Gary Buckenara analyses Melbourne’s needs and potential players to target during off-season

MELBOURNE has had some huge wins so far this season but what does the club need to take the next step and fight for a flag? GARY BUCKENARA ON MELBOURNE’S TOP TRADE TARGETS

MELBOURNE has had some huge wins so far this season but have also been inconsistent at times and while that’s normal for an emerging team it is crucial the Demons continue working hard on developing their gun youngsters.

After investing in youth for a long period of time and not having it work out for one reason or another, the tide is finally starting to turn but that makes this next phase even more important — keep developing the youngsters and target experienced players from other clubs who can complement what’s already there.

The Demons have done a pretty good job in balancing their list and they’re getting the reward for that on the field given they’ve missed Max Gawn and Jesse Hogan but still won games.

Jayden Hunt stands out at Melbourne and is an important player because they lack outside pace according to Gary Buckenara. Picture: Michael Klein

The key position stocks are good with the McDonald brothers down back, Hogan is a star and Sam Weideman reminds me of Matthew Pavlich.

The area of need is more outside runners who are quick, break the lines and are good ball users, particularly off halfback.

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Jayden Hunt really stands out at Melbourne because they have a lot of in and under grunt type players — Petracca, Lewis, Jones, Viney, Oliver, Tyson — but are lacking guys who break the lines and get the ball in quick to the forward line.

Another player or two in that mould would really complement that strong-bodied midfield group.

Angus Brayshaw has had so many concussion problems that his career has stalled and while in an ideal world his luck turns and he goes on to be an important player for Melbourne the question has to be asked: If the Demons were offered a good deal would they look at it?

If Melbourne got a good offer, would they trade Angus Brayshaw? Picture: Michael Klein

My answer is yes. If a club offered a first-round pick and a second-round or a player as well, you’d consider that for sure, especially if the deal could help Melbourne secure a player they desperately needed. It’s a bit similar to when the Tigers nearly snared Jack Trengove only for the deal to fall over because of medical advice.

WHO THEY SHOULD TARGET

Josh Kelly would be an unbelievable addition for the Demons. He would be the ideal fit in terms of age and development of the list out of all the players currently out of contract and who could potentially be on the move. Combining Kelly with Jayden Hunt and Christian Salem as outside players with good ball use would be huge.

Josh Kelly is in demand. Picture: Phil Hillyard

In fact there are a couple of other GWS players who Melbourne should be looking at — Lachie Whitfield and Devon Smith — who can add more quality to the midfield depth.

I also like Zak Jones for them and not just because of the family connection with co-captain Nathan Jones. Zak is exactly what the Demons need — he’s quick and takes the game on.

Jason Johannisen would be an ideal fit, imagine him and Hunt running off halfback. That would also put Port’s Jasper Pittard in the mix.

Could Melbourne unite the Jones brothers? Picture: Phil Hillyard

In order of priority I would have Kelly, Johannisen, Pittard, Whitfield, Z. Jones, Smith in the hope of luring one to the club.

Please note: It’s important for clubs to have a list of players to target and make contact with all of their managers to see if they might be available and/or interested in joining your club. You can’t have them all but clubs have priority lists they work from.

UNTOUCHABLES

Jesse Hogan, Nathan Jones, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney, Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Dom Tyson, Tom McDonald, Sam Weideman, Jayden Hunt, Jeff Garlett, Oscar McDonald.

Please note: AFL clubs have a list of a number of players they are targeting at the end of the season and this is the list Gary Buckenara would have in the hope of luring at least one to the club.

Gary Buckenara was Hawthorn’s sole full-time recruiting staff member from 2004 before the Hawks brought in Chris Pelchen and then Graham Wright as recruiting and list manager and expanded the recruiting department.