bing181

Interesting if true. That whole generation of coaches who were hired 3 years back: Neeld, Watters, Sanderson ... perhaps not working out as planned? The only one from that year who seems to be the real deal is McCartney, and he was probably the least fashionable/credentialed of any of them. Just goes to show how hard it is to predict how coaches will turn out, though perhaps confirms that the best ones serve a long apprenticeship. Usually.

Barry Prendergast trying to salvage his reputation?

If we get anything equivalent to round 3 for Clark, we'll be doing well. If we even get a couple of clubs interested, we'll be doing well. The situation is the same as with any sale. It's the buyer who sets the price, and in Mitch's case, with his history and things as they are, he's just not worth much. Lumumba on the other hand, is a reliable and consistent first 22 player, and as such, a solid second rounder. Computer says no.

With posts like yours, given the choice, I'd take Greece any day.

You're the one making assumptions.

Agree, but it's probably what he's interested in.

Agree, and just worth emphasising the "past experience" bit. History shows that clubs have been more, not less conservative in nominating father/sons for the reasons outlined above. There's no precedent for "they'll nominate him to force our hand" scenarios outlined here, and in spite of everything written, hard to see him as a first round pick, even late first round.

Needs to find his feet. Coming into Neeld-led Melbourne hasn't helped, especially for a young guy who's (at the moment) very much a confidence player. Pity he had injury/sickness problems this year - they've obviously held him back, and it must have been a frustrating season for Jimmy with the expectations he has of himself. In reality, when you look at his stats and history over his first 2 years, not dissimilar to one Dom Tyson. Patience people. Let him get on with it. He's the least of our worries.

Just on O'Rourke, is clearly on the move somewhere, this from the Hun a few days back: "Greater Western Sydney will also lose versatile big man Kristian Jaksch and possibly slick midfielder Jono O’Rourke in the trade period. Jaksch is meeting with Melbourne clubs, believed to include Carlton and Western Bulldogs, while O’Rourke is considering his future. O’Rourke was taken with Pick No. 2 in the 2012 national draft but has played nine games in two years. He is weighing up a chance to move home to Victoria for more senior opportunities and to be closer to family. A decision from O’Rourke is expected next week."

Hard to see any way back for Mitch from here, or even that the club would want him back. You'd have to be concerned for his well-being.

Clark had also done some photography for Jones' wife (does fashion). Connections there above and beyond footy ...

Perhaps add Jarryd Lyons (Adelaide) to that list. Apparently we tried to do a trade last year, and is looking to return to Victoria according to Twitter-goss.

Time to get my LOL-Detector adjusted perhaps ... But with the way some of the posts on D'Land have been going recently, especially on this thread, I'll cut myself some slack. This time.

It's a highlight real, the contents are determined by the editor. It's not some kind of empirical document. You could make up a highlight reel of Jack Watt's tackling if you were so inclined. .... though FWIW, HL averages more tackles per game than Jack Grimes ... in fact, for 2014 he averaged more tackles than just about everyone at our club (would be equal 6th), and has a higher tackle average than anyone in our back line. Which you could have checked for yourself if you'd wanted to. But heh, why bother with facts.

Sure, but he wouldn't have any baggage at other clubs. (e.g. Styne's number, medical history etc.).

Agreed. That's a first-rounder right there. Best we could hope for would be a decent swap through trade, e.g. Lumumba, who would probably otherwise be a second rounder (agree to disagree if you want, but Collingwood wouldn't let him go for less than that). Otherwise, if it's a trade for draft picks, I'd be surprised if we did anything better than late second round or more likely a third rounder.

People have been saying that for years, but in reality it should read: If he can get the ball ... has speed and can break the lines ... but invariably turns it over before he gets subbed off because he's run out of puff. Wasn't playing in the two's all year for nothing.

Sounds a bit like the letters to Santa that my kids used to write ... IMHO, completely unrealistic given that a) the players who do that can be counted on one hand and b) they're not going anywhere. Look at last year's trading: was considered a success, yet there were plenty here railing against taking "cast-offs" like Cross (over the hill), Vince (Sylvia mark 2/party boy/bad influence in the locker rooms), and Tyson (can't even get on the field) etc. etc. Look at the difference they made (thank god). Lumumba is a walk-up start in a decent team - as he has been for a number of years under 2 different coaches, one of whom at least doesn't suffer fools - is apparently a dedicated and committed trainer and athlete, and would be an improvement on almost everyone we currently have in his on-field position. But no, he's not perfect. For that, you'd need Santa to come early. Along with the tooth fairy and easter bunny.

Hopefully his old mate Barry Prendergast is putting in a good word for him. (second rounder will do, thanks Barry)

We've been down this road before ... brave man.

Too many facts.

It's not a problem because it didn't happen. Clear enough?

I don't, but unfortunately Mitch has put himself in a position where it's a question that's going to be asked.

St Kilda?

You mean the trick of averaging 20 possessions a game? Would be useful, we only have a handful who seem to have mastered it, and none in the backline. (BTW, we finished second last this season).