Dees deserve “big tick” says list guru

Melbourne supporters should be pleased with what the club has done in trade period, despite letting go fan favourite Jack Watts and giving up two first round picks for Jake Lever, says Chris Pelchen.

He believes by signing their number one trade target, and maintaining four selections in the top 50 for this year’s draft, the club is in a very strong position.

“If you look at it, they’ve picked up a key target in Jake Lever, he’s a player who should be able to play for the next ten years barring injury, he was clearly their target coming into the trade period, (and) they’ve secured it. They get a big tick,” Pelchen said on SEN Breakfast.

“They do lose Jack Watts, and I think most people would admit Jack’s had every opportunity at that club under several coaches, nothing to do with person’s character, he’s a good young lad, but ultimately his game style or willingness to adapt to a game style hasn’t been there.

“Ultimately they’ve given away pick 31, and I think what people are losing sight of is Melbourne have four picks inside pick 47, and they’ve got their key target in the draft, so I think they’ve done extremely well.”

In obtaining Lever, the Dees currently don’t have a first round pick in next year’s draft, which has been tipped as a bumper crop.

However, Pelchen believes they are capable of redressing the situation.

“The biggest or most significant loss is next year’s first round draft pick, but they’ve got 12 months to rectify that,” he said.

“They can go into next year’s trade period knowing the key target is to get another first round draft pick, and they trade accordingly.”