rpfc

Bastinac is rumoured to be going to the Lions for ND17 and Bewick... We are dealing with Essendon here - I was surprised they settled so early with us on ND25 for Melksham. This haggling stuff is a two way street and while I would put any club to the sword and pick up someone in the PSD - maybe the player doesn't like that answer and maybe he says to his new coach 'well, I would like to stay rather than risk it.' In the end - I am sorry to say - the difference between ND25 and ND29 is infinitesimal.

Well, it's a misguided point for the reasons already stated. We couldn't have played this game of trade chicken - we didn't want to keep him! Let's get the pitchforks out for when we lose a Beams calibre player.

We were talking past each other - I think a lot of people would agree with your stance.

The burden is your lack of support. At what point can he gain it? When he has served his suspension, paid his fine, or the charges are dismissed? I am honestly asking the question - of those that have a visceral response to this 'cheating' - when do these people become footy players again?

Guilty until proven innocent... Your stance is outrageous compared to the next-level systematic cheating of the system that is seen in other sports like cycling. And if Zaharakis and Kavanagh did not 'get out' - if they thought it was as bad you say it is I am sure they would have gone straight to Demetriou. Zaharakis is known to have something akin to a phobia of needles - that is hardly the motive of a conscientious objector... They will fall to the actions of their club and their own diffidence on their actions - but whatever WADA throws at them I will accept and nothing more and then they will be absolved in the eyes of reasonable people; this has gone on long enough and these blokes have one final judgement of consequence and that is enough for me. But it isn't enough for you? Would you not allow them back into the sport? Essendon can continue but not the players they duped?

Gawd... Even, I am in the 'they should be punished regardless of how much they knew' but give it a rest with the 'drug cheat' stuff. From what we all have extensively read - this was not a Lance Armstrong-like operation that took place. And he may not be punished, but I will tell you what he will be - he will be running around in the red and blue.

From where I sit, Dom has more talent in close, has better vision with the footy and execution with the footy. I think he is a better footy player than Melksham. That isn't to say that players like Melksham are not required, but understandably, they don't excite. We are about to lose a player (hopefully with more than ND25 coming back) who is not as good a player as Melksham.

So you are saying that this deal will happen or that Tomlinson wants it to happen? Wanna make sure I have got it straight...

There will be both.

Way too much of Dwayne Russell in those highlights. Say what you will about Melksham - the club identified him a long way out for a particular role and here he is and, again, if he can release Salem into the middle more then that is gold weight.

To early to say but it would at least allow the conversation around moving Salem into the middle to gather legs...

Wow. Lifeline 13 11 14. Killing yourself because Jake Melksham plays for your team won't get you anywhere in life.

So we have identified him as a HBF - Salem into the middle from 2016? Probably not, but that is where he will end up.

Well, considering that the deal hasn't been done yet and the vague language of a 'second round pick' - perhaps we are trying to secure another 2nd round pick to give for Melksham.

Those are not 'live' picks so they don't really push back those eligible in the draft. For all intents and purposes we will get the 25th best talent we could get with Pick 30 if there are 5 Academy selections.

Now, now, you know what I think about name-calling...

There is something to be said for just getting it done... We took two players at 40 and 53 that some considered for 23 - the Teenage Lottery Draft will have some talent at lower picks for us to hopefully get some decent footy players in with. We have so much talent that is either 27+ or U/22. It will help to get some starting 22 players in between those age brackets.

That's an analysis joeboy would be proud of...

That's certainly true but I will say that my disappointment is more along the lines that we are paying market price for someone who has a cloud over him with WADA (although I think it will not be much of a storm...), and who has nominated us as his desired destination and with seemingly no-one else in the running for him. We had leverage that we were not intent on using and I can see that backfiring on clubs from time to time - Clark when he was off to Freo - but for Jake Melksham I would probably push Essendon a bit further. Anyway, don't sweat the small stuff and all that...

Yes, well if GC ends up paying overs then I guess we can't complain too much. I would trade Howe for Melksham; I don't think Howe would have played much forward if Watts, Petracca, and Kent are fit (and at the club), or in defence if Lumumba, Grimes, Salem, and Stretch are there and fit too.

Well, if it's Picket then it isn't an act...

Um, I hope we are just 'moving back' in the draft because he is OOC, has one club interested from all reports and could probably make it to us in the PSD. It isn't the end of the world, and he may end up being value but it doesn't look great on face value.

Nah, right now. Best inside mid we have. Leads the club in average Contested Possessions and Clearances in 2015.

That's not too bad... ND25 for Melksham and Kennedy.