Chris Dawes?

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Chris Dawes?

It appears Melbourne have offered Dawes himself a better deal than we have.
They also have a better pick to offer to Collingwood.

Appears likely he'll go to the Dees.

I won't be upset if that happens.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I'd prefer Gumby. At least with Scott, he has (had?) serious talent. He was mobile, quick, could leap, take a mark and a decent kick. He probably doesn't have the presence of Dawes and is more similar to Jones, but at the right price, I wouldn't be against getting him to the club.

As Mantis said, though, Essendon are notorious for demanding overs and I don't see how or why Gumbleton would be any different.

I have a similar view with Dawes. I would actually like us to have a look at Mitch Brown from Geelong, who has requested a trade due to lack of opportunities - being behind Hawkins, JPod and Mooney in the pecking order would have been a tough nut to crack. He would cost far less (both draft picks and wage) and has more upside than a Dawes. I've liked what I've seen of him but regular VFL watchers could give a better insight to him.

I think Brown is a very good VFL player, but struggles with the pace and intensity of AFL. Having said that, I would again prefer we trade for him at a much lower cost than over pay for Dawes.

Weren't we interested in Brown the year he was drafted?

[azabob]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I have a similar view with Dawes. I would actually like us to have a look at Mitch Brown from Geelong, who has requested a trade due to lack of opportunities - being behind Hawkins, JPod and Mooney in the pecking order would have been a tough nut to crack. He would cost far less (both draft picks and wage) and has more upside than a Dawes. I've liked what I've seen of him but regular VFL watchers could give a better insight to him.

Biggest issue with Brown is he is very injury prone, and hasn't been a key position player for very long due to a late growth spurt. He was on our list to draft in the year he was drafted.

Longer term option rather than an immediate one.

[azabob]

Re: Chris Dawes?

Weren't we interested in Brown the year he was drafted?

Yes.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I'd prefer Gumby..

As Mantis said, though, Essendon are notorious for demanding overs and I don't see how or why Gumbleton would be any different.

Isn't Gumby uncontracted? And if Melbourne gets Dawes I would have thought we could just say wait for the PSD and get him then as GWS and GC won't bite. So with that threat looming, not sure how the Bombers would be overly difficult, also given he is good mates with their captain, you'd think they wouldn't be too hard to deal with.

Pick 47 or 41 should get it done, and assuming his medical checks out, I would be far happier with Gumby than Dawes. Between Williams and Gumby we may even get a full season..

[LostDoggy]

Re: Chris Dawes?

Aren't Essendon desparate to get rid of players to fit Goddard in?
If that's the case I wouldn't be asking much for Gumby.

[1eyedog]

Re: Chris Dawes?

@BulldogBanana : I guess Williams and/or Campbell could be the alternatives to Dawes as a stop gap.

If we don't land a key forward via the draft/free agency route we could build a forward line based primarily on smaller, more nimble goal kickers modelled on the Bulldogs forward line pre-Barry Hall. Problem with this approach is it didn't work well enough in big, pressure games.

Jones and Grant will be players in my opinion. I don't get the angst against Grant, sure he's lazy but he's quick, got smarts and can mark.
He needs to use his pace to apply more defensive pressure. Macca has spoken about this with Grant at length and is working on it.

We can certainly build a fowardline around these two and other tall forward options in Cordy and Roughead if required.
We have other small forwards who are quick, apply a high level of defensive pressure and know where the goals are.
These kids are so young, why is everyone expecting them to work miracles already?

I'm very optimistic about our own.

[Axe Man]

Re: Chris Dawes?

Isn't Gumby uncontracted? And if Melbourne gets Dawes I would have thought we could just say wait for the PSD and get him then as GWS and GC won't bite.

Neeld said yesterday that they would be happy to get both Dawes and Gumby.

[KT31]

Re: Chris Dawes?

Jones and Grant will be players in my opinion. I don't get the angst against Grant, sure he's lazy but he's quick, got smarts and can mark.
He needs to use his pace to apply more defensive pressure. Macca has spoken about this with Grant at length and is working on it.

We can certainly build a fowardline around these two and other tall forward options in Cordy and Roughead if required.
We have other small forwards who are quick, apply a high level of defensive pressure and know where the goals are.
These kids are so young, why is everyone expecting them to work miracles already?

I'm very optimistic about our own.

May just have answered your own querie.
Although I don't think he is lazy, more he has a laconic personlity.

[Sedat]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I think Brown is a very good VFL player, but struggles with the pace and intensity of AFL. Having said that, I would again prefer we trade for him at a much lower cost than over pay for Dawes.

He did have a ripping finish to the VFL season (both up forward and down back), which is when I really noticed him as a future player. Azabob's comment about being injury-prone is very valid, but if he's over his injuries would be worth a look for sure. Cats will struggle to hold onto everyone with Caddy and McIntosh coming into their squad, and potentially Rivers as well. I'd be happy with something like our pick 21 and Geelong's 2nd round pick (mid 30's) being swapped around for Brown.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Chris Dawes?

It appears Melbourne have offered Dawes himself a better deal than we have.
They also have a better pick to offer to Collingwood.

Appears likely he'll go to the Dees.

I won't be upset if that happens.

Ghost Dog does a little dance.

Off to the silverspooners!

[azabob]

Re: Chris Dawes?

If it came down to Gumbleton V Dawes, I'd take Dawes.

What I'd pay for either is a different question. Second round pick for either is about right.

Dawes has performed ok, whereas Gumbleton is still a major unknown in terms of output at AFL level.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Chris Dawes?

If it came down to Gumbleton V Dawes, I'd take Dawes.

What I'd pay for either is a different question. Second round pick for either is about right.

Dawes has performed ok, whereas Gumbleton is still a major unknown in terms of output at AFL level.

I agree with you Azabob I would rather Dawes even though he should not have played the last final I read into it that has has a real strong character and dedictaion. Also read a bit about him having those qualities.
I think also it gets forgoton a bit that he is only 24.

[Eastdog]

Re: Chris Dawes?

The club needs a big player in the forward half with genuine pace and endurance who has the skills to mark, trap and dispose of the ball effectively. This isn't Dawes. We have to target a player in the draft and hope we get it right. After all, Hawthorn got it right with Franklin when many others wouldn't go there.

We were very close in drafting Buddy but didn't get him. It's history now but who knows how things might have turned out if we had Buddy in our side during the years we were challenging for a premiership. With Dawes I'm not to fussed if we don't pick him up and would much rather focus on the draft which looks very exciting this year.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Chris Dawes?

Apparently Dawes will be naming his preferred club today. My money is on Melbourne