Opinion Maybe we SHOULD trade Mitchell

[BarneyBent]

So, I'm a big Mitchell fan. And he's obviously a really, really promising player. However, let's look at the facts. We are getting Heeney this year, Mills and Dunkley next (we will get both of them, we'll just have to pay more than our first two picks). While I think Heeney is slightly overrated, Mills and Dunkley both look top 10 worthy, maybe even both top 5.

We also have the likes of Brandon Jack, Dan Robinson, George Hewett, Lloyd Perris, Shane Biggs and Zak Jones (the latter two being primarily defenders but could easily play midfield). Also Towers, I suppose. We have Cunningham pushing into the midfield from the small defender/forward role too, his early career is shaping up very similar to Kieran Jack's. And Craig Bird was our sub in the Grand Final, but at full fitness he's best 21.

We also have no imminent midfield retirements. Our oldest midfielder is McVeigh, and he's got tons of footy left in him. There won't be any spots becoming available in our side through retirements any time soon. So if Mitchell comes in, it will be at the expense of another promising young player. Even if Mitchell is the better player, replacing one extremely talented young midfielder with another slightly more talented midfielder isn't efficient list management.

On the other hand, we WILL have spots opening up in defence, and we probably need a "mercurial" small forward. Also, for all his talent, Mitchell is A) an indiscriminate kick at best, and B) regularly injured. He has mountains of trade value.

With that in mind, I propose we trade him. For what exactly, I'm not sure, but something that addresses our key deficits. It will hurt to see the player we've been so hyped to see develop in the red and white do it elsewhere, but I feel that if we get a reasonable offer we should definitely consider it.

 

[Punts]

Bedford where are you

 

[Olian]

No give him another year with a full preseason.
When he was fit in 2013 he showed he could play.

 

[Dan87]

I can appreciate the Mitchell gambit. But the mind boggles at how many people think we need a dedicated small forward.

 

[Jack2Jack]

Heeney, Dunkley, Mills are untried rookies who could go the way of other 1st rounders and be total busts. The rules may even change and the latter 2 might not get here.

Robison might get delisted, Jones/Biggs/B.Jack are inexperienced and have shown nowhere the output Mitchell has shown he's capable of. Towers should never have been getting games over Mitchell in the first place. None have anywhere near Mitchell talent.

Clearances are where we were just shown up massively, Mitchell is a gun in this area and none of those players are. Therefore Mitchell is the one that could help us most to get back to a GF, and maybe even go 1 better trading him would be very foolish (unless of course he forces our hand and demands to go).

 

[BarneyBent]

I can appreciate the Mitchell gambit. But the mind boggles at how many people think we need a dedicated small forward.

We don't "need" one, but dropping a really good one in would make us a better side than playing Mitchell ahead of a slightly less talented young midfielder.

 

[S120]

Yeh I've said the same for the past couple of months. It's not a terrible idea to trade something we are in surplus of (inside midfielders) for something that we are in shortage of (say, a youngish key defender). He'll be staying at the club though so it's kind of a moot point but if Carlton offered us Lachie Henderson for him, would many people really be that outraged if we said yes?

The cynic in me says watching the game on Saturday would make you think that we are in need of midfielders however.

 

[BarneyBent]

Heeney, Dunkley, Mills are untried rookies who could go the way of other 1st rounders and be total busts. The rules may even change and the latter 2 might not get here.

So could Mitchell. He hasn't been truly injury free since he was 16, which doens't bode well for his future prospects.

Robison might get delisted, Jones/Biggs/B.Jack are inexperienced and have shown nowhere the output Mitchell has shown he's capable of. Towers should never have been getting games over Mitchell in the first place. None have anywhere near Mitchell talent.

Robinson won't get delisted. My cousin is mates with him, reckons he's a chance of playing a fair bit of seniors next year. And it's hard to directly compare the others as they're very different players to Mitchell, but my main concern with Mitchell is that he's so injury prone. and his disposal is shocking. The others beat him comprehensively in those two areas.

Clearances are where we were just shown up massively, Mitchell is a gun in this area and none of those players are. Therefore Mitchell is the one that could help us most to get back to a GF, and maybe even go 1 better trading him would be very foolish (unless of course he forces our hand and demands to go).

We were shown up in the clearances because we were rattled, lazy and soft, not because we don't have the personnel. Kennedy, Parker and Jack are all capable of getting double-digit clearances. I agree we've been inconsistent in this area, but I also think the quality of clearances is more important than the sheer number. There's no point having Mitchell alongside Kennedy, Parker and Jack if it robs us off a receiver who can actually deliver it.

