Hannabal

1) Stephen Wells 2) Let's hope so.

"That really helps us now doesent it." Well yes, it does. Obviously. CAC's first year of recruiting was 1997, so nice of you to blame him for 1996. Anyway pal, it's been done to death. Search cyber space for dozens of other threads and posts regurgitating the same discussion. As I said, he's batting at about 50%. And I can tell you from the previous dozens of discussions it's at the better end of the scale. But by all means keep going. Knock yourself out.

I'm not sure if you're familiar with my postings, but you and I are kindred brothers. CAC is now no doubt a better recruiter than 5 years ago. You can't buy experience. I've much respect for him and he's highly regarded within the industry. He too would acknowledge there's been mistakes along the way, however, he's batting at about 50%, which ranks pretty much at the top end of recruiters. He doesn't have the 'star' that some of us have craved for so long, and he needs one on his CV. But he knows that. And anyone that thinks a team doesn't need a star doesn't understand footy. I know that teams can get up and pinch a flag without one, but stars usually ensure a flag, as well as sustained success. We haven't had a star since 1987. Why do clubs cherish early draft picks ? Why are clubs loathe to trade them ? I'll tell you why. They're hoping to get a Judd, Pavlich, Riewoldt, Franklin. They want a star. And yes, an early pick doesn't guarantee one. Why do so many supporters trot out the platitude "a good team is more important than stars" ? It goes without saying you can't rely on just a star. Just because I crave a star doesn't mean I want him surrounded by hacks. The level of comprehension on forums is sometimes staggering. I'd love someone to make me want to go to the footy. I love my team and club, but I'd really like a flag and I'd really like to have a Buddy Franklin drag me through the gate. I could name 20 stars of the last 20 years and none have worn red and blue. How do you think Hawks supporters feel driving to a game ? How do you think they feel about next year ? They're already excited about Franklin for 2008. It's been so long we forget what it feels like to have a star to watch each week. I've also been moaning on forums for 4 years that the MFC doesn't adequately develop it's players. Who actually gets better ? Who goes to the next level ? Thankfully, the club has finally recognised this and it's one of the reasons for the change of coach. And it's particularly pointed that we've hired a developing, or teaching coach. We also haven't turned our list over nearly enough in the last 5 years. Too many players stay for 1, 2, or even 3 years too long. Read, Lamb, Smith, Godfrey, Ward, Jamar, Nicholson, Warnock, I could go on. CAC has been hamstrung by not having enough picks in too many drafts. Even in last year's 'super draft' we should have had more picks. Football clubs only exist to win premierships. They should make all football decisions with this in mind. I've much faith in the new coaching team and am sure CAC will be well supported in his astute choices. He already looks good, but I'm sure he'd like a coaching structure that makes him look even better.

The "Brownlow rumours" I suspect are just the industry rumours, which have had him at Collingwood for a week. C#$@! were his initial preference, hence the rumours.

11 posts and no answer to the question. Did anyone hear the interview ? (if there was one)

Her whole premise is based upon "I can't see Colligwood letting him go to another club" and Dwayne's "what Eddie wants he gets". They have no basis of fact. Their arguments are tenuous at best. Although she did say it's Collingwood with the Dees as the smokey. And later on "Melbourne are the red herring". Also "How did Stride Management not agree to interview Dean Bailey after his phone call?" This was in reference to the Essendon coaching job.

Thanks Geddy, I'm humbled. 3. Fan 2. Scoop 1. Old 55 And have had rip rawing arguments with them all. :D

You've gone from not wanting him, to wanting him, to get him "what ever it takes" on the back of an umpires award.

Geddy, there's no doubt that Collingwood were his initial preference. I too believe this to be so. Much depends on when these relatives were informed. I think we've closed the gap.

KB and then Fatprick Smith were all over Judd to Collingwood after 9am. No mention of Footy Classified, or The Morning G Boys and their statements re the Dees. Some in the media just can't bring themselves to believe Judd will end up at Melbourne. And until we're nominated I think many will continue to dismiss our claims. Some were so vehement about our unlikely chances when the news first broke that we were one of the four clubs conducting interviews, including Dwayne Russell, that they won't alter their stance unless forced to by overwhelming evidence. I hope they end up with much egg on their faces and fragile egos.

