Chasing a big-name free agent

[LeverPuller]

We need midfield class. Even for a year or two. Someone to lead out there and help give some of the other guys both protection and help.

We should throw money at any of:

- Simon Black
- Paul Chapman
- Kane Cornes

Those three come from winning cultures (yes, Cornes does, he was there in '04) and are champion players. They're also all not really going to have a crack at a flag over the next 2 years (although who knows with the Cats) so they'd be worth it.

Even Lenny Hayes or Boomer Harvey could be an option if they get retired - see if we can lure them for a season and one last payday.

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

I'd rather see one of them replace bloody Royal as our midfield coach. That's obviously an issue that's really been killing our midfield over the last few years.

Be nice if both of these steps could be accomplished at the same time even - secure someone like Ling or Robert Harvey, or Goodwin to coach our midfield, and also sign one of these five guys - certainly any one of them would make a substantial difference to us.

But replacing Royal is the most important thing.

 

[MeisterBot]

None of those blokes would leave unless they get royally shafted by their respective teams, they're all club champions.

If Melbourne wanted to chase a free-agent star midfielder, I'd look at Daisy. Massive X-Factor, one of the hardest gut runners in the game, excels on the wing but can play in the centre square, on the forward line as a flanker or even stints as a dummy FF ala Mayne at Freo. Also, Neeld was our midfield coach when Daisy had his best years in 2010-2011 so I don't think there will be any issues on that front.

Obviously, I hope it doesn't eventuate and that Daisy re-signs ASAP.

But he'd be the first looked at if I were you guys.

That said, I think you might need to take a look at your midfield coach. I don't think you guys have drafted particularly badly when it comes to the midfield, but there's something very wrong in how they develop over time.

 

[PureFooty]

The only 'big name' we will get to the club is, Daniel Gianasararajdfacusa, Trent Dennis-Lane and Lewis Robert-Thomspon.

 

[Blackas87]

No big names are coming to melbourne

 

[CM Sean]

Only the rejected ones with no other hope at any other club

 

[d33my]

I hear Colin Sylvia's coming out of contract at the end of the year. Throw some money at him, could be just what we need.

 

[RandB]

I think Cornes would rather go back to Glenelg tbh. Black would stay a one club player. Chappy would be the most likely of the three but still couldn't see it happening.

 

[raven echo]

Would love to get Daisy but I can't see that happening.

 

[Tulip]

Cross would be a good one

 

[Crusty Demon]

The only 'big name' we will get to the club is, Daniel Gianasararajdfacusa, Trent Dennis-Lane and Lewis Robert-Thomspon.

Unfortunately I agree with this post. We aren't going to attract any middle of the road players let alone big names, until we start to turn our losing culture around which could take a decade plus...

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

Until we fix up our player development, you mean. Talking about "losing culture" is just another way of saying that we're struggling on the field. Which is, of course, ridiculously obvious.

 

[blitznu]

obviously hodge but wouldn't happen. i would go after daniel cross and beau waters need some fukn heart and abit of mongrel something no1 shows at the dees. then i would try to get these 2 josh hunt from cats daniel jackson from the tigs some more mongrel not that i think they are superstars but again mongrel hunt the ball and the opposition. i dont think daisy would be worth the money he would be after for what we need dont think he would be nowhere near as good in a crap team like the dees

 

[Wise Guy Sam]

None of those blokes would leave unless they get royally shafted by their respective teams, they're all club champions.

If Melbourne wanted to chase a free-agent star midfielder, I'd look at Daisy. Massive X-Factor, one of the hardest gut runners in the game, excels on the wing but can play in the centre square, on the forward line as a flanker or even stints as a dummy FF ala Mayne at Freo. Also, Neeld was our midfield coach when Daisy had his best years in 2010-2011 so I don't think there will be any issues on that front.

Obviously, I hope it doesn't eventuate and that Daisy re-signs ASAP.

But he'd be the first looked at if I were you guys.

That said, I think you might need to take a look at your midfield coach. I don't think you guys have drafted particularly badly when it comes to the midfield, but there's something very wrong in how they develop over time.

