Jeff White?

[evertonfc]

Paul Harding - was he the short guy with the mo that went to the eagles?

he was really bloody good.

I was really cut when he left. Really cut. Thought he was a good ruckman, but he didn't do a lot at West Coast.

No to White. But i accept evertons argument that he could be a stop gap IF we are developing new ruckmen. But are we? We need to really assess McEvoy and Van Rheenan.

Well I think we are developing both of those guys, aren't we?

We should have gone for Cam Wood last year. Ruckmen are bloody hard to find. Although Melbourne seem to have 4 right now.

Wood would have been great, but we didn't have an 'in-between' pick to go for him. Pick 9 was perhaps too high; he went for exactly his market value (mid-teens pick).

Our next pick, 26, was used to secure Schneider and Dempster - an absolute bargain.

So we didn't really have something to trade away, unfortunately.

We need to look all over the country to see whats out there. I hope we have been looking far and wide. A 21-25 year old would be perfect. White would be the lazy mans option.

Maybe so, but as you say ruckmen are hard to find and it's pretty rare that a 24-year old Ben Hudson will be still in the VFL at that age.

If you can get White for a bargain basement price and he doesn't take much from the cap, it's an attractive short-term option and buys us time while we develop our long-term options without losing ground.

[st.byron]

Am astonished that some posters are genuinely considering White as an option. He's playing seconds for the team that is bottom of the comp.
Just what we need. Another over the hill ruckman. Pffft.

[evertonfc]

Am astonished that some posters are genuinely considering White as an option. He's playing seconds for the team that is bottom of the comp.
Just what we need. Another over the hill ruckman. Pffft.

A lot of people said exactly the same thing about Steven King.

And White is clearly not finished; Melbourne are trying to develop their younger ruckman while they are not in contention.

Unfortunately, our 'next gen' are too young to play week in, week out, so we need to find some alternatives until they are ready.

And you can bet your bottom dollar that White and King would be excellent role models for an up-and-coming ruckman.

This stuff needs to considered before the general public gets on internet forums to vent furiously...about something that may not even happen.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

I wouldn't mind White but I hope we can have a crack at Warnock & cut Melbourne's lunch.

I was on about him & Ben McKinley 12 months ago... both would be very handy.

i would take McKinley in a heartbeat but Warnock ii think is very much over rated hes a second string ruckman who can barely get a game in a team who has won 5 games for the year ( i know they got sandilands but still you would think if he was worth the $1m price tag hes been flogged around on he would at least be in the first 22 every week by now)

[stinger]

I think Jeff White is well and truly finished.
No value for us at all.

Hopefully King can go another year. Without him Mcevoy might struggle. I think Ben needs another year before he really steps up to the plate with King guiding him and carrying the bulk of the load would be ideal.

I'm not confident MG can go another year.

you are spot on there...i went to the dees v girlong game with a melbourne club member........white was pathetic....in a fairly pathetic team....the worst of the worst....no heart...no guts......and piss poor effort all around.......he is well and truly finished.......

[st.byron]

Am astonished that some posters are genuinely considering White as an option. He's playing seconds for the team that is bottom of the comp.
Just what we need. Another over the hill ruckman. Pffft.

A lot of people said exactly the same thing about Steven King.

And White is clearly not finished; Melbourne are trying to develop their younger ruckman while they are not in contention.

Unfortunately, our 'next gen' are too young to play week in, week out, so we need to find some alternatives until they are ready.

And you can bet your bottom dollar that White and King would be excellent role models for an up-and-coming ruckman.

This stuff needs to considered before the general public gets on internet forums to vent furiously...about something that may not even happen.

Fair argument Everton. Do you know how old White is? I can't get onto the MFC website to check at the mo. I would have thought he'd be at least 32.

[evertonfc]

Fair argument Everton. Do you know how old White is? I can't get onto the MFC website to check at the mo. I would have thought he'd be at least 32.

He's 32 in February next year.

So he's not exactly young, but his recent durability - and his own words that he feels great - suggets there's probably two years left of reasonable footy.

Put it this way, we've got Rix and Gardiner on our list as we speak - surely White is a superior option to one and possibly both?

[WayneJudson42]

Trent Knoble for mine... Capuano a close second...

How could I forget those two? The answer - very easily.

My goodness gracious me, we have had some rippers.

Don't forget Flannigan

[st.byron]

Fair argument Everton. Do you know how old White is? I can't get onto the MFC website to check at the mo. I would have thought he'd be at least 32.

He's 32 in February next year.

So he's not exactly young, but his recent durability - and his own words that he feels great - suggets there's probably two years left of reasonable footy.

Put it this way, we've got Rix and Gardiner on our list as we speak - surely White is a superior option to one and possibly both?

I see your point but he's a very different kettle of fish to King. King is 30 in November.
That two years is all the difference. Three years ago I would have looked at White seriously for sure. Now, he's just too far past his best for me. Comparing him to Rix and Gardiner, I'd put them all at about the same level. We don't need another one. Re him saying he feels great, Matthew Clarke said he felt great as well and we all know how much value he was.

