Earl Hood

And it is not designed to screw anyone except the teams in the top 4-6 teams that are getting talent without paying the proper price tag.

Agree but we have FA To ensure that for the top teams.

Off topic, but I think this is a great idea. Simply because it increases the liquidity in the trading market.

Historically a lot of trades are hindered/delayed/aborted as the club "buying" does not have enough assets (or the right value of assets) to complete the deal.

Consider the Dayne Beams trade.

Collingwood considered that he was worth better than pick 1, or two first round picks. (Let's say 4000 points based on the AFL scale).

This is probably fair, noting that an unmotivated seller will charge overs.

At the time the Lions had the following picks (or something similar depending on free agency compos):

5 - 1878

24 - 785

42 - 395

60 - 146

78 - 0

Total points - 3204, which is not enough. And Brisbane probably don't want to trade all their picks in the draft!

If Brisbane can trade their 2015 pick (assuming it is also pick 5) then they have 2*1878 = 3756 points to offer straight up.

A much better spot to start negotiations. The deal would probably go through straight away.

(This ignores the fact that you would probably discount the value of future picks somewhat. Maybe by 10%?).

The combination of picks that Coll and BL could trade (assuming they can each trade 2014 and 2015 picks) should lead to a fair outcome for the Beams trade.

And a much more speedy resolution to this trade. (Allowing other lesser trades to be completed that might otherwise be held up).

Edit: The main "minus" is that some clubs might mortgage their future, by selling off all their future draft picks.

The AFL would probably create a rule to protect clubs from themselves.

e.g. you can only trade picks one year in advance. Or you must use a first round pick at least once every two years.

Imagine the damage BP could have inflicted with this option of trading future picks for current duds! The AFL equivalent of The Doomsday Machine in Dr Strangelove.

For the more politically minded, where does Tony Abbott rank in terms of the worst democratically elected national leaders in world history?

Close second behind President Ford at the minute but give him some more time

It is a gross miscarriage of justice that you received no further honors Earl Hood while Phill the Greek adds another one to his extensive list

Some blots on your (how shall I put it delicately) escutcheon appear to have become public!

Perhaps the servants are blabbing?

BBO there are others more deserving than myself of course of higher honours but Phil the Greek well I will let others judge on that.

But yes the family name has been tarnished of late by any number of those popular magazines. Yes I have had a weight problem and have had some work done but I state catagorically I have not had buttock implants lately, nor have I had botox injections.

Let me add that my aids are beyond reproach, Hudson and Critchon are more than admiral and can be trusted to keep their silence on such matters.

Mmmmmm the majority of posters on this board dont consider you a hipster either.

BBO doesnt qualify because of his cheap holidays in asia's minnow states.

Real hipster's visit places such as Machu Pichu,Mexican beer factories and Scottish archeological digs.

Jazza I have done the others, but what or where are these Scottish archeolical digs? Hadrian's Wall or something? I live in hipsterville but am well past that. I ride a mountain bike I don't think that qualifies and I shaved the beard off 20 years ago. Still like to hang out in some hipster coffee places though. Are there any trendy coffee dens down at Beech Forest these days? What is the coffee blend at the Beech Cafe this week? Salvadorian or Costa Rica fair trade arabica? Just asking before I make the trip.

Is this Picket Fence using another name?

Funny you think he can't kick. Plenty of the real experts know better.

Let's try Wing or Half Back Flank. This is where he shone in his under age years. Has he been tried there yet in his AFL career? No is the answer to that question. Ollie was picked as an inside mid, and guess what, that's were Port are playing him.

Agree let's try him in his best position. I just hope he shows us what his weapons are this season. I want him to make it but I just haven't determined what special skills he brings onto the field yet. As an early pick he was touted as a super inside and outside midfielder I thought.

Arise Sir Phillip Duke of Edinburgh, Knight of Australia!! Oh dear, is this Tony setting himself up for some reciprocal "gong" down the track from Liz? Is there a vacancy for the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports at the moment?

Big time win by Kyrigios against Seppi tonight. For a 19 year old to come back from 2 sets down is exceptional in a slam. If he can keep his head together he could be anything! I mean his backhand is nearly as good as mine!

All I know is if I get into climate change trouble I am taking out Andrew Bolt personally before I go that is a promise.

Does anyone know which of our current stock is the best long distance runner? I've always been of the opinion that some of the best rucks are also some of the best endurance runners. (Think Dean Cox or Jim Stynes.)

