The Chazz

Here you go Rhino, some great viewing of this AWESOME ruckman people seem to think we have on our list; Now, if Spencer was really as good as you think, why didn't they elevate him? If only I could find the footage of the "kick" he attempted against Carlton late in the season. Remember how he actually dropped the ball just before he was about to kick it? Gee, if you call that talent, there's a chance of me making it on the list yet.

Like everyone, I'm not really sure which one I love the most - kinda like picking your favourite offspring! I hope I'm not being biased, but I seriously think Scully has the closest football brain to Chris Judd that I have seen. His ability/awareness to be able to play on after a mark/free kick, and even to be able to judge what tackles he can break is very similar to Judd. What will he be like playing in the AFL where it's quicker and the bodies are bigger? Well, he shows all the signs he will be able to handle it straight away. Obviously he wont win the Brownlow next year, but I could seriously see him playing 16+ games in his first season, then the sky's the limit after that. Not sure I can really compare Trengove to any current/recent players. Hird maybe, just in the way that it doesn't matter where he is on the field, he attracts the ball and does uses it well. One thing I hope happens - If Tom Scully wants to keep his number 29, can the MFC pleeeeeeease organise for Dean Chiron to do the official handing down of the jumper? I don't think anyone as worn it as good since!

Good point Luck Lucy. I think we missed the boat by not trying to trade for Mumford. He never indicated that he wanted to go to Sydney, they just offered him a few $$ and he was gorn! He would have been the perfect investment for minimal outlay (Buckley and pick 34 might have got him to us - we may not even use 34 as it is!). Geelong did the hard work and waited for him to develop (or lose weight), they pumped about 18 games in to him this season, why didn't we just take him off their hands??? We all say how we're sick of developing players then having them leave (ie. Scott Thompson), it was our golden opportunity to do it to someone else for a change, and fill that hole of a reasonable ruck. Personally, I think Meesen showed enough this year (albeit in 4 games), Jamar did enough, Johnson seems ok to me (I'm about the only Melbourne supporter that thinks that!), and Spencer, well, Spencer, hmm...he seems to be our version of Mark Blake - supporters love him, the club loves him, no idea why cos he's frigging useless, I do nt understand the fetish some people have to elevate him to the senior list. Thankfully the Club has some common sense and left him as a rookie again for 2010, AMEN! Let's face some facts, there aren't too many A+ rucks in the comp. Sandilands (in my view) stands head and shoulders above any one else (not just cos he's 8 foot tall!). It's quite a simple theory, if our rucks are being beaten on the day, why don't the midfielders rove to the opposition rucks - not rocket science. Having said that, if Vardy is around at 18, and we have picked up a KPF at 11, I'd be happy. It should mean that we wont elevate Spencer at the end of next season and he will go off to country football and never be seen in a Dees jumper again - more than happy to make a public apology if he turns out to be a star! Wont be writing my speech in a hurry. However, I wont be surprised if we go for 4 mids with our first 4 picks. It's clear that they are grooming Stef Martin to play that Full Forward/2nd or 3rd ruck role (ie Justin Kozi...). Although offering Jamar a 1 year contract might not see that eventuate. I think our first 4 picks will hinge on the PSD#1 pick, if we know Ball is happy to become a Dee via the PSD, we will obviously get a tall in the first. If we get Bradshaw at pick 1, we will get 4 mids. While we have a youth policy, Bradshaw would be a top pick for Watts to learn from, and most importantly, take the Number 1 defender of opposition clubs. Can you imagine Scarlett or Lake playing on Miller or Watts??? Give Bradshaw a 3 year contract, let Watts develop so that when Bradshaw retires, Jack will be the Champion he promised to be. That will also give Stef Martin 3 more years to develop as a KPF/Ruck without the regular close-checking of the better defenders. One thing with Bradshaw is that HE WILL kick goals for us. The other thing with Bradshaw is that he wants to go to Sydney! My "dream" draft scenario; #1 1/2. Trengove #1 1/2. Scully (we have picks 1 and 2, which added together makes 3, then averaged out is 1.5 - I can't split either of the 2!!!) #11. Ball (means we have traded McLean for Ball - I'm happy with that) #18. Vardy #34 and remaining picks... Pass PSD1. Bradshaw

