Helping The Melbourne Football Club Week: Trading For Youth
It should be a win-win-win situation when Melbourne discuss trades after the 2008 season finishes. Melbourne can get draft picks or young players, other clubs can acquire established stars and these players can leave Melbourne for a real chance at a premiership. Melbourne fans should be looking forward to a lot of excitement after the season ends, so while they may not be part of the September action they will be making news in the months after that. Melbourne need plenty of ideas for their rebuilding, here are some that won't happen, and maybe a few that will.
Aaron Davey to Essendon for Scott Gumbleton
Why for Melbourne: Melbourne need to find two future stars and put them at full forward and centre half forward. The drafts will help, but finding a prospect or two from other clubs is also a good idea. Gumbleton can either wait for his time at Essendon, or go to Melbourne and be the main option immediately.
Why for Essendon: Davey and Davey, how could Essendon turn that down, although the price of Gumbleton would make them think about it. The Bombers have Lloyd and Lucas for a few more seasons, Johns is another option up forward as are Daniher and Neagle, so the loss of Gumbleton is something they can cover. Aaron Davey and Alwyn Davey together in the forward line kicking goals and chasing defenders, with Essendon looking to play a faster game it has to be a trade they would consider and their fans would appreciate as it would be very entertaining.
Cameron Bruce and Brad Green to Hawthorn for their first and second round picks
Why for Melbourne: It is all about the players' ages, and when Melbourne do again become a contender it is likely that Bruce and Green have retired. The Demons need all the first and second round picks they can get.
Why for Hawthorn: If the Hawks don't win it all this year they will need to find a veteran player or two that can push them over the top. Bruce and Green would improve the Hawks. Hawthorn and Melbourne could be ideal trading partners, as the Hawks will want a star or two to make them a premiership team while the Hawks can also afford to trade some of their picks and youth and that is what Melbourne needs.
Jeff White to St Kilda for their first round pick
Why for Melbourne: He is still a very good player but for Melbourne to rebuild they need to trade him now. For White, he deserves a chance to win a premiership and it won't happen at the Demons.
Why for St Kilda: The Saints have sent out picks for players like Brooks and Watt, they can certainly send out a first rounder for Jeff White. The ruck spot was neglected for a number of years by the Saints, White would be their best ruckman they have had in a long time and his game, based around athleticism, would be complimented by the strength of King or Gardiner.
Russell Robertson to Sydney for their second round pick
Why for Melbourne: Robertson nearly went to the Bulldogs last offseason and the Demons may have benefited if they did trade him then, his trade value is only going to go down so next trade period they need to move him.
Why for Sydney: At the best of times they struggle to kick a lot of goals, so Robertson would add something there. Forwards that are sent to Sydney seem to play better, and for longer, so Robertson should enjoy the change.
Melbourne can also look to trade some of their players for others that can't get a game at their clubs or those who may want to move to Melbourne for a bigger role.
Ryan Jackson - Carlton: The addition of Judd and the return to health of Stevens sent Jackson back to the VFL.
Chris Dawes - Collingwood: Even when Rocca retires there will still be Cloke and Reid, and Brown and Goldsack at the other end, while Dawes could step right into a key forward spot at Melbourne.
Shannon Cox - Collingwood: A versatile player that can't find a spot in the Collingwood side.
Angus Monfries - Essendon: Seems to be waiting for his midfield role at Essendon, maybe at Melbourne he would get it.
Simon Hogan - Geelong: A speedy midfielder and forward, he is what Melbourne need.
Brent Prismall - Geelong: Probably not the type of midfielder that Melbourne need, but he will be a name mentioned in trade week.
Jarryd Morton - Hawthorn: The Hawks are the team to raid for young talent, they are loaded with it and can't afford to keep them all. Jarryd would be a regular player with Melbourne, along with his brother Cale, while his chances at Hawthorn are limited.
