deelusions from afar

Would have loved to pickup Witherden - looks like we could have (if he wanted to come to us) for late picks. But definitely happy with the Mahoney deals esp re Preuss and Brown

So (if we don't package our current draft picks for a higher pick) we could use 18, 19 and 28 pick a backup ruckman as a DFA and rookie someone else? Is that right?

Knightmare on bigfooty was asked about who might be the best fits for the dees at 18,19 and 28. He responded with:

Agree - I think we want a winger / good outside midfielder as a first priority. The fact that we didn't go after Phillips or Polec to me suggests we might have our eye on someone in the draft. Would also love to see us go after another pressure forward too.

Wow, there's so many permutations! Thought the Roos would be keen on Logan McDonald - but us Melbourne supporters understand the sense of splitting the value of early picks (as the gun players never used to be picked there!). Would be great to keep pick 19 and package 18 and 28. On points value (obviously this isn't the main measurement to go by) it is worth 1662 points (equivalent of pick 7). Given the Dons have picks 6, 7 and 8, I wonder if having nabbed their two players at 6 and 7 would be willing to trade pick 8 if it means they can get two more picks in the top 30? Maybe some later picks involved as well.

Part of me is surprised that we held onto all of Viney / Brayshaw / Harmes as much as I love them all. I think there would have to be a good chance that one of them or even Oliver or Petracca may seek midfield opportunities after next season if the midfield is similar which may get us back into the first round next year. But if it clicks and they all have good years then we probably don't need a first rounder next year anyway! Hell, if the bulldogs can fit that amount of talent into their midfield then surely we can find a way to make it work. Hopefully Yze can do it!

Just pick 65 - so essentially a salary dump! If we had space would have loved to get a winger... oh well.

Mahoney said they won't go for a backup ruck with Tmac staying on the list. Think trade for a player must be a chance as why did they do the deal with the lions otherwise?

Doesn't make sense to me - Collingwood push out Treloar and Phillips due to salary cap issues and take in TMac (and pick 18) and pay 500-600k for him the next 2 years? For us, it clears our salary cap... but that's only needed if we're bringing someone in. Not sure if Phillips is a big enough fish to justify it? Having said that, I think we need a winger badly - don't have faith that Baker is the answer so maybe this is the price?

While I was hoping we'd land some outside speed and class, I'm stoked to land BBB - especially when prior to the trade period I would have thought he would be worth at least a first round pick. I think having a proven goal kicker at the club will be enormous - great for the development of Weid and Jacko and will be good practice for our defenders who increasingly have to deal with forwards of around 200cm.

But couldn't we have gone 28 + 31 + 43? This equals 1661 or pick 7.

I'm confused. If 25 = 756 points, and pick 31 and 43 = 984 points, then if we're looking to trade with doggies, then we've gone backwards? Can someone please explain? Think I missed something.

This is an incredible result if true - Mahoney has done it again! In terms of going after pick 14, probably means the Roos are still in the box seat. They now have 26, 30, 33. We have 28 and 31. Might go down to what they need to use on Stephenson. And if Stephenson goes, then it might open the door for a swap of TMac and Phillips

I think North are probably wanting to do the same and have more to offer?

Can someone do a summary of where that leaves us with number of uncontracted players yet to sign v spots on the list for draftees? Pretty please :)

If this is accurate, Mahoney / Taylor have something up their sleeve with the picks we have

As others have said, North probably want to do the same thing hence we don't want to give them the ability to trump us.

It's a good point - I think it will show where our priorities are re the trade / draft period. Deanox in another thread pointed out that if we're after the Doggies pick 14 and North are also after it, then we don't want to trade two 2nd round picks to North to allow them to have a better offer to the dogs - so might require a third party. However, if we are wanting a salary dump from TMac to bring in a best 22 player (Phillips? Treloar even?) then we won't be phased about giving the picks to North if they take TMac's salary.

Would love this to be the case but I think: Syd - no cap space. Aliir went to have enough space to bring Hickey in to ruck. But they are short in defence unless McCartin goes back. GWS still have a bunch of forwards (and defenders) that would be ahead of Tom. Carlton - Curnow hurts... but is TMac going to get a game ahead of McKay, Casboult, McGovern? Pies - they may have a need but how could they possibly get rid of Treloar (Phillips, Cox, Stephenson etc) largely due to salary cap issues and then take on a large salary from an underperforming / injury riddled TMac. Doesn't make sense. Still think Ess / North are our best chance as they should have salary cap space and may want some senior heads around... but neither seem keen.

Heard him on the radio yesterday - they were talking him up for bulldogs fans - i.e. a pressure forward who has pace, skills, x-factor who can take a grab and kick a goal - I was thinking when you put it like that, why are we letting him go! Always liked Hannan but not against the trade - clearly our forwardline and midfield need a shakeup!

I reckon there might be a chance Sydney will be interested in TMac if he is able to play in defence as Aliir looks to be heading to Port? The main problem for us is that Sydney have big salary cap problems so we're not going to get much relief from them.

Thanks P. So is it a matter of the Dogs trading 14 for something that with their current picks can get them to 2400? I.e. if they trade 14 to us, we give them 26 (729), 31 (606), 43 (378), 68 (59) which along with picks 41 (412) and 54 (220) gets them to 2,404?

Think it's unlikely that we will hold onto and use the picks we've got (26, 31, 33, 43, 50) to draft kids. Surely we'll try to get back in to the first round or use it to bring in players to improve our best 22. But part of me would love to see what Jason Taylor and co could do if we did. Yes I know it's not possible due to list sizes and the draft is compromised... but this is the sort of year that some of the best players might not be picked until the 2nd / 3rd round. Out of interest, anyone know which small forward are rated highly in this draft. From memory, we went hard for Kozzie last year as there weren't many on our radar for next year. I know Maurice Rioli Jnr looks very exciting - but I imagine he's tied to richmond as a FS. Any others out there we might be interested in to help Kozzie?

Disagree. There's not many quality ruckmen around. We would keep him but he only plays when Gawn is injured which is a waste. The Giants will have plenty of picks after the cameron trade but won't be able o draft in a ready made ruck which is what they need.

Don't disagree with anything that has been said - but prior to the trade period I remember some saying having a few picks in the 20s/30s isn't such a terrible thing in a compromised year - there will be a few diamonds in the rough. Having said that, I think we are looking to trade up the order to get the player we want or use the picks to fill the positions that need to be filled (wing, small forward, backup ruck etc)