Undeeterred

The next time we'd need to deal with his old man would be when Cloke was 30, seeking a 1 year extension...

I read the thread tite and thought 'You have got to be shi^%&ing me'.

This.

Going after Cloke is an absolute no-brainer. Firstly, one of our biggest failings is getting through half forward. Can you imagine getting used to Jack Watts passing off half back, spotting up Cloke at CHF, who then wheels around and bangs it into Clark? Not to mention, can you imagine how berserk Clark will go against the SECOND best defender on each team? That thought actually frightens me. There aren't any star mids going around, so why not go after what is available? We can load up on guns mids in the draft, rather than via FA. Secondly, in terms of $$, we have heaps to spend. If anybody is worried about cap issues with our potential stars in a few years, I say let's cross that bridge when we get to it. You never know, at that point we might actually be in contention and they might be willing to cop a bit less. Cloke allows Howe to play in the midfield permanently and Watts would never need to play forward again. Garland and Rivers go back to where they belong. I'd take the known quantity of Cloke over the 'Cook will be a gun, just give him time' stuff any day of the week. Why are we even discussing this???

Think this is just about spot on. Maybe Bennell, not Bate, but that's about it.

Interesting. Of that list now that we are at risk of losing, I think only Jones, Blease, Cook, Stauss, Howe, Jurrah, Davis and Rivers are really key. It wouldn't be the end of the world if we lost any of the others...

When, hopefully, their value will be much higher... I don't think its a bad thing to lock away the core for 3 years.

We were an out and out rabble today. Even when we were well in it, in that first quarter, there were so many stupidly basic skill errors that cost us. It just kills us when we have a player on, and someone kicks it over their head, or into the man on the mark, or gives away a dumb free kick. It was just constant all day, and it is no wonder we don't score when we just BUTCHER all our opportunities. And I'm not usually one to complain about umpiring, but wow. That was probably the most ridiculously umpired game of football I have ever seen. They should have been wearing clown suits, not green t-shirts.

The OP makes an excellent point. We should probably trade him, along with Trengove.

This scenario is different because Trent West is a spud, whereas Clark looks and plays like Jesus with tats. Another of your scenarios that sucked was suggesting we trade Trengove. Although you did have the foresight to raise the question of whether that would wreck the culture of the club, which I am willing to admit was very perceptive.

1-2 weeks for TMac seems a bit light on...

Correct me if I am wrong, but if we trade away all our early picks for established players and get left with, say, a 3rd rounder as our first, we can take Viney with that, no?

McDonald or MacDonald? I suspect McDonald has to be a definite out. MacDonald had not a bad game, I thought, he would be stiff to get dropped.

This isn't the US where you can do plea deals, and judges don't just 'sign off' on anything. Sorry but that's just not how it works.

Never a dull moment, Biffen.

I think you'll fine I'm an ardent supporter of Morton's and I don't think I've said anything unnecessarily negative about Bate or Bartram. I was just pointing out that, in my opinion, a particular player isn't a very good shot for goal, which isn't all that useful if we are going to pick him as a key forward. I don't think that warrants being put in the same bucket as those who rag on all the forum's favourite whipping boys for no reason.

Tapscott is in the named team. Final four come from the 7 named on the bench. Seems that one of either Blease, Dunn or Bate is to be unlucky!

I agree with you - if I had to pick someone to hit the side of a barn for my life, I'd probably even take Chippa over Stef Martin...

That sounds like way bad news...

Indeed.

I highlighted it because it was ridiculous. I didn't suggest alternatives because I think it is really difficult to get a 'straight up' swap that works. I can't see one on our list that would be acceptable to Port, other than people we wouldn't give up. Constructive input: Martin - I don't think it matters what their ruck stocks are like, they aren't going to give up their best midfielder for our third string ruckman who currently can't get a game in front of Sellar (although post-injury form might change that). Rivers - potentially, but again, I don't think Port is going to give up their best mid straight up, even for one of our best and most versatile defenders. Blease - basically unproven, why would they accept that? Now, any of those with a good draft pick or picks might work. But not on their own.

Never. Ever.

Nah, I reckon that would be fine - no culture-wrecking considerations in that. Are you serious?

Actually, this list seems like the shortest its been all year. And apart from Clark and Jurrah (and maybe Bartram), I reckon it seems that our best 22 is now available and just need some game time in the legs.

Honestly? You are probably better off posting here if you want readership, but that's just my view...