Damo

Absolutely rapt we look to have Joel Smith AVB and Tom Mac ready for a preseason. With Harley coming, I cant stop thinking of best 22 combinations. I need help.

Any sighting of Aaron van den Berg?

Cal Twomey may be good but he predicts Jackson at 14 (October). He will be gone by 4.

I was told by an Age journo that a lot of recuiters believe we will trade out pick 8.

I look at Lever and am reminded of Warren Dean, a very good wing or half back but he was played in the spine and although tall enough his body wasnt cut out for it and injuries claimed him.

Jack has made Jack sh!tt difference in a final. How did Tom Lynch go in his 1st finals last year? Not that he is that good but he would most likely lessen the amount of average players in our best 22. I think $650 per annum is pretty good value. How much is Jake Melksham on?

Only the best players can make a difference in a close final. I hope we are trying hard to get Jack Martin. Ive no doubt if Hawthorn or Richmond were in our position they would be pulling out all stops to get him.

Probably im wrong but I think he is fit now and ready to fire. Much more likely to play 20 games than Bennell. While costing a lot more than any other PSD player, if we have the money, I hope we go for it and act like a big club would.

Has he actually nominated his salary yet? When does he have to? In my opinion if he isnt worth 800K per annum, he must be close. I wouldnt be surprised if he really turns it on next year. Although we have many irons in the fire, Martin is close to a sure bet as an A grade player.

What about trading pick 3 and 8 for Pick 2 from the Suns?

Kade's highlights show me that you just cant take a highlight package too seriously. Thats why I have no idea who to pick in the upcoming draft, if we rely on these. He looks fabulous.

Rehab can mean anything. Lever seemed to be in rehab all last year and the year before.... and then I was upset when he played in the middle of rehab! For May, KK AVB Joel Smith, Weid, Petty and Nev to be in rehab right now after (at least) 70 days off really does not make me believe the glass is half full, Someone set set me straight, surely Im wrong!

Thanks Saty This is very much what I did not want to hear. Joel Smith has by all accounts and pictures become super fit. So why is he is re-hab? AVB has been out for such a long time, why wouldnt he be chaffing at the bit to make a return if he was fit? Kade was seen entering, does this means he is not up to taking part in physical field training? Not particularly asking you Saty and I know it is MFCSS but this is 4 out of 4 I was most interested in. It really changes my expectations.

Olivers debut was in 2016. This means he is included in the 1st 4 year players.

Not to degrade your post @Dirts but I was pumped that this may have been a sighting at training.

It really degrades the pick when weighing up the player. Good for WA clubs in particular with the tyranny of their 4 hour trip each way. It must make it harder to go home for a weekend if the club physios and doctors tell them they dont want them on a plane for 8 hours.

Are there stats on how many top liners do return home to WA?

I am very keen to hear if Aaron vandenBerg and KK fronts up. My expectation is that long term injured who have recovered come back today even if they are in the older group. Any news?

i cant help but get excited thinking how much a fit Bennell would go nuts in our forward line. Just to see a couple of those flick ups to team mates by foot would make my day. On the other hand I will be ready to hit the Ignore button for a couple of weeks when, if we dont get him, the "Typical Melbourne" Deelander whiners start their "We'll all be runed Said Hanrahan" jive.

Owen was the gun of unknown proportions and we got him at 20 years old. He started for St Kilda at 16, kicked record bags of goals from a HFF and it seemed we hit a vein of gold. But he had issues. Burnt out young. I remember how good he looked.

If it is Young and Jackson, I bag Display name Chloe. But seriously no turf is more Melbourne than the Flinders St Station precinct. it is the city end.

Im really trying to forget the Pre-season when we got Rocket Rod Owen.

Joel says “I’m going to be training back at the club next week, just a few times a week, and when all the first five-year boys come back, the plan is to do some training with them,” I can't find when exactly pre-season starts. I'm guessing 4th November the Monday before Cup Day, but it may be a week later. I have a few questions: Who should we see in the 1st 2 weeks when normally it is only the 1-5 year players? Will we see Aaron VDB and Kade K ready to go? Will Langdon and Tomlinson have new numbers? Who is recovering from surgery and we shouldn't expect to see? Is Lever and Tom Mac finally 100%? Didn't mean to hijack thread but it is looming as a very important session and my researching skills are letting me down.

I believe it is worth taking a stand with Green and Martin. If you look at what it costs, I dont believe it is as high as the message it sends to other clubs. It is also worth considering which players would you make such a big play for? Green and Martin will be probably very very good. For me the benefits easily outweigh the risks.

Leigh Matthews takes some beating