the fork

Yep, nup, your all right. Feeling a little exposed yesterday afternoon. Harvey is a twang. Watts to the Dees @ 1, just as I've believed all along.

Hell, I'm taking this quite seriously. Maybe our approach is Naitanui at 1 and two tall forward prospects at 17 & 19? Also willing to accept that this is Harvey throwing his own spanner in the works.

There are a few people around who were dead against trading for Prismall (a proven mid-fielder in one of the best clubs in the league) with Pick 35 because of his injury concerns. Now some of those same people want to use Pick 17 on a unproven player who has done two knees, Tom Swift. Swift sounds great, don't get me wrong and sure Prismall was going to miss some of 2009, but does anyone not see a bit of disparity in the thinking here?. Perhaps a few people with the 'draft as our saviour' goggles on?

By that Tower, I was referring to Jack Watts and his recruitment to the Dees will be the No.1 news item on Saturday/Sunday, not Ben and his new home. (As discussed earlier in this thread).

Just reported the Lions are not going to use a pick on Saturday on Cousins. Clearing the way for the Dees to steal the spotlight!

The names below are players who are suggested that will fall between around Pick 17 -19 JACKSON TRENGOVE LEWIS JOHNSTON SAM BLEASE ASHLEY SMITH PHIL DAVIS MITCH BROWN NICK HEYNE JORDAN LISLE LUKE SHUEY The names below are players who Melbourne are reportedly interested in who it is suggested that fall between around Pick 17 -19 RYAN SCHOENMAKERS TOM LYNCH TOM SWIFT JORDAN ROUGHEAD SHAUN McKERNAN DAVID ZAHARAKIS DAYNE BEAMS NICK SUBAN JAMES STRAUSS MICHAEL WALTERS JARRAD REDDEN WILL YOUNG

I received the inside word today on Tom Hislop, from someone who is in a very good position. I have been a very big advocate for the recruitment of Tom based on what I have seen of him as a player of the game and what I have read in the papers and online. However following a discussion I had today I have to say that I do not want Tom to be drafted by our club. I have enough faith in Dean bailey to know that a player like Tom will not be drafted. I do not wish to say too much other than it seems he has a lack of respect for the people around him. I'm only posting this to relieve any disappointment to other supporters who had hoped we would draft him.

Quite sure that's his name.

Have just heard that we have been in contact with Michael Long's 17yr old relative who is in the draft this year. Can't find any details on him in a short amount of time, but have seen his name about. We have spoken to him along with 4 other clubs, so I am not suggesting we will draft him, as we have probably spoken to half the prospects, but thought I'd pass it on. He is a gifted footballer, who is going to be school prefect (or equivalent) at Melbourne Grammar next year, where it has been made known he wants to see out his schooling.

I think we would be terribly wary of upsetting the AFL and one of their sponsors. We need to show, now more than ever, that we are a professional club with a responsible attitude toward the organisation who is currently deciding whether to throw us a financial lifeline or not. So i think the decision for the club is not as simple as we would like it to be. There has to be a halfway point. Maybe this is a bit naive, but could we involve the NAB in some capacity?

The Mfc drafting Jack Watts on Saturday, will be the biggest news story of the day, alongside one other item... ...BEN COUSINS AND THE CLUB THAT DRAFTS HIM. I think the Dees see this and rather smartly are wanting to make the most of this opportunity. We should announce it as soon as possible.

wheres_jacka is a complete fraud. makes stuff up in a vain attempt to draw attention to himself because he has no life. true.

I have been pretty open thus far on who we take. After seeing the video posted yesterday (Thanks Morton) I would have to suggest that we would be mad not to take Watts and take a risk on NN.

Rather I would suggest that he is not interested. I see his nomination as a tactic perhaps to be used by the Bombers to get him back or some other side.

Sleeve, you have any kind of inside word on Tom and what he might be considering at the moment?

From Phantom Draft VII: 2006 phantom AFL draft: http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tab...px?newsId=35868 "His hardness and attack on the ball would compliment the likes of recent draftees Brock McLean and Colin Sylvia. Highlights/achievements: Robust and powerful player who is strong overhead and a prolific ball winner. All-Australian at U18 level this year averaging 20 disposals and ranking number one for tackles. Has an excellent speed and endurance combination being sub 3.00sec for 20m and mid level 14 for the Beep Test. AIS/AFL Academy graduate."

My mind keeps coming back to Hislop. There is little doubt that an amount of risk is involved in recruiting him, but isn't there with every player? If we lose Carroll, and we gain an extra spot on our list, I can't help but think that this kid (20) is going to want to make the best of a second chance. There is not a single person who can doubt that we need some toughness in the middle. The only way we are going to rise is if we draft people who want to play footy and the fright of being unceremoniously given the boot might ignite his hunger to simply do so. At the very least, as we draw closer to the PSD, he is worth further consideration.

Well said Jack. This is how I am approaching this departure. It's been said since the beginning of football, but THIS club is going to have to rely on players that are willing to bleed for the jumper, because everything else is going to try and squash us.

what doesn't make sense to you in the following statement by Dean Bailey repeated above: "...we offered Chris a new two year contract"

melbournefc.com.au: Dean Bailey Our preference was to always keep Chris Johnson as a part of the Melbourne Football Club. To do this, we offered Chris a new two year contract, but unfortunately he wanted to play for another, rival AFL club, and subsequently asked to be delisted. It is really important our members are kept well informed on matters such as these, and we are extremely disappointed with Chris’ decision. I feel much better about this, to know we offered him all he was after and he has decided to move on. Balls to you CJ, your departure signals further solidification of the route this club continues to take. I feel energised to know we have weeded a player out who cares not for the jumper and the club that his own father played for. A good result when all said and done.

Wonaeamirri elevated !! (STOKED) CJ GONE !!, offered two year contract, asked to be delisted. Mildly disappointing when you consider the following: From afl.com.au: From rounds 14 to 17 this year, Johnson collected 108 disposals at an average of 27 touches, including a career-best 33 against the Brisbane Lions in round 14 – one of Melbourne's three wins in 2008. Dean Bailey: Our preference was to always keep Chris Johnson as a part of the Melbourne Football Club. To do this we offered Chris a new two year contract, but unfortunately he wanted to play for another, rival AFL club, and subsequently asked to be delisted. It is really important our members are kept well informed on matters such as these, and we are extremely disappointed with Chris’ decision. Shane Valenti, Jake Spencer, Trent Zomer : retained on the club's rookie list. Bring on the draft, as this is the one that will set us on our path. The last couple of years have hurt and I'm expecting a couple more, but perhaps finally we're on our way up. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/D...px?newsid=69472

Wonaeamirri elevated !! CJ GONE !! Shane Valenti, Jake Spencer, Trent Zomer : retained on the club's rookie list.

Maybe I am wrong, Halleluiah!! I'm not the kind of supporter who gives up on a player after a year. I can't find details of his contract anywhere, I'm pretty sure I remember he was given two years, can anyone find the details?

Sorry Tiger... from Demonland's own Pinned board on player contracts: Players contracted until: John Meesen - October 2009 Damn fine gospel Redleg. Halleluiah!!

Meeson was signed at the end of last year for two years. This year to run.