Max Bailey - Hawthorn: Taylor has pushed Bailey into the background at Hawthorn, so even when Bailey overcomes his injuries he will be waiting a while for another chance to play for the Hawks.
Mitch Thorp - Hawthorn: Might cost a lot to trade for, unless he is coming out of contract.
Lachlan Hansen - Kangaroos: If he was a Demon and not a Kangaroo he might have been playing every week.
Todd Goldstein - North Melbourne: Behind McIntosh, Petrie and Hale at the moment so a move to Melbourne might be beneficial for him.
Daniel Connors - Richmond: Close to getting a game for the Tigers, but could be a star at Melbourne and a replacement for Robertson.
James Gwilt - St Kilda: While his role at the Saints might be more important when Hudghton retires, he could move to Melbourne and have a much better chance of playing.
Shaun Higgins - Western Bulldogs: Could be a big star in the midfield at Melbourne, while his role at the Bulldogs is still as a player off the bench.
Malcolm Lynch - Western Bulldogs: With Hill's breakout season, Lynch is going to be in the VFL.
Finding Victorian players that want to return to their home state is another trade option for the Demons.
Chris Knights - Adelaide: Melbourne can give him a much bigger role and possibly the captaincy in the future.
Matt Tyler - Brisbane: Wouldn't cost a lot in trade, especially if he was adamant about leaving the Lions. Might become the third tall defender that Melbourne need.
Ryan Murphy - Fremantle: Melbourne need a full forward, here is an option.
Robert Warnock - Fremantle: Melbourne need a ruckman, here is an option.
David Mundy - Fremantle: His development seems to have slowed down as Fremantle are having some troubles, if Mundy goes to Melbourne he could be used in a role like Brad Green is now.
Steven Salopek - Port Adelaide: Maybe he wants to be the top player for his club in the middle, he can do that at Melbourne but will be behind the Cornes and Burgoynes for a few more years at the Power.
Mitch Brown - West Coast: If he wants to return to Victoria, there is a spot at centre half forward for Melbourne for him.
Matt Rosa - West Coast: Already dropped to the WAFL this season, there is a spot on the wing at Melbourne for him.
Ashley Hansen - West Coast: Still young enough to be part of the rebuilding at Melbourne, and his time at the Eagles might be coming to an end with McKinley and Kennedy there.
Aaron Davey to Essendon for Scott Gumbleton
Why for Melbourne: Melbourne need to find two future stars and put them at full forward and centre half forward. The drafts will help, but finding a prospect or two from other clubs is also a good idea. Gumbleton can either wait for his time at Essendon, or go to Melbourne and be the main option immediately.
Why for Essendon: Davey and Davey, how could Essendon turn that down, although the price of Gumbleton would make them think about it. The Bombers have Lloyd and Lucas for a few more seasons, Johns is another option up forward as are Daniher and Neagle, so the loss of Gumbleton is something they can cover. Aaron Davey and Alwyn Davey together in the forward line kicking goals and chasing defenders, with Essendon looking to play a faster game it has to be a trade they would consider and their fans would appreciate as it would be very entertaining.
Cameron Bruce and Brad Green to Hawthorn for their first and second round picks
Why for Melbourne: It is all about the players' ages, and when Melbourne do again become a contender it is likely that Bruce and Green have retired. The Demons need all the first and second round picks they can get.
Why for Hawthorn: If the Hawks don't win it all this year they will need to find a veteran player or two that can push them over the top. Bruce and Green would improve the Hawks. Hawthorn and Melbourne could be ideal trading partners, as the Hawks will want a star or two to make them a premiership team while the Hawks can also afford to trade some of their picks and youth and that is what Melbourne needs.
Jeff White to St Kilda for their first round pick
Why for Melbourne: He is still a very good player but for Melbourne to rebuild they need to trade him now. For White, he deserves a chance to win a premiership and it won't happen at the Demons.
Why for St Kilda: The Saints have sent out picks for players like Brooks and Watt, they can certainly send out a first rounder for Jeff White. The ruck spot was neglected for a number of years by the Saints, White would be their best ruckman they have had in a long time and his game, based around athleticism, would be complimented by the strength of King or Gardiner.
