I understand losing McDonald would hurt and wouldn't expect our club would go down this path. Shiel, Vince and Miles all in our transaction might just get us thinking about it however.

Ok, here's my contribution to the wild world of trade week speculation. I stress, this is not a rumour just a pure hypothetical: 3 way trade: Melbourne trade out pick 2 and Tom McDonald Adelaide trade out Bernie Vince and Andrew Otten GWS trade out Dylan Shiel and Anthony Miles Melbourne receive Shiel, Vince and Miles Adelaide receive pick 2 to use on local lads Aish or Scharenberg GWS receive McDonald and Otten to immediately add experience and size to their backline There could also be some shuffling of later picks to even out perceived inbalances. I know the immediate stumbling block for most Demonlanders would be the loss of Tom McDonald.

You do rate them - by dream team points apparently.

Stop being so pragmatic. Where's the guy who was talking premierships earlier today?

But they're getting better. If they were getting worse I'd recommend a rest. Just imagine what we'll be getting by the end of the trade period.

It doesn't matter how good a deal looks. You don't do anything that involves Hogan leaving the MFC in a "heartbeat". Having said all that, possibly one of the most creative "rumours" thus far. Kudos.

They're in the process of screwing over Brisbane to get Longer and have happily mentioned in the media that they are Longer's nominated club. It would probably be in their interests to get Savage to his nominated club.

I hope he's not talking about James Frawley.

I'm hoping the same thinking will play a role in Cross choosing Melbourne over Carlton.

I love it. I've waited seven years for our crapness to be our prime advantage!

Yep we're the only team in Victoria with the cash/pick combo to lure an interstate player home. I can't believe the Longer situation. Pick 7 a couple of years ago. Decides he's homesick, nominates the reigning premier as his preferred club (with the last first round pick) and is still contracted until the end of next year. Hawthorn then have the gall to suggest that they'd like Longer but don't want to use their first round draft pick. At least in the Shiel situation we'll be able to provide adequate compensation to GWS.

As I posted a couple of days ago, the only way I can see us getting real star power for our pick 2 is by going to GWS or GC. Shiel would exceed my expectations. So many times trade week raises expectations and then disappoints. Let's hope this is the exception. With Roos/Jackson there's a definite belief that whilst unlikely, scenarios like Shiel to Melbourne are indeed possible. It's exactly what we need. If it comes down to pure money, he should be ours.

So if I'm to run with your analogy, today's venting on Demonland is equivalent to publishing compromising photos of your ex on a dodgy website?

You would assume "talks starting" really means we've been talking to Shiel's management for some time and we've offered him a pretty attractive contract and now it's a matter of whether GWS is prepared to let a contracted player leave.

It's a bit sad that on day one of trade week a thread about our ex CEO proves to be the most popular. We've got to move on.

Different Freeman. Is it Groundhog Day?

Put yourself in the shoes of GWS. Shiel has come to you expressing an interesting in heading back to Victoria. His manager informs you that Melbourne has put forward a very lucrative contract offer. You don't want to keep an unhappy player and see this as an opportunity to either get a mature player or spread the demographic of your young picks. What would you ask for? And what would you settle for?

Careful Mgdee, I've just introduced Demonland to the proposed loss of McDonald. I'm not sure we're ready to hear Frawley's name mentioned as trade material.

That's a fair call and I've said more than once that we shouldn't use our poor recent drafting record to discourage us from trying to snag a star at the top of the draft. I've just reached the point where it's become patently obvious that no one wants to come to us and for us to get a competitive midfield is going to require sacrifices. We're on the nose and for good reason. If we want an elite midfielder we're going to have to do something a little daring.

I keep hearing that midfielders are easier to get yet we haven't nabbed one in a decade of high picks.

I wouldn't want to lose McDonald either but I'm also realistic about the nature of trades. GWS need a proven key defender, we need an elite midfielder or ten. You've got to give a little to get a little. I don't think we'll be throwing up McDonald's name but if we've managed to talk Shiel into at least being open to coming to us and GWS tell us that they're not interested in getting picks, do we give up on the trade or do we consider McDonald. If the club is confident Frawley will sign a contract extension they may be a little more open to it. "No circumstances" is pretty definite. How much footy have you seen Shiel play. He is worth pick 2 and he's definitely worth us considering trading a player of the ilk of McDonald. We all talk about being ruthless and getting active come trade time but most clearly aren't prepared to take the big step to actually change up our midfield. I must be the only one who's a little tired of seeing us get absolutely destroyed in the midfield every week.

And if GWS wanted a player rather than a pick, would you be willing to trade Tom McDonald? Obviously an exchange of later picks would probably be required to balance things a little.

Mahoney hinted that Shiel is in our sights. I'd be more than happy with a straight swap for pick 2.

Looks like Shiel is the GWS player we fancy our chances with. Myers also a possibility according to Mahoney on trade radio. Good to hear we've cool on Heath Shaw. Adams no chance.

Different Freeman.