ChaserJ

I think the assessment of the talent level of those blokes might have been the issue. At least two of those were selected well above where they were expected to be taken. And I don't know if we would have been too fussed about the output they gave had they been rookies as opposed to first round selections.

I'd look at rookie listing Elliot Kavanagh. Was a gun youngster that never got a run at Essendon. Don't know what else might have been happening behind the scenes, but talent doesn't disappear. Has been in good form for Essendon's VFL team lately, but looks likely to be delisted.

Thought Melksham might be a good target when he was last out of contract. Hasn't kicked on, but a range of mitigating factors. Still young enough to bring the talent he showed as a junior to AFL, but wouldn't be giving up a heck of a lot to get him in. If he ends up going to PSD or becomes a DFA, I'm all for bringing him in. 185cm midfielder would be a handy add to the rotation..

I'd be asking the question. Worth noting that Carlton's new list manager overlooked Menzel several times when drafting for GWS.

Anyone think we should ask about Troy Menzel? Appears to be on the outer at Carlton, bucket load of talent and a good size for a small/medium forward mid.

Newscorp looking at clubs' trade wishlists: http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/trade-wishlist-melbourne-carlton-essendon-brisbane-st-kilda-gold-coast-analysed/story-e6frf3e3-1227481556704

Fair call on Vardy Skuit. Yeah, Keating was a beauty DL, a real finals specialist (would spend most of regular season injured then get back in time for finals). Not many of that ilk floating around I'm afraid. Of the juniors, Parella from SA has that grunt and aggression, probably a third round prospect, maybe second for a side in real need of a young ruck. State league wise there's Tagliabue from Essendon's VFL affiliate and Sam Baulderstone from Norwood who could compete at AFL level. Apart from the blokes named earlier on AFL lists, the only other one that comes to mind is Todd Elton on Richmond's list. More a tall kpp who can ruck, but has the body size, and reasonable ability, but doesn't look like he's ever really settled at Richmond.

No problems at all HL Harley Balic and Charlie Curnow are both very good overhead and can run through midfield. Depending on whether how much you rate his midfield potential, Aaron Francis could be in this conversation too. I don't know if Callum Ah Chee has the tank for midfield (projects as a specialist flanker/forward pocket at this stage), but he gets some pretty decent hang time and has strong hands overhead. Reminds me a lot of Micky O'Loughlin. All of the highly rated northern academy kids are big bodied and strong overhead (throw in Dunkley here), but no point going into too much detail on those boys.

I'd only be guessing mate. Tbh I thought our race was run last year, so was surprised that there was any talk at all (of us and Danger). If we have kept the thread from going slack, I'm even more impressed with how quietly it's been done to this point.

Just noticed this in Robbo's 'likes, dislikes': 2. Patrick Dangerfield: Absolutely think he’s gone, although the Crows remain confident. Still, think it’s the Cats for him, although the Demons talk won’t go away. Anyhow, the guy gives his all and his performance against Richmond was one of his best.

Cheers HL, don't know about most knowledge, lots of informed posters here. From the Championships, two that stood out when games were tight were Balic and Greshem. In the last round in particular Balic was influential in Metro's comeback against SA. Greshem was consistent throughout, but has limitations that will likely prevent him from going too high, but cracks in and is very consistent in effort and performance. Ben Keays and Kieran Lovell impressed in these situations during the Champs too. With TAC Cup finals coming up I look forward to seeing which players step up. It's a time when prospects can really push themselves up the order. Unfortunately Balic is gone for the season (Sandy look like missing out anyway).

In terms of ruck forwards who might be available, not too many going around. Off the top of my head, there’s Grimley at Hawthorn (probably between he and Ceglar for back up ruck duties at Hawthorn next year), Lycett at West Coast, Gorringe at GC, Hannath at Freo and Daw at North. If we were going to invest in one through the draft, Flynn from NSW seems like the one that plays the dual role the best. Flynn’s potentially tied to GWS through the academy, but they probably won’t have the points to grab him. Late 2nd onwards probably his range. Harry McKay’s a forward who could give a chop out in the ruck, but don’t think we’d go that way with our first rounder.

I thought I read about a package deal of Myers and Trav Colyer for pick 2 at the time.

Not a F/A, would be trade or PSD. If Brisbane did want Howe, I wonder if we could swing a deal to bring in Sam Mayes the other way. After a good first year, and reasonable second, he looks to have stagnated big time. Mayes is OOC next year.

That would be my concern. Has played the 1 game this year, has only played 10+ games in a year 3 times in 8 (with a best of 20 in 2013). Wouldn't want to give up all that much, his durability raises a few flags for mine. Had good years in 2013 & '14, long, left foot kick, big bodied winger who can win his own ball, can turn it over a bit when he's not on. Rohan Connolly did a nice piece on him last year: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendons-david-myers-came-pretty-close-to-giving-up-on-afl-dream-20140829-109neh.html

Just on Tom Lynch of the Gold Coast variety, he's out of contract at the end of 2016. Be interesting to see how his contract situation plays out if GC have another poor year next year. Along with Prestia considered to be one of the leaders at GC. Ollie Wines another OOC at the end of 16.

10 vs GWS in 2013. Was good friends with Watt's from their junior basketball days. Haven't seen him this year, but statistically he's going well. 16 games, 18 disp p/g, 7 marks p/g and 22 goals. Has a pretty good tank, plays that lead up HF role very well, and would absolutely fit in nicely to our forward structure. Had hoped we would be into Tom Lynch of the GC variety, but this one would still be a good get. Edit: Lynch's assist numbers are excellent. Leads the league this year. Had 3 on the weekend to go with his 3 goals in a big loss to the Swans.

I reckon mate, very envious of the way they've gone about refreshing that list (with or without Scharenberg).

I thought the Pies got a steal when he slid down to 6, but he could well demand a trade back home without playing a game for Collingwood.

Fairly certain Billings is the one we would have selected.

Any word on whether we have?

As we continually butchered the ball yesterday (and last week, and the week before that) Parish was the player that came to mind as our number 1 preference/need in the draft. Milera should be the other one if Parish is gone (although pick 6ish will be regarded as too high, late first rounder the mark for him).

Fair point on the recruiting of senior players. Not saying the Sainters young blokes aren't good, just that they weren't the ones that drove the victory yesterday. The youngsters are comparable and only time will tell whether Salem, Petracca, ANB and Omac (+Brayshaw & Hogan who played Sunday). Jake Niall wrote an article about this on the Age over the weekend: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbourne-demons-better-placed-for-future-title-run-than-st-kilda-saints-20150725-gikghj.html

Have a look at the Saints best players on Sunday vs ours. Riewoldt, Gilbert, Dempster and Schneider are seasoned campaigners and even Roberton is mid 20's. Their experienced players led the way in the wet. Viney and Gawn were by far our best yesterday. We were beaten by a better team, no doubt. Saints did everything better than us yesterday and I was very impressed by their tackling pressure and contested ball, and their blueprint looks good. They consistently broke our tackles, and their tackles stuck. They also had all but one player get at least 10 disposals (not including the sub), we had four. Michie came on and got 9 in limited time. Stretch needs a spell, and Vandenberg looks to be struggling now as well. However, Saints fans are still looking at that team and wondering how long it will take before the young blokes are the ones that step up in these sorts of games. Riewoldt, Gilbert, Dempster and Schneider are not the future for the Saints. Our recruiters need to continue to build the team, next on the list has to be a player that can use the ball well. Getting Salem back will help, as will Petracca next year, but we still have too many sloppy kicks on the team.

Melbourne for Prestia, Carlton for Treloar (he idolised Juddy).