The biggest concern is if he ends up nominating them as the only club he's interested in. If he goes down this path he'll have to stick to his guns and usually some sort of trade is manufactured. That said, I have a feeling he won't. First and foremost he wanted to come back to Melbourne for family reasons, and he knows the problems that will arise if he chooses Collingwood. He may want to go there, but if we've allayed some of the concerns he may have had about the MFC, and indeed was as impressed with our presentation and coach as we're led to believe then we remain right in the hunt. In some ways Judd would look silly if he comes out and says it's only the Pies. Why waste everyone's time ? He's painted himself into a bit of a corner. My take on this whole excersize is that Collingwood were his preferred destination but Carlton were the most likely. We were on his interview list mainly due to his managers relations with our club and in particular CAC, but we were considered an outside chance. Our best hope was always the presentation and time. Time to have him think about where he really wanted to be domiciled and where he wanted to play his footy, ie the G. We needed to be a credible alternative. As time has gone on we've firmed markedly. But things could still change. No disrespect to Neale Daniher, but I've no doubt that had he still been coach we wouldn't be in with any hope of getting him. Bailey is the key.

Collingwood are still the worry. We're far from home and hosed.

Wouldn't get it done.

It was stated that Judd found the presentation "overwhelming" and Dean Bailey "incredibly impressive". "Melbourne are in this up to their necks". The dream is still alive.

The two grand finalists didn't. When has that last happened ?

It's not hack journalism, it's an honest initial assessment from Judd's management. They haven't a closed mind, but there's been a definite "if we can get to Collingwood" mentality. But they also knew it would be hard. I've always thought we'd firm the longer it went and after our interview. Right now I reckon we're a decent shot. But that's only gut feel. You have to understand that Paul Connors gives inklings to reporters. He won't close the book, and even Judd probably doesn't definitively know as we speak, but they do give clues to the media. It's how it works. The reason that nothing has broken over the last few days is that it's close. A decision hasn't been made. Rest assured, as soon as there's a favoured club, or clubs, it will be news. That's the nature of the business. They'll be told.

' I wouldn't argue strongly against what you say, but to get Judd no one is untouchable for me. Not many would agree with me, and I completely understand. I don't want to sell the farm, but pick 4 and 'anyone' will do me.

And yet he's quicker than Bruce. Pace won't hinder his career. He just won't be Judd.

I'm constantly bemused why Melbourne supporters think VFL quality players are tradeable. We 'might' get lucky, but they're either keepers for depth, or delist material imo. I'd send them packing, but we can only turn the list over so much. Unfortunately. They also want to give nothing to get something. To get Judd I'd trade any person on our list with pick 4 save McLean (and Neitz - due to age/lack of interest/icon/morale, bleeding obvious/stating it for the knobs on here/etc). And even then if it was going to get the deal done I'd probably do it.

It's because they're in a prelim smart guy. Only reason.

30%

I think you're on the money. Lyon isn't the type to hang around a club after he's left but he loves the Dees. There does seem a spring in his step when he now talks about the Dees.

Geez, you've changed your tune !

It would appear that there are 3 genuine chances: Carlton, Collingwood, and Melbourne. The media don't give us a chance, in particular Dwayne Russell who's been cacking himself all night over his own jokes about the state of the Junction Oval. Apparently we're not a big enough franchise to land him and nowhere near a premiership. We don't even have enough hooks on our change room wall. Tonight Wayne Carey's info was that we're in the pecking order but third on his wishlist. While there's hope there's hope, I suppose. Any footballer would be attracted to the Lexus Centre, but how are they going to land him ? They won't give up Pendlebury or Thomas, and Didak and a teen pick won't be enough. I can understand it, but I can't see it. How can Collingwood land two top 10 picks ? The facilities at Carlton aren't great either, at least for the next 2 years, so they're in a similar position to us. And they don't play at the G, as Steve Harris alluded to. They'll fight tooth and nail, offer him the world, and may well get him, however he'll want to live in the Bayside area. He's from Hampton and isn't coming home to live anywhere other than Bayside, imo. It's a long drive from Bayside to PP, and there's no easy way. It's only a 1 percenter, but enough of them can make the difference. Right now, we're probably an outside chance. Our best bet is time and an interview. He won't meet all clubs, but I suspect he'll meet Melbourne. We need to be very impressive and convincing. If Collingwood can't get it done, he may go cold on the Blues the more and more he thinks of the Dome, the travel to PP, the list, etc. Timing is everything. We don't need to be ahead now, but we do need to be on the shopping list. I think we are.

So Melbourne getting Wells is more 'realistic' than Melbourne getting Judd ? Hmmm I'll let CAC know.