Hannibal

Exciting, isn't it ?

Happenstance.

Things can change quickly... You're now 30, 2 of your 3 favourite players are gone, and you were "really excited about the direction the club is heading". It headed for the kind of disaster rarely seen in sport. But who can blame you ? Most are optimists at heart.

There was no bullet to dodge.

If I was him and I had about 5 Vic clubs that wanted me, I'd not meet Melbourne either. Why meet the club if I have a preference for others and I'm fortunate enough to have a number of suitors ?

That may be hard given our present plight, but it also isn't necessary. Robert Walls loves telling a story about Craig Lambert. He told Lambert that they'd be taking him as they had first access to him. Lambert said I won't play for you. Brisbane took him anyway. Walls rang Lambert after the draft and Lambert told him to go and ... Lambert cooled down and decided he had no choice, but to go, as standing out of footy for 2 years wasn't much of an option. He stayed 18 years in Queensland. He stayed on as a coach after he retired and loves the club. You've just got to get players onto your list. If you become a good club the rest takes care of itself.

I'm not sure if this has been posted, but: "Carlton and Geelong are understood to be leading a four-club assault on reluctant Gold Coast midfielder Josh Caddy. Caddy, who last week told the Suns he wanted to return to Victoria to continue his career, did the rounds this week in Melbourne, speaking with four clubs after narrowing his options following huge interest from most clubs. It is believed he had previously declined an invitation to meet with Melbourne." It's going to be very difficult to get players to want to come to us without offering silly dollars.

I reckon he'd be pick one, but it still makes our pick 13 a "live" pick 12 on the basis of the remainder of the pool. At one point it looked like Essendon were going to finish in the 8 and he was going to be picked up at around 16. Them finishing outside of the 8 bumped our pick up by one. But I understand what you mean.

What do you mean by "I agree with the rest of your post though" ? I said King's assertion was "ridiculous".

I have to back the club on Caddy and whether they think he's worth pick 13. He's been underwhelming thus far, but he looked fantastic against Geelong. I think I read that straight after the season he was going in for a shoulder reconstruction, so I wonder how that impacted his game. David King calls him a "star", which is ridiculous, but at least I know that Melbourne recruiters should have a pretty good handle on him - far more than most of us. It's worth noting that our pick 13 is really a "live" pick 12, as Daniher will be going to Essendon for pick 10.

Yes he will. He'll have a "preferred" club and GC will want to be compensated adequately. I agree that there's no guarantee that he'll get to the club of his choice, but in the early stages both he and GC will try and make it happen.

If I was Caddy the last club I'd choose would be Melbourne. Also, he's had a bloody average year, which was confirmed by his 17th placing in their B&F, despite being one of only three players to play every game. At this time of year every opposition player seems to be a "star" for success starved Melbourne supporters.

I've seen him play one ripper game against Geelong and plenty of ordinary games. He was terrible against us at the G. But as I said elsewhere, I accept he played injured for much of the year and also had little support, as Rischitelli, Prestia, and Swallow for various reasons didn't have the expected output. Do I salivate at the prospect of getting him ? No. Would I be happy to get him ? Yes.

Caddy was one of only 3 players to play all 22 games this year for the Suns yet finished 17th in their B&F last night. Khunt finished 12th.

I see Caddy has the staggering total of 3 possessions to half-time. He virtually never gets any of the ball.

I'm open minded, but he looked terrible yesterday. Other than the Geelong game he's pretty well done nothing all year. He's played every game and averaged 15 disposals, but more to the point he's fumbled a lot and turned it over with poor disposals and decisions. Right now I'd rather keep pick 13. One of Garlett, Kennedy, Menzel, or Stringer should be around at that pick and from what I've seen I'd prefer all four.

I believe the author is incorrect. Compensation picks can be traded, but must be used by the club they're traded to in the year they're activated.

You're not sure of my point ? I just wanted to bring some perspective. Firstly, in my view Trengove is harshly treated by some, not withstanding an admittedly poor year, while another player is being touted as being preferable to Boak. But when you look at the facts Caddy's year is inferior to Trengove's. As another poster pointed out Caddy has done very little to date and the fanfare outweighs his output. But that's what happens at this time of year. Players that have done next to nothing get overrated by opposition supporters. Having said that, I like what I see when I watch him play for the reasons you mention.

I know why you want him. Did you know that Caddy's 2012 wasn't as good as Trengove's shocking 2012 ?

That sounds like a description of Trengove. Trengove is unquestionably having a poor year, but did you know that his worst year, this year, shades Caddy's ? http://www.finalsiren.com/PlayerCompare.asp?SeasonID=2012&PlayerName1=&PlayerName2=Jack+Trengove&ExactMatch2=true&PlayerName3=&PlayerName4=&Compare=Add+to+Comparison&SelectedPlayers=2189%2C I like Caddy too, but I do think we become a little too intoxicated with opposition players at this time of year. In a bad year Trengove is averaging more disposals, more mark and more tackles. Trengove's first two years absolutely cream Caddy's 2012. I have no doubt that we'll see a very different Trengove next year. Anyway, I quite like Caddy, but I wouldn't know what he's worth and I'm not desperate for him.

Who are you ?

I have a bad habit of quickly skimming most posts. It's rare that I read one in depth. It's all I can put it down to.

I can honestly say I've never given it a nano seconds thought. Do you often reflect on how you're perceived by others ? Even anonymous internet nuffies ? But I do note that you're quoting yourself in the third person in your last paragraph. Oh dear.

The supporters' views on Morton can justifiably be a story in itself. There are more journalists covering AFL than politics, so it's reasonable for journalists to look at all angles. He's packaged it up, which makes sense to me.

Big deal. You are so precious.