RUSSELL Robertson has ended his contractual stand-off with Melbourne and agreed to a new two-year contract that will send the Western Bulldogs in a new direction as they seek a forward to bolster their attack.
Robertson had been asking for a three-year deal and entertained the possibility of joining the Dogs, but has instead accepted a two-year extension that will grant him a third season if certain performance goals are met.
The rising 29-year-old played 15 games this season and kicked 42 goals to win Melbourne's goal-kicking for the third time. He has played 205 games and kicked 379 goals in a career that began in 1997.
As one of the competition's more reliable medium-sized forwards for the past seven seasons, Robertson's contractual impasse with Melbourne pricked the interest of the Bulldogs, who are keen to recruit a marking partner for mid-sized forward Brad Johnson.
That attention may now switch to 24-year-old Port Adelaide centre half-forward Damon White, who played 13 games this year for a career total of 49 in four seasons at Alberton, but was unable to break into the Port line-up after round 19.
The Dogs have already committed themselves to acquiring Adelaide ruckman Ben Hudson, one of three tall Crows who want to take their careers elsewhere. Ken McGregor and young ruckman John Meesen, who is keen to join Melbourne, are the other two.
Meanwhile, Bulldogs assistant coach Leon Cameron will sign a new two-year contract after having discussions with Carlton, which is seeking support staff for new coach Brett Ratten.
Another of Eade's assistants, Chris Bond, met with Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews for a second time last Friday about a vacancy on the club's staff. Bond also has had interest from Fremantle.
■Veteran midfielder James McDonald last night easily won Melbourne's best-and-fairest award, beating second-year Demons Nathan Jones and Matthew Bate.
McDonald, 31, an All-Australian in 2006, won for the second consecutive year, becoming the first Demon since Jim Stynes (1995-97) to win the award in successive seasons.
McDonald was also named his club's most consistent player — also for consecutive years.
On-baller Jones, the 12th pick of the 2005 draft, had played just eight games before this year and polled 66 fewer votes than McDonald (256 votes). Bate was third with 179 votes, ahead of Brad Green and Aaron Davey.
Ricky Petterd was named best first-year player and young forward Michael Newton the most-improved player after booting 14 goals in 10 matches.
Recently retired Port Adelaide premiership player Josh Mahoney will become an assistant coach at Melbourne.
Melbourne's best
1. James McDonald 256 votes
2. Nathan Jones
3. Matthew Bate
4. Brad Green
5. Aaron Davey
6. Cameron Bruce
7. Jeff White
8. Brock McLean
9. Nathan Brown
9. Russell Robertson
BEST TEAM PLAYER: Brad Green
OTHER AWARDS
MOST IMPROVED: Michael Newton
BEST FIRST-YEAR PLAYER: Ricky Petterd
MOST CONSISTENT: James McDonald
BEST CLUBMAN: Lynden Dunn
