DeeSpencer

In 1-2 years he'll be gone and we'll need to replace him and we won't have addressed our needs in more outside run, depth talls or another goal kicker. Draft picks are a gamble, but the more of them you have the more likely you are to win. We shouldn't be giving up anything more than a 3rd round pick OR a player with similar low value. Sure he's a better player but what have Dawes, Lumumba and Byrnes given us? They've got 4 premierships between them.

Deledio is a year younger. Has had more injuries and the achilles would be a concern. But he hasn't looked slow when he's played. Lewis has. But I think the main difference between them is Deledio can provide outside run and elite kicking either at half back or going inside 50. That's vital. Most teams, including Melbourne, already have a couple of players who can do what Lewis does, especially if he's slowing down. Adding one more of those wouldn't hurt but it won't change results against the best sides. Deledio has the ability to elevate a good side in to a very good one.

Pretty convinced we'll stupidly pay overs for a 31 year old.

ANB is bog ordinary and Oscar is a squib (with potential). You can get guys like that as rookies. It cost us a 2nd round pick that could've been Toby McLean, Lukas Webb, Maynard, Dan Howe or Connor Blakely. But it's not really about that. It's about getting the best possible deal. I hate to sound like Donald Trump but I want to win!

Yep I like that deal. Although it still cost us a nice 2nd rounder to get the 2 firsts in. They could get a player with all those picks. I get that too many picks takes away your leverage but I'd rather be holding the full hand and deal them out than let the Saints take a heavy fee for their service.

I like both of them, but we gave up pick 2 and pick 20. That's a massive amount of currency for what became pick 9 and solid player worth about something similar to another pick 9 or so in Tyson. I'm not saying it was a loss. But there's always a chance to have big wins in trades and we haven't had a trade like that for a long time. For us to get something we often have to pay top dollar, which is fine, but to improve quickly we need a win. The saints have pulled off a number of big wins of late.

It's a strange one. I don't know why GC wouldn't accept 23, 36 and next years 1st for O'Meara then add all their 2nd rounders this year and move back in to the draft as they see fit. St Kilda have profited a heap from being a 3rd party. I think the Hawks hope to come out of it ahead purely because it won't be a standard pick 10 as it will net them O'Meara who would've cost pick 1 + something at some stage when healthy. They are backing themselves big time to get him right. They got Tom Mitchell for unders as well. Tom Mitchell, O'Meara for 2 first round picks around the 14 mark + Brad Hill + 36, that's still a win. Even more with Vickery for free.

The Saints are showing us and a lot of other teams how to do clever deals. Walked Membrey through the PSD Pick 5 for Carlisle + Gresham was a winner last year. Steele for next years 2nd rounder a win. Pick 10 for a 1st rounder, 23 and 36 a huge win. Still annoys me we gave up so much to GWS for Frost and Tyson/Salem in previous years....

I think Melksham and Hibberd are the threats to Vince playing half back or wing. He's not a lock for best 22 unless his kicking becomes more reliable and his running holds up. If we get him Lewis probably slots in the midfield with Jones, Tyson, Viney, Oliver and keeps Petracca and Brayshaw forward. Although I imagine Lewis playing a fair bit of wing, forward and back as a utility if the younger mids stand up.

Absolutely nothing new in that podcast. Lewis isn't some fringe kid with a massive ego and Clarko isn't a crazed emotionless idiot. They've been together for 12 years and won 4 flags. Lewis can swallow his pride and stay at the Hawks very easily. Typical Barrett sensationalism.

If they kept Sam Mitchell and got Jaeger right there's half a chance Lewis would see playing time in the VFL. He knew that and saw a chance to jump before he was pushed. Instead they've moved Sam Mitchell on, but if that's happening they won't let Lewis go.

Dodged a bullet. Lewis is nearing the end. Plays well one week, struggles to do anything the next.

