Ungarie boy

Have done this with a few knowledgeable football officials; and the results are interesting. I've asked them who they would take from Melbourne if available; for their team. Aside from Gawn there is not much interest. Some will give up a 2nd round for Oliver; a few would take Jetta if cheap, a couple think they could make Frost work (in a different environment). That's it. That probably more accurate reflects our list. Oh and ironically May is still rated, but not worth giving much up

A midfield that gets smashed each weeks keeps dominating our votes, thats not right. Melskam getting votes for kicking points (most weren't hard kicks) - that is true "momentum killer" and if the kicks were anywhere else on the field would count as an ineffective disposal. Gawn monsteted his opponent in the ruck because he didnt have one, yet while not having an opponent didn't dominate around the ground. Olliver gets a lot of the ball but also gives a lot of it away, and though his rapid short handballs may hit the target (normally stationary) its really only transferring, and building, pressure; resulting in a turnover on the next play. The forwards don't compete, the backs are loose and slow. Actually so is the midfield. The reality is no one deserves votes, but as the phrase goes "put up or shut up" so: Fritsch - takes game on and hits targets, most often to our advantage Frost - beaten today, but he also is brave enough to take the game on, despite his skills, rather than taking the slow momentum killing safe options. Liked what he offered as a forward (leading at the ball carrier with pace) Brayshaw - yes a midfielder, but at least he tackled (to the ground, not the under 8s "hold and release" style our team prefers) Lewis - to slow, which impacts skills and decision making; yet still top two in our team for both. Jones - not a midfielder and suffers the same Lewis slowness ailment; but did show the team how to present as a moving target (I believe its called leading, something other teams also do outside their forward line) JkH - can't justify this apart from the fact he looked like he cared, and he's being played out of position; though that may because he doesn't have one. I did see the potential for him to be a small lock down back in the vein of Neville Jetta.

Fritsch Petracca

Maybe not, but most players listed in peoples top 6 don't deserve to be there. Oliver needs to distribute while taking a hit (not panic handball) Frost needs to think before acting sometimes Salem needs to be mote physical Hibberd gets out the back All our midfielders get beaten on the spread, rebound and for speed Our forwards chase (sometimes) but rarely apply pressure Lever was also good might swap him in

Gawn Fritsch Jones Salem Oliver Petty

Ratten can coach, remember what he did with Melb's midfield years ago. He's been part of Clarko's regime and now his time at Carlton doesn't look as bad.

Who was on Dunkley (Josh)? Aside from the obvious answer "No-one"!

Felt like we were coached not to win. Why was Lewis in the midfield, would love to know how often we viney, oliver and brayshaw in there together. Jetta was clearly not ready. Someone needs to teach ANB to pass the ball not just kick it. Importantly someone needs to teach tbe Melbourne players to take a hit while disposing the ball - we just handball to anything remotely red/blue under the merest suggestion of pressure (it could even be a shadow)

May Fritsch Harmes Petty Gawn Viney

Tmac Pruess May Fritsch Jones Frost

Agree, the midfield was smashed in the clearances, chased rather than tackled, and panic handball at the at the hint of an opposition shadow. May Salem Fritsch Jones I honestly cany think of any other player's who's good wasnt offset by their bad; maybe Hoare Geez then perhaps I dont know lets say Moe!!! Okay if a 6th player is rewuired gor votes Smith

Viney Fritsch May Frost Lockhart Oliver

Reality OMac played a poor game on the weekend Reality OMac is out of form Reality OMac is not going to challenge for All Australian Key Position Defender but he has performed a role in the past, above his stature. BIG REALITY our midfield applies little defensive pressure with the opposition transitioning through them with relative ease, once the ball is on the outside our midfielders are dusted (jogging behind or to the next contest is not defensive pressure) VERY BIG REALITY our forwards defensive acts seem to stop at the 50 metre arc, while opposition backs link up with their midfielders to run through the center of the ground Little wonder our backs are being slaughtered; remember Jetta and Hibberd were also struggling for most of this year as well.

This

Viney Hibberd Jones Hoare Melskam Stretch

The answer is obvious, get Lewis to have a chat to his old friend Roughead to come across as a delisted free agent.

Have said this before, but the answer is actually pretty simple; pay a free kick for contact of the ball (5 metres). Its pretty much already in the rules: 1) you aren't allowed to tackle (grab) a player without the ball 2) you are not allowed shepherd a player more than 5 metres off the ball 3) you are not allowed bump a player more than 5 metres of the ball apply theses and it all stops. Oh and then enforce the a simple rule amendment, if your closed fist makes contact with another player then it's an automatic 1 week suspension (If an AFL player is that careless, clumsy, clueless, that the can't hit the ball with their fist then they shouldn't be playing at this level / the don't have the skills)

Actually Jack Watts would probably suit Adelaide expansive, hard running open forward line! If I was them getting Watts, Gibbs and a draft pick into the team for the expense of lever (plus change) may be quite appealing. Especially if they have a young KPB developing (as rumoured) or a tall forward who could go back. If I was them I would be sounding out Port's Trengove or Carlton's Jones as cheap insurance. They could actually could do very well out of this trade period. and the Lever article is just PR spin to position themselves (Adelaide) into a strong starting negotiating position - Unlike Gibbs last year, Lever is uncontracted and can force (well at least bend) the Crows hand.

