ignition.

I hope this thread doesn't go down the path of crucifying Frawley and constantly pointing outs his flaws. As we know journalists read this forum and the last thing I would want to see is journos pumping out articles asking is he really worth it off the back of a few peoples posts - and potentially reducing any compensation if he is to leave. We have been arguing the same points for months, as I've said many times if he stays great! we need his maturity (no premiership side is made of kids) but if he leaves I am just as happy if we are well compensated and the club uses it wisely (not taking it to the draft).

I'm just waiting for "Grand New Flag" to sign on and fill us in. Love reading his posts as he's always accurate and never far off the mark.

ALSO a BIG THANK YOU to the Demons supporter looking through eBay and contacting the club over the matter. I hope you are a Demonland member and read this post.

GREAT NEWS, however prior to hearing it I wasn't aware it was stolen. From the rough hear say I was told this morning it appears other things were stolen from roughly the same time. Does anyone know of what is currently missing and roughly what year or era these were lost/ stolen? I would also love to see a photo of the original add from a curiosity perspective.

Watts is progressing and slowly getting better each month. I am just pleased to see him have a quarter like that, it shows he is more than capable. He's only 23 years old, give him another year or two and we will be seeing that on a far more consistent basis - I have no doubt.

Another excellent game from Biggs on the weekend. He and O'Keefe would have been 2 of 3 three best on ground. Round 15 stats: Biggs: 1 goal 1 behind, 34 disposals, 31 kicks, 3 handballs, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 0 HO, 1 FF, 1FA, 6 I50, 6 R50. O'Keefe: 1 goal 3 behinds, 32 disposals, 20 kicks, 12 handballs, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 0 HO, 2 FF, 0 FA, 3 I50, 1 R50. T.Mitchell did not play.

Thanks guys I appreciate it.

Let's hope

PRELUDE: As many of you know I have been a strong advocate of Sydney's Tom Mitchell, I wrote a thread to target him prior to his AFL debut and have continued to raise the point that he should be in our sights. In that regard I have found it strange that a player like him, who is constantly performing in the seconds at a high level can not crack into the senior side of Sydney while the likes of Brandon Jack and Zac Jones (haven't performed as highly in the seconds) have continued to get games ahead of him. It's only made me speculate that maybe he has refused or delayed contract talks until the end of this year (currently being his third season) when he most likely falls out of contract. Due to this lack of senior games and my somewhat obsession it caused me to follow him in the NEAFL and in doing so I have come across yet another quality young player that is certainly worth targeting. His name is Shane Biggs. Related Tom Mitchell thread: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/33604-a-target-in-tom-mitchell/ BIOGRAPHY: Shane BIGGS: Age 22, Height 187 cm, Weight 84 kg. http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/player-profile/shane-biggs Third season at the Swans, originally selected at pick 13 of the 2012 Rookie Draft. Made his AFL debut in round 23 of 2013 and in total had three senior games (two during the 2013 finals). Will be out of contract at the end of this year and will either need to be elevated to the senior list or delisted. We should put forth a proposed trade that should see him come cheap (3rd or 4th round pick) and here's why. NEAFL statistics (averages for 12 games total with 1 goal total): 32 disposals, 21 kicks, 10 handballs, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 0 HO, 1 FF, 1 FA, 3 I50, 5 R50. * Before people get on their high horse saying "It's the NEAFL - a sub par competition equivalent to the VFL reserves", I rate him so highly because his numbers are close to Tom Mitchell's, and Ryan O'Keefe's while higher than the likes Jonathan O'Rourke. Mitchell's NEAFL stats (averages for 5 games total, with 6 goals total): 35 disposals, 14 kicks, 21 handballs, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 0 HO, 1 FF, 1 FA, 5 I50, 1 R50. O'Keefe's NEAFL stats (averages for 8 games total, with 4 goals total): 30 disposals, 16 kicks, 14 handballs, 5 marks, 9 tackles, 0 HO, 2 FF, 2 FA, 5 I50, 2 R50. O'Rourke's NEAFL stats (averages for 8 games total, with 4 goals total): 26 disposals, 13 kicks, 14 handballs, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 0 HO, 1 FF, 1 FA, 4 I50, 1 R50. Here is also a list of disposals stats BIGGS collected per game: Rd.1 = 29, Rd.2 = 28, Rd.3 = 31, Rd.4 = 29, Rd.5 = 25, Rd.6 = BYE, Rd.7 = 30, Rd.8 = 42, Rd.9 = BYE, Rd.10 = 26, Rd.11 = 28, Rd.12 = 32, Rd.13 = 30, Rd.14 = 50. OVERALL I think he could be a very good pick up at a very cheap price (3rd or 4th round pick). I would certainly have him on the list ahead Blease, Tapscott, Strauss, Nicholson, and Byrnes. Some old footage but shows he also has some dash about him:

