Binmans PA

I'm not his biggest fan, but he spoke beautifully on FOX Sports last night. Very professional and I hope that he feels welcome at the MFC, once his playing days are over.

Wow, didn't expect this...

Yep, but both those sides had/have (in the case of Geelong) gun midfields. Essendon don't...

The thing about Rivers is he reads the play so beautifully. I wouldn't trade him unless it was for Selwood or Hodge. But even then, we'd be compromising our rising strength in the backline...I just don't think it's a smart move. Finally, we have a backhalf that is worthy of being talked about.

Let's just hope they don't win one before Fev retires. It'll be extremely difficult without him.

Unless the Bombers draft a key position gun, they're only ever going to be there abouts with this list. With Lloyd playing they're very one dimensional, without him, they'll have to rely on goals from the midfield, week in, week out. That's going to be tough. They've covered for him a couple of times this season, but it's about doing it for 22 Rounds, plus finals. I can't see them getting anywhere with this list...still, I could be wrong. I hope I'm right though.

That's, because they've had Lloyd, Lucas and Fletcher to get them across the line a few times. All it's really done is cost them a few draft picks. They haven't been in a finals race since they beat us in the elimination final of '04.

The reason Macca isn't list clogging this year, is because the kids are too young to play in the midfield, come next year, we'll want the Grimes, Morton's etc to be playing in the middle, Haselby would only prevent them from getting valuable experience. Furthermore, Scully and Trengove are ready made players, so presuming we draft them, Haselby would only be stealing their spots. No dice, I'm afraid.

Except Cousins is a gun, Haselby isn't...

I agree. That is my one concern. Well, actually my first, secondly, he needs to be able to find the ball against top opposition. Freo aren't top opposition. That said, he's the best candidate on our list at the moment. Those that still think McLean should be captain, obviously haven't watched him this year.

No. He did two good things yesterday, but he was also very much himself, flying for that ridiculous specky, which then caused the turn over and Freo ran it out. He's all about himself and we don't need any of that. Delist.

I was really hoping they wouldn't...I probably hate them more than Collingwood. It would have been hilarious if they had thrown it on the siren again. Still, I hope they just miss out again.

Paradoxically, I also agree with this to an extent. That said, my initial post stated the possibility of change in the game, not that it neccessarily will.

You obviously didn't see the Kangaroos game in Round 1 or the West Coast game at Subi. There were two distinct passages of play, where Bennell's pace was on display. Both of the plays were on the wing and both of them involved him attacking a contest fiercely and coming away with the ball. Even those two brief moments, provide a glimmer with which we can judge him, pace wise. He'll be a beauty. I have a slight question mark over his kicking accuracy, but he hasn't played enough to warrant worrying.

I couldn't agree more, Akum.

I agree, HT. And if we get those two, it takes more pressure of Davey, who can then push up into this core group of top midfielders. It could look more like: Scully, Trengove, Sylvia, Davey, Morton, Grimes.

Spot on, Hannibal. I agree with all of the above. Thanks for the service, boys.

That's a totally different situation...

You're right in saying Warnock and Rivers play different type roles. Rivers is one of the best floating half backs in the game, peeling off his man to help spoil other opposition forward. Whereas, Warnock is more your traditional full back/centre half back. I think they're both important to the structure down there. Garland can match it with the quicker forwards, like Roughead and Franklin, while Warnock is better suited to the power forward types (ala Jonathan Brown). Then, Frawley can play on the Lloyd's, Fevola's, but also on the Brad Johnson's. I think we have a very diverse backline, shaping up. Bennell is the quickest player I've ever seen, when he goes full tilt at a contest and therefore could match it with the likes of Leon Davis and Cyril Rioli. Lots to look forward too and the beauty is they're all young.

Garland reminds me of Dustin Fletcher, except quicker. He has the skinny frame, but is able to consistently get fists in to spoil.

Yeah, I agree with you, HT. Even some of our "untouchables" wouldn't net a first round pick. This whole trade/draft period promises to be fascinating.

And by shopping around you mean trading their first round picks for established talent, HT? I suppose it makes a tiny bit of sense, with the compromised drafts coming up and the shallowness of this draft.

I wouldn't mind putting money on Scully getting #9 though. And I'm not a betting man. That said...it hadn't occured to me that Wheatley holds #31 and Scully wears #32, so perhaps he will get 31?

A few people seem to be forgetting Garland...not even a mention. He was easily our best defender last year and although Frawley has come along, I'm still not sure if he compares with Colin. Garland probably has more upside too.

Alright, so we're all going on about how shallow the draft is and how we probably won't use our fifth pick (in the 50s). Why the heck would another team give us their second best pick in a shallow draft, for a pick in the 50s? It doesn't make sense. On another note, I know a couple of people have criticised our lop sided trade ideas, but sheesh, this thread seems to be a hot pool for completely unrealistic trade hypotheticals. No one would ever take Bell and/or Newton. It's becoming increasingly frustrating, reading these threads and coming across ridiculous trade ideas. I'm sorry to vent, but it's beginning to give me the shits.