MadAsHell

Yep, soft averaging a whole 0.3 contested possesions less then Vince this year. I assume you think Vince is soft also? http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-melbourne-demons--bernie-vince?advv=Y http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-kangaroos--nick-dal-santo?advv=Y

Agree his pace would be an asset, however i think Dal Santo's kicking, combined with Hibberd & Salem should help with our quick ball movement which is just as important as pace.

I get the impression we've been told Scott Thompson is a likely no, so we've sounded Nicky Dal out.

Was in St Kilda's leadership group throughout their 2009/2010 period, so i'd of thought so.

51m51 minutes ago AFL Trade News First ‏@AFLTrade Recent reports suggest Melbourne will offer Nick Dal Santo a contract which'll see him play for one season & then become an assistant coach. I guess this means he should get his own thread. Given his great disposal and the fact he's still playing solid football and could play that Matthew Boyd type role, i have to say i'm for it. I think he suits our needs more then Scott Thompson.

Next captain. Stands to reason.

Hunt winning our best young player award tonight shows how ridiculous the award is. They should revamp it. All players under 21 with less then 10 games experience at the start of the year can remain eligable. Have 9 judges who take 1 game a week each and give votes similar to the brownlow of 3, 2, 1 for players who meet the criteria in that match. You can then maybe still have a weekly standout player who picks up a bonus vote for the final count that's announced each Tuesday similar to now. Just a thought anyway

Hunt winning our best young player award tonight shows how ridiculous the award is. They should revamp it. All players under 21 with less then 10 games experience at the start of the year can remain eligable. Have 9 judges who take 1 game a week each and give votes similar to the brownlow of 3, 2, 1 for players who meet the criteria in that match. You can then maybe still have a weekly standout player who picks up a bonus vote for the final count that's announced each Tuesday similar to now. Just a thought anyway. Edit: Just realized this should probably be in the standard rising star thread.

Wishful thinking that there'll be an announcement tonight re: Hogan's contract?

KC, what's the rules as far as which Casey & Melbourne listed players can play in the D-League this weekend? For example can McInerney, Scott, Munro play D-League? Also Max King & Joel Smith seeing as they played in the D-League last week?

Some footage of him at Number 5 in the first video & 3 in the second. Looks to have a nice burst of pace and is dangerous around goals. I look forward to watching him learn some tricks off Jeffy & hopefully doing some damage for the Scorps next year with a view to pushing for senior selection. I hope we take him whether it be in the National Draft, Rookie Draft or as a Category B Rookie.

According to Freo supporters, likely to be delisted.

I think with Clarke, the way I view is, is he the answer? No But does he help us structurally? Yes Other then Collingwood in 2010, i can't really think of a team that's won a premiership with only one genuine ruck and one part timer. They may have one who plays more in the ruck then the other, but generally the top sides play two genuine ruckman who are also forward options. I don't see Spencer as a forward option, but i figure Clarke could at least be servicable for a couple of years until we develop someone else. Whether it's Mitch King or if we draft someone like Darcy Cameron who i'm a wrap for. The viable alternatives out there to Zac Clarke leave me underwhelmed. Nathan Vardy's an option but injury prone, Majak Daw lacks the footy smarts and i think would cost a bit in a trade. While Ty Vickery is about as useful in the ruck as Chris Dawes. Shaun McKernan could be a cheap option if delisted by a 2nd club. I just figure as a free agent and only cost being cap space, Zac Clarke is probably as good a short term fix as we have.

He had us all pulling our hair out in the first term with his 0.2 and one out on the full. Should have been 3.0, but aside from that he was very good.

I would have thought that at 38 years of age and playing a different code, he'd be more on North Melbourne's radar then ours??? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Allsopp#Personal_life

Would he walk into their 22 though? Kelly, Whitfield, Scully, Coniglio. Plenty of outside mids.

Numbers don't tell everything. White peeled off his man to effect several marking contests. Was very good.

Happy with this. Although must say i'm more keen on Kirby who Richmond have nominated.

I agree we should get another small forward. If it's a choice between Green & picking an unknown kid in the rookie draft, i'll take the rookie draft.

Cheers mate. Although the above link is for when he signed at the end of 2015. And agree, he is only temporary. That's why I reckon no more then a 2 year offer. Draft Darcy Cameron out of the WAFL and hopefully he can take his place by the end of 2018.

Shaun McKernan worth a look? Goes at about 2 goals a game at VFL level. http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/112847/Shaun-MCKERNAN

I was thinking 2017 1st Round Pick to GWS for Pick 15 & Hoskin-Elliott. (If GWS think we'll stagnate for example, they'd see this as giving us Pick 15 & WHE for Pick 8). Pick 15 for Harlett. And possibly throw in Nibbler as steak knives if required. Personally I think Harlett is worth around the 8 - 15 pick range. This would see us effectively trade our 2017 1st Round Pick & Neal-Bullen for Harlett & Hoskin-Elliott. Outside run issue solved! And lets not forget the addition of Melksham & Hibberd.

With all the talk about our need for a 2nd ruck who can play forward, I know his name's been mentioned, but surprised there's been no thread started. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-30/dockers-ruckman-zac-clarke-weighing-up-a-fresh-start http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/player-profile/zachary-clarke Free agent, and will be exploring his options. At 203cm, 96 kg, 101 games under his belt and turning 27 at the start of next season he fits the bill. He's reasonably mobile for a big man also. I agree that only 46 goals in 101 games isn't brilliant, but the change of scenery could certainly help. Even if he only kicks 1 a game, he should help our structure and could play more as a decoy forward for the likes of Hogan, Garlett & Watts. Would allow Gawn to spend a bit more time forward also. Given the only cost would be salary cap space, I reckon a slightly generous 2 year deal to get him to the club should get it done. Then after 2 years you can actually pay him what he's properly worth. Hopefully by then Mitch King has developed a bit more and if we draft one of or both of Dacry Cameron & Oscar McInerney who may be ready for serious game time. Clarke may not even be required by then anyway and I certainly prefer him to Vickery! Thoughts?

I'm hoping Maibaum (Eastern Rangers) may slip to the rookie draft come draft time. Very tidy defender and with one of Dunn/Garland likely to be traded out with the other coming towards the end, it will be good to get some depth back there.

If we were to trade spencil then i'd be for picking up Zac Clarke as a free agent and using our two live national draft picks to select Darcy Cameron from Claremont and Oscar McInerney from Casey. Both early 20's showing plenty in the state leagues with big upside.