Not sure if I'm reading your posts incorrectly or not Keyser, and I apologise straight away if I have got the wrong idea of what you are saying, but...you do realise that Burgo doesn't give a toss on what Melbourne needs right? Just because he is saying that Butcher should go between 5-20 (or whatever it was), doesnt mean he thinks Melbourne 'will pass on Butcher twice at 11 & 18, he's just saying that he will be picked up in that range. When he releases his phantom draft, he will give a more accurate description of his opinion as to where players will be picked up. I am pretty sure that if Butcher is still available at 18 (in the view of Burgo), then I would think that he will have Melbourne selecting him with that pick. The phantom draft will be done AFTER he has a look at EVERYONE'S list/needs, then will go back through his assessments of the players, and match up accordingly. Sorry to say it, but there are 15 other teams in the comp, and Burgo wrotes for the AFL, not the MFC.

Finally something decent out of your mouth rpfc. I knew you had it in you.

Bryan Stynes? Yze's brother? (not sure how you spell his first name!) And blokes who had great brothers in other clubs; Glen Jakovich's brother? Che Cockatoo-Collins' twin brothers? Not sure why I submitted this post, but I had a laugh while doing it!

Any chance we will re-draft him in the PSD? Delist one more, pass on pick 50, then that will give us 2 picks* in the PSD - Ball and Valenti? All depends on what they (coaches, etc) think of Valenti. * Not sure if that's how it works!

OK RPFC, for future reference, what should I do different in any other poll I decide to put up on here? As you are far more experienced than I on this site, I would love to get your advice. Actually, how about you post a poll so we can see how it "should" be done.

Wow, we have a "No" vote. Would love to know your reasons if you vote No!

There seems to be a lot of discussion whether or not Melbourne should pick up Luke Ball. This is the first poll I have ever posted, so hope it works (and that it's an OK one!).

Not sure why you think they are one sided trades. 1. Mumford went for pick 28, I offered 34 and Bartram. Not much difference there, unless you think the Mumford trade that happened was one sided? 2. If Carlton have showed interest in Bell, they obviously rate him to some degree. Giving them Bell and a 4th Round pick for a late 2nd round pick seems reasonably fair to me. 3. Mark Williams, a 26 year old in between player (not a key forward, but not a small forward), for 2 established players + the first pick in the 3rd round. As I said on this one, I'm not sure what to work out it cost Essendon to get him, so give me some slack here! If you think they are one-sided, that's your opinion. I'm just trying to base trades similar to what actually happened. For what it's worth, I don't think Melbourne will get Ball in the PSD. I think he will agree to a 3 year deal with the Saints.

