DeeSpencer

What does that mean? It gives us a reputation of being popular with Damian Barrett, who cares? Players join clubs for money, success and opportunity, not because they make trades quickly. And yes it matters because every time you pay a bit more you lose in the draft order. Might only be a few picks here or there but that's the difference between getting your man or not and over time that adds up. If it's little bit by little bit eventually you end up with missing just 1 or 2 good players who might be the difference. Nailing the occasional 2nd or 3rd round pick is how you stay strong and win flags. I really feel we need to nail 2 of our picks this draft period and I hope being down the order doesn't cost us.

Not necessarily. His manager might've wanted good money for him ie. 300k a year for 2 years. Melbourne might've said that's too risky have 200k for 2 years. A one year 250k deal might've been the compromise. If he settles in and plays well for the year he might get more in 2019 on a new deal than if he signed for 2 years now. From what he did in a few games this year and WAFL form I think he's a very strong chance of getting another contract if he doesn't have the personal issues.

We have: 29, 31, 36, 47 and 66. They have: 41, 42, 57, 60 and 79. I doubt we will use 66 even if Garland retires. We are better off having a look at delisted free agents, the preseason draft or an extra rookie and then having flexibility to promote one of them. 66 I'd suggest is on the table but the Dockers will want more. So we can do 47 down to 57 or 36 down to 42 or similar but ideally it comes with a 3rd party who might be keen on taking on later picks to move one our picks up the order.

He's good below his knees and has a nice side step but I don't see him being a midfielder. I wouldn't be adverse to giving him some time on a wing against smaller teams. In anything just for some development of being around the packs and moving the ball inside 50, plus we need a wingman! That said, I'm a big fan of shuffling the magnets in general, there's almost no player on our list who I wouldn't try in different spots on occasions.

Pats Packers Deep regret in not doing my tips before TNF Bucs I guess. Was tempted to take Indy, I don't hate how they are playing as much as I should.

I think a lot of the lack of interest around Schache comes from the expectations on key forwards as well. So much easier to be a midfielder and play ok footy and sneak under the radar. Schache next year would be playing VFL at a Victorian club and copping criticism I'm sure. Balic can ease his way in at the Dees. The other factor is the contract, I'm sure Schache's extension came with a decent price tag. I'm all for longer contracts for draftees and tampering rules that stop clubs approaching players mid season. It's a real shame that Schache is having to deal with all this scrutiny. He had a very solid first year and is now an uncertain prospect.

Not sure that's all correct. 40 senior list players last season. Delisted 5 - Lumumba, Trengove, Spencer, Kennedy, Hulett = 35, add Lever = 36. Watts for Balic = 36. 2 national draft picks will make our list = 38. Rookie list A = Keilty, T Smith, Maynard, Filipovic = 4. Joel Smith - are we sure he's been promoted to the senior list or the Cat A rookie list? The numbers become 39 and 4 or 38 and 5 depending what we do with him. Then we can choose what do with our last list spot. We can choose to go 38/6, 39/5 or 40/4. Cat B = 0. With Smith and Maynard both moved on to other lists we'll have 3 spots regardless. Better start searching for some athletes.

Paying overs is what we do. I made a thread about it Do we have more than 3 list spots available? We might only take the 3 picks anyway. Not convinced that Balic isn't worth about the same as Crozier. Crozier has proven to be pretty ordinary in the 4 or 5 years he's been in the system. Balic has more time to improve.

I don't buy that logic. We gave up 6, future first and 29 3, 10, 43 The 29 we got for Howe. Making the Melksham deal early in the trade period did nothing for us. We could've done it on the first day or the last day just before the deadline. Essendon were never going to ask for more. They really couldn't. Yet somehow we decided it had to be done to move on to extra business, like we are incapable of doing more than 1 thing at a time.

What's that bad taste in my mouth? Oh yeah it's Brett 'the Birdman' Burton reaming it down our throats. Lever isn't a one on one defender. The hope will be the game shifts to 1 key forward and his intercepting and rebound becomes increasingly valuable. Time will tell.

Melbourne give: 2017 1st round (pick 10) 2018 1st round 2017 2nd round (pick 27) Melbourne get: Jake Lever 2017 1st round (pick 18) - from Brisbane via Charlie Cameron Given the strength of the 2018 draft and our unpredictable results - we could finish with pick 6-16 I'd say, it's a strong no deal from me. I think Charlie Cameron might be worth more than pick 18. If Brisbane are willing to pay pick 12 for him - he's in contract - then that's a deal I'd be willing to consider, although I'd rather keep pick 10. I'd also like some kind of swap of 3rd or 4th rounders just as a show of good faith back. Pretty much, if the 2018 first rounder is in play then the Crows need to show us some love back the other way. We also better make sure Jason Taylor has some quality names on his first round draft board. If he's not beating the table excited about a range of names available for pick 12 then it's a no deal.