[WayneJudson42]

Fair argument Everton. Do you know how old White is? I can't get onto the MFC website to check at the mo. I would have thought he'd be at least 32.

He's 32 in February next year.

So he's not exactly young, but his recent durability - and his own words that he feels great - suggets there's probably two years left of reasonable footy.

Put it this way, we've got Rix and Gardiner on our list as we speak - surely White is a superior option to one and possibly both?

I see your point but he's a very different kettle of fish to King. King is 30 in November.
That two years is all the difference. Three years ago I would have looked at White seriously for sure. Now, he's just too far past his best for me. Comparing him to Rix and Gardiner, I'd put them all at about the same level. We don't need another one. Re him saying he feels great, Matthew Clarke said he felt great as well and we all know how much value he was.

1: on talent... White >> Rix

2: On fitness... White >> Gardiner

3: How old was Jason Ball when he won the flag with Swans?

4: As a replacement for Rix, I'd offer White a 1 year deal. Unless we're eyeing someone else off.

[stinger]

[
And White is clearly not finished; Melbourne are trying to develop their younger ruckman while they are not in contention.

U

nah......he's finished alright mate.....absolutley.flowered.......and i had a real good close up look at him in the geelong game two weekends ago......

[evertonfc]

Matthew Clarke said he felt great as well and we all know how much value he was.

He was 33 when we drafted him and was preparing to retire. He said in December 2006 that he was a long was behind in trying to catch up fitness. He stuggled for a lot of 2006 and looked finished.

Nothing like White at all, really, who doesn't turn 32 until next February.

White's a fair bit younger, fitter, far more mobile and in his own words, he's learned how to find the footy. Big difference.

Not saying he's our saviour, but exchanging Gardiner/Rix for White would be a reasonable example of list management in my view.

Especially considering what a poor, poor player Rix is.

[st.byron]

Matthew Clarke said he felt great as well and we all know how much value he was.

He was 33 when we drafted him and was preparing to retire. He said in December 2006 that he was a long was behind in trying to catch up fitness. He stuggled for a lot of 2006 and looked finished.

Nothing like White at all, really, who doesn't turn 32 until next February.

White's a fair bit younger, fitter, far more mobile and in his own words, he's learned how to find the footy. Big difference.

Not saying he's our saviour, but exchanging Gardiner/Rix for White would be a reasonable example of list management in my view.

Especially considering what a poor, poor player Rix is.

Can see that he could be a back-up in place of Rix or Gardiner. If one of them was to be de-listed, then maybe. I'm just a bit tired of recruiting older guys who can't really be part of a long term plan. As previous posters have mentioned, we've had heaps of second and third club ruck recruits like Monckhorst, Clarke etc and none of them have provided any long term contribution or had the youth to be part of building a fair dinkum flag tilt side. We've currently got Gardiner and Rix, who I'd say are in that boat as well. Gardiner's body is stuffed and Rix isn't good enough.
I'd rather see a younger guy given a go. Having said that I agree that younger talent isn't always available.
I'm just not convinced that White is still able to cut it at senior level.

[bigcarl]

no.

what sort of a message would it send to a young guy like mcevoy.

players like him are the future and we must keep them coming through.

enough of the "topping up".

much more interested in getting some games into big mac. otherwise why recruit the kid in the first place?

[markp]

They say the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result... no more scrounging on the freakin scrap-heap!

[st_Trav_ofWA]

sustainabilityis the key
what do we get out of drafting a 32yearold ? does it hinder the progress of our younger rucks ? say king is no1 ruck kosi no.2 gardi no. 3 McEvoy no.4 Rix no.5 LVR no.6 Khan no.7 what would having a 32 yearold White add to the list ? in the best case King and Kosi would be holding down the ruck in the seniors with maybe Gardi getting a run if we play kosi as a forward more so in the VFL we would be forced to play (assuming we dump Rix) McEvoy ,White LVR & Khan only one would get first ruck the others would get bit jobs else where or a game in the VFL ressies yu would say given Whites ability to play as a stand alone ruck he would get the nod in the VFL hindering the progress of McEvoy LVR & Khan at least in the VFL rix canbe played as a backman

[saynta]

White would not be a great pickup. He would have been once and he grew up supporting the Saints. He had his chances to come to St Kilda when he left the Dockers. He turned us down.

[saintbob]

NO WAY.... is a very soft at the contest footballer, and now due to age, has lost a bit of athleticism.... would not go near him...

hope of MG getting fit and to form is a better bet than White...

Beautiufully written, couldn't have put it better myself

[LTN16]

If we delist Rix and one of King or Gardiner retire than I would say yes.

If King and Gardiner remain at the the club than its a no from me.

I think by next year that McEvoy will be capable of being the 3rd Ruckman in line.

