Hannabal

I love it

Nah, you're way off the mark. And you weren't unfair to Trengove, just wrong.

West Coast

Over their career to date McLean has been the better player. In 2009 Winderlich was the decidedly better player - faster and far more influential in games. I'd trade McLean in a heart beat for Callan Ward, a former pick 19. It's folly to look at previous pick 11's and make an assessment on whether a trade is justified or not. It gets back to who the club believes is likely to be available at a given pick and where they see a player's future given an ever evolving list. Jones is the best clearance player at the club and markedly improved his decision making and kicking in the second half of the year. And right now Moloney is about equal with McLean, but had a better year than McLean. Who has more value in the market out of Moloney and McLean ? McLean. Who's harder at the contest out of the two ? Moloney. Pick 11 for McLean ? Where do I sign. This is my preferred 2012 side as we speak: Bennell Warnock Garland Strauss Frawley Green Blease Moloney Morton Sylvia Watts Trengove Wonaeamiri Jurrah Bate Ruck Grimes Scully I/C Ruck Davey Maric Jones Naturally there'll be a few changes along the way. But I can't fit in a slow mid like McLean, especially when he's not overly clean or damaging. The reason we're currently last is that we had a club that wouldn't make the very decisions that some are advocating now.

What ? Scully would have been top 3 this year. Rich slid because recruiters knew that he struggled with hard tags, lacked pace and had poor endurance. Scully on the other hand has shown that by comparison he doesn't struggle in the same regard. Most people in footy would have known that Rich would have performed roughly at the level he has this year, it's his upside from here that raises doubts. He'll be a fine 200 game player, but Scully will have a better career than Rich. Rich had the benefit of other teams sitting on Black and Power, but in time they'll sit on him. I reckon he'll struggle. Scully would have also been ranked ahead of Hill and Hartlett. In Adelaide the football commentators say that Trengove's SANFL career shades Bryce Gibbs at the corresponding stage. Hartlett went at pick 4 and Trengove is better. Also, this draft may well be thin outside the top 8, or so, but it can only be judged 4-5 years down the track. I'll back our recruiters if they see value anywhere in the first dozen. McLean, McDonald, Jones, and Moloney are too similar. Obviously McDonald is only around for one more year, but I'd definately be trying to trade one of the other 3. It just makes sense, especially with Grimes, Scully and Sylvia playing more midfield next year. We have the worst midfield in the league, yet some supporters want to retain average one paced players.

Firstly, right now we have no 'stars', dafacat. Secondly, I'd happily trade McLean. There was mention in a paper recently that he was weighing up his future, so I'll not dismiss this 'rumour' as quickly as some. We don't have room for McLean, Moloney and Jones. McLean is never going to be a star. FFS, he's not as good as Luke Ball who's border line at the Saints. And I'm taking into account that he'll be better next year once he's over his troublesome ankle.

Sylvia

Certainly not from what I've seen so far 'Dude'.

Trengove had 9 kicks, 2 marks, 10 handballs, 3 tackles and 1 goal. Out of 21 players 6 had more possessions than him. He's doing very well.

It must have been an illusion, as Freak has stated previously he's not as fast as Naitanui. Than again, we didn't finish last and nor do we have picks 1 and 2.

Says someone that has no doubt never seen Morabito play. Morabito isn't a risk. At worst he will be a very very good AFL player and at best a star. I probably just lean to Trengove, but would be happy with either. As it's a toss of the coin for me I'd take the SA lad, as I believe there's slightly less 'go home' factor - despite Scott Thompson. Trengove has better foot skills whilst Morabito has explosive pace and power. Morabito is also very good with his hands at clearances. That said, I voted Scully and Morabito.

Clearly they believe that they'll be able to get enough work into him that he'll be able to make significant inroads next year. In other words, I too believe that he'll be physically capable of playing most games next year due to the work he'll get through the preseason. Dappa is a very 'half empty' type of guy, so I understand 'cautious' approach.

"The key is we'll have him for the whole pre-season and that'll help him play consistent footy next year". Sean Wellman on melbournefc.com.au

I'm with Brockstars on this. Burgoyne has been somewhat inconsistent, but he's far more talented and effective than he's being given credit for on here. He's inside and outside and has been very effective in run-with/shut down roles. He'd be in our best 3 players the day he walked in the door and I also agree that a fit Burgoyne would just about have us playing Finals next year. Momentum is a wonderful thing around a club. We should have beaten Richmond and Sydney, and tanked greatly against Carlton and North, not to mention the injuries we had late in the year. Outside the top 6 the competition is crud. The Bombers made the Finals on 10 wins. Why supporters bother to worry about a player's knees when we've medicos to do that is beyond me. If we want him it's because we're very confident in his body to play 80+ games of footy. I don't think we'll get him, but would love to pick him up. I do think that we're very useful to his camp strategically, but I also think he's showing us respect due to his cousin - Aaron Davey, past premiership teammate Josh Mahoney and perhaps a good association with Bailey. Why supporters don't embrace quality walking through the door is beyond me. But I'm not surprised.

If you haven't seen a player live ...

Dude, I'm like just leaning to the Tren, but think Mora is way worthy of like being on our list. And I like them both cos like I've seen them like live.

I watched the Championships at the Dome and that night I watched the replays on IQ. The amount you miss on the television and the different perspective you glean is extraordinary. You're welcome to disagree. If people haven't seen a player live I won't take the slightest interest in their view.

I see no risk with Morabito. He will be a gun. X factor does not mean risk or inconsistent, although for some reason people equate these characteristics. Also, if people haven't seen either player live I have zero interest in their opinion. Possibly less.

Would love Morabito. Will be a star. Like Trengove too. Toss a coin.

Rucci was interviewed by KB just before a 11am. Burgoyne has told family members that his preference is Hawthorn and even nominated the trade, i.e. Hawthorn's first round draft pick. The Burgoyne camp say his knee will be fine, but those in the know at Alberton Oval aren't so sure. I'll be not contemplating Burgoyne in a Dees jumper as it is exceedingly unlikely, imo.

He's running quite freely now, but hasn't started kicking the footy. He's improved his upper body slightly, but still very very light. But his game is running fast and delivering with skill. He's about to go in for a minor operation on his thumb.

Even journalists get Trengove's name wrong. Extraordinary.

I've been reliably informed today that Newton will be fulfilling his contractual obligations with the Dees next year.

That's not quite right. Nixon said that it was a very thin draft. Dermott Brereton then said "I heard that the first 8 picks are as good as any draft, but it drops away dramatically after that ?", to wit Nixon responded "Imo, it's only runs to about the top 5 before it falls away".

30 metres out they've still got to be kicked.