Mal Michael Likely To Be Traded

[Ruda Wakening]

It appears Brisbane may have to trade fullback Mal Michael or flexible key-position player Daniel Bradshaw next week to avoid a salary-cap crisis.

http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7520574%255E10389,00.html

[omnipotent]

Would be a very handy pick-up.

[SWANSBEST]

Mal Michael would be a great pick up, but what would it take to get him ?


Michael may be sacrificed by the Lions
By Peter Ker
October 12, 2003


Triple Brisbane premiership player Mal Michael could join Nick Stevens and Nathan Brown as the most valuable trading chips on offer when the official AFL trading period begins tomorrow.

Reports from Brisbane suggest Michael could be the victim of the Lions' salary cap dilemma, after the club spent most of the past week unsuccessfully trying to secure deals for a host of uncontracted stars including Nigel Lappin, Luke Power, Martin Pike, Robert Copeland, Alastair Lynch, Craig McRae and Daniel Bradshaw.

Melbourne, which boasts two of the first five picks in this year's national draft, has an acknowledged lack of key defenders, and was one of several clubs to confirm yesterday it would be interested should Michael become available during this week's trade talks.

The negotiations in Brisbane are being watched closely by the Western Bulldogs, who are keen to lure Power to Whitten Oval to join his brother Sam.

"We've certainly registered our interest . . . and if he was interested in returning (to Melbourne) we would love to have him," Bulldogs spokesman Stephen Newport said yesterday.



Newport said the Bulldogs were confident Geelong ruckman Peter Street would join the club during this week's negotiations.

Geelong football operations manager Garry Davidson said there was "a lot of water to pass under the bridge" before a deal was done with the Bulldogs.

Carlton has emphasised that Ryan Houlihan is very much a required player, despite reports he could be the latest player to switch clubs in a bid to play alongside his brother Josh at St Kilda.

The Kangaroos are awaiting Daniel Motlop's return from overseas to resolve his dispute with the club.

Kangaroos football operations manager Tim Harrington said the club was still to confirm why the exciting forward had expressed a desire to leave Arden Street.

Harrington said veteran forward Sav Rocca was keen to play in 2004, after considering retirement towards the end of last season.

West Coast has re-signed star duo Phil Matera and David Wirrpunda to heavy incentive-based contracts for next season and beyond.

Matera was pushing for improved terms after earning his first All-Australian nomination this season, while Wirrpunda's commitment ends speculation he could be offered as a trade.

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/11/1065676216064.html

[j s]

Originally posted by omnipotent
Would be a very handy pick-up.

I agree - he would be a nice pick up - depending on the price.

Three premiership medals with the Lions and then three with Sydney. Be a nice record to have.

[Gunn]

It seems like I am the only one that doesn't think much of Mal Michael.

Plugger always gave him a bath and so does Barry Hall. He has a good game in the Grand Final. He didn't get many possessions but did some good spoils. Not enough to redeem him in my eyes. He seems to be a bit slow off the mark and arrives late to contests. He is OK one on one where he can use his body strength but a smart forward wouldn't play that game.

If he is as good as some seem to think why has he been traded a couple of times already with another coming up? Brisbane don't seem to rate him that highly.

I wouldn't say no to him but wouldn't like to trade other than a Warfe <G> or maybe Seymour/Nicks if they were interested in going.

[NMWBloods]

Michael has been traded only once - from Collingwood to Brisbane.

Michael did always struggle against Lockett, but he tried to play the muscle game and at that stage he hadn't bulked up yet and Lockett was immensely stronger. Those games were in Michael's first couple of years and he'd played no more than 30 games.

I think Michael is a good solid traditional full back. Goes in hard and knows when to punch. Does well against a number of the forwards in the game, such as Lloyd, but struggles against the really quick ones like Hall and Tarrant.

[Craig]

Originally posted by Gunn
It seems like I am the only one that doesn't think much of Mal Michael.

Plugger always gave him a bath .

um I think Plugger gave most full backs a bath - especially those in their first couple of years.

[Newbie]

I would not read much into this. Bradshaw would always be traded before Michael so the chance of Michael actually being offered would be pretty slim.

With many teams express interest, he would only come with a hefty price.

May be the journo is getting over excited with something, but my expectation of us getting him is as good as none.

[chammond]

I think Michael is a good solid traditional full back. Goes in hard and knows when to punch. Does well against a number of the forwards in the game, such as Lloyd, but struggles against the really quick ones like Hall and Tarrant.