[thejiggingsaint]

Spida Everitt? Cain Ackland? Trent Knobel?....How about? hmmmmm....Ben McEvoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????????????????

[st.byron]

If we delist Rix and one of King or Gardiner retire than I would say yes.

If King and Gardiner remain at the the club than its a no from me.

I think by next year that McEvoy will be capable of being the 3rd Ruckman in line.

Sone cold, which club jumper is the guy in your avatar wearing?

[evertonfc]

If we delist Rix and one of King or Gardiner retire than I would say yes.

If King and Gardiner remain at the the club than its a no from me.

I think by next year that McEvoy will be capable of being the 3rd Ruckman in line.

That's probably fair.

I'm sure King will go around again, but the question is over Gardiner. If he stays and can get himself right, then White is probably out of the picture.

But he has only played 50% of games this year...you suspect White would have played about 75%.

[Batnoe]

you have got to be kidding that you dont want him

Round Opponent K H P M HO T FF FA G B FP
Round 1 Hawthorn 3 6 9 4 28 0 2 1 0 1 61
Round 2 Western Bulldogs 11 9 20 7 15 1 3 1 2 0 103
Round 3 Geelong 10 15 25 10 10 2 1 1 1 0 112
Round 4 Kangaroos 9 12 21 5 20 1 2 2 1 0 92
Round 5 Carlton 10 11 21 5 24 1 1 0 0 0 96
Round 6 Brisbane Lions 9 14 23 8 20 0 1 1 0 0 97
Round 7 Fremantle 11 10 21 10 10 4 0 0 0 0 109
Round 8 Adelaide 10 11 21 8 20 3 0 1 0 1 106
Round 10 St. Kilda 9 9 18 6 12 0 2 0 0 0 77
Round 11 Collingwood 10 9 19 6 24 2 0 1 0 0 95
Round 12 Richmond 7 10 17 3 23 2 3 1 1 0 87
Round 13 Sydney 6 5 11 3 18 2 3 0 0 0 66
Round 19 Geelong 6 10 16 4 11 2 0 3 0 1 61

Whites Average
2008 Average: 8.5 10.1 14.5 6.1 18.1 1.5 1.4 0.9 0.4 0.2 89.4
he is still in good form, get a life



And Kings Stats

Round 1 Sydney 7 2 9 5 16 3 4 0 0 0 72
Round 2 Carlton 8 2 10 3 18 1 0 2 2 0 65
Round 3 Western Bulldogs 4 8 12 2 19 3 3 3 0 0 59
Round 4 Geelong 7 10 17 3 23 2 3 1 0 1 82
Round 5 Essendon 6 2 8 2 18 2 1 2 1 0 55
Round 8 Collingwood 1 2 3 0 23 1 0 1 0 0 31
Round 9 Brisbane Lions 4 5 9 2 11 0 1 1 0 0 37
Round 10 Melbourne 4 4 8 3 18 1 0 3 0 0 42
Round 12 Sydney 6 5 11 2 26 4 1 0 0 0 77
Round 13 Fremantle 9 5 14 6 17 3 0 3 0 0 75
Round 14 Kangaroos 4 8 12 2 27 3 3 1 1 0 79
Round 15 Carlton 8 4 12 1 23 2 0 2 0 0 60
Round 16 Hawthorn 12 3 15 3 21 3 2 1 0 0 83
Round 17 West Coast 1 15 16 5 12 4 1 1 0 0 74
Round 18 Port Adelaide 2 3 5 2 10 2 0 3 0 1 28
Round 19 Collingwood 8 5 13 3 14 5 2 0 0 0 79
Round 20 Fremantle 8 8 16 7 12 4 2 2 0 1 86

Kings average
2008 Average: 5.8 5.4 9.5 3.0 18.1 2.5 1.4 1.5 0.2 0.2 63.8


2008 Average: 8.5 10.1 14.5 6.1 18.1 1.5 1.4 0.9 0.4 0.2 89.4
2008 Average: 5.8 5.4 9.5 3.0 18.1 2.5 1.4 1.5 0.2 0.2 63.8

White- more kicks
White- more handballs
White more poessesions
White- more marks
White and King = hitouts
King - more tackles

White would offer us more around the ground- a more agile ruckmen like Blake but with 6cm on top of Blake

[Richter]

Am astonished that some posters are genuinely considering White as an option. He's playing seconds for the team that is bottom of the comp.
Just what we need. Another over the hill ruckman. Pffft.

A lot of people said exactly the same thing about Steven King.

........

Eh, King was recalled after proving his form and fitness after injury to play a great game in the Grand Final for the premiership winners. He was cut from the Cats because they needed room in their salary cap and had a young up and coming second ruckman (Blake) to complement their number 1 ruckman (Ottens). Where's the similarity with White?

[st_Trav_ofWA]

if you are going to pick up cast offs from other teams you always make sure its from teams better then you i wouldnt touch Melb's rejects they are wooden spooners