Chris Dawes?

[Maddog37]

Re: Chris Dawes?

We need three gun players in the forward line and the rest only need to compete and break even. The players being guns do not have to be big players but the big players need to at least be able to break even to give the smaller gun players a fifty fifty chance.

Mooney was not a gun and Pods and THawk were mostly servicable. Stevie J, Chappy and gun rotating mids was a nice setup. Our setup with Johno, Aker etc was also very good with Mitch Hahn not being elite but super competitive.

We have Dahl who looks very good and beyond that our forwards are not overly creative. Jones, Cordy and maybe Roberts and Redpath could well be solid players in time but we need more natural creative mid size forwards.

Just a few random thoughts for everyone to opine on.

[WB4Life]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I agree - to me the answer to the Dawes question lies in the price paid.

Exactly!

[LongWait]

Re: Chris Dawes?

If we draft a young key forward, I wouldn't expect them to contribute, or impact a game till at least another 4 plus years. If we don't draft Dawes, I expect Jones, Cordy, Campbell to step up.

Agree. Rumors around we are also considering Gumbleton.

[LongWait]

Re: Chris Dawes?

We need three gun players in the forward line and the rest only need to compete and break even. The players being guns do not have to be big players but the big players need to at least be able to break even to give the smaller gun players a fifty fifty chance.

Mooney was not a gun and Pods and THawk were mostly servicable. Stevie J, Chappy and gun rotating mids was a nice setup. Our setup with Johno, Aker etc was also very good with Mitch Hahn not being elite but super competitive.

We have Dahl who looks very good and beyond that our forwards are not overly creative. Jones, Cordy and maybe Roberts and Redpath could well be solid players in time but we need more natural creative mid size forwards.

Just a few random thoughts for everyone to opine on.

Yes. In citing the Geelong forward line you've described what for me would be the ideal model for us (unless one of our kids becomes a dead set gun power forward.)

[LostDoggy]

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.

If the talk is correct that we will be building the defence around Roughy, Talia along with Morris, Fletcher Roberts or Austin & it will free up Williams to play in the fwd line.
He looked ok there in the couple of games he played as a fwd, but as we know his durability is highly suspect.
In reality, can we bank on him being able to play a whole season without an injury?

Also, wouldnt mind picking up Ben Kennedy from Glenelg as one of these smaller forwards. Has played seniors with the bays this year, so is used to playing against bigger bodies, and could play seniors pretty quickly.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Chris Dawes?

We need three gun players in the forward line and the rest only need to compete and break even. The players being guns do not have to be big players but the big players need to at least be able to break even to give the smaller gun players a fifty fifty chance.

Mooney was not a gun and Pods and THawk were mostly servicable. Stevie J, Chappy and gun rotating mids was a nice setup. Our setup with Johno, Aker etc was also very good with Mitch Hahn not being elite but super competitive.

We have Dahl who looks very good and beyond that our forwards are not overly creative. Jones, Cordy and maybe Roberts and Redpath could well be solid players in time but we need more natural creative mid size forwards.

Just a few random thoughts for everyone to opine on.

Are we over looking Tory Dickson, he seems to have a good footy brain and with another preseason under his belt I would expect better return next year and he knows were the sticks are.

Jones could take another step if he can time his leaps better and there maybe also Panos and Cordy. So we still have options but if they can't cut the mustard next year is their time numbered.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I think it's amusing how Melbourne are targeting pretty much everybody with no real system or logic to it. They are clearly looking for a shortcut almost bandaid solution to their troubles. We at least have stated that we will do a proper re-build, which may deliver some short term pain but I think will also deliver long term gain. I also think with the Dawes situation that many of us deep down would like him to choose us to validate in a certain way that the club is still an attractive place to want to play.

[always right]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I loved the look of Williams when he played forward this season. As always the question is around his ability to stay on the park.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I agree - to me the answer to the Dawes question lies in the price paid.

And for me our options for an equitable trade disappeared the moment we gave Hawthorn pick 27.
It's a moot point, but I think many who are against spending pick 21 on Dawes would be more amenable to it if we still had a further pick in the early part of round two.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Chris Dawes?

Reports are if we miss Dawes we may go after Gumbleton.

I think I'd be happier with Gumbleton, because I dont want to pay the price for Dawes. I dont hate Dawes and would be happy to have him, but if it involves giving up pick 21 then I hate the deal.

[WB4Life]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I think it's amusing how Melbourne are targeting pretty much everybody with no real system or logic to it. They are clearly looking for a shortcut almost bandaid solution to their troubles. We at least have stated that we will do a proper re-build, which may deliver some short term pain but I think will also deliver long term gain. I also think with the Dawes situation that many of us deep down would like him to choose us to validate in a certain way that the club is still an attractive place to want to play.

gaining Viney and Hogan is a great step in the right direction for them...

[1eyedog]

Re: Chris Dawes?

FF solution: stop playing Jarrad Grant as a flanker, he still has the stickiest hands at the club.

Agree. I would play Grant out of the goal square and isolate him as much as possible. He is super quick. The problem is his second efforts if the dukes fail.

[Sedat]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I dont hate Dawes and would be happy to have him, but if it involves giving up pick 21 then I hate the deal.

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.

[Mantis]

Re: Chris Dawes?

I think I'd be happier with Gumbleton, because I dont want to pay the price for Dawes. I dont hate Dawes and would be happy to have him, but if it involves giving up pick 21 then I hate the deal.

But what 'price' will Essendon put on Gumby's head?

I would have thought they would be after a reasonable pick for his services.... Admittedly it might be a little reduced as he is out of contract, but Essendon generally put a big price on their players.

[LostDoggy]

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.

Dont mind that at all Sedat, looks like the sort of KPF option that I mentioned earlier. Wont cost us much & as long as he performs at the lower level would definately get an opportunity at senior level.