Dr. Gonzo

Did you see his game on Saturday sans-Franklin? Did you see his 2012 season at the Crows? He is light years ahead as a second forward/second ruck option than anything we have or could really hope to get. I doubt we will get him so it's mainly a hypothetical argument but for a Melbourne supporter to turn their nose up at Tippett because we have Dawes, Fitzpatrick and an ageing Pedersen is frankly unfathomable.

I hope we can use him to get something decent - if not and he sticks around I won't be upset but best case scenario is we trade him out.

Because he shows glimpses of good things on occasion he just lacks consistency and application. Other clubs will back themselves to "get the most out of him" when in fact I think what we see is already his best. This could go two ways - either they give us fair compo in a trade and do get the best out of him in which case it's a win/win or they overpay anf he remains the same inconsistent one way runner elsewhere in which case we win. Either way we're better off without him.

Griffiths showed promise early in his career but has stagnated and been overtaken by Vickery. He's struggled with a lack of consistent senior games but may be worth a look especially if Richmond are interested in Watts as has been rumoured here and elsewhere.

Haha god no

No way Sydney accepts that trade!

He is the perfect trade bait because other clubs would rate him higher than his actual worth which would allow us to upgrade a spot on our list.

Do you also love his sub-10 disposal games and one way running? Seriously sometimes I think some of our supporters don't want the club to be successful. Much more important to be a nice club than successful.

You've got my vote Adam (channelling old dee)

Too old for our age profile but probably a better option than some on our list.

Anyone who watches football would.

How old is Pedersen next season? 29? He may have another year or two but not much more.Just checked, Pedersen is 29 in March.

They would also need to give clubs options on rookie contracts so draftees can't walk after 2 years. Probably need to make it up to 4 year option (with conditions) but ideally would make it up to whatever year FA kicks in.

The NFL really such a far superior and sophisticated competition - it opened my eyes to how utter rubbish the administration of the AFL has been for so long once I started following the NFL closely. Not to say it's a better game (if it's not it is a very close second) but the structure of the competition is light years ahead of what we have in regards to equality (or parity).

The probably is the minimum salary cap payments. When luring a FA they will either go for success or money. With every club essentially paying the same cap every year it gives bottom clubs less room to move in offering big money to FA's to lure them across so they go to the top clubs for success. If Dangerfield is offered $100k less to play at Hawthorn or Geelong over Carlton or Melbourne he'll go there knowing he has a far greater chance at immediate success. If Melbourne or Carlton can offer him $400k more a year he would have a hard time turning it down. The other issue is the lack of FA's on the market which is why I wouldn't necessarily be against lowering the FA qualifying periodbut it would need to be done as part of an overhaul of the whole system including removing or substantially lowering the cap floor.

Everyone else may as well just pack up shop and let Hawks, Sydney, Geelong, West Coast, Freo and Adelaide rotate the premiership each year. What could the Hawks offer? Suckling and pick 20? Surely that wouldn't be enough.

And after that block of games he regressed to the mean. Watts just doesn't have the will to be a consistently good player. That's all there is to it.

Finished 18th - behind Salem who played half as many games.

How many clubs go through a season only using the same 22 that line up in Round 1? Reality is its about whether he would be in our top 30-odd players who will rotate through the season.

Sounds like a Blease/Strauss/Morton. No thanks.

Holy [censored], give it a rest mate. Drugs arent good or evil, they can be abused and they can be great - just like most things in life.

Doubt the AFL would award them one after they tanked in 06/07. Although friends in high places and all that... They'll probably get pick 2 for Kreuzer if he leaves though so it will all work out.

I agree but it's not just Carlton who need help.

Me too mate, have thought he was a great trade option since the Sydney game last year (well before that, but that game cemented it - Watts too).

I thought Pedersen had clearly gone ahead of Dawes but injury destroyed his year. Credit to Pedersen he was a bit of a joke to me under Neeld but under Roos he has come on in leaps and bounds, especially since that Carlton game last year. I would have him ahead of Dawes any day, is a better mark, a better shot at goal and a better back up ruck option.