Even daisy's name suits us

But seriously, when Daisy is 'on' he is amazing and would be a very good investment. I would never ever think he would leave the pies though. He loves bucks and he loves the club. Seriously, why would you want to leave the Pies?

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Look very closely at Thomas.

Would offer up 900k.

 

[Viney]

I just honestly can't see anyone wanting to come to us

 

[LeverPuller]

I think Cornes would rather go back to Glenelg tbh. Black would stay a one club player. Chappy would be the most likely of the three but still couldn't see it happening.

What if you offered them a Junior-style play/coach contract?

On that note, we should look at him for midfield coach.

 

[Carusiii]

 

[CM Sean]

I tend to agree, Viney. (Clark, Dawes and co. probs already regretting it. lol)

 

[IanW]

What if you offered them a Junior-style play/coach contract?

On that note, we should look at him for midfield coach.

This.

 

[TheBiz]

I'm not a Dees fan, but have been looking through each teams list and can't seem to find which Melbourne player sets the standard for the rest of the group. Like a Cotchin, Selwood, S. Thompson, Watson. The Dees just don't have anyone that sticks out. Perhaps Jones is the closest? I haven't seen any evidence of leadership from Trengove.

Surely instead of going after an experienced player for a successful culture, you would want to target blokes that are known for their work ethic and hardness? None of the players recruited (Byrnes, Rodan, Pederson, Dawes) are known for their work ethic and hardness at the footy.

Don't mean to intrude, just a thought/observation.

 

[Danair]

The only 'big name' we will get to the club is, Daniel Gianasararajdfacusa, Trent Dennis-Lane and Lewis Robert-Thomspon.

Grand final specialist!

Hannebery (not a "big name"....yet) is out of contract but I doubt he'd leave.

 

[MeisterBot]

I'm not a Dees fan, but have been looking through each teams list and can't seem to find which Melbourne player sets the standard for the rest of the group. Like a Cotchin, Selwood, S. Thompson, Watson. The Dees just don't have anyone that sticks out. Perhaps Jones is the closest? I haven't seen any evidence of leadership from Trengove.

Surely instead of going after an experienced player for a successful culture, you would want to target blokes that are known for their work ethic and hardness? None of the players recruited (Byrnes, Rodan, Pederson, Dawes) are known for their work ethic and hardness at the footy.

Don't mean to intrude, just a thought/observation.

Grimes maybe?

FWIW, Dawes had a tremendous work ethic. At the Pies, he was a very hard working and unselfish player. He'll run 50-60m leads from deep in the forward line onto the wing just to open up space for another person to lead closer to goal. If someone is taken a set shot from the 50, he'll park himself at the goal line to make sure that the opposition ruckman can't get a go at touching it. He's also not bad below the knees for a KPF and very clever when it comes to handballs, shepherds, blocks and taps to advantage (not the rucking kind). Watching 2010 GF 2, his 1%ers and work off the ball probably led to at least 3-4 goals, in addition to the goals he kicked. That's something I think Melbourne would sorely want.

Obviously, his faults are numerous and well documented: not physical enough for a big guy, his sharpshooter accuracy has apparently deserted him, you can't ever put him in the ruck for a meaningful amount of time, and that thing called overhead marking is a completely foreign concept to him. But he will straighten up your structure and give you more to work with than Sellar or Pedersen.

Don't know how he is travelling at the Dees (aside from being injured again), so I suppose I can't say everything I've said is still applicable to him, but at his best, he will be a handy player who will improve the team if you don't expect too much from him.

 

[CTHORANGE]

I'm getting so sick of having to talk about drafting guys from other clubs, is it possible that we could draft some poor bastard, who then actually becomes a super star while playing at our club? ffs

 

[CM Sean]

Hoping for the current recruits to do exactly that. Even though injured, I have very high hopes for Dawes alongside Clark/Hogan as a trio. Also high hopes for Shannon Brynes, who I believe can still make a difference. (hoping for Rodan to pull through as well. not 110% sold yet, but I still see some promise. I've got faith. Sometimes too much. But what can ya do? lol)