Certainly looking handy as a back man but I think his best role will be as a utility or swingman between the forward and defensive lines. Once both settle down, I won't be surprised if that becomes his role week in week out. When our midfield becomes stronger we will be clearing the ball more often from the center and achieving more inside 50's, without the need for him to float across half back and intercept the large amount coming in. As a swingman going forward it will make it harder to shut him down as he sneaks in there a few times a game, or alternatively if the game is tight or the defense are getting a work out he will be the first to swing back.

Best news all day! McDonald is showing improvement each and every year. Without question he is an excellent "defender" and it is pleasing to see his disposal efficiency slowly improving. As for Barry, I personally have never really rated him but certainly think it's the right decision. These smaller, less contested outside runners often take longer to develop physically. By the recent reports it appears he has been putting the right foot forward and certainly warrants his contract extension. I only hope both continue to progress and improve so that in time they establish themselves as starting 22 players within the strong Melbourne Demons team.

Delusional.... The only way a club could get Mitchell would be a with a top 10 pick, if not top 5. As for Blease he is of next to no value and if anything clog the trade.

I certainly find it interesting that Tom Mitchell is averaging about 30 disposals a game in the seconds and yet Brandon Jack and Zac Jones who have averaged less, have been getting games ahead of him in the seniors. His in his third year at the Swans and at no point has there been any media release of him re-signing or extending his contract. We know the Swans cap is ridiculously tight and I won't be surprised if he is on the table at the end of the year seeking more money and more opportunity - certainly worth it.

Here is the latest free agency (FA) list I could find: http://www.footyjunkie.com.au/lists/2014-afl-free-agent-list/ Overall not too many interest me aside from the obvious in retaining Frawley - he is clearly the most attractive player for any club and if we do lose him we can presume we will be well compensated. Although of that remaining list I wouldn't mind keeping an eye on Boyd. Whether Frawley is retained or lost (and Boyd is delisted) I wouldn't mind seeing a similar approach to that of Cross with the offer of a small short-term contract with the possibility of an extension based on performance milestones. I believe he still plays excellent football and would certainly help our severe midfield depth issue while we wait for our youngsters mature.

I don't think there's anything in it, so what it's a spray on the footy field. As for bullying claims... please.

I can see quite clearly the good points Steve makes and just the same I can see quite clearly the points made by rpfc, nutbean and Goodvibes. For starters Steve I really don't think Frawley is overrated, on many occasions I have seen him shut down big name forwards during years since his 2010 AA selection. I also believe what he has shown in his new role is very promising, keeping in mind it's taken Dunn 2 - 3 years to gain quality form in the backline since his switch. So if Frawley can develop his skill set as a swingman he will become a genuine weapon. Also players at the club (a recent Dunn interview) have mentioned that they will expect him to shift back into a more defensive role once the forward line gains more structure, so I suspect he will predominately be a defender first, forward second. In that regards (if he stays), we may be one of the only teams with defenders capable of shutting down the phenomenally tall Sydney forward line consisting of Franklin, Tippett, Reid and Goodes along with Pyke swinging through from time to time. The WCE also have a potent forward line. As Goodvibes said perfectly, if we can retain Frawley it gives us a greater opportunity to explore free agency (FA) and target opposition players without compromising any potential FA compensation. It will also help create a good image of the club for fans and more importantly opposition players worth targeting. If he is to leave I am sure the club already has a good quality back up plan in place, and there should be plenty of money in the salary cap from the loss of him and Clark along with whatever FA compensation trade bait. So as I'm am not exactly worried by his potential loss I don't consider it ideal. YES the club could finish ahead via this path and if it happens I hope they do, but what we currently have is a very good key defender that are hard to come by and there is still the risk no worthy deal is made during trade week or a replacement draftee (worst possibility of all) will be years off or worse yet an absolute flop. I want to see the club using FA to their advantage rather than constantly trying to defend our FA when they reach that prime age. If not it will be a continuous vicious cycle.

