old dee

You would need to give him a contract and I do not see that happening! At the very best you might make him a mature age rookie. but I cannot see that happening either. MFC seems firmly fixed on youth! So where does a 30 year old fit? we do not seem to want to give Bruce two years And he is still playing well. why would we give a spot to Travis?

I have watched him at Casey quite a bit and he impresses me. He has put in some good games but has a long way to go IMO However never seems to give up even when things are not going his way. Saw him against Williamstown mid season when we got belted. I thought he was the only guy that played well for Casey that day. It will be interesting to see him in 2011, probably needs a couple of years to show his full potential. Look how long it took Jamar! I have my fingers crossed but feel positive.

Agree with you Jacka. If Bailey has little interest in the NAB cup he has my vote. Mid Feb in Adelaide it could be 40. This competition is too early, too hot and too hard! We Will see how keen Bailey is when we send over a team with only 10 of our best 22. Wait for Spencer as first ruck, no Scully, Trengove Green Davies or anyone older than 23 for that manner. If we get past the first round I will be very surprised and to be honest I don't care much I want us playing well in September not February.

Could not agree more. Just proves that there are gems later in the draft. Not all the gold is in the first twenty. My view is to judge the recruiting depart by their later picks I could have worked out to pick Scully and Trengove. But choosing Bail takes skill!

I have seen Newton play this role at Casey and do a good job Yes I know it was at Casey. Not getting Hale might have saved Newton for another year. The next couple of weeks will be interesting when the MFC come up with their final player list. I will not be surprised if Newton gets a one year contract.

You are not the only one Dappa Dan. I enjoyed him. There are few perfect people in the world and he had his flaws! There have been a lot worse players at Melbourne than Travis.

I know he was inconsistant but when on song I loved to watch him. Still think was the best kick the demons have had in the last 20 years. Sad to see it end like this, come back to victoria Travis I would go to see him in the VFL!

Sorry you are correct!

Well said daisycutter. I had hoped Newton would make it but so far he has not. I have seen him quite a few times at Casey and he plays well at that level especially as a ruckman/ forward. Even had a couple of good games taking marks in the back line. However he seems to very good at VFL level and not good enough at AFL level. Like you I think it is time to cut him however I will not be bitter and twisted if he stays!

I think you have nailed it. Jury still out for me too, 2011 would need to be alot better.

Here it is from my view point. I know Jake through a family member. He played well in QLD and MFC saw something and gave him a rookie spot. So far he has shown only rare moments of his potential. He has been plagued by injury since the MFC put him on the list. Has also had a problem of not appreciating the work needed to succeed at AFL level. Has been given a two year deal but understands he needs to show a lot more dedication and affort to make it. He knows he has a two year start on Gawn and Mckenzie however 2011 is the year, it is put up time. Has also been told to "go for it" being timid will not get you a long career in the AFL. So the long bomb was proberbly due to a more "go for it" attitude. I expect we will see a more agressive Jake in 2011. My message "don't die wondering Jake" Having said all the above I am concerned in the injurys he seems to sustain on a constant basis. Also not sure he is good enough! However the ball is firmly in his court now.

Spot on!

Hope you are right but he seems to go misssing for long periods in the games I have seen him play. Hope that is just a fitness thing. He needs to have an injury free 2011 and play a lot better than this year. Until then The jury is still out for me.

And he has gone to China that says something! What it says I am not sure But why take him if he is for the high jump!

I think Cheney wanted to leave as he did not see much chance of a regular gig at Melbourne. It freed up a spot ( and salary ) for melb and because he was contracted we did the right thing by him. I doubt we will use the draft pick don't believe we were too worried about which one we got. It does of course stop Hawthorn using it. Good Luck Kyle I though you were a honest goer who gave his best every game.

I would rather keep Hughes than McNamara!

Thats the risk but does any one think Mcnamara has much to offer! I have seen him a few times at Casey and thought he was an average VFL player.

Last year Meeson and Newton I seem to remember had 1 year contracts to run. We told them to nominate for the draft and if they were not picked up we would put them on the mature age rookie list.Which is what happened. If we want spots to use picks this could happen to any or all of the three you have listed. Not a bad idea with PJ as he would be available if we had a long term ruck injury. But the risk is another side can pick them in the draft. Probably not much of a risk with PJ. But why does everyone thing we want to use the fourth round pick! First three seems fine to me.

Thanks Rhino I forgot about the upgrades must have been too much red over the weekend! While I am not a big fan of PJ if we let him go and then Jamar gets injured we will be in the poo! There is also the matter of Cam Bruce Have you heard anything lately?

My understanding was you had to draft a min. of three players!

Thanks very much. I could not get the radio thing to work either.

I agree there are no guarantees with kids in the draft. We have a need next year the FD things Hale can deliver. Go for it fellas, When hale kicks three in a winning game first up will be forgotten.

God only knows. My guess would be to wherever he can get game time and his current salary. With so much BS at this time of the year it is almost impossible to know the truth. Agents say would will work best for them and their player. Media gives a guess. And we all have an opinion based on rumour. The facts will be out in the next few days.

All I am saying is North are in a strong position. The MFC wants him Guess who has the most leverage! North can set the conditions. Just because someone would like to move does not mean they won't tow the line and play well if it does not get done. Are you telling me that if Hale cannot leave north this year he will play like a dog next year and deflate his value to the point were no one wants him! Remember a couple of seasons back a Swans player ( cannot remember his name ) wanted to come back to Melbourne. The swans could not do a deal so he had to stay. Result same guy played in a Premiership.

There is another element to the Hale deal that we maybe forgetting. It is Hale that wants out. He is contracted for two more seasons so North can set the terms. If no one agrees he stays a North player till next year. Simple as that! So it is pretty much take it or leave it. The MFC does not have much leverage.