Lord Neville X Flash

Both fair views. Let me say a couple of things however: 1) I can tell you first hand that many many many many AFL players use illicit drugs, and still play great footy (i know of over 3 brownlow medallists using drugs). Bennell was dumb enough to get caught on video, as did carlise. 2) He has had poor work ethic. He has just turned 26. Many people take longer to wake up to themselves and become adults, Ross Lyon obviously thought Bennell had turned that corner and deserved another shot. 3) Let's not brush over how good he could be. As i said he has just turned 26 (2/10/18), 26-29 is an AFL players best years generally. 4) If he is a bad egg he cannot ruin an entire football club. we will send him on his way as soon as he makes a mistake. I fully get Dees fans not wanting him, but i don't think its as clear cut a decision as some are suggesting.

Let's say there is a 10% chance that bennell gets back to his best, would that be worth giving him 1 year? At his best he could be our isaak smith. Personally i think we need this type of player more than a full back. I'm of the opinion that we have such a good core 20-23 players, that we have the ability to take a punt with 1 or 2 spots on our list each year.

I would love to take the punt on him. We make freo pay half of his already small contract, so as we don't end up losing cap space. He is prodigious talent obviously, 90+ goals in 70-something games, plus 26 brownlow votes. At his best, or 75% his best he is the perfect player for us, quick skilful winger. The thing i like about it is that we have the culture that can: a) potentially turn him around. We have Neville, probably the most respected indigenous leader in the AFL, and also we may have steven May, who is also indigenous and an AFL captain. The indigenous boys clearly share a close bond, and these two leaders are the best Bennell could possibly get. Furthermore, our other leaders of Jones, Viney, Lewis and Gawn have created a very good culture. b) If he does F up after we get him, our culture would not be damaged as we have too many good people in the club. We can just say "thank you for trying harley, head back home" as soon as he steps out of line. 100% worth the punt IMO, will cost nothing (picks or salary cap), with potential huge up side. + we have so many open spots on our list

freo trying to break the contract with Harley Bennell, which was signed in the last two months. this club is a ducking shambles

Point taken, i thought he was 27 turning 28. 26 turning 27 is more appetising

Pick 5 of a super draft for a semi-unproven good full back who is 28 years old is well overs.

I'm thinking Melbourne have told Hogan they will trade him if there is a deal reached with fremantle, but the Hogan camp doesn't want it made public in case an agreement can't be reached and he stays at melbourne.

just remember to collect $200 when you go past Gosch's Paddock

Im happy with him, but can't really call him a bargain until he strings together a couple of seasons

would love to collect all 3 brayshaws

if he wasn't injury prone it would be a bargain*

why do people on demonland twist other people words to support their argument? can't you just say your piece without the propaganda? No one is talking about Oscar and Frost being AA. Fair if you want may, he is clearly a good addition for us. My opinion is simply that we can win the GF without him. We can improve defensively the following ways: 1. Greater two way running from the entire team. Our young list will have another preseason, and particularly the young mids will continue to build their tank and be more accountable without the ball. 2. Another pre-season of a core 20 players will mean better chemistry and understanding of defensive structures. 3. Lever will come back in and make a huge difference. 4. Internal improvements from Frost (Skills and football smarts) and Omac (strength and confidence), with the better player taking up the FB position. The loser will bang on the door in the VFL. 5. Potential huge growth from a VFL defender such as Hunt, Smith, Wagner, who could fight their way into the team, and have a great year.

Jake Lever, our best defender to come back, huge area of improvement. Third time ive said it. https://thewest.com.au/sport/melbourne-demons/melbournes-neville-jetta-at-forefront-of-better-defence-ng-b88957107z Leaking points does not equal poor key position players. Our mids were all downhill skiers for many games in 2018. If we had matthew scarlett and rance against west coast it would not have made a difference because we gave the ball back in the worst positions on the ground. May good, but we can also do well without him, if we don't get him.

and continued to say in the same post that with another preseason of development plus Lever our best defender coming back, we would be looking decent down back. You are objectively neglecting half my argument, trump style. Nice work grampa

I say im optimistic about our defence in 2019, you say "wrong, that's why we got lever"... your bringing shame to jnr's name btw, the 70's called and wants its joke back

I would say somewhere between pick 15 and 20, or equivalent would be Lobb's value

If you are replying to me, you may want to read my comment again.

Lever is a key part of my optimism... thought that would have been blatantly obvious. KK is a great addition, also not a key position player. He will be replacing lewis, or potentially going onto a wing/defence rotation with salam. May is also a great addition, but just because we are trying to get a player in doesn't mean we cannot succeed without said player. I personally think making a prelim with a super young list, without our best defender, is cause for optimism.

Agreed that our defence hasn't been our strong suit. But our game style does contribute to conceding more goals, we are a team that backs ourselves in a shootout. But i guess i am very optimistic that we can sure up our defence through the growth of our current list. Collingwood, West Coast did nothing last trade period, and got exceptional growth from the players they had on their list. Similarly Richmond saw huge improvements from the likes of Grimes, Astbury, Vlastain etc 2 years ago

Most of our woes in terms of conceding goals came from lack of two way running, which was heavily highlighted throughout the year. We eventually tightened up just prior to finals. And yes i think with Lever coming back in, and another year in the gym for Omac, and another preseason of skills training for frost leaves us in a reasonable position re: key backs.

I think it's a myth we struggle down back, we were fine against Geelong and Hawthorn in the finals, and suffered when we turned the ball over in the middle of the ground v west coast. PLUS, Our best and most important defender in Lever was out. I think the combo of Lever/Omac, or Lever/Frost, or even Lever/Frost/Omac is good enough to win a flag. If anyone of Tmac, Hogan or Weed was going back, it would surely be Weed as he is the least valuable forward

Hogan a likely multiple coleman medallist, no chance he goes back

6 - 6 - 6 coming in next year = tall forward lines super valuable, as there will be no spare defender to counter quick centre clearances (our midfield will get plenty). Plus Hogan, and TMac are aerobic beasts, we would defs make it work. Preuss is the one who would miss out on games. I say if we have a sniff at keeping him we wrap our arms around him, even if its just for another year, he can get us a flag.

We would hopefully have another high draft pick from freo

Robbie Grey + pick 10 for Pick 5 would do it, we get Grey for 1 or 2 years, and PA get a shot at a SA gun