PaulRB

Saints are in damage control, as they lead their fans to believe Petracca was the No#1 and then changed their minds...

Assuming we get Christian Petracca, is it a good trade for Chip Frawley?

The problem with standardised testing is that it identifies standard qualities but rarely the exceptional and unique attributes that might make a champion. Would Robbie Flower have been identified as a champion? Or Jim Stynes? Or Ablett Snr? How do you test a young man for their burning need to succeed and prove themselves? We're playing in areas of consciousness that is revealed by wise and experienced heads following their intuition, rather than a bunch of statisticians with testing devices trying to come up with the magic formulae. Petracca appears to have the natural talent plus hunger and aggression to do very well. Fingers crossed.

Its new and scary when something good happens to the MFC... Like, what's the catch?

watch his highlights on http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-machine as he hits many targets lace out, long and low or well weighted...

The Challenge the Saints have is they will be competing for the services of any power forward with several other Melbourne clubs (i.e. Carlton, Richmond, etc...) and are not guaranteed in getting their man, recruiting McCartin removes the risk. Also, I don't agree that mids are a dime a dozen, what we're hoping for with Petracca is a elite mid, and they are as rare as hens teeth...

Watched his highlights again today and his in close pack work is sublime plus he has grunt, burst and can mark. If the Saints pass, happy times.

McCartin's size and skills indicate he's a very capable forward, it all depends on how quickly he can build his engine and remain free of injury over the preseason. I'd have no problem him starting Rd 1 in the forward pocket along side MAxy with Hogan out at CHF... if he comes on over preseason.

I like the idea that we play it straight with using picks 2 and 3 on Petracca and Brayshaw... and scare GWS off from Christian. Or force GWS to deal with us rather than the Saints to get access to Petracca with pick 2... And hope like hell they are the real deal and we can develop them into the champs we need.

Pre-election BS, pollies handing out cash to buy votes. interesting mention of a new sponsor, any idea who it is?

2 & 3 is overs for Danger, exceeds the compo AFC will get in 2015 (pick 8 say) or what every other club could offer. So 3 + player for Danger and pick 2 for Petracca. BANG we're back!

Petracca, Dangerfield and Hogan debut for the MFC Round 1 2015, and we are REBORN!!!

Is it just me but the prospect of us drafting Petracca as well as Dangerfield (I know long shot etc...) has me salivating at our prospect for 2015 and beyond. Two top grade bulls in the centre... Yes Please

I'd have thought that GC would be into him, good quality experienced finals player... They're ready to start topping up for a tilt over the next 2-4 yrs.

If Mitch and Frawley go we shall be looking at picks 2,3,4 based on the salary and value of both players... The AFL can call it a Priority pick or compo for Clark, but... anything less would be a travesty. And with those picks, and Roos, we are looking at a better draft than last year that netted us 3 top 5 players.

I think Roos is being tempered and even downplaying the value we've got from the Tyson/Salem for Kelly deal (plus other bits), so as to enable us to negotiate another deal at the end of this year. If GWS reckon they were stiffed they will resist dealing with us again... so best be quiet about it.

I think Jack is the type of player who will rise with the tide (so to speak), as in when Melbourne are up and running he'll be a better player. The intro of Hogan and Clarke next year will lift the intensity of the forward line ( and provide JW with clear targets), the intro of a couple of seasoned mids will lift the intensity in the middle (where JW should play, i.e. on wing). Jack knows he has no more excuses and a rare opportunity to recast his reputation as a quality player under a well respected new coach in Roos... Everything is in place for him to succeed and finally have some of those career defining and game winning moments we all know he is capable of.

Is it coincidence the week we play Fremantle a rumour circulates that Fremantle in interested in Melbourne's Jack Watts? The most plausible reasons include: Melb thought Jack could do with a reminder that unless he lifts his game (and extends his contract) he might find himself at a new club next year of Melbourne's choice, and one potentially 3440.8 km away from his family and friends. Freo marketing thought it might get more Freo fans turning out for an otherwise lack luster Sunday late arvo game... Jack let slip that he'd always fancied moving to Perth's version of Geelong.

Agree, my biggest worry about JW is that he's still waiting for others to lift and lead the team into better times. Those players you mentioned seem to be taking public responsibility for turning it around. At the same time JW publicly laments our lack of selwood, hodge type players... makes me think he's painting himself to be a fringe player... Which we'd all hoped he'd be more than.

Every Auction needs a couple of bidders to up the price. We can say to GC and the other Vic clubs we'd take Caddy for Pick 13 (if GC play ball on JV). This would mean for Caddy to go elsewhere that the club would need to offer GC batter than Pick 13. GC get a good deal for a so so player.

I'd pass on Caddy for the sole reason that he wanted to go ONLY to the Dons last year and made too big a fuss about it all for a player with few credits in the AFL player bank... Over valued and we'd be likely to pay too much if we tried to out muscle other clubs ... for a so-so midfielder whose value has diminished since he was drafted, i.e Drafted at pick 7 & now struggling to justify pick 13.

Hold on. Gold Coast get Tippet for pick 13 and a second rounder, and we get Caddy for pick 13 (and some change). I'd prefer GC's deal for Tippet.

To use a PK line, Caddy is "all tip and no iceberg".

Caddy hits me as a young player who has done little more than others of his year, but generated enough headlines that he is known to all and thus assumed to be better than he is. Bit like our Tom.

He may be OOC but not a FA so he goes where GC trade him to.