Young Blood

So no pressure 👹 I agree re the scoring, I reckon he'll kick even more next year. Without Trac playing the similar role of starting in the middle and drifting forward, I think we'll see that more and more with Kozz. We should be playing through him more as well without the other two ball dominant mids. Hoping he keeps building his fitness and has a good pre-season because he can continue to go up another gear next season.

I understand the hype around Doverton but could still just be too much of a reach. Absolutely understand the need for another small forward especially of Kozzy keeps spending more and more time in the midfield. I like Lindsay too and losing Judd it makes a lot of sense. I still think if there's a mid that Taylor likes (because he picks them well) we should take one with 7 or 8. We have to keep building our young midfield stocks because we're pretty thin there. Riv and Langford look like potential A graders but not so sure about X and Windsor yet.

We might have an outside chance at getting one of Grjl, Sharp or Taylor. But its more likely we're going to be choosing from the next batch: Lindsay, Cumming, Marsh, Phillipou, Schubert, Farrow. Have had a look at the rankings and mock drafts that are about and this seems a likely order at this stage 1. WC – Duursma 2. GC – Uwland 3. WC – Duff-Tyler 4. GC – Patterson 5. BRIS – Annable 6. RICH – Robey 7. CARL – Dean 8. RICH – Grjl 9. ESS - Sharp* 10. ESS – Taylor* 11. MEL - 12. MEL - As I say would love if one of Robey, Grjl, Sharp or Taylor drop to us but I think its unlikely at this stage.

By valuing the drafts and signing younger players, this team is in a far better spot than we could well have been in if we went down a different path (like the Collingwoods, Carltons etc.) We're starting to build a really good young core of players. This is our path to the next premiership. I know it probably should be under 25's but I've been a bit cheeky here and made it a list of under 26's to include Petty and a few others. Don't @ me about certain players who you think are clearly not going to make it in your opinion. This is simply to highlight that we have a list of youth with potential. OUR UNDER-26 TEAM B: Adams Petty AMW HB: Bowey Turner Howes C: Lindsay Kozz Windsor HF: Culley JVR Sparrow FF: Luker Jeffo Chandler Foll: Langford, Rivers, Moose Int: CJ, Tholstrup, White, Laurie Depth: Johnson, Henderson, Sharp, Mentha, PLUS add in this year's picks (and potentially next years) this team could really build into something over the next 5-6 years.

This sucks. I hate this. I won't be coming back to this thread once the deal goes through ✌

https://7plus.com.au/unfiltered?episode-id=UNFI25-014&autoplay=true

Sorry to be a pain Jaded but where did he say this? I'm sure you're right but I just don't remember hearing it. In todays interview when asked if he would potentially still buy into the early parts of this years draft he answered: "you never know, if the right opportunities there for the right player, we will certainly look into it" Lamb.

What about when McDonald and May move on at the end of 2026? Can we rely on Lever's health who will be 30 at the start of the season? If he's available, interested in coming to Melb and we had a current or future second round pick I'd try to float it their way to get an athletic 194cm defender who made big improvements this year to break into and perform in a side that was stacked with tall backs. Why not... A future core backline of talls in Petty, Turner, Aleer and Adams looks pretty good to me.

I think so too. On some footy show clip I just watched it was posed to Jimmy Bartel if he was GC would he take Trac and Melbournes future first for Humphrey. He answered yes, especially because of the future first. I would hope it might look more like Trac and pick 24 for Humphrey

Where was it mentioned by Lamb or anyone else that we "want a player" in the deal? I do feel like I remember Lamb saying this somewhere earlier maybe last week? But since then when asked all he's said is a trade that "turns our heads" and won't go into details of what that would look like.

Jokes aside, looking like we'll get pick 34, 36 (GWS) or 38 (Pies)? Would love if one of those paid a little more of his salary then reported but we've lost any chance of that happening now.

Agreed I'm pretty stoked with this. Will be a handy pick to make other deals.

Sending love and thoughts to all DL and Melbourne supporters. These days are so so tough to deal with.

Love your optimism, and as I say, I'm praying that your feelings/speculation come to fruition.

I will be praying along with you re Humphrey! But whats stopping GC with Humphrey from doing exactly what we're doing with Trac, regardless of whether he wants to move back to Victoria or not. He's a contracted player and his value is unfortunately far higher than Trac's at the moment. I'm sure they're fine holding him for 3 more years with him contributing in finals and maybe even changing his mind as players do to sign on. Yes GC would have made some sort of gaurentees that they felt they can provide the deal to get the trade done. But like I said that value would have been based off previous stars being traded for multiple first round picks.

