Nasher

You mean they've shelved the Birdman? Dang.

Suspicious of players who never seem to establish themselves in their existing sides. Very few go on to become solid contributors elsewhere - the likes of Michie, Newton and so forth make me wary, although I accept Hartung is a much better player than those guys and has actually got some AFL runs on the board.

You mean JT or JM :-) Agree though. We haven't kept a second round pick once in the Roos-Goodwin era. 2013 ours went in the Tyson trade, and the one we received as compo for Col Sylvia went for Vince 2014 - Frost trade 2015 - Melksham trade 2016 - Hibberd trade Having two of them in our possession would scream "other purpose" given that history.

An attempt to trade back in to the first round, at a guess. It will be some rabbit plucked from a hat though. Can't see us taking two second rounders to the draft.

Lefty in the pro-trade Watts camp here. Also a moderator who is going to shut down further political discussion. (Aware you have already attempted to disengage, faultydet)

Find it hard to believe that Watts is Hogan's only mate at the club.

They've cracked the sads. That's all.

While I have supported this move, I felt a massive stab in the guts at reading that article. I hope we are doing the right thing.

How are we supposed to get pick #1? It's just daft. Leigh is clearly past it.

From the Casey reports, including the Plapp ones, he seemed to oddly get worse the longer he was at the club, after a pretty promising start. Oh well.

Yep. It'd be pointless if we traded out Watts for "standards" reasons, then brought in another player who is on the outer of his club for other off-field reasons. Melbourne is in a development state where culture and standards are still being set. It's the wrong time to be bringing in players who could negatively influence the culture, so I'd be surprised if we were at all interested in any of the troubled dogs, no matter how good they are at football.

I wouldn't call your post contributing either. If the starting point of this conversation is "all progressives have cooties" then it's not a discussion worth entering.

Just popped my head in to this thread for the first time and saw this post.

Sue, it's what the club said. It's not speculation. We’ve been very clear this is about performance and there was some talk it might be about money, but it’s definitely not about money, it’s about performance and our expectations on a nine-year, 150 game player. I've always been a supporter of Watts. I've even thrown around the odd "you are just anti-Watts" barb at people in my time, and found myself on the same side of the fence as you in most issues like this one. ProDee will be devastated if he realises I'm in his camp. The reason I back the club on this is because it's in reference to elements of his performance not evident to the average mug who just watches footy. I have no idea how Jack approaches training, nor do I know how he approached his rehabilitation from injury. What I do know is: 1) he was left out of the side during the pre-season, with the club citing training standards, 2) he took a long time to recover from his injury, and 3) he was left out again shortly after his return, 4) the club is, for the third time, citing "performance and expectations" as the reason for this discussion. It's enough for me to connect the dots. I'm not sure what you're referring to with standards not being applied to others. The club has not mentioned any other players not applying appropriate professional standards, and I can't tell from the outside. Are you aware of any?

As the story goes, Roos was a massive Lever fan - and the pick to be received for Trengove was earmarked for Lever. Lever would have been expecting to be a Melbourne player right up until the Richmond quack scuttled it. So I'd say we've been recruiting Lever since before he was drafted. Feels like the circle is somewhat complete with Lever arriving as Trengove goes, in a sad and "it's going to cost us about two more first round picks than it should have" kind of way.

Revelation is overstating it. I don't mind him, but he's a foot soldier, and replaceable.

It would be the absolute heist of the year of Macrae asked to be traded to us. I can't see it happening though. If his problem is with "bad eggs" at the Bulldogs, their management would let the lot of them go (Stringer, Biggs and whoever else) before they let Macrae walk. It's a nice dream though.

Would never attempt to hold the club to ransom over making the decisions they are paid to make, and reckon anyone that would needs to get a grip and rein in their own sense of self-importance.

The club is aware of the implications of his contract - they're not stupid. Mahoney said in his statement that if Jack stays, they are clear on what is required. They are just as prepared for the possibility of him staying as they are of him going. It's really in Jack's hands now, although probably also dependent on us receiving a worthwhile offer for him.

Adelaide fans want to make Lever walk to the draft to "make a statement" to other clubs. That statement would be "if you won't pay our price, we're willing to accept nothing at all". I really get a kick out of how totally moronic people can get when it comes to their footy teams. Emotion has trumped all reason, and not in a good Titus way. There is absolutely no way Lever will make it to the draft. None.

He has a point though. JKH was retained when others have been reminded of the nearest exit. That he has one more year to prove himself is a fact. I'd love to hear from the Casey watchers because mid season he seemed to go up a gear and strung together a number of 40 possession games. If he can translate that in to a regular 25 in the seniors then there's a spot for him. Like many here I'm sceptical, but the FD who know a lot more about footy than I do have backed him. I am prepared to remain open minded.

Headline: Man goes to tip while packing up house to move interstate. FMD.

But surely for every fan who swallows that horse crap, there's another standing there going "whaaaaaaaa?" Maybe I'm just naive but I don't see what's wrong with just getting the job done without all the BS.

I would love to be a fly on the wall in Birdman's negotiations with the 9 clubs though. Burton: Jake Lever's coming to Vic. What are you offering? Other manager: Jog on idiot, we've been talking to his manager all year and we know he ain't coming here. Stop wasting our time.

I tell you what, if I was running the Adelaide Crows right now, I'd be raising some serious concerns over the competence of my general manager of footy. Lever informs club of his intention to go, and nominates Melbourne. Birdman Burton meets with Melbourne. Melbourne opens negotiations in good faith, offerings its first and second draft picks - currently the best currency it has Burton has the option of negotiating. No, Melbourne, we need two first round draft picks. It doesn't have to be 10, you can use that in other trades to get us our two. We would consider a 2018 first rounder as one if you can net one, or use your own. Get on the hunt and we'll talk... Instead, Burton just walks out without comment. Negotiations stall as a result. Neither club now have any idea what other avenues to start exploring. Lots of time leading up to trade week to go to waste as a result. Burton then stands in front of the media and carries on like a butthurt fan. It's all about the money, he says. Message to current Adelaide players: "don't come to us to try and get more money. And if you do and we try to screw you over, don't even think about leaving or we will besmirch your name to the best of our ability." Burton says, "we'll negotiate with the 9 other Victorian clubs as well, to get the best deal." For Christ sake Brett, no you won't. Lever wants to go to Melbourne. If you don't negotiate with Melbourne, Lever will walk and you'll get f*** all in return. Once you start being pricks about it, Lever will get to the point where he'll happily risk going to Brisbane or North just to p*** you off. Don't reckon Melbourne fans or administration wouldn't even blame him. You've got a good starting point for a deal on the table, but you'd prefer to risk it all, and do untold reputational damage to your own club, just to look good in front of your fans. Typical ex-footy player promoted well above his skill level. I'm so happy Josh Mahoney has grown in to the role that he has. I'd hate to see a hot-headed oaf in charge like they've got.