I think in this draft kicking 7 in the TAC grand final and having good athletic ability won't get passed pick 30. Maybe even top 20. Not sure about the name but the guy can play.

Every team takes chances on other teams cast offs. We really had no midfield when Michie, Newton and Riley came on board, all worth a go. Ben Kennedy we swapped in for Toumpas. Hardly a costly move and if our list hadn't progressed we could've easily played him more and kept him for another year. As for Balic being a state league player, in his second year this year: 2 state league games, 4 AFL games before a lay off with personal leave, then first game back in 8 weeks in the WAFL he had 27 touches. He's a promising youngster and the concern is more his injury and personal stuff than him being a state league talent.

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On the Lever money issue I think if he plays like a 750k player there won't be any issues. That's every chance of happening. Prestia was bought to Richmond on big money and people weren't happy mid way through the year but after a solid end to the year and obviously the team success no one is questioning it now.

I think he's right that players should try to maximise their wage whilst also understanding quality of life is important, as is family, as is injury management, as is development etc. The most money up front isn't always the smartest money. Same with his take on loyalty. AFL clubs can be very loyal in terms of caring for players post career, looking after families, taking the high road defending players. Loyalty is a key part of business - when you treat people right as a business they keep coming back. Players who do their best for clubs will be rewarded with longer deals, clubs who do their best for players will often see those players happy to stay. He's spot on about when players have no value they'll be moved on, I think it's overplayed as a modern concept, that's been happening in footy for decades.

The end of year Misson injury update stated that they finally got a correct diagnosis and surgery for his heel condition this year after he carried it all through 2016 and that he was back running. There's no way of knowing if he's 100% until he's back training and playing but it's clearly on the right path.

They might because they are keen to avoid having to use a good pick on father-son Patrick Naish. If they upgrade one pick to 10 before any team bids on him then they get to pick a guy they want before giving up later picks for Naish anyway. I think they'll ideally want to hold one over for next years stronger draft but if that's not achievable they might want pick 10 now to get someone in like a good midfielder who can given them a bit of extra depth for another September run.

I'm convinced 10 and 27 is a fair deal. So our job is to offer something lower publicly and then we can go up to 10 and 27 and save face with the Crows who have lost a heap of young players and need to look tough. Of course we can't make an offer public until Lever declares his interest to us and the trade period starts.

It's a shallow draft, I think if he proves in testing that he can run like an AFL player that he goes in the 2nd round. Might be why we are trying to get an extra 2nd round pick.

??? Giants ????? Titans ????????????? Rams This isn't an easy week, then again, I don't find any of them easy

Walls might've got Kelly and Lever confused. I rarely saw Lever fumbled. Got the ball knocked out of his hands and dropped a mark or two he could've taken but didn't fumble. Of course it was a clear free kick. Martin and Rance have become protected species who can do whatever they want. It's the star player rule and it's a good incentive for the Dees to get a couple of true superstars.

Watched him closely at the ground and he played reasonably well considering the cards he was dealt. Tagged all day by Townsend who belted in to him with elbows off the ball non stop. Lever often positioned himself in front of Riewoldt's space and took away Riewoldt's influence on the game. Talia couldn't go with Jack on a hard lead so it was important. Townsend would hold Lever non stop to prevent him jumping at the contest. The only time Lever returned the favour with a little tug of his shorts he was penalised a soft free for a goal. Mopped up well under pressure and didn't fumble and had some aggressive kicks, went at 80% DE. Still not sure how you can project him as a key defender with any confidence but I've got doubt he's a super smart football who can play the interceptor role.

I feel like either Melbourne or Adelaide could just turn 10 & 27 in to 15 and 16 themselves without all the other stuff. 10 - 1395 27 - 703 = 2098 15 - 1112 16 - 1067 = 2178 Very little difference between that as it stands. And the Tigers want to shift those picks to avoid matching a good pick on father son player Naish. Pick 10 might be high enough to get them ahead of any bid for him which they'd then only have to match with pick 27.

Rumours were the Dogs and Pies were both heavily in to him. I think the Dogs lost out on salary cap space but I think he chose us over the Pies. There was a lot of talk for both teams before the finals started after which the media have only mentioned Melbourne. The Pies are also salary cap strapped. Hawthorn around 2009-2013 are about the only club I've seen as a true destination club where players were lining up to join them at a cut price rate. Even the Swans had to pay huge money for Buddy. The salary cap has rocketed up and with free agency players know how much others are getting when they are out of contract. The only players who will be signing somewhere below market rate will be experienced veterans keen for success. No 22 year old will move club for a less price to go to a destination.