ChaserJ

Kelly's very much an outside type. I like Aish more, but still think Kelly's top 5 calibre. There's a bit of Andrew Gaff about his game, but his kick has more penetration. Outstanding runner too.

Kelly's very outside.

what was Travis Tucks contract situation at the time?

Given that Adams is leaving anyway, they get Martin for pick 10 effectively, which is a good get IF you feel you have the structures to manage him. We'd only get involved if Richmond were more interested in pick 2 than Adams(entirely possible). Adams & pick 10 would represent a net gain for us in my opinion. Its an interesting scenario.

Barrett just reported that Brendan Lade is another that Roo's has been into. Also other clubs are thoroughly ticked off at the perceived benefits we are receiving courtesy of the AFL. Equalization is great, but some clubs deserve to be more equal than others, I suppose.

Profiles on McCarthy from Emma Quayle, Paul Daffy and Jay Clark pre 2010 draft: (Ranking) 20. PAT McCARTHY (Glenelg, 18, 196cm, 85kg) Has a few centimetres on Glenelg teammate Tape and, like him, reads the play well and can take a mark. Spent time in the ruck when younger and can also go forward and have an influence. Skilful, athletic and kind of soothing: can calm things down by taking a mark then stepping back to assess things. Where will he be picked? (AFL.com Phantom Draft pick)23. GEELONG - Pat McCarthy Height: 196cm Weight: 84kg DOB: 11/03/92 Club: Glenelg (SA) Draft range: 15-35 Tall utility who can take a mark and hare downfield. Height enables him to play on tall opponents, but he's also handy on smaller opponents. Sees himself as a forward or back but he seems best suited to playing as the third defender. The Cats like his leadership potential. (Clarkys Phantom draft pick)18. Carlton - Pat McCarthy (18, tall defender/forward, Glenelg SA) Resembles: Nathan Bock (Gold Coast) Huge bargain if he slips this far as some rate him top-10. More of a third defender than a gorilla stopper, but his damaging rebound is a key weapon. Athletic and clean skills. Make of it what you will, not sure if he get's another chance. From what I gather Mitchell and O'Keefe definitely had injury problems whilst at Carlton. Ulitmately Mitchell probably lacked mobility and not up to AFL standard as a key forward.

This was the story from Inside Footy from about six weeks ago. Seems reasonably accurate (though Watts status would appear to have changed). Have also read that Adelaide are planning to sit down again with Melbourne to talk pick 2 and trade options. Melbourne’s No. 2 draft pick is on the table as the club looks to bolster its midfield. The Demons are almost certain to finish 17th and secure the second selection at the November national draft, which they are keen to trade in order to secure a plug-and-play young midfielder. INSIDE FOOTBALL understands the Demons have had preliminary discussions with the Gold Coast about a trade that would see Jack Watts and pick No. 2, or another player, traded to the Suns in return for 2010 No. 1 pick David Swallow. Swallow, who has averaged 19 disposals in his 17 games this season, is believed to be interested in living in Melbourne alongside his brother and North Melbourne captain Andrew. While the 20-year-old’s progression has been steady – he played his 50th game last week against the Demons and gathered 28 possessions – the emergence of Dion Prestia, Jaeger O’Meara, Harley Bennell and Trent McKenzie has given Suns’ options at trade time. Watts, the maligned former No. 1 draft pick, has not committed to Melbourne beyond this season. The Demons have also been approached by Adelaide, which is believed to be keen to buy its way back into the top rounds of the draft after having its first two selections stripped by the AFL for salary cap breaches and draft tampering. The Crows have rebuffed a request by Melbourne to swap pick No. 2 for emerging star Brad Crouch. However, Rory Sloane, who signed a three-year deal with the Crows last season, could be on the table to secure the pick No.2. Sloane grew up a Melbourne supporter. Last month Crows football manager Phil Harper said the club did not want to trade Sloane, but didn’t entirely rule it out. “I would hope not; it would want to be for 10 absolute champions,” Harper said. “I love the way he plays footy and I’d go as far as to say that if we gave away Rory for the No. 1 draft pick or whatever it happened to be, I’d just about quit the game. “This lad, if he took your daughter out, you’d be rapt … no, I don’t think we’ll be giving away Rory.” Melbourne playmaker Sam Blease and veteran ruckman Mark Jamar are also likely to be thrown on the trade table. The form of young big men Jack Fitzpatrick and Max Gawn has been one positive for the Demons this year. Jamar would be a prospect for a contender in need of an established ruckman.