He's very good at what he's good at - strong man-on-man and a good punch from behind - reads the game well. But I can't see where he would fit into the current Swans set-up (what do we do with Schauble if Michael plays?) or game plan (in terms of speed and disposal he's barely moderate). It would be like getting Dunks back.

He's pretty much the antithesis of Saddington, but I know who I'd prefer to watch playing football!

[Red]

Originally posted by chammond
He's very good at what he's good at - strong man-on-man and a good punch from behind - reads the game well. But I can't see where he would fit into the current Swans set-up (what do we do with Schauble if Michael plays?) or game plan (in terms of speed and disposal he's barely moderate). It would be like getting Dunks back.

I really can't see what would be so bad about getting (another) Dunks back.

Schauble (AS) to CHB or flank, depending on opposition forwards.

FB: Crouch/Fixter -- Michael -- Powell/AS
HB: Leo -- AS/Sadds/LRT -- Tadgh

Sadds/Stevens -- loose man in defence, 'floating' between wing & HB line.

With Mal, we'd have our 'Gorilla Killer', plus a very strong cornerstone to our defence. A well as Schaubs has done at FB this year, I reckon he wouldn't mind relinquishing the opposition's best forward, and the freedom to play up forward occasionally.

I know for a fact that Mal was very homesick while living in Melbourne. If he had to play for anyone other than the Lions, we could probably get him to choose us due to our closeness to QLD.

And a higher pay packet is always a good incentive to move, now that's he's got a family to provide for.

Unfortunately we've got practically nothing to trade for big Mal. And you can bet that the Lions won't share their incredible luck in snaring him -- a straight swap for that idiot Molloy!

[Craig]

Originally posted by Red
I really can't see what would be so bad about getting (another) Dunks back.

Schauble (AS) to CHB or flank, depending on opposition forwards.

FB: Crouch/Fixter -- Michael -- Powell/AS
HB: Leo -- AS/Sadds/LRT -- Tadgh

Sadds/Stevens -- loose man in defence, 'floating' between wing & HB line.

With Mal, we'd have our 'Gorilla Killer', plus a very strong cornerstone to our defence. A well as Schaubs has done at FB this year, I reckon he wouldn't mind relinquishing the opposition's best forward, and the freedom to play up forward occasionally.

I know for a fact that Mal was very homesick while living in Melbourne. If he had to play for anyone other than the Lions, we could probably get him to choose us due to our closeness to QLD.

And a higher pay packet is always a good incentive to move, now that's he's got a family to provide for.

Unfortunately we've got practically nothing to trade for big Mal. And you can bet that the Lions won't share their incredible luck in snaring him -- a straight swap for that idiot Molloy!

I would think that Craig Bolton would get a run in our backline next year regardless of whether we get Mal. I like this lineup:

Crouch Michael C Bolton
Saddington Schauble Barry

[Plugger46]

Mal Michael is the best Full Back in the business. I can't believe anyone would even suggest that there's not a spot for him in our side. You make room, for a player of his quality. Sure Plugger, used to kill him, but he's the best player of all time IMO, and used to towell everyone up. Michael was only a kid in those days anyway. Bazza plays well on him because he is quicker off the mark, if Bazza went one-on-one with him, Michael would win every time. Bazza is the quickest key forward in the comp for mine, along with Tarrant.

Mal Michael is one of the reasons Brisbane are so great, and when it all comes down to it, I don't think Brisbane will let him go.

[Red]

Originally posted by Craig
I would think that Craig Bolton would get a run in our backline next year regardless of whether we get Mal. I like this lineup:

Crouch Michael C Bolton
Saddington Schauble Barry

(Slapping my forehead)

Of course B2 will be there! I knew I was forgetting someone.

It just shows though with a full-time full-back, we get so much extra flexibilty. Both Tige & B2 could have stints in the midfield, to good effect I'm sure.

[Craig]

Originally posted by Plugger46
Mal Michael is the best Full Back in the business. I can't believe anyone would even suggest that there's not a spot for him in our side. You make room, for a player of his quality. Sure Plugger, used to kill him, but he's the best player of all time IMO, and used to towell everyone up. Michael was only a kid in those days anyway. Bazza plays well on him because he is quicker off the mark, if Bazza went one-on-one with him, Michael would win every time. Bazza is the quickest key forward in the comp for mine, along with Tarrant.

Mal Michael is one of the reasons Brisbane are so great, and when it all comes down to it, I don't think Brisbane will let him go.

Absolutely spot on!

[penga]

i think we should go after pikey!!!

he would bring us a premiership for SURE!

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