bing181

He had a bad year ... and still finished 8th in B&F. Averaged 18 possessions. Put it this way, there were over 30 guys at the club behind him in the pecking order. One of whom was Gysberts - one game last year, for 9 possessions.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you haven't accounted for Viney, Dawes and Byrnes incoming. Not to mention the rookie situation, with Lawrence gone and reportedly Sheehan being moved on.

You're right in (only) one thing. Dawes has played under the best coaches in the business at Collingwood. Including Neeld. One of the reasons cited for Dawes making the choice to come to Melbourne over other clubs, was to work with Neeld again.

As above, Jetta wasn't even picked up at all in his first draft. Barry was rated around third round before the draft combine, where he tested very very well, which would have pushed up his rating. Not saying he's a Jetta either.

We effectively had a third round pick already with Dom Barry. For first, second, third round we get 4, Viney, Barry. Then use a couple of the lower picks for upgrading rookies, and keep some place on the list for the pre-season and rookie drafts, where we still have high picks.

Think you're drawing a long bow there. We still have a team of recruiters, and in one interview I read (sorry, can't remember where) Harrington said that because of the increased resources in the FD this year, we were better able to track and research younger players. The signing already of someone that no-one had ever heard of in Dom Barry alongside Hogan would tend to contradict your premise.

Not as things stands it seems, North want something higher than that for him. We were obviously expecting more by way of the FA comp, so now need to find a way of getting in a pick in the thirties that we can (on) trade. Smells like a 3-way deal in the offing if it's to happen. Martin is probably the key here, because he's the only obvious trade bait we have that could get us anything of worth.

... and FWIW: "Jon Ralph ‏@RalphyHeraldSun Melbourne's terrible 3rd round compo for Rivers/Moloney shows they must be on modest contracts at Cats/Lions. Cash/age determines compo pick"

You have to wonder why the AFL brought in so-called "free agency", when there's clearly so little benefit in it for the clubs. We would have been better just trading those players ... surely we could have done better than pick 49 (or whatever it is) for Rivers?

Melbourne r3 pick for gaining Byrnes while losing Moloney/Rivers. Seems a bit light on to me ...

Was B&F at Werribee for 2012.

As per title, Bruce has been appointed development coach at Hawthorn. Starting down the long road to senior coaching perhaps.

Yep. The early bird catches the wor

Probably only from people who don't understand how grim things have been. The key for me here though is what he'll bring to the club OFF the field as well (along with Byrnes). It's not just troops we've been lacking, it's experience and leadership, and the benefit of a solid citizen like Dawes around the club for players like Hogan, Watts and even the backs (Tommy Mac etc.) is invaluable. It'll also help players like Howe, Blease, Tapscott etc. stand tall with Clark and Dawes alongside them. BTW, there were very very few who rated the Hale to Hawthorn trade either.

Twitter from AFL News that Dawes deal is done, pick 20 and exchange of later picks. FWIW ... not lodged officially. Yet.

Agreed. To be honest, I'm not all that fussed about how Dawes (and Byrnes) go. They've played in premierships, they know what it takes, they know what it's like, and both are reportedly solid trainers and good leaders. On-field success starts off-field - Sydney are as good an example of this as any team around. Get the "culture" right, put in the hard yards, and it's surprising how far you can get.

And many other supporters who don't feel like you and don't waste their time here.

Articles appearing saying that Dawes has decided he wants to come to Melb. So does Pederson it seems. Not sure what we have (left) to trade for these two together, unless it's going to be players. We could end up with only one live pick in the draft at this rate.

Following your argument to its logical conclusion, we'd have every club in the AFL knocking on our door to sign up Cale Morton because the club sent out a message that he's a top bloke, is hitting the gym, and is about to turn the corner. Rival football clubs would have a very clear idea of Moloney's capabilities, strengths and weaknesses, regardless of anything the club does and says. One of the arguments often trotted out on these boards in regards to Prendergast and co is that "they're professionals, they're paid to get it right". That's true, and no club is going to go putting players on $200K a year on the basis of some spin from a rival head coach.

Which he'll be able to do from first day of pre-season, as opposed to having to wait till the end of November.

Indeed. But we don't have either of them for the moment, so maybe we should wait to see how it plays out.

As it was summed up in another place: Allround athlete of the combine: Dominic Barry: 10th running vertical jump, 9th in repeat sprints, 9th in beep test, and 3rd in 3km time trial.

Hogan is 17. He's an investment in the future. Dawes and Pederson are investments in the present.

Actually drafted by the one and only Barry P. Spot of revisionism going on on the boards.

It has been fairly widely reported that we want at least one "live" trade in the top 10, i.e., pick 4 (or 3 or whatever is left).