Bontempelli's a cousin of Nick dal Santo. Has very clean hands and nice left foot kick like his cousin. He has been more of a tall winger previously, but in the games I've watched, he's spent a lot more time in the centre square and has been impressive with his clearance work. Good awareness in close and a couple of his centre square takeaways last weekend were breathtaking. Early in the second quarter he read the tap, took the ball and burst away from the square before finishing from about 45. In the first half of the final against Gippsland, Bontempelli was very prominent and played a large role in giving them the buffer which allowed them to cruise home. Spent more time in the forward line in the second half, and didn't figure as prominently, but took a very nice grab in the third. Has the versatility to play in all areas of the ground. Needs to build up that upper body strength as well. He and Freeman figure to be the points of difference amongst the midfielders in the top 20 or so, with Bontempelli as the tall, big bodied, midfielder and Freeman as the inside mid with that burst of speed. At the moment Bontempelli reminds me of an Isaac Smith/Goodes hybrid in the way he plays. If he continues developing that inside game, he'll be a very dangerous player.

Yep, he confirmed on twitter. Completely agree with you on all points. Just on Watts and Sylvia, whilst I’d be reasonably happy if they stayed, if we applied the ‘4 key pillars’ pre requisites our recruitment team are currently applying, how would these two rank?

You’re right, my bad. Patrick Keane just confirmed that UFA’s can be traded in the event that the player is happy to go to the club involved in trade. Trading Sylvia is an option.

So Davey’s gone, Sylvia and Watts may go. One would estimate that would be a chunk of salary saved by the club. I’m wondering how much money is committed to Dawes and Clark for the upcoming financial period, and how we intend to spend an appropriate amount of the salary cap. Are we offering Sylvia less to free up money to throw at someone else, or are we being squeezed because we paid overs for Clark and Dawes? Where does Frawley sit at the moment? Surely we’d be looking ahead at his UFA status next year and offering an extension? If not, we should be exploring what his trade value is.

The club have no controlling rights over an unrestricted free agent, the player is deemed to be out of contract and on the free market. Cannot be traded. Another way to sign a free agent without potentially diluting compensation is to sign a player as a delisted free agent after the club has officially deleted them from the list, ala Simpkin from Geelong to Hawthorn and Tom Gillies to us last year. If we wanted to bring in Daniel Cross this year, we could arrange to bring him in this way. There is a role there for him in our midfield group and I wouldn’t be surprised if GWS had similar thoughts. I would assume the Doggies will delist him as they’ve told him they won’t offer him a new contract. In hindsight (regardless of whether you think we should have brought him in or not), perhaps this is how we should have brought in Byrnes as well. Arguable as to how much it affected our compensation for Moloney and Rivers.

who would come into the deal if we sweeten it further? Part of a package for Sloane?

Lake wasn't a free agent last year, he would have been in this year's FA pool. Dogs traded him a year out because they were concerned about the level of compensation lake would draw. His manager emphasised this to get the deal done. Monfries must have been an RFA. As stated, by others, Sylvia is unrestricted and can't be traded.

It’s too easy to pick players recruited from SA & WA with senior experience that haven’t met or exceeded expectations and selectively ignore players like Cooney, Rich Lewis Jetta and Naitanui to name a few. Gibbs and Trenners are far from complete busts. Both probably have individual sets of circumstances that might explain why they haven’t met expectations, and I’d suggest the clubs they’ve landed at are part of the puzzle as well. 2 years in, I was very happy with how Jack was progressing, and I include myself in a group of many who can’t work out exactly what has halted his development. There are no magical recruiting formula’s in any sport, never mind AFL. Senior experience can inform part of a player’s capacity to succeed in the AFL, but there are no guarantees.

Ive raised Freeman a couple of times in dispatches and I like both of these players. Salem at this stage has been played more outside in order to utilise his foot skills. He runs hard to receive makes good decisions and can kick goals. Is more outside at this stage, but can win his own ball and looks like he loves to tackle. Can go missing for periods of games and was disappointed that he wasnt able to elevate his game against the higher quality teams at the champs. I think his ranking has held and will continue to hold steady till draft day. The 10-15 range is about tight for Salem. If I had to choose between the two, Freeman would be the one. Very unique to have a player on the inside with his breakaway pace. He also has the body shape and size to play AFL seniors right away. I suspect the reason his name hasnt been promoted previously is because he was unable to participate in last years champs and has had injury issues previously. He was solid at this years Champs without being a standout, but another one (like Aish and Billings) who was coming back from injury. Hes currently bolting up the rankings due to hes post Champs form (APS & TAC Cup), and he could end up a notch or two higher if Sandy make the finals and Freeman contributes to a deep run. Watching him on the weekend, hes always on the move at stoppages and his ability to go on multiple long runs indicates a reasonable endurance base to go with his pace. Is also one who is constantly barking out instructions from the bench when resting, so hes either got leadership potential or potential to annoy. I suspect the former. Im very much of the belief that we should push hard to acquire a mid first round draft pick in order to acquire someone of the ilk of Freeman, Crouch or Sheed.

