rjay

We couldn't go on the way we were and an easy transition would in the end have been no transition, if you don't get rid of all the weeds they soon come back. The club needed a rocket and that's what it's getting.

I think Taggert is a similar type player and I like the look of him more, Trengove and Grimes are others. If we get Wines we have another. Need to look at some good outside running ball getters, MacRae, Haynes, Garlett, Kennedy would be a better bet.

Rounds has been delisted.

It's not official at all unless Melbourne come out and state it. This rubbish is ruining my breakfast.

Surely not true, please....

I agree with you on a lot of this. I think we will always have some grey areas but things like incorrect disposal where a player drops the ball or if the ball is dropped in the tackle should be a free kick against. In rugby league it is all about what they call ball protection and unless an opponent deliberately strips the ball it's called a knock on and effectively goes to the tackling team. For our game the basic idea would be that if the ball falls free in the tackle or bump without the tackler forcing it free by getting a hand in (stripping) then it's a free kick for incorrect disposal. The player with the ball would have to protect the ball or dispose of it in the correct manner. No prior opportunity would still exist so if he hasn't had a chance to dispose of it he holds it and doesn't just shuffle it off as happens now.

I think the threat of injury will mean the coach would always keep at least one interchange up his sleeve each quarter (I think it should be capped each quarter and not the match) in turn that would make for even less rotations. Your 10 mins idea has some merit.

I would do away with the sub and go back to 4 interchange but cap the rotations as they should have done it in the first place. The trouble with using subs is the full effect that they are trying to achieve (getting rid of the packs, mauls etc) doesn't happen until into the last quarter. Capping the interchange will make it harder from the first quarter and make for a better game.

Spot on with the Geelong stuff 'Ben', saved me from writing this one up. By the way your idea on the pick 13 / 17 thing is worth some thought.

The problem they had with Dawes is that he had no idea of how to ruck.

I will re phrase the questiion. Why is it a fairer trade for us to add another player to the mix? It may be a good trade for them but certainly not for us in my opinion. No to a first round pick for either and or both these players.

For who?

Morton the odd one out, I would take any of the others ahead of Wellingham and or Dawes.

Pick 13 is way overs 'cowboy', the guy is being pushed out of the Collingwood team for next year. 2nd round would be max and even that's pushing it.

Mine too, won't happen.

'Ben' we can only hope it's a rumour to deflect some other play. No one in their right mind would do a deal like this, and no one in their right mind would even swap a first round pick for Dawes.

I wouldn't take much notice of what Hutchy has to say about the game of football. He was the one that had GC making the 8 this year and us top 4 last year, not a great judge of the game is our Hutchy. The politics of the game and stirring up a bit of trouble is more his go.

I think we are heading in the right direction going by what Neeld is saying and his comments re chasing Cloke reinforce that to me. The only problem I have with Dawes is paying too much and I don't think we will get drawn into that. Collingwood are talking up the trade for Dawes but at the moment they have him behind Jackson Paine who they picked up at 50 in last years draft. Neeld and Brown will know his upside if there is any, the price to me would be a third round, maybe late 2nd round pick or like player if they feel he can add value to the club.

I think the result is the answer, it has been a failure. The intent was nothing of the sort and there was no due diligence shown by the club at the time. There was only hope that the star would be the answer to all our problems, he wasn't, he was window dressing. When we picked up Templeton the due diligence should have picked up that he was carrying injuries that would not allow him to perform at the highest level any longer, Moore played good football for us, Tillbrook was a waste and Big Carl gave us a bit. I don't agree that drafting over the last 10 years has been our sole demise but it certainly has been a big one and I think the club have moved on from the idea of picking up the big fish solving all our problems. Not pursuing Cloke is evidence of this. So I guess we disagree on how we got here but here we are and I agree with you that things are changing and we will hopefully be the successful club we all want. As you say at least we can have a club smell like a club again.

Not really, Moore has said he regrets the move from Collingwood. If Melbourne was a stronger club he would not be too concerned with regret, he would have embraced the club. Unfortunately we were going nowhere at the time and apart from some brief periods haven't been remotely successful over the past 40 plus years. Chasing success by going after the Peter Moore's (Templeton, Diamond Jim, Big Carl etc.) of the world is a symptom of what has been wrong with the club.

Get your point about him being skilled and a target but not so sure about us desperately needing to fill the half back role. I guess it depends where Watts, Grimes, Strauss and Blease fit. We do desperately need quality mids though.

Hey Ben, you've sold me on Hogan but if we have to take Viney at 3 I think we can't afford to take him. Monday it is...

No he wasn't but the attitude around the club and the reason for getting him was. The need for a messiah was placed ahead of the need for team. He regrets ever leaving Collingwood for Melbourne and that is an indictment of the culture around the club at the time It's a culture that's been around for over 40 years now and I'm pretty sure we all hope it's finally starting to make way for something better.

He did but the club went nowhere.

He won't get through, even if GC and GWS don't bite the Doggies will. Carlton and Mick would be laughing if he got to their pick. A deal must be done.