bing181

Oh for god's sake ...

It's just a ridiculous statement. As ridiculous as saying at the end of 2014 that Port were a top 8 side and nothing they did by way of delistings or trades would change that. Nek Minnit ... Lions brought in one of the biggest A-list players traded last year. How has that changed their "reality", when if anything they've gone backwards? The reality is that even if we do zero trades, we'll have a longish list of players to add to our list, simply because of the long/er term injury situation to players like Petracca, Frost, Trengove, and even Salem, Pedersen, Kent etc. Some of those names are in our first-picked, most should be. Without even starting on improvement with the younger players. How good could Brayshaw be this year? etc. etc. As you show with post after post, you're simply an out and out pessimist, and are confusing "reality" with "negativity".

Just re Melksham (http://www.boundforglorynews.com.au/free-agenttrade-analysis-jake-melksham/): "Melksham has played as a run-with midfielder, but he’s also shown great signs as a defensive half-forward. He racks up inside 50s, although his delivery in there could be better. He can win his own ball on the inside, as he has terrific strength and desire, but he also runs hard enough to be a link-up player on the outside of the contest. As mentioned, he’s a tackling machine and he’s at worst an above average tagger." "Melksham’s form fluctuated a lot throughout 2015, but he played three outstanding games, and all three were games where the Bombers rose to the occasion in tight clashes. In Round One against the Swans, he finishes with 20 disposals, a goal, 10 contested possessions, nine tackles and six clearances. The next week he had a season high 26 disposals against the Hawks, with 12 inside 50’s and 22 uncontested possessions. He capped the season off with an excellent performance against the Suns, with 10 one percenters." ... and: "Pick 25 in this draft will slide down to around pick 30 when it is all done and dusted with academy selections and compensation picks. 30 is just about spot on for Melksham, as he fills a clear need in the Demons’ midfield. He’s still quite young, but he also brings experience to the Demons and he’s the enforcer type that can keep other teams from tormenting Melbourne’s younger brigade."

Under the deal being negotiated Hawthorn would give up their first round draft pick and Anderson and receive Carlisle from Essendon. Anderson would go to North Melbourne along with Essendon's pick 41 and the Bombers would receive North's first round pick (15) as well as Hawthorn's (18). The net effect of the trade would be: Hawthorn gets Carlisle; North gets Anderson and pick 41; Essendon gets picks 15 and 18.

They were all provisionally suspended once infraction notices were issued. Which is why they didn't play any NAB matches (for example). From what I can see, it was from mid-November till the end of March, so actually more like 4½ months.

It's 18 AND 15. Which, for clarification, is two first round picks.

We can't force a player to go where they don't want to. All we could do would be to force him to the PSD, but that's cutting off our nose to spite our face.

Make an effort. At least.

Of which he's already served about 6 months.

Trade period is supposed to be exciting?

2015 Melbourne B&F. 9. Jeremy Howe 2015 Essendon B&F. 9. Jake Melksham. (Melksham also finished 5th in 2013, which is higher than Howe ever has). If Howe is worth a second rounder, so is Melksham.

Second rounder seems about right. He's played 100 games, twice in their B&F top 10 (including this year). Has his faults, but lack of competitivity isn't one, and it seems that the club have done their due diligence. Half back an interesting option if that's what they're thinking, would push a player like Grimes out I imagine, and/or free up Salem (as has been suggested). Just don't think we'll see him next season though, which is less than ideal.

Off-season.

Seriously?

Requesting and getting, not quite the same. Lions certainly talking tough.

Is that that veil of negativity? Careful ...

Hard to imagine anyone who would be. Fremantle?

We may already have one. Frost, Dunn, Oscar Mac, Pedersen ...

Great news, great for him, and great for our developing players. And waiting in the wings for a late call-up when/if Melksham gets banned for a year.

... they're all competitors. Given that giving 100% consistently has been one of our biggest failings, trend/direction in who we're targeting is pretty clear.

Think that that's what Maloney was alluding to. A year of consolidation this year, Prestia or O'Meara next year when we move up the ladder. Let's not forget we'll have Petracca and, hopefully, Trengove to come back in, not to mention players like Frost, Kent, Salem and Pedersen who missed huge chunks of the season. Without bringing in any outside players, we'll already have an improved list. In any case, Hogan is our big fish. If we can sign him to a long-term deal over the next 6 months, I'd take that over anything else that might happen in trades. Well, almost.

So you accept that there are circumstances above and beyond footy ability that might lead to players not getting a regular game with their club.

Who said it was a coup for the club? Not every trade is going to fill us with excitement, nor does it need to.

It's just not a factor. Jeff Garlett couldn't get a game at Carlton either.

A bit different. Most of those players were let go for next to nothing, and Sylvia was a FA, so AFL covered the compo.