Deeoldfart

I agree in general, if Bater wants out, let him go. Pick #39 is about his worth IMO, but we don't really know what the Dees are holding out for. There may be a player involved ....... someone to fill one of Neeld's gaps perhaps.

Pick 50 has now gone to Collingwood as part of a late deal stitched up between GC and the Filth.

Tom showed a bit of early promise in his first couple of seasons, but hasn't managed to consolidate in his four years at the Club. He failed to make any headway after being demoted to the Rookie List in 2011, and his days on our list appear numbered.

IMO there are a number of things to like about Joel, especially his work ethic, blind courage and strength in the contests. He is a limited footballer, but gives his all every time he is out on the park. Unfortunately, his attributes are offset by below average skill execution and too many brain fades. I think he was probably recruited as a 'stop-gap' in defence, but I doubt that we still need him in that capacity. He had another honest and serviceable year for the Dees.

These two posts sum it up perfectly for me ..... and without any nastiness towards a player who was a late(ish) draft pick and tried hard.

While jungle dee's op correctly acknowledged Simon Black's great record as a player, I think it was more about the outstanding leadership his acquisition would bring to the Club. I certainly don't see any of that in Ray. IMO Ray would be an ok pick-up in the PSD if we had list space for him, but that's about all. I also reckon Black is 2 or 3 years too old for our needs, and I highly doubt he would leave Brisbane anyway.

I agree. Lawrence sounds like he could become the type of player that Grandson is talking about, and Davey in his early days fits the bill exactly.

I think that's very true Rhino. On a slightly different tack, I have been wondering given the positive role Robbie has apparently played with our young ruckmen in 2011, and his impressive character, whether there might be a part-time ruck coaching spot available for him at Melbourne. As far as I can recall we don't have anyone assigned to that specialist job in the new set-up.

Thanks for those insights RudeBoy. 'Let him off the leash' ... I love that notion.

I agree, and it's a mouthwatering prospect for us ...... but obviously not so for opposition defenders and coaches.

You nailed it WJ. I'm so proud and happy to be a Dees supporter today, and with the present Administration and coaches, I can't help feeling that there's more to come!

I was stoked to wake up to this news this morning. Mitch Clark is exactly what our forward line needs. Well done to all involved at MFC.

Obviously not a Lady's Finger

Around this time last year, I was starting to wonder how long Riv. could hold down a regular spot in our best 22. Pleasingly, he erased some of my doubts with a very solid year, borne out by his second placing in the Bluey (although I was a bit surprised by that ranking). Most of his games were typified by his trademark reading of the play while playing a floating / chop-out role in defence, allowing his courage, strong marking and spoiling came into their own. He was less effective on the few occasions he was asked to play a lock-down role on a key forward, especially on bigger bodied opponents such as Cloke, but that's never really been his go. Keep up the good work Riv. ........ you've got more to offer than I thought!

I'm not suggesting you do this WJ, but an alternate title for this thread might simply be 'Bananas'. There seems to be as much discussion of that particular fruit as any other topic, and without wanting to mention names, I'm starting to think that some of the contributors (myself included) have gone a bit 'bananas'. Edit: Proof that I'm more than a bit 'bananas'!

Beamer had an outstanding start to the season and finished it off well, with a quiet spot in the middle. IIRC his quiet patch roughly coincided with the big Russian's absence through injury. They certainly have a great understanding those two, and I'd love Beamer to develop a similarly effective working relationship with Steph and/or Big Max. Beamer is our number one grunt man in the middle, and our midfield is certainly better when he is up and going. If only we had more genuine class around him, he could be a real weapon. He again showed that he is one of our better on-field leaders, and even when he was a bit down on form, he was working his arse off. It's a pity that mid-season blemish put a bit of a dent in his leadership credemtials. He capped off a very good season with his first Bluey and 19 well deserved Brownlow votes. Well done Beamer. Edit: Correct number of Chas. votes.

Agree. An absolute certainty.

I agree. Addam has had his opportunities at Melbourne, and his time's now up. If we can't arrange a trade, he'll get another gig via the PSD. Good luck to him

Overall LJ was good in 2011, but he didn't blow us away with the regular feats of brilliance that filled his highlight reels in 2009 and 2010. I'm pretty certain that RudeBoy said during the year that LJ was being asked to play a different (more disciplined ?) role within the team structure, and it certainly seemed to me that he didn't have the 'freedom' to play with the natural flair that thrilled us in his first two seasons. I suspect he might have struggled a bit with the changed role, and maybe he was even down a bit on confidence at times (which would not be at all surprising given his background). If my suspicions are correct, setting the right parameters for LJ's game in 2012 will be important. He has so much to offer and I would hate to see his natural talents stifled. IMO 2011 was a 'consolidation' year for LJ. If all involved (our new coaches, fitness staff and LJ himself) get it right, and with an ounce of luck, he will scale new heights in 2012 and beyond. PS Rudeboy: Please correct me if I've misrepresented you. Thanks.

I saw Cooky play a couple of games for Casey. He showed some encouraging signs whenever he got near the ball (clean hands and a beautiful kick) but he didn't get near it nearly often enough. In the few glimpses he showed, I could see why he was u18s CHF, but he has a long way to go to be AFL ready (which we knew from day one). Building an AFL body and engine over the next 2 or 3 years will be a good start. From the very little I've seen, I'd say he is a sound prospect, with lots and lots of work ahead of him. Edit: can't spell

........... or just teach him one or the other for starters. At the moment he can only run in straight lines or big circles, which is why I havn't been 'sucked in' by his touch of late season form in the middle.

Garlo has become a key member of our backline. His reading of the play, sure hands, spoiling to advantage, desperation and run and carry all went up a notch in 2011, and I fully expect there is still a way to go. However, the real quality for me is his versatility ...... he is equally effective on smalls and talls, and the coaches must love that. If anything, I'd like him to add some well placed mongrel to his game (Mark Neeld might like that too!) and to eliminate the odd brain fade ..... but I'm not complaining!

The way we played it was exactly the way we should have played it. It's the ONLY way of getting what you regard as value for money and / or not getting burned

I agree Red. It just means that GWS need to work a bit harder at making their intentions a tiny bit less transparent. Truely unbelievable!

Very good outcome for the Dees if this comes to fruition. I'd prefer to take a punt on a second rounder, than persist with Addam who's shown very little imo.