S Martin would have been a good option when talking endurance and that ability to get to every contest. Wish we still had that option. That said I believe Fitzy had done some good rucking with Casey so he could be a legit second ruck/forward option.

I like to think that an being an MFC member waiting for a premiership is like leaving the porch light on for Harold Holt to come home.

Still living the high life in China I believe!

Best player to done the green and gold?

Atti Abonyi perhaps?

Forget Danger I say we go hard for Tim Cahill, one year contract as a key forward.

Tim Cahill you beauty! Number 2! Is there a better player in the air than him in world football? I doubt it.

Tim Cahill you champion!!! Have you ever seen a better goal? What a goal. Can we sign him up for next year?

With Garlett and Petracca making up the final two (interchanged with Kent/JKH)!

We have been here before CB. On paper the forward line should work but for the past how many years it has struggled and it all goes back to the mid field delivery, quantity and quality. I often wonder how the Dorks forward setup would perform with our midfield delivery?

I would like to see Roos develop Watts into the MFC version of Jack Gunston, similar height, weight and age.

Exactly. In a functioning forward line with Dawes, Hogan, Pedo/Jamar/Gawn/Fitzpatrick causing some concern for the opposition I envisage Watts playing the mobile third forward option. Someone who is tall and mobile and drifts back and forward along with Howe. He has the skills but there is always the question marks over his desire. Let's hope this year it all comes together. And we have in other threads talked about his leads not being honoured by a fairly pedestrian midfield. If our midfield becomes competitive and more skilled, things could change markedly. Fingers crossed as usual for the last 8 seasons.

No Earl Hood just wanted to give one of my delightful cousins her 15 minutes of fame. BTW are you enjoying a spot of Royal Tennis?

No just having a hit of your normal lawn tennis. Did I tell you that my backhand volley has been compared to Roger Federer's? Quite unfavourably I might add!

Not much footy happening worth discussing. I noticed that 2014 is officially the hottest year globally on record and adds to the 12 other hottest years this century, only surpassed by 1998. Any thoughts on whether there may be a disturbing trend here? And is there a problem that we should be dealing with? Total silence I notice from our "AWOL" environment ministe, I notice.

You'd cheat you [censored]! Your four teats to my two!

Where is the Moron avatar BBO? Have you gone as we say "underground"?

That's a good question and one that Joel Selwood has shed some light on in and article today. He alludes to the premise that Geelong footy club will not pay out big bucks to a star like PD but as part of a high performing team, shall adjust contracts and payments according to the clubs postion in the competition. It's logical, but hardly the way FA is working.

The question is; will the Dee's be the equal of Geelong by the end of 2015? Will there be enough attraction for PD to return to Vic for a premiership tilt with ......?

Expect the Hawks to be in the deal,big time, they will do anything to extend their reign at the top I think.

As you know, Earl Hood, I am reluctant to criticise one of your social station. But your posts suggest you need to become more of a risk taker. Perhaps that may give you the chance of obtaining those higher honours you lust after.

Thank you for the advice BBO. By the way tell me you are back on Australian soil and safe and sound in Romsey? These are troubled times we live in. But as I reported earlier there was an altercation involving my good self at Government House before Christmas that involvied a misunderstanding in the guestnlist and then an obnoxious ACA reporter chasing me down the street outside Government House as though I was some dodgey tradesman! There is now some doubt about the communications announcing my elevation to Earl by Sir Peter Cosgwell, President of Australia! There is a chance that I have been had but I doubt it!

Surprise packet means someone from left field with no runs on the board for us anyway. So we accept Jones, Tyson, Vince etc and Hogan will not surprise because of expectations.

Based purely on a highlights reel I will go for Bert Newton! He looks like he has a good dose of mongrel and some ability, a good mix.

Sizzlers!! Yes, I remember buying "All-you-can-eat" salad bar, and filling up on potato skins and soft serve (chocolate and vanilla!) Probably cost them less than two bucks.

Back to footy, um, mfc was on Nine News tonight, with a disparaging headline and footage of them falling off surf skis.

Can't wait for the boys to win back respect by winning more games than expected this year.

Oh they had a day off frolicking in the surf that is great but gee the 9 News is also reporting big sharks marauding in close to shore right up the east coast. You know our luck! I would get them the hell out of there if it was me in charge.

Me too I have zero warning points as well. I only wish I knew how to get some! I hate being zero, means I am not pushing the boundaries, the envelop if you know what I mean!