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For someone like me who doesn't have a good grasp of the candidates apart from online "enlightenment" I went for Butcher as a safe option although Black would be my 2nd. One thing I am sure of is that if we get Black then our two big forwards will be collectively known as "Black Jack".

True. It also means that Bailey has a lot more versatility with how he uses/develops Grimes and to a lesser extent Strauss and Bennell over the next few years.

It is a very important point that you raise. I've noticed on a couple of sites amongst posters a sentiment that we don't need MacDonald and that our defence is fine. It kind of reminds me of the drunk teenager who thinks he is invincible walking out of the pub. The reality is that our defence is NOT the be all/end all of defences, we have a good defence but a player like MacDonald gives us a genuine chance to try and make it water tight. He is the perfect height and has solid experience to slip in and make an important contribution and also give us options.

Not really sure what that is but I think Woewodin was also lucky to win the Brownlow despite having a very good year. As far as 2003 goes, Buckley was in his prime as a receiver who had the football world at their pinacle of blowing wind up his ass especially in the media. In any case I'll concede 02/03 as about the period where he was his most prominently recognised as a player as they are so close anyway. It doesn't change the fact that by 05 he was not at his "peak".

That was an absolute joke. Ricciuto and Goodes were clearly better footballers. Having said that even if you consider '03 possibly his best year there was a fair drop off to the '05 season which is what you are hanging your hat on with his injury.

Buckley of 04/05 was well into receiver mode by then, if you consider that his peak years then that sums him up I guess. I think you may be getting confused with Burns and Licuria who got the ball for Buckley rather than Buckley himself. 2002, the year Buckley was gifted Voss' Norm Smith Medal was about the last time he did anything resembling topline football.

Interesting. Thorp and others no doubt could fall to the PSD and be considered but it does at least appear that MacDonald has a plan of some sort. Has MFC been reported to have spoken with MacDonald at all? I know we've been reported to be interested in him (as much as a few others anyway). In any case, I wouldn't be dissapointed if we went with MacDonald in the PSD. I think he has something to offer us over the next 3 or 4 years in the way of (experienced) mid height defensive depth which would cover injuries as well as free some of the younger defenders up the ground if so desired.

I go along with that too. It was more a hypothetical than a suggestion.

I think "movement" is a great word to associate with Hunt's commentary. ABC for me although sometimes I do switch over for a little variety.

Definitely ahead of Al Nicholson (although I always appreciated Al's efforts and thought he was unfairly treated at times). Ingerson is up there too as RR noted. Question for all: if we had to list a 2nd ruck (on the bench) would it be Jolly or other?

It must feel demeaning being half an hour behind Adelaide. :D

You'd think that when going on opposition forums that you would get your facts right if you were going to make assertions like OX is.

If the club took on McPhee I would not be impressed, not to mention the fact that he is chasing a 3 yr deal.

Fair point. Fair reply. The fundamental difference between Ball's situation and Judd's situation however is that Judd had already tasted premiership success (as a captain no less) so this perhaps along with the brown paper bags was enough to wet his appetite for a new challenge. Ball is still after that first premiership and isn't getting any younger so it comes down to the player at the end of the day.

It seems that the more people learn about others, the more they learn about themselves. MFC has rightly broadened itself to a fundamental part of our game and indigenous culture. Good to see the club continually grow and the mutual respect shown between visitors and hosts just reinforces how much of an impact Liam makes on the people around him - "People are drawn to him" as Jimmy was reported to have said. Great article as others have said. Gotta love this club too!

OMG!!!

Ah, ok.

I don't think Green is eligible for VL until end of season 2011. He turned 28 this year (2 years younger than Bruce).

Funny?... mate, it would be ****ing hilarious!!! Makes for a great draft for us too. I have no doubt that if Williams gets his way then Ball is in teal. The only factor is if the club over rules Williams like they did with the captaincy this year. Seriously, I can picture Williams grinning ear to ear if they get Ball, it makes his job way easier and (not that this is a rationale for them picking him) nothing would give him greater pleasure than spiting Collingwood after the Nick Stevens affair.

Article: Port Adelaide to decide on whether to make a grab for ex-Saint Luke Ball I wouldn't count them out just yet. Money and relocation seem to be 2 issues and then most importantly where Ball fits in their plans. Burgoyne would have freed up a fair bit of coin so that shouldn't be too big an issue. Relocation is a sticking point for discussion but I can't see them relenting to that if they really want him. As far as their direction goes, Rhode mentions a priority for youth yet they still tried to trade pick 16 for Ball anyway (apparently) so you take that with a grain of salt. They actually have a lack of quality experienced players and may lose a few more at the end of next year as well.

I think Eddie knows full well that it is open season on Ball. Collingwood are powerless to stop it, about all they can do is attempt a bluff to see if he can fall their way. Melbourne came out and mentioned pick 11, Collingwood have come out and gone the other way by saying they may pass him up - all games.

No doubt, there can be a trickle down effect to a degree and if you're suggesting that maybe another team could take Ball before Port then I catch your drift. I just think that no matter what Port's expectations or priorities are with 8 & 9 there are enough options there to satisfy them regardless of a possible curve ball. I think they will favour local talent but apart from that no real commitments and by the time pick 16 comes along you'd think it would have equalised a little by then anyway. As you say, 8-9 does give them clout because with back to back picks you'd think they would get at least 1 of their expected prime targets. I think 2 talls with 8 & 9 would be the only unexpected scenario for Port that would alter their tactics down the track but 2 talls won't happen.

TBH I don't see it that way actually with regards to Port. If there was a club out there that wouldn't be swayed on such a decision on picking Ball (based on their previous picks) it would be Port. No matter how 3 through 10 unfolds they will get a quality mid and most probably a quality tall. Although Williams is not their recruiter, I think he would be salivating at the thought of Ball in his midfield where they desperately need a hard and experienced player. Port were/are a rabble and need to arrest a pretty major slide both on and off the ground. Their captain walked out on them, their crowd numbers are dropping and they need to get back on the horse pretty quick. They also had a bumper draft last year for youth stocks. Just an opinion though, you may well prove to be right mate.

Port re-iterated their interest to Ball's management last week. Genuine or for a scare - who knows? The funny thing about Port is that they can be a little more philosophical about it all. Even if Ball's management stated his lack of interest, hardly anyone wants to go to Port anyway lol so what do they have to lose? Most players they get would be unhappy on some level. Worse case scenario for them is Ball opts not to play if they pick him which I think is doubtful. If they get at least 2 years out of Ball then they would be pretty satisfied - the team rebuilds, they get a hard at it type and arguably it could possibly be the best 2 years left in Ball anyway. Picks 8 & 9 will be enough for them - they apparently tried to trade 16 for Ball anyway according to a Port BF poster.

Matthews seems to like to distance himself from that decision whenever TJ has been mentioned to him of late. I can't possibly see how he wasn't part of the decision making process though. ...or in this case kissed on the pressure point.