Fat Tony

I like Lever as a player. He could become one of the best defenders in the competition. He is tough, quick and reads the play well. Of course we should be looking to recruit him. In saying this, I don't see us having any major holes from a list perspective in the future. If anything, I think we are most lacking a quick outside midfielder with class. As frustrating as Oscar is at times, I think he will eventually develop into a better than average AFL player once he gets strong enough. He reads the play very well (which is why he gets so much of the ball) and is generally a good kick. The real issue with Oscar is his lack of intensity and strength in the contest, both of which will improve as he matures. I also think Frost and Smith have a lot of natural talent and can become solid defenders with the ability to counter attack at speed. Likewise Weideman looks a good long-term prospect, which is the other position we look to be lacking in so far in 2017. I would definitely be looking to top up our list with mature talent at the end of the year and I feel we are probably an attractive destination given our expected trajectory. Personally, I think we would be much better of if we could add a bonafide star like Martin or Fyfe, but I would still be making inquiries to Lever's management.

Correction - flags

How delightful would it be if we keep Hogan and get Fyfe.

This stat is incredible and yet not surprising. According to Champion Data, Melbourne has won 18 more takeaways than the opposition per 100 centre bounces when Oliver is there. That number drops by 12 on average whenever he wanders outside the centre bounce setup.

No chance if he keeps snapping goals from 45m and dishing off like he did to Salem in the last quarter.

We gave up a second round pick and a big chunk of salary cap space for a 24-year old player who has shown to be nothing more than a C Grader and is now rubbed out for a year. I think it looks to be a terrible trade, but acknowledge there is a slight chance it could come good in the end.

Jordan Murdoch was thrown up on Footy Classified as a player than may be part of the Dangerfield deal. I would look at trying to land him for a draft pick or Toumpas, which would go to Adelaide if he wants to stay in Victoria.

While NM's list looks like it is downward heading, the Kangas may be able to convince the football world that they are still a top side and land free agents. Geelong are in a similar position at the moment, but Dangerfield could see them competing for a flag again.

Thanks for the info Chook. But I still think this sounds like a dud deal. Melksham doesn't add size to our inside midfield and lacks polish on the outside, which is what we lack most.

Surely he would have made it at Essendon if he was good enough. They are desperate for mids also.

I met him at the beginning of the year and he seemed very close with his teammates. And the recent quotes make me think he isn't going anywhere. "I've always wanted to be a one-club player. I've spent probably just under half my life here. It's a part of me and it's a fantastic club to be a part of. I've built a lot of good friendships, not only players but staff as well."

He is a good player but he is very loyal to Essendon.

• I am not an advocate of mass delistings given the draft is meant to be very thin. • McKenzie, Bail and Reilly are almost certain to be delisted and Terlich is a fair chance to have his last year paid out. Others who might be delisted are Fitzpatrick, Jamar, Toumpas, Michie and Hunt. • Garland and Howe will be offered contracts and the ball is in their court. I would like them both to stay and feel we will get undercompensated if they leave. • We have to upgrade Vandenberg and Harmes. • Our prime target should be Dangerfield. He is a top five player in the game and would instantly give us a real chance at finals. • I feel we are most lacking outside run and skill. If we don’t get Dangerfield, we should be trying to get a player like Motlop, Yarran, Lewis Jetta or Harley Bennell. • I think Geelong are in a pickle and will delist Kelly, who is still playing well and would be a good short-term player for us. • We should look to trade Toumpas for the best deal we can get. • I’d consider trading Dawes, but I feel his contract was probably front loaded and I doubt we would get a decent return. • We should look to trade with Sydney or GWS for their first pick by packaging lower picks together. These clubs only want the points required to get their Acadamy players. i.e. trade our second, third and fourth rounder to Sydney for their first pick. The dream result would be: • Get Dangerfield via free agency. • Retain Howe and Garland. • Delist McKenzie, Bail, Reilly and Terlich. • Trade Toumpas for a 2016 pick. • Trade our second, third and fourth rounder to Sydney for their first pick. • Retain Cross and Jamar on short-term deals. Jamar is interesting given his age, but we only have three ruckmen on our list, so if he goes we may need to get another one. • I assume we will look to retain Hunt, but I haven’t seen him play. • I am undecided on Michie and think the last three games will decide his future. • I am also undecided on Fitzpatrick. • Enter the draft with only our first pick and Sydney’s first pick. (Using very late picks to upgrade Vandenberg and Harmes.)

I am not sure he is athletic enough.

Myers is contracted till the end of 2016 and will become a free agent. I could see Essendon letting him go for our second round pick. I think the risk of suspensions is low given the evidence is so circumstantial. He is a prototype modern midfielder with a huge kick.

Treloar will nominate his club and GWS will get a first round pick and steak knives.

We let him go because he can still leave via the draft and we get nothing.

I think this is a very stupid way to look at trading. I would be happy to see Garland go if he were to net us pick 3, but it isn't happening. We may get pick 26, but we might get pick 43, either way it isn't a great result in a shallow draft. As for opening up a list spot, there are a dozen players on the block before Garland.

The draft is a lottery and, while pick 26 may get you a star, it is much more likely to get you a bust. The recent pick 26’s have included great selections in Darling and Edwards, but the mode selection would be lucky to net you 30 games. Recent Pick 26's Toby McLean Zachary Merrett Jack Viney (James Stewart at 27) Todd Elton Jack Darling Aaron Black Jayden Post Brett Meredith Shane Edwards Garrick Ibbotson Matthew Little There is also the impact on the playing group of losing another senior player which I feel you are not valuing at all.

Frawley got us pick 3 and Garland will get pick 26 in a weak draft if we are lucky. Steve your unhealthy obsession with Garland is like Titan with Dunn and Picket Fence with Toumpas.

Not directly. Only Garland is a Free agent.

I couldn't disagree more on this. Nic Nat's chasing, tackling and smothering is first rate. As is his follow up work around clearances. He just struggles to find the ball in general play. But, IMO, he is still a star because there are nearly 80 clearances per game. I also don't think West Coast's midfield is that strong and, indeed, he is the one making them look good.

Max Gawn would be a much better player if he could improve his goal kicking. It is a disgrace.

I think Nic Nat is a gun. While he doesn't take many marks, he influences games significantly with his dominant centre bounce ruck work and pressure acts. The fact that Max Gawn is being spoken of on the same page as Nic Nat says more about big Max. He has been sensational in the last five games except when he was beaten by Nic Nat.

I think picking up a player like Kelly would give us an extra win (and a little less whinge from you old dee). The thing is these players would all command a first round pick plus 6% of the salary cap.