Unless there is some happenings today, I think Melbourne have been quite disappointing in this years trade period. It was a great opportunity to get rid of some of the dead wood in return for better, realistic draft picks/established players. A couple of examples; * Shane Mumford - traded to Sydney for pick 28. 23 year old ruckman who held his own in the premiership team for most of the year. Is almost at the end of his development, therefore will be expected to join the elite ruckman of the league for the next 6-8 years. Ruck is an area where Melbourne are struggling in, so in my opinion, chasing a player like Mumford (ie age, how far he has developed, exposed form) should have been a fairly high priority (isn't that the reason for trade week???). In other posts, I suggested putting up pick 18, in reality, we could have put up pick 34 plus a player. Any of our players that we could have used (eg. Newton, Bartram, Buckley, Bell) wouldn't have hurt the Geelong salary cap, so I think we could have got Mumford for very little outlay. * Daniel Bell - if it is true that Carlton are interested, and we want to improve our later picks, SURELY we could offer Bell and pick 50 for Carlton pick 27. While Bell is not a superstar, when fit he is an average player. Carlton in my mind would be willing to take a punt by offering up pick 27 (plus gaining a later pick) for him. Will they get someone better than Bell at pick 27 in this years draft? Maybe, maybe not. As I said, it is a punt, but it would be one I'm willing to take. I'm sure there are other trades that we could have thrown up based on where our list is struggling. Obviously we are picking up more midfielders with our early picks, so if we get Luke Ball in the PSD, I don't think we would need to trade to get any more midfielders. Our defenders are sufficient, which leaves us forwards and rucks. As mentioned above, we missed the opportunity with a ruck prospect, leaving us with a forward. So, this would be; * Mark Williams - I' buggered if I Can work out what it cost Essendon and what they got in return, but my proposal would be Simon Buckley, Newton plus pick 34. Williams is 26, has played in a premiership, and can run through the midfield. IF all that went ahead, and including the McLean trade, it means; Gained - Mumford, Williams, and picks 11 & 27, maybe Ball in the PSD Loss - McLean, Buckley, Newton, Bell, picks 34 & 50 It would give us 1, 2, 11, 18, 27 in the draft plus a developed ruck, a goal kicking forward/midfielder and Luke Ball. In brief, I think we could have been a lot more aggressive this trade week than what we were, we had $$$ to spend, but feel that we are putting too much faith in to this "shallow" draft.

Wont happen now that Mumford is going to Sydney - the Cats' salary cap pressure isn't as drastic now. Had Mumford stayed, might have been a different story - not saying that Melbourne would have picked him up, but Wojo would have more than likely been delisted.

RIP Richard Pratt.

Why would Hawthorn use their pick 9 (or whatever it is) on Burgoyne? I'm totally blown away by people saying that that's how they will get him. Last chance to get a good kid for a few years, they will never do it. If there is no trade this week, I'd be more than happy to take the 100-1 odds offered for him getting to Melb via PSD. I think he's a good bet to come to us (providing there is no trade this week). When was the last time an experienced player got picked up in the national draft?

Anyone like the Daniel Bell & Pick 50 to Carlton for pick 27? I think there will be about 3 of this type of trade by the Dees by the end of the week. The Fork - Thanks for posting the link to the up-to-date draft selections.

Very nervous; * Brian Lake - Hoped he might slip through to the PSD - Signed for 4 years at Dogs * Peter Burgoyne - Hoped Port played too hard, slip through to PSD - Looks like Hawks make a deal * Shane Mumford - maybe not a gun (yet), out of contract, PSD smokey - Maybe traded to Sydney for 3 years * Luke Ball - would have been a steal in PSD - Going to Collingwod Who is this "GUN" we are going to get in the PSD??? What "guns" are still out of contract? Potential for Melbourne to have pulled off biggest signing of the year and be well respected by the AFL community, or been a touch arrogant by thinking PSD #1 is worht more than what it actually is, therefore not trading for a better player. Will wait to see what Cameron Schwab has got to say come Friday 2pm, and again at the end of the PSD.

Here is the paragraph from The Australian; "A day after securing former West Coast ruckman Mark Seaby, Sydney was in negotiations with Geelong's out-of-contract ruckman Shane Mumford, who now appears destined to play for the Swans for the next three years. Geelong general manager of football operations Neil Balme yesterday conceded that Mumford's days at Skilled Stadium were numbered because his club was not in a position to match the Swans' offer, understood to be worth about $300,000 a year. However, the Cats appear certain to retain Mathew Stokes on a two-year contract, while Mark Blake, who was preferred to Mumford in the finals series, is considering a two-year offer."

Nah mate, the paragraph above starts talking about the Swans losing Jolly, then flows in to them making an offer to Mummy. "The Sydney Swans, who appear resigned to losing All-Australian Darren Jolly to Collingwood, are also in the market for a big man. The Australian newspaper reports the club has offered Geelong youngster Shane Mumford a lucrative three-year-deal."

