Dee-licious

Reported yesterday and still no deal on the table. Trades have closed for the night so we will have to speculate for another day. If Collingwood are the ones who are getting Howe, then 25 for Melksham does look like it will get done. Maybe we need to hold off to make sure we get Kennedy. I cannot remember when we've had such a long drawn out process for what we thought was an open and shut trade. Freaking Essondon - just take a 4th rounder and be done with it

The Ox has called Howe to Collingwood. Really dont know what we'd want from them. Kennedy and a third round still feels unders considering what might be on the table from North and the Suns.

Seems that Toump will be retained. There is not enough interest in him to get us something we think is even in return. Interesting to see if Toump wants a trade and then we have to do it.

Barrett believes that we are asking for something back for 25. So that is why it is taking a while. Dodorio expected it to be done today and we only have 150 minutes left

Deal hasnt been tabled yet. It needs to be officially lodged at AFL house. Now we could just be dragging our feet or maybe the Dons need to wait on St Kilda before they can finalise Melksham.

His manager on trade radio today: "Really good discussions with MFC" "I would be pretty confident that he finds a new home" "I would think Melbourne are in the best position" Compo - "probably 2nd or 3rd pick". Will not confirm that he will go to the MFC. He has confirmed he will back in Vic.

Brant* He's a Perth boy, used to be a key forward but has now moved to the midfield and gets a bit of the pill. He's had bone injuries (jaw, ankle) and now a knee so really hasnt been on the park (3 afl games). He seems more like a hand over the 4th round pick or steak knives sort of player. Assume he might get in on the Redden deal and see himself in Brisbane e.g. Eagles 2nd round and Colledge for Redden.

Josh Mahoney on SEN today: Trade Period - We are going to be involved in a couple of deals this trade period. The rumours - Some are close, some are made up. The coaching transfer - Goodwin will own more in 2016 (board meetings, media, game plan). Roos will coach on gameday Petracca - training at the moment and wants people to come back and train with him. He is pumped. Trade Targets Melksham - Essendon and Melbourne are on the same page and will get done at some stage. Seems like we are close to the mark with each other. Parker - He'd fit nicely but we never were thinking this was going to happen. We enquired but that seemed like due diligence rather than an actual offer. Bugg - He said he is not sure when the deal will be done. He will help us through the midfield and in defence. I wasn't sure if he was indicating that it wasn't going to get done or if it wasn't happening on day 1. The question was "Will Bugg be the first trade done on day 1". Sounds like if it does happen it wont be till late in the trade period. Bennell - Melbourne did their due diligence but we thought the risk and cost was not worth it for the Dees Our Players Dawes and Watts - all names get thrown up at trade time - a 'team' asked about them in a meeting (which is why it was leaked) but the club that asked hasn't followed up, so he assumes they both will be at the Dees in 2016. Only 1 club has enquired by the looks of it. Toump - looking at his options. We think he can be an AFL player, he is assessing his options. Seems like we are waiting on him more than anything. Howe - getting to the stage that the club and Howe need to make a decision. They (Howe and manager) know Melbourne's position, they are waiting on Howe to respond. The sticking issue is the gap in money (which we knew). It was a lightning interview, not much more than what we already knew. They mentioned Kennedy but wasn't really discussed.

I'd be thinking the same thing. Come into the middle and beat your man and still pick up 20+ touches. We still need a half back flank and I can see him and Salem rotating between wing and half back. In terms of cost, Bugg is out of contract and hasn't been offered a new one by GWS. Therefore, I think that our third round will get it done. Looks like we might end up with Bugg, Kennedy, and Melksham and still keep pick 6. It's not a big fish, but it's not a bad trade period (assuming that we have a Howe deal as well to go).

I'm finding it very odd with all the delistings going on in other clubs that we have been so tight lipped. I thought one of us would be in the know with some news. Nothing on Big Footy either. When did our club get so damn good at keeping secrets!

Watching today thinking - we'd be close to both sides today. At least our captain would have touched the ball...

What I love here is the citing of the bad record for Bris and Carlton. In comparison we have less wins in the past 3/4 years. So does that mean we can have one? What about GC - I'm sure they have won about as many as Carlton as well in that period. I know people were [censored] that we asked for one, but seriously - it is 1 year. We were there for 10!