Russell Robertson to Sydney for their second round pick
Why for Melbourne: Robertson nearly went to the Bulldogs last offseason and the Demons may have benefited if they did trade him then, his trade value is only going to go down so next trade period they need to move him.
Why for Sydney: At the best of times they struggle to kick a lot of goals, so Robertson would add something there. Forwards that are sent to Sydney seem to play better, and for longer, so Robertson should enjoy the change.
Melbourne can also look to trade some of their players for others that can't get a game at their clubs or those who may want to move to Melbourne for a bigger role.
Ryan Jackson - Carlton: The addition of Judd and the return to health of Stevens sent Jackson back to the VFL.
Chris Dawes - Collingwood: Even when Rocca retires there will still be Cloke and Reid, and Brown and Goldsack at the other end, while Dawes could step right into a key forward spot at Melbourne.
Shannon Cox - Collingwood: A versatile player that can't find a spot in the Collingwood side.
Angus Monfries - Essendon: Seems to be waiting for his midfield role at Essendon, maybe at Melbourne he would get it.
Simon Hogan - Geelong: A speedy midfielder and forward, he is what Melbourne need.
Brent Prismall - Geelong: Probably not the type of midfielder that Melbourne need, but he will be a name mentioned in trade week.
Jarryd Morton - Hawthorn: The Hawks are the team to raid for young talent, they are loaded with it and can't afford to keep them all. Jarryd would be a regular player with Melbourne, along with his brother Cale, while his chances at Hawthorn are limited.
Max Bailey - Hawthorn: Taylor has pushed Bailey into the background at Hawthorn, so even when Bailey overcomes his injuries he will be waiting a while for another chance to play for the Hawks.
Mitch Thorp - Hawthorn: Might cost a lot to trade for, unless he is coming out of contract.
Lachlan Hansen - Kangaroos: If he was a Demon and not a Kangaroo he might have been playing every week.
Todd Goldstein - North Melbourne: Behind McIntosh, Petrie and Hale at the moment so a move to Melbourne might be beneficial for him.
Daniel Connors - Richmond: Close to getting a game for the Tigers, but could be a star at Melbourne and a replacement for Robertson.
James Gwilt - St Kilda: While his role at the Saints might be more important when Hudghton retires, he could move to Melbourne and have a much better chance of playing.
Shaun Higgins - Western Bulldogs: Could be a big star in the midfield at Melbourne, while his role at the Bulldogs is still as a player off the bench.
Malcolm Lynch - Western Bulldogs: With Hill's breakout season, Lynch is going to be in the VFL.
Finding Victorian players that want to return to their home state is another trade option for the Demons.
Chris Knights - Adelaide: Melbourne can give him a much bigger role and possibly the captaincy in the future.
Matt Tyler - Brisbane: Wouldn't cost a lot in trade, especially if he was adamant about leaving the Lions. Might become the third tall defender that Melbourne need.
Ryan Murphy - Fremantle: Melbourne need a full forward, here is an option.
Robert Warnock - Fremantle: Melbourne need a ruckman, here is an option.
David Mundy - Fremantle: His development seems to have slowed down as Fremantle are having some troubles, if Mundy goes to Melbourne he could be used in a role like Brad Green is now.
Steven Salopek - Port Adelaide: Maybe he wants to be the top player for his club in the middle, he can do that at Melbourne but will be behind the Cornes and Burgoynes for a few more years at the Power.
Mitch Brown - West Coast: If he wants to return to Victoria, there is a spot at centre half forward for Melbourne for him.
Matt Rosa - West Coast: Already dropped to the WAFL this season, there is a spot on the wing at Melbourne for him.
Ashley Hansen - West Coast: Still young enough to be part of the rebuilding at Melbourne, and his time at the Eagles might be coming to an end with McKinley and Kennedy there.