Wojo - out of contract. It will either be Mummy or Wojo gone due to salary cap (and as they are both OOC). Wojo is 29 I read somewhere, wouldn't touch him. Blake agreed to a 2 year deal.

They are talking about the Swans. Approx $1m over 3 years. It looks as though we're not going to trade to get him (that's assuming we're interested), therefore I think he is worth $900k over 3 years and get him in the PSD. I'm a bit concerned about this "waiting for the PSD" - there is no guarantee that top players will be available. We could miss the boat by not being more aggressive during trade week if we have someone in mind. Unless...they have got someone stitched up already for the PSD (almost an in-principal(?) agreement). If they pull of a big name in the PSD, hats off to them. If we get nothing in the PSD and find that Burgoyne goes to Hawks, Mumford goes to Sydney during trade, I will be a little disappointed. Could be an interesting Friday coming up. Does anyone know where we can get an up-to-date list of who has what draft picks?

Hmm...watched Mumford more times than I've watched Jamar and Spencer, only because he played 18 games this year in the best team of the year. Maybe you should get the facts before making silly comments...again! My point with Mumford is that in 3 years time when our premiership window is open (generally stays open for 4 or 5 years), he will be 26, therefore giving him at least 4 years of good footy. In 3 years, Jamar will be 30, not much left in his tank after that while our window remains open. As I have said in the past, I don't rate Spencer at all. Don't get me wrong, Mummy needs to improve in a lot of areas, eg. kicks per game, disposals per match, but as he is still only 23, so I think there is so much more upside in him, and again, he played 18 games in this years premiership team. Ok, he didn't play the GF, still a fair effort. As a Demon supporter, and long time member, I would be happy to see us take a punt and be aggressive with this bloke and offer 34 pick (or whatever it is we have) + Newton, and if they don't accept which I think they will reject, give them 18 and Newton. If in 3 years he is the best in the league (like I am predicting), I'm a genius. If he turns out cr@p, what have I cost us? Newton, well, he's a nothing in my view, and also pick 18, which could at this stage, I'm not confident of getting a player of great quality - time will tell. I think you are showing your true maturity by saying "goodnight princess" and "have fun at school tomorrow". As I have previously requested, reveal your source in regards to the Jamar & pick 11 trade. If you are as "grown up" as you claim to be, you will be happy to discuss this.

Ok, so you think Mumford will never be better than Jamar? I personally would like to see our ruck duo as Jamar/Mumford for the next 2 years, then Mumford/Jamar for 3 years after that. That post you said about Jamar and pick 11 for Burgoyne will never happen. I will make a formal apology on this site if it does. But, how about YOU tell US who you are waiting confirmation from, then MAYBE I will take you seriously. Wipe egg off my face? I will, but only after you if the Jamar trade doesn't happen. "Rookie" - very pathetic criticism. Does it matter a f*** what level we are at on this site? I may be a "rookie", but obviously I have more idea about the Club and the game than you do.

Steamin - weren't you the clown saying the Jamar + pick 11 for Burgoyne was a done deal - just waiting for confirmation? Then you come and say you wouldn't want Mumford but would rather Spencer? How can I take you serious??? Spencer vs Mumford - wake up to yourself Steamin.

I can't believe you prefer Spencer over Mumford. Golly, you are a fool sorry. What in Spencer's game have you liked so far that would make you pick him over Mummy? Trade pick 18 and Newton for Mumford. This kid can seriously ruck - for Christ's sake, he played about 18 games for Geelong this year. Jamar would struggle to play 6, and Spencer wouldn't get a game. That answers any questions if you ask me. It's obvious we are planning on getting Burgoyne in the PSD. The Hawks are struggling to get a trade in place for him, the Bombers have tried but no luck, of the other clubs he wanted to go to, we have not been reported to show any interest in him what so ever. If that's not a "read between the lines" scenario I don't know what is.