Ahhh I'm a sucker for stats, excellent points nutbean.

I haven't heard that add but it sounds like the person lining their pockets with their car parking business must be an Essendon or Collingwood supporter.

I wouldn't be complaining with any.... although I always ask at what price is too much? On the Sydney front I genuinely believe at either the end of this year or the next they will lose a big named midfielder. It might be Jack, it may be Kennedey or Hannebery or even the more likely Mitchell. But something or more specifically someone will have to give sooner or later with regards to their overstretched salary cap. Let's just hope Roos whispers in one of his old students ears offering them a better wage down here in the Red and Blue.

Look at any AFL premiership side and they are or have been filled with men like that of Frawley. Not 18 - 19 year old recruits (sure there may have been the odd one or two, but generally speaking a premiership side is men in their prime). Look at our side and the best and most consistent players are men. Not the younger guns showing promise or glimpses of the future. If we were to lose Frawley and take whatever compensation pick we receive to the draft, we would be going backwards. If we were to lose Frawley and trade whatever compensation pick for a player that will perform week in week out (or at least 2 years away from entering the start of their prime) we would be breaking even or even possibly finish ahead - that is if a decent deal can be struck during trade week. Anyway a line must be drawn and the club must now start retaining their free agents (as a continuation from Dunn) and better yet start poaching and obtaining quality free agents.

I wouldn't mind having Dew within the coaching staff as I'd be happy to have Sarah Cumming at MFC functions :D Pia Miller, Sarah Cumming... I can see it now AWESOME! YES! he's a good coach YES!...

Plus Grimes cycling through (I'm a big fan of an inform Grimes, and I suspect he's not too far off). Also the additional depth of Georgiou if any are to go down with an injury, and finally Watts has shown he can swing back as the spare man if ever needed in the dying seconds of a game. We certainly have a very nice looking back line, let's hope the rest follows shortly.

For those that can't read the link: Essendon To Take Federal Court Action Against Melbourne Football Club By Inside Sauce on June 15, 2014 Essendon insiders have confirmed that the club will today issue Federal Court proceedings against a resurgent Melbourne Demons following its round 13 upset victory. Essendon chairman Paul Little said that despite his club agreeing to play Sunday’s match against the Demons, with around 30 seconds left in the final quarter Melbourne took the lead and the process became fundamentally flawed, denying his club natural justice. “We won’t allow our players to be hung out to dry any longer,” said Little. “We took on this challenge under the assumption that it would land us a spot in the top eight. It hasn’t worked in our favour and I think we can all agree, that is due entirely to jurisdictional error and Paul Roos’ suspiciously healthy head of hair.” Exiled coach James Hird has also filed Federal Court papers against the Demons, who toppled the Bombers by one point in a nailbiter at the MCG on Sunday night. Speaking over Skype from France, Hird said his actions were motivated mostly by boredom and loneliness. “I’m just trying to pass the time until next month really,” said Hird. “The Tour de France kicks off in July and the latest in sports science will be on show at cycling”s biggest and most purest event. But until then, why not see if I can have a bit of fun and just mess around with some people’s lives?” THANKS JACK FOR THE LAUGH

Hahahahaaa good one

As I've stated it multiple times and recently don't mark Tom Mitchell off your lists. I think he might be a major target. He is now in his third AFL season and since joining there have been no media releases of him signing on. So unless if he has re-signed without the public knowing, he will likely be out of contract at the years end (could potentially be next year but an initial 4 year contract is unlikely). As of late he has struggled to crack their strong side even though he has had some phenomenal games in the seconds (could this be due to holding off contract talks... who knows that's just speculation). The Swans practically have no room in their salary cap to play with with the likes of Franklin, Tippett, Kennedy, Jack, McVeigh, and Hannebery (Goodes on the veterans list). Something has to give sooner or later. As for originally being a F/S draftee, his father Barry also changed clubs multiple times during his career so there is nothing stopping Tom from doing the same. As for this common chestnut that he also also friends with Jack Viney, and the Viney family it doesn't count for much but still counts for a small something. By no means am I saying he's on the way, but as for the kind of player he is, something will have to give in Sydney's salary cap for when he falls out of contract (that's if they want to keep him).