Corey is still there. A vital part to their success as stoppage coach. You might not see him hiding under the beard. I don't think the reporting structure is all that relevant. The senior coach is always going to have more power and responsibility than some coaching director. McCartney doesn't have to be above Goodwin to oversee the development of the other coaches: "He was initially appointed development and strategy coach, but in September 2016 was named player/coach performance manager in line with Simon Goodwin’s elevation to senior coach.The role oversees the development of Melbourne’s coaches, along with driving the performance of the club’s player group. McCartney continues to work closely in player development with Matthew Egan." The point of how many inexperienced coaches is certainly valid. But our line coaches are settled, Egan's coached since 2009 and even Chaplin has been working towards a coaching career for 5 years. I think there's room for 1 more inexperienced guy.

McCartney's new role is to oversee performance of players and coaches, as Egan becomes head of development. Losing Roos and his 1-1.5million dollar salary might free up room for a few extra coaches. Enright might not have the knowledge of coaching but he knows absolutely everything about playing on a back flank. If they want him I wouldn't turn him down for lack of experience.

Matera seems up for trade every year, yet never gets traded and never improves. I don't think he'll ever get the work rate. Might be attitude, or might just not have it physically. Vardy I like if he passed a medical. Merrett would be worth a look as cheap depth for an outside runner and probably has a good relationship with Goodwin and Egan. Pretty much a Matt Jones replacement.

There's only so many players out there out of contract and up to AFL standard. Interest doesn't mean getting to the stage of serious offer. I'd imagine only a few clubs would be really keen. It's report Cam Ellis-Yolmen will stay at the Crows. If he stays I think Lyons might go. Especially if they land Gibbs.

They say that every year. A pick in the first 2 rounds is worth more than not next years 2nd rounder that we can always get back in another deal next year.

Doubt they'd get both. I suspect Gibbs would be plan A, Rockliff plan B.

Yep. Plus even though he's the better player it allows them to keep Lewis and Hodge in the team without getting too old and slow as they have been. T Mitch replaces S Mitch. O'Meara comes in when healthy and then Hodge finishes with dignity next year and they replace him.

Aish started to come good at the end of the year. I doubt the Pies would shop him. Hard to find decent outside runners and they need them. Greenwood they'd sell for any good offer. They've got Pendles, Trelaor, Adams, Wells, De Goey ahead of him as inside mids and Wills and Crisp for depth. He was picked up as a cover as they lost Beams and is now superfluous. Not sure anyone will want him given the Pies gave him a fairly big deal I believe.

Sam Mitchell and Brad Hill have been vital to the way Hawthorn play. Losing them for Tom Mitchell (a star) and then 2 unknown prospects in Vickery and O'Meara at least evens things up. Hopefully both Gold Coast and Sydney get maximum return and then it's up to Clarkson to work his magic - and the Docs with O'Meara.

He has been awful. It's a ridiculous compensation based on Collingwood's stupid offer. Swan and Cloke moving on opens up most of the room for Wells and Mayne and then they just don't have a lot of good players to earn big money.

I could see Bowes being bid on. He's very good and Gold Coast have pick 4 (and want pick 2). They would probably have to match the local boy at that pick. I don't think it will happen as it's a bit too risky but it's very low risk. Setterfield isn't as good and the Giants would just let him go and laugh at Essendon's bid. Both Essendon and us had the chance last year to put some serious heat on GWS with picks 4,5, 6 and 8 for Hopper and Kennedy but we didn't risk it.

It's a valid concern. But I think the worry with players who don't get much of the ball is that they don't have footy smarts. It's often the athletic guys who can't read the play. From what I've seen of Weideman he has a lot of footy smarts when he gets the ball and he comes from a footy family and grew up with the game, so I think the smarts are there. I'm hoping/expect his low possessions/involvement are from playing deep forward and the limited tank.

On an individual basis the late pick gems would surely give recruiters the most joy but adding talent consistently year after year is the point of their jobs so if I was a recruiter I'd be frustrated if I didn't have a pick in the first 2 rounds. I'd want to fully explore the option of trading a future 2nd round pick. We have a nice group of young talent but we are a long way from fully stocked. We need more guys who can run and kick and the 2nd round is often where you find them.