Demons Must Go The Trade Route

The Age

Saturday June 2, 2007

Robert Walls

They are big-name players, but the Dees need to look at trading them for future success

IT WAS less than three years ago that Hawthorn finished 15th. Several years before that, it had played finals.

As a club, it knew tough decisions had to be made. It decided to trade out senior players such as big Jonathan Hay and committed to use all its draft selections on securing the best young talent it could muster.

In the three national drafts under Alastair Clarkson, Hawthorn has selected 12 youngsters who have come from round one or two in the draft. That stockpile of talented youth is delivering some very exciting results.

Can Richmond and Melbourne do the same? We have reached round 10 and there is not a win between them. Three months ago, Melbourne was expected to finish top half and Richmond certainly not bottom.

Now, their seasons are shot and they have to look ahead. Because of their certain lowly finish, both clubs will be able to pick the eyes out of this year's national draft. But whereas Melbourne should be able to trade for some extra early picks, I don't think the Tigers will be in a position to do the same.

Melbourne should look closely at what the Hawks did, and be prepared to trade some senior players who still have currency and appeal to other clubs. If it waits another 12 months, it will be too late.

Five of Melbourne's senior players are tradeable. Skipper David Neitz and veteran Adem Yze are not included as age and wear and tear has wearied them. But Richmond's senior six are not tradeable for a variety of reasons, and that doesn't help the development of the club.

Melbourne's five are Russell Robertson, Cameron Bruce, Jeff White, Brad Green and Travis Johnstone. All would have appeal to certain clubs.

Sadly for the Tigers, it's hard to see how they could trade anything of value because it just isn't there. It's too late to trade Matthew Richardson. "Richo" is now 32 and the heart and soul of the place. One, he wouldn't want to go, and two, the faithful would burn down the Punt Road stand if he left.

Injury has cruelled Nathan Brown and there wouldn't be a club that would risk taking on Browny now. The flashy forward was a genuine star, but it is two years since he broke his leg and he hasn't been the same since.

Skipper Kane Johnson will be 30 next birthday and has a lot of miles on the clock. You love his leadership, courage and tenacity but no one would give up anything of value for him now.

Joel Bowden has been a wonderful servant at the club at which his father won a premiership. He is a Tiger through and through and having done his own thing in defence for many years in poor sides, you wonder whether he would be willing and able to learn new tricks.

Big man Troy Simmonds has only been a Tiger for 21/2 seasons, and is halfway through a five-year contract. The Tigers are light for ruckmen, so he has to stay.

And 10-year veteran Greg Tivendale just doesn't have currency. He is a good ordinary player. No more, no less. There wouldn't be another club that would give up even late draft choices to take him. So Terry Wallace has his hands tied in building his list.

Melbourne, however, should shake up its senior group by offloading some. Just this week, White said the Demons lacked on-field leadership when it counted. Too many of the Dees are front-runners who get very happy with themselves when on a roll. But they don't dig deep enough when adversity strikes. There's no hard edge to this group.

Coach Neale Daniher acknowledged this when he recruited a 28-year-old Byron Pickett last year. It's the perfect time to make a stand as a club and release a few names before it's too late.

Last year, Robertson kicked 44 goals, missed just the one game and yet didn't finish in the Demons' top 10. He seems too content with his lot at Melbourne. He needs a change of scenery to get the best out of his remaining years. Having to earn respect at a new club would get him out of his comfort zone.

The Western Bulldogs would be a good fit, where he could take the pressure off Brad Johnson, and with plenty of supply, a 50-plus-goal season wouldn't be beyond him. But, would the Bulldogs give up a second-round draft pick?

White has been a Demon for a decade. He has been a very good ruckman, but not a champion. At 30, his chances of being a premiership player are declining. But what a good fit he would be for St Kilda, which next year will be desperate for a ruckman as "Doc" Clarke probably retires and the yet-to-be-seen Michael Gardiner most likely departs. A second-round draft pick would suffice.

Green is another Demon who you feel has never quite extracted the most out of himself. He played in a grand final in his first season (2000) but there haven't been many highs since. At 26, we have yet to see his best. With his lead-up skills, safe hands and accurate long left boot, he would be an ideal candidate to benefit from the superb Sydney forward-line set-up in which Barry Hall, Michael O'Loughlin and Ryan O'Keefe have prospered.

And what about Johnstone. The man with the unfulfilled potential could be just the classy midfielder the Blues desperately need. Johnstone has had 10 years in the system but has not run or battered himself into the ground. With the right attitude at the right club, there would still be 100 quality games to be delivered.

And Bruce? I can just see him in a Brisbane Lions jumper enjoying the space and reading the play so very well at the Gabba. Leigh Matthews has introduced more than a score of youngsters to senior football in recent times, while ageing stars have left in droves. Bruce would give experience to a young outfit. He has a least another four seasons of quality football to give and can play virtually any position. Maybe the Lions' second-round pick could seal the deal.

The big question is, will Daniher be given the chance to turn things around at Melbourne? Ten years in the job is a long time.

Regardless, Melbourne's management has a golden opportunity to show strength and direction by trading for quality youth. The Hawks have shown success can come quicker than you think with the right programs in place.

© 2007 The Age

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