I'm of the opinion that the Demon's should push hard to try and acquire a first round pick in the 10-14 range to add to pick 2. The group of midfielders in that range is likely to include Crouch, Dumont, Freeman and possibly Sheed. I like all of them, but having seen more of Freeman lately, I'm leaning toward him. He not only is a strong clearance winner with a good frame, he has pace that the other inside mids in this class don't have. His pace really is exceptional for an inside player, and offers a real point of difference. That being said, I don't think we lose if we happen to draft any of these four, I think all of them will do well at AFL level. I'd be comfortable if Jack stays with us. That being said, I don't consider him a 'keep at all costs' player, and is one the club should be actively trying to gauge the trade value of. My feeling is his presumptive value is a 2nd round draft pick, but his potential and ability to play key position may inflate that value. If multiple clubs are interested that should drive that value upward. He'd be a great fit at the Bulldogs, Carlton could use him, Fremantle have shown interest and perhaps the Lions might have a look too. I can't see the Bullies trading their 1st pick this year and Fremantle's may end up being very close to our second round pick, but perhaps we could put together a package around Watts to prise Carlton or Brissies first pick away from them.

Brisbane should be among the three most desperate clubs to secure Boyd (along with the Bulldogs and Carlton), Brisbane are the one party who have assets that I’d strongly consider trading pick 2 for, with Rockliff being the player I’d target. Any combination of him and Brisbane’s first rounder or Sam Mayes (for example) would tempt me. We could really test how strong their desire for a key forward is. To think that we invited him to train with us (after he went undrafted in the ND), but BP didn’t think he was up to it (can’t remember if it was because he thought Rockliff was too soft…). A recruiting fail that was right up there with the reported snubbing of Sloane. Worth noting that that whilst we snubbed Sloane and went with Bennell, Michael Walters was on the board and being strongly considered by us when we chose Neville Jetta. Also worth noting that next year’s crop of tall forwards is projecting to be significantly stronger with two high quality key forwards already pushing for top 5 classification (Goddard and McCartin). If we were to dangle a high pick (or alternatively one of our existing KPP surplus players) this is probably the year to maximise return from clubs in desperate need of a quality young tall forward.

Luke Dunstan may well meet the requirements for this model. He's now played 2 games in the Eagles seniors and performed well. Backing up from 22 touches in his first game, Dunstan's line from the weekend read:18 touches, 7 marks, 3 clearances, 3 goals. Have read about how Dunstan can impact the game up whilst 'resting' forward. Impressed to see him take that capability into the seniors. Dunstan's prospect status had drifted post championship, to the extent that he was likely to available at our second round selection. I expect it to rise again if he continues to perform for the WWT's senior team. WWT have qualified for the finals, so he could have a big finish to the season.

Whilst on Michie, poor bloke’s just done his knee in the WAFL. Out for season, had already missed better part of two years with stress fractures in his foot. Out of contract this season, tough caper for a young player. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-08-12/michies-knee-blow

Was rated a third rounder onward. Paul Daffy's write up from his phantom draft: Viv Michie Height: 187cm Weight: 78kg DOB: 23/02/92 Club: Oakleigh Chargers (Vic) Draft range: 40-50 Utility with the ability to take a mark and kick a goal. He's not blessed with pace, but he more than gets by with his ability to read the ball and find space, in the manner of Nick Dal Santo. The occasions when he floats across a pack to take a mark are an aesthetic pleasure.

Justin Rodski @justinrodski Reports @Essendon_FC coach James Hird will stand down are NOT true - I repeat, James Hird is not standing down Retweeted by Essendon FC

Was this all a nefarious plan of Bomba's to take over at Bomberland from the very beginning?!

Apparently Mike Sheahan has just stated that Hird will resign tomorrow.

That would be the admission to use of amino acids, he’s never specified the name of the amino acids in any public statement (not absolutely sure, but said he was unaware of the name). Hexarelin is a compound of amino acids, legal to purchase over the counter, supposedly helps with your tan. It is banned substance for use by WADA. It can also be used as a masking agent. FWIW, AOD-9604 can also be used as a masking agent.