bing181

Simply not true. Hogan in particular played arguably his best match ever first game back. Tyson had 29 and 30 possessions first 2 games back, amongst his best for the year, Garlett kicked 3 in his first match back and his highest possession game for the year was the week after that, and even Gawn: 42 HO and 15 disposals first game back, and his best game for the year by a long way came in the latter part of the year. You see what you want to see and make it fit the story, all the while ignoring the poor games by any/all of these players BEFORE they were injured - not to mention the overall team performance where everyone tailed off in the latter part of the year, injured or not.

Think Viney was there because of the off-foot issues. Take your point, but it's also important that players get/take the rest they need. It's a very long season, and running yourself into the ground by Christmas isn't the way to get through it, especially for more mature players. As always, it's a question of getting the balance right.

I don't look at other club' websites, but current news (e.g. Max singing, Garland retiring) always seems to be, well, current.

Believe the that he won't take part in full training till after Xmas, rehab group until then.

It also keeps us very much in the game come Draft time. Those 3 picks between 29 and 36, plus another that comes 10 picks later, could be more than handy.

He came 21st in the B&F (for the same number of games as Nathan Jones. Who came second.) We were lucky to even get a second rounder for him.

Speculation. Happy we got Lever, worth every penny. What he'll bring on field and off is part of what will continue to transform this club.

Nothing "supposedly" about the fact that the highest offer we had for Jack was pick 31 from Port. That's how other clubs view him.

Just as there have been any number of recruiters who did the same and passed on players who subsequently went 3rd/4th round/rookie, and then went on to be AA and win Brownlows.

Without agreeing or disagreeing, there's no "slightly" in the trade period. You're dealing with the draft selections that clubs hold. If they want 10 and you've only got 30, you can't compromise and agree to meet in the middle on 20. It's not like a housing auction where bids go can up in increments of $1000. When you're trading picks, there are almost always big gaps between picks/offers.

Except that Goodwin doesn't make either list management decisions, nor trade decisions. Also, re the Watts trade, Mahoney (who isn't Goodwin last time I checked) has constantly stressed it was a FD decision. On the other hand, don't care who made it, clearly the right decision and best for the club (and for Jack).

Says the guy posting private information about a player, information received in confidence, on a public forum. Respect?

You're being sarcastic, right?

Get the man we wanted and the best player available in the draft: tick Move on someone we no longer wanted for what he was worth (2nd rounder): tick Pick up a depth player for a (very) low pick: tick Hard to find fault.

We also paid less than what Fremantle initially wanted for Balic. (But heh, ignore what doesn't confirm the narrative.)

You're right, I'm wrong. More "Emerging mid" (or even "Emerging half back").

AFL review of Trade Period. We're equal 4th (or equal second, depending on how you look at things ...) Port Adelaide - 9/10Essendon - 9/10Fremantle - 9/10Adelaide - 7.5/10Brisbane - 7.5/10Melbourne - 7.5/10Geelong - 7/10Richmond - 7/10Sydney - 7/10West Coast - 7/10Gold Coast - 6.5/10GWS - 6.5/10Western Bulldogs - 6.5/10Carlton - 6/10Hawthorn - 6/10St. Kilda - 5.5/10Collingwood - 5/10North Melbourne - 5/10

What they couldn't get done: The Demons had an extremely targeted trade period and hit their primary mark, Crows defender Jake Lever. Nick Bowen's verdict: Melbourne's post-season was a success from the time it landed the most exciting young talent in this year's trade period, Lever. Lever, 21, will slot seamlessly into the Demons backline and should help strengthen a team that already looked well placed to break a 12-year finals drought next season. The Dees also made the tough call to trade Jack Watts to Port Adelaide. Melbourne had been hoping for a pick in the 20s for 2008's No.1 draft pick, but eventually accepted pick No.31, feeling it was time to cut its losses. Homesick Fremantle youngster Harley Balic came at a bargain price and the Demons are excited by his ability to play a hybrid forward/midfield role. Rating: 7.5/10

"Nick Bowen's verdict: Melbourne's post-season was a success from the time it landed the most exciting young talent in this year's trade period, Lever. Lever, 21, will slot seamlessly into the Demons backline and should help strengthen a team that already looked well placed to break a 12-year finals drought next season."

They were thinking that desperate situations need desperate solutions. In their position, I don't mind it. Better an A-grade mid who's ready to go now than an 18 year old future star who takes a few years.

Also based on only one side of the story.

About the only thing that's staggering is that people think that the Lever deal is staggering. Thank god some of you aren't "negotiating" for us. The object of the exercise is to get the player you want, there are no bragging rights in not getting a deal done. To come out of that Trade Period with our picks intact but nothing to show for it but Harley Balic would have been a disaster, especially in light of what Lever brings.

Not to mention Adelaide re Gibbs (second year they've tried now).

Hindsight bias.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_gender_distinction