GC wouldn't look horrible to market at all. Trac and/or his management has approached them saying he wants to go there. Doesn't sound like they were hunting him as such. They have a pretty elite midfield as is and tracking along nicely with a future Trac like game breaking player in Humphrey. Adding Trac to that mix would be a cherry on top and take them up a level of course. But it makes complete sense for them to hold firm and stick with what will likely be two first rounders and maybe one or two futures in the trade. Otherwise they simply hold onto their picks and their cap space and try again next year for another star like Butters or Trac again. I don't understand this idea that we deserve more for our star than previous deals in the past for other stars in their prime without questions marks. Why is this any different? When was the last time a player of this calibre was involved in a trade where the club got a star or potential future star in return? Judd/Kennedy trade? Thats a genuine question I'd love someone with better memory to find some other recent examples. Unfortunately, Trac has nominated GC and that means he is headed there and it would be extremely unlikely a deal doesn't get done. Because they pretty much always do and its so dumb how AFL trading works in that way.

Not sure why people are so irked by this. Its a typical media move to get clicks and comments (its working too). Given the information he's probably right and worth a stab for some media attention/clout. At the very least a throw away post. Anyway given the circumstances I agree with him. Question: When was the last time a player requested a trade to a club (not for family reasons) but just of want to play for another club and the trade fell through? Get ready for those draft picks folks.

Agreed. But it sounds like GC weren't chasing Trac and that they would have been approached by his management. They already have an elite midfield. Obviously essentially bringing in Trac for Flanders would be an upgrade and give them a boost but if he doesn't end up there I don't think they will be hugely fussed and can go after another star wanting out of Melb. If GC can get Trac for two first rounders (the going rate) they do it. If not they simply say 'oh well, we'll keep our cap space, hold onto our high picks and you keep your unhappy star on huge $$$'. Get ready for a bunch of draft picks both present and future folks!

Lazily copy and pasting my post from Humphrey thread: Its all well and good for MFC to demand a great player (or one with high potential) in the deal but how many deals involving a star player have looked like that in the recent past? I'm aware of steak knife players being thrown in with picks to trade for star players. But generally, its always just a group of picks like we've seen for players like Cameron and Danger for eg I imagine once GC get the pick from Saints they will group that with other picks for Trac. That will be the offer as it has been for other A grade players in recent history. If we're not willing to do that trade then I can see GC using that offer to go after Curnow or someone else and simply send Trac back our way.

I don't think GC think that at all. Its all well and good for MFC to demand a great player (or one with high potential) in the deal but how many deals involving a star player have looked like that in the recent past? I'm aware of steak knife players being thrown in with picks to trade for star players. But generally, its always just a group of picks like we've seen for players like Cameron and Danger for eg I imagine once GC get the pick from Saints they will group that with other picks for Trac. That will be the offer as it has been for other A grade players in recent history. If we're not willing to do that trade then I can see GC using that offer to go after Curnow or someone else and simply send Trac back our way.

"Superstars," he said.

We need to put this one to rest. I reckon its simply a case where Bailey was in Melb already visisting family and had a few meetings to understand his worth and what a role at another club would look like. I'd say he will be taking this back to GC for some leverage knowing they won't be trading him any time soon. He's 21 with a huge ceiling as one of their core players. You don't trade these guys unless they absolutely demand out and thats not what is happening here.

Issue is there's so many 'if's'. If they're pitching to both Humphrey and Flanders full midfield roles at the Dees thats only with the condition that one or both Trac and Clayton are gone. The other clubs have the clarity to say 'if you want to come here, this is the role we have for you' We on the other hand are currently pitching 'if you want to come here, depending on other player movements, there may be a full time midfield role for you'. I feel the lack of uncertainty is going to hurt us big time.

Don't think Trac would give two f's what clubs or supporters think he's worth in the trade market. He'll be getting millions regardless.

Amen. For all of those burning their no.5 guernseys and completely writing him off, this needs to be taken into perspective. I'm frustrated with the situation but if there's not a good deal and Trac walks back in next year, it can all turn very quickly. Not sure all supporters will be welcoming him back (as evident here) but I certainly will, some players might have a gripe with it but most won't care and be grateful to one of their best players back.