Signing a contract means nothing, He's currently not in there first 22 and may be looking for opportunity elsewhere. Also Geelong is going to have to move on players if they are seriously in the market for rumoured players such as Dangerfield and Henderson. A midfield of Dangerfield, Selwood, Duncan, Motlop, and Co doesn't scream opportunity for Horlin-Smith. Wasn't sure of his value but most clubs will struggle to trade a player who is not starting 22 for anything higher than pick 30's. Forgot Jamar was an UFA, but then again he wasn't included in the potential scenario of how we could achieve the potential trades. Clubs are always looking for an experienced ruck as assurance for final campaigns, so perhaps his value (not him personally) becomes the slight upgrade needed to get another trade over the line. I personally believe Z Jones is gettable - despite resigning (Sydney will be wanting to bring in academy and father/son players and will need picks to achieve this. Sydney is the team we should be looking very hard at, as they also have salary cap constraints in addition for the need trade in picks - maybe Kennedy. Ironically they will also be looking for a ruck!!!

Trying to be realistic, If garland left as a free agent and we received a 2nd round comp pick then that would be close to getting Lynch. Packaging up Howe and a 2nd round pick should give us a first rounder which may be enough to get Prestia. Suckling could easily be a delisted free-agent or achieved through a swap (downgrade) of later round picks. Watts should land us at least a 2nd rounder which could be used on Bugg/Ploughman (GWS will be looking for picks to convert to their academy players) a third round for Horlin-Smith seems reasonable. In theory we move on Howe, Watts and Garland; 2nd round pick and 3rd round pick. If the first round pick is required for prestia as well then we would expect to get an early a late first round pick in return. Jamar may look for another year as well, and bring in a 3rd round pick. In theory we would get most of these players (or players of similar ilk) and still keep a first round pick and have a late round pick for Lovett,while we can use very late round picks to upgrade Vanders and Harmes. In what's meant to be a very weak draft after the first round we end up with a lot of talent and little risk.

* Bugg have seen his name bandied about and with GWS needing to make trades to get there GWS players (this year and next) would indicate that he is gettable - apply this same principal to Ploughman who would also suit this role * Suckling was gettable last year, the hawks reliance on his "boot" is no longer required and they have a query on his one-on-one defence (hence a possible wing role with the Dees) * Lynch only going on the speculation, but even that was half true - then he is gettable. * Prestia is a bit of a long bow, but if any top midfielder were to be in frame then he would be likely. contracts mean nothing, and the GC may be looking at a mini-rebuild particularly if Dixon leaves; decent run with injuries will mean they should have a strong midfield that the might come to the table with - their rucks also have not come on as expected. * Horlin-Smith is a good midfielder not getting a run behind Duncan and Selwood. He's a similar style to them (though he's a similar style to Jones, Viney). Geelong will need to offload to some player for Dangerfield (should it eventuates) * Motlop - He keeps being touted as the fallout of a Dangerfield-to-Cats deal. If he's available we should throw the kitchen sink at him (meets our speed and skill requirements in the midfield) The Academy may be a bit of a blessing to some clubs like us, as it means the Swans, Giants and Lions are going to have to trade to accommodate these 'bargain' picks. I would expect Z jones to be gettable. Obviously J Aish and M Leunberger. We should also look at someone like Williams from the GWS. Of course with all these scenario's "Players gettable" doesn't equate to "MFC players" there also another 17 clubs who have a say. Yarran at his best next year will equate to Lumumba at his worst this year - any thought of this trade should be discounted immediately (the passion has left his game, and he was always a lazy footballer to begin with)

Filling the blanks is where it gets interesting: Grimes Dunn [bugg] Salem Frost Jetta Vince Jones [suckling] Vanders [Lynch] Tyson T McDonald Hogan Garlett Gawn [Prestia] Viney Brayshaw Petrecca Kent [Horlin-Smith] emg: Stretch (small), Pederson (tall) If you added Motlop to the equation then this starts getting very exciting edit: forgot Tyson, Pederson

To me it felt like Roo's is using the last 3 games of the year as a trial for positions on the team list; and what I have observed is: Dunn is our Fullback Jetta and Salem are our two back flankers. Jones is our centre T McDonald is our Centre half Forward (but is just as likely a tall back) Hogan is our Full Forward Garlet is our Forward Pocket Gawn is our Ruck Viney and Vince are our starting midfielders (Rover, Ruck Rover) Brayshaw is a rotating midfielder (forward flank) Grimes has probably earned a spot on the bench and that's it! That is the core of what the MFC has going forward based on performance. Howe would be the next person I would include as the floating 3rd tall in the backs. Now obviously there are a lot of positions that will be filled by very capable players on the list, leaving a starting 22 of something like: Blank Dunn Blank Jetta Frost Salem Brayshaw Jones stretch Vanders T MacDonald Petrecca Garlett Hogan JKH/Kent Gawn Vince Viney Grimes/Michie Harmes/NealBullen Could Dawes play back where he only needs to get the ball to the ground and where running the straight lines would help with his persistent injury. Cross has shown over the last few weeks that the pace of the game is going past him (his disposals are now reminding me of C Bruce towards the end of his career) - that he is still Melbourne's best players says more about the list than his performance. Note for most players at this stage of there career, there form will drop off very quickly. Have not included Howe as anyone who has not resigned with a week to go of the season is obviously giving considerable thought to other options.

Or mention someone else, and help the MFC achieve it's goal through miss-information .