Melbournes approach to the draft and trade period

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Melbournes approach to the draft and trade period

What's the issue with Maclean?

Too big a gap between his best and worst? Yes. His best is pretty good but we've hardly seen it since that 06 EF. Many had him ahead of Cooney at this point.

Wont get himself fit enough to get to enough contests? Yes but his injuries haven't helped him at all in this case. Not entirely his fault, but he has been less than impressive all the same.

Not quick enough? This is his biggest flaw. The game has got considerably quicker in the last 2-3 years and as a consequence it's left him well behind. His decision making isn't great either.

How would you rate him against somebody like Cross? Cross is a smarter player. McLean doesn't seem to play within his limitations IE. he often gets run down from behind. Cross rarely does. McLean's got a big body and is good in close quarters but he doesn't use it. Perhaps in a better side, McLean will play a lot better.

Melbourne did incredibly well to score Pick #11 for McLean. Not entirely sure what Carlton were thinking, their midfield didn't exactly need him. They have far more concerns across half forward.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Melbournes approach to the draft and trade period

Very interesting thread.

From Melbourne's perspective I can see why they did not want the deal, but the fact is that at 8 and 9 there should still be some pretty good players available who should be 150 - 200 game players. The fact that Melbourne are very well positioned with 2 more picks in the top 18, they can address their needs with the later picks. The top 4 or so are probably that much closer to certain performers at AFL level though, so I can understand why that want that 'security'.

Yes, anything can happen, but Trengove has already shown it in finals pressure and league level, as close to a dead set certainty as you can get, and with Brock moving on and a few more outside guys like Morton, a Scully type should suit them well. I honestly haven't seen much of Scully so I can't really comment on him, he's been the #1 pick and a foregone conclusion for a while so for an amateur draft observer like myself, wI haven't bothered much with Scully.


From a Port Power perspective, I think they would have been almost foolish to go through with the deal. They added a good mid last year in Hartlett, and although they have lost Burgoyne, and a ready made player such as Trengove would be fantastic, they should be able to secure 2 good players with picks 8 and 9. They need another mid, and probably a key forward too and at 8 and 9 there should still be some pretty good options on the table for both areas. This will allow them to address a couple of needs, rather than just grabbing 1 'lock' midfielder.

It's all very interesting though. I think little deals like this may become more common, especially once the trading for future years ND picks comes into vogue.

Great post Griff.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Melbourne at this point need security. Scully and Trengove are widely tipped to be a fair way ahead of the rest. Considering their young, developing list - this is the best outcome for them. They've still got Picks 11 & 18 which they may well take a bit of a gamble on.

Especially agree re Port Adelaide. Why would they consider such a deal? It's not as though they've got a healthy list at the moment. IMO they need all the quality they can get in a variety of positions. With 8 & 9 they can effectively address two major concerns. If they select two very good mids, they should be OK with the likes of Pearce & Hartlett. However, they do require a KPF too and might even be able to snare Butcher. This would be a far better outcome for them than simply picking up Trengove.