Dont know if this has been reported but from afl.com - I'm not convinced I want to spend 6 on him now, especially considering that they want Howe. He is what we need though - no denying that. And the no [censored] policy went out the window and worked to the tune of 40 goals last year. My addition to this is that he has made it this long in the system. He clearly wants to play afl football or he wouldn't have lasted this long as we have seen with other players. GC / GWS must have been terrible environments to be in (not unlike the MFC). Maybe with the right support, and not being whipped from pillar to post each weekend - things might look up for Harley. One list manager says despite losing the whip hand, the Suns could still demand a late first-round pick. There is also a school of thought that clubs would trade a top-10 pick in exchange for Bennell and one of Gold Coast's later picks. It currently has an end-of-first-round compensation pick and one early in the second round.

Might get traction for a mid to late second round pick. Cannot imagine we'd be interested - but probably an upgrade on our bottom 5. If they want to give us Melksham, Kavanagh and a pick to take them both off their hands, I'll consider it. (In all seriousness, he can play football and if there was a suitable nothing trade e.g. if they were interested in Bail or Jamar(?) I wouldnt set demonland on fire).

And Jaeger is back in the media. Buying a house in St Kilda and wants to head to a big city to work on life post football. Articles says that he will probably see through his contract but then it will be on for young and old. While I am still a big fan of Curnow, first rounder this year + first rounder next year and Howe, for Jaeger and something else (maybe their second this year or next year?). If he is even an option we have to get up to our eyeballs in this. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/gold-coast-suns-facing-year-long-battle-to-re-sign-young-gun-jaeger-omeara/story-fnp04d70-1227520102719?from=herald%20sun_rss

It's been across the media that there have been offers of over 650k. I'm sure that the marketing dollars would probably be worth it. Agree with the earlier poster, lets just give that money to Hogan. What's more, if it is not enough lets give him more. Hell, i'm happy to change our name to the Jesse Hogan Football Club if he wants.

Just thought it was spot on. No controversy, nothing that you can disagree with. I'm in favour of keeping Watts and Grimes and thought you were going to give them a whacking, but I agree with what is said. Really well done.

Tell me you dont want that

Wow - that trade value plummeted fast. If McLure is correct and it's Dees or Dons, you'd think we'd be the front runners due to the Dons problems with WADA (still dont know why people go there....). 3rd round wont get it done. Second round will. Worth it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Possibly worth speaking to GC about Howe + 2nd rounder for Bennell + their 2 second rounders. Love to then use those on Plowman, Mayes, Redden etc.

Wow - very one sided so far. Thought there would be more love for Tommy Mac. Thinking that Dunn will poll well as he does do the 'team' thing, and he did chop out TMac on a few occasions. Gawn to do well in the second half, but should be Vince, Tommy, Viney, Jones, Cross, Hogan pretty clearly.

6 - Viney - I say this because he was the catalyst at the start of the game 5 - Vince - Just class 4 - Jones - Just grunt 3 - Hogan - Should have had 6 2 - Harmes - Really loved his game. 1 - Salem - we missed him. and hon mention to Dunn who gave the ump a good love tap on the behind.

Really could have been worse. There is something in the cupboard which is nice. Sad that 10 years on and we still need to get the games into the kids, but we want sustained success not overnight. So I guess keep the hope.

6 - Viney - 12 tackles, 6 clearances, tried all day 5 - Cross - I was tempted to have him further down but he runs and shows leadership. 4 - Grimes - went hard when he came on. 22 touches, 3 clearances, 5 tackles. We need him. 3 Dunn - Seemed injured but still had a huge impact on us not being beaten by 100 2 - Salem - So classy off half back 1 - Gawn - Maxy couldnt take on Sandi in the contests so took him on all over the park. Good game from the big man.

It is a statistical blip. It's recording handballs that go to players being tackled. Should be reading 0%

Grimes doesnt need to be the cleanest kicker. He is hard at it, he is getting the contested marks and he is trying. He's in out top 5 so far this match and he didnt play in quarter one. Salem is showing some class, wish we had him all year. Viney having a good game, Cross seems to be in positions to get the ball but cant say he's having an impact. Dunn's been good.