 

[Jack2Jack]

Jack & Towers may technically be better kicks but are much poorer decision makers, they're kicking isn't all that flash either. Not much better than Mitchell's really, who's handballing is 10 times better than either of theirs. There's also the fact that Jack & Towers struggle to get 10 touches a game, they don't comprehensively beat him in any area other than speed.
The GF is not the first time we've been shown up in clearances, definitely disagree we need a ball winner Mitchell needs to help Kennedy so someone can actually constantly deliver it to a receivers (we're carrying one too many of these types anyway, not inside mids). Additional ball winner, rather than an additional down-hill skier type who needs to get fed the ball to have an impact.

 

[Maddo11]

Only if we can get an A grade KPD to take the heat of Richards/Grundy in the next couple of years. Of which there are not many on the market.

 

[The King!]

we should trade any player for the right price, but jeepers can we stfu about trading mitchell how many people need to say he isnt going anywhere

 

[brad cooper]

I keep hearing about our inside midfield depth could someone tell me where they all were on saturday? Josh kennedy played a lone hand, if it was ever evident we are deficient in that area it was that debacle on saturday. Mitchell is a proven ball magnet, yes his kicking isn't elite but he gets the ball.

Have JPK, mitchell and parker as the middle 3.
Move mcglynn back to forward pocket with the occasional run in midfield. Keep hanners and jack for outside work.

 

[RUNVS]

I would rather trade Hannebery to be honest. Mitchell is a clearance and an in and under player and that is someone we DESPERATELY need as other than Kennedy we have no one who fits the bill. We have spent too many years being beaten in the clearances and it costs us games. We can't afford to trade away a guy that could really help us get first hands on the ball.

 

[TripleB]

Yep, Saturday should have put an end to any trade Mitchell talk. The Hawks inside mids were too big, too strong and too good. Mitchell is a big strong unit and will get stronger over the next few years. He is absolutely a walk up first 22 next year..

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Of it gets us Durdin for example maybe but if rather keep him

 

[RUNVS]

Of it gets us Durdin for example maybe but if rather keep him

I would trade Hannebery to Melbourne in exchange for one of their top picks and we would then get Durdin. As much as I like him with Mills, Heeney and Dunkley coming in Hannebery is replaceable and we really really need a young key position defender. 197cm is a great height for a key position defender as well as it means he can also go on the resting ruckman without getting monstered height wise.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

If I had pick 1 it would be Durdin not Petracca that's how highly I rate him

 

[RUNVS]

If I had pick 1 it would be Durdin not Petracca that's how highly I rate him

Luckily we don't need pick 1 as we could trade for pick 3 or the other pick Melbourne has no problems. Durdin would fill a very obvious need for the Swans.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Luckily we don't need pick 1 as we could trade for pick 3 or the other pick Melbourne has no problems. Durdin would fill a very obvious need for the Swans.

Just a question whether we can cover lets say Hanners or Mitchell especially in our window.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Folks need to watch the early games to get reminded how good Hanners was going then did his ankle and that was essentially his season lost all momentum.

 

[RUNVS]

Just a question whether we can cover lets say Hanners or Mitchell especially in our window.

We have to trust that Heeney is going to be ready to go round 1 in 2015. Really we should be able to cover Hannebery especially if Mitchell is going to be a regular in the main team next year.

 

[RUNVS]

Folks need to watch the early games to get reminded how good Hanners was going then did his ankle and that was essentially his season lost all momentum.

I know he is good but you cannot get pick 3 without giving away someone of quality. Right now what do we need more, a A grade midfielder or potentially a great defender? Who is more easily replaced given the current state of our list and Heeney, Mills and Dunkley all coming into the team in the next 14 months.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Is Durdin ready to go round 1 and able to find his feet at AFL level? if so fine do the trade then i dont know anything about him.

 

[RUNVS]

Is Durdin ready to go round 1 and able to find his feet at AFL level? if so fine do the trade then i dont know anything about him.

He might be as a 3rd tall in round 1 but really he would not be our first defender for at least a year or two after that. Having him in the team though would be important as it means that by the time Ted does retire we have someone ready to take over.

Here is a video of him

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-07-09/durdin-a-real-draft-diamond

 

[Punts]

From what I have seen of Heeney in the 2s etc he is going to be a gun but that's my opinion , no guarantee though he will be.

To ask him to come in R1 in his first year and slot straight into Hanneberys role is a little silly.

Not proven at AFL level yet