Garland has been simply phenomenal. I'd be surprised if he's conceded more than 10 goals this season. He was on 7 following the Hawks game.

Speaking of which, Garland kept Buddy to his second lowest score of the season, conceding just 3 goals (he kicked 1.7 against the Tigers). Plus we know Buddy got lucky on at least one occasion when he was on the end of some good work by his teammates.

For Garland to not only be able to defend against the likes of Franklin, but then to go onto the wing and play on Didak, is truly fantastic. I'm wondering where all of his knockers have gone. Wasn't it two rounds into the season when people were happily putting a line through him?

Warnock has also been a revelation. Went from 'automatic delist' to 'possible CHB for the next 10 years'. What he's shown in the past few weeks, which he has never shown before, is awareness. His speed for his size is decent, but what he lacked was awareness and an ability to read the play. He smashed Cloke, who I rate very highly for both his aerobic capacity and athleticism.

As for smalls, I haven't given up on Bell or Bartram and we still have Petterd & Cheney coming through.

For the first time in a long time, our backline actually looks better than our forward line.

I have the feeling that Bartram, Petterd, Bode & Cheney are our future there.

I am pleased to see signs that we are developing some good defensive players

keeping them together week after week will have real long term benefits

I also find defenders far less likely to become selfish players which can really hurt teams

Good point demondave, thank christ he left when he did. Just imagine the outrage...aussie shaping up, tall defense appearing to become effective - hell all we need is morton to shape up as a midfielder and newton to look like a forward and there'd be hell to pay!

I completely agree, in fact why stop there? Let's look at the whole picture!

- No obvious replacement for Neitz at FF

- No CHF

- No obvious replacement for White in the ruck

- Poor leadership

- One paced midfield

- No marquee player

- KP defenders have little experience

- No depth

You're absolutely right, all we have to do is fix these simple problems and we'll easily have a premiership in our hands, in fact I'm completely amazed that we haven't won the last 3 in a row with our brilliant list. CAC is a freakin genius with his skillful list management, and you're also 100% with your comments about the outrage, with everything being said around here people would think that we're dead last on the ladder!

The most promising aspect of our developing key defenders is versatility.

This year we have seen Garland, Frawley and Warnock all play on both big and small, quick fowards and done a promising job in most cases.

I feel a bit for Disco carroll. Battled alone for nearly two years and as soon as a couple of others finally put their hand up he is out of the side.

I agree. With support in 2006 (i think), quite a few in the media were suggesting Carroll wasn't too far off All-Australian selection.

I think Carroll brings good aggression, courage and strength to the side and with the emergance of Warnock and Garland, I think we will seem him have a bigger impact on games if he is given another chance.

hate to say it but before the season started i said garland was going to be a gun

hes from tassie with me and knowing him he is also a great bloke. Going to be a star.

Frawley on the other hand im not sure of he is a bit undersized and gets mauled too easily for my liking.

Also why did Bailey drop Holland he kicked 3 goals or even pick Addam Maric this kid is seriously good.

Also why did Bailey drop Holland he kicked 3 goals or even pick Addam Maric this kid is seriously good.

Holland is injured.

ah fair enough then

not a backman but tries his heart out and is a capable forward.

Liking Maric aswell best goal kicking accuracy in the TAC cup. Which is what we need .. players capable of finishing goals when we are in with a shot of winning.

I'm surprised James Frawley hasn't be added to this list. He will be a super player for the MFC and possibly the next Darren Glass. We have a great backline devloping.

Frawley im not sure of he is a bit undersized and gets mauled too easily for my liking

Frawley im not sure of he is a bit undersized and gets mauled too easily for my liking

It is his 2nd year. Funny how the likes of other KPP players from that draft who have had the luxiry of beign groomed through the VFL e.g. Lachlan Hanse, Ben Reid and Mitch Thorp don't come under as much scrutiny as young Frawley. He will take time but the talent is there.

Frawley im not sure of he is a bit undersized and gets mauled too easily for my liking

He's 19 and trying to take Carroll's spot at FB. He's doing fine, but like Garland up until this year, he is low on confidence.

He should continue to keep Carroll out of the team as this is a developement year and he shows promise as a 192cm agile bloke-stopper. Doesn't help as much as he should but Garland, Warnock, Bell, and Rivers do enough of that so he has time.

He's 19 and trying to take Carroll's spot at FB. He's doing fine, but like Garland up until this year, he is low on confidence.

He should continue to keep Carroll out of the team as this is a developement year and he shows promise as a 192cm agile bloke-stopper. Doesn't help as much as he should but Garland, Warnock, Bell, and Rivers do enough of that so he has time.

I think Frawley's strengths are not suited to a KP role, he seems to be play his best when he's a rebounding flanker playing on the mid size forwards.

I think Frawley's strengths are not suited to a KP role, he seems to be play his best when he's a rebounding flanker playing on the mid size forwards.

He doesn't have the skills to rebound.

Also why did Bailey drop Holland he kicked 3 goals or even pick Addam Maric this kid is seriously good.

Maric will be seriosly good, but, if you've seen him in the flesh now, and you think that he is ready for AFL, then you must think that Cale Morton is built like Captain Beefcake. He needs a couple of pre-seasons.

Maric will be seriosly good, but, if you've seen him in the flesh now, and you think that he is ready for AFL, then you must think that Cale Morton is built like Captain Beefcake. He needs a couple of pre-seasons.

Saw Maric a few weeks ago when Sandringham played Williamstown. The kid has a really good football brain but only looks about 12!

Apparently he wants to finish year 12 and get a reasonable enter score, so (as I understand) is being kept at Sandringham and not "pushed" too hard just yet.

But who knows, we may see him in the big time sometime this year. In the mean time he can enjoy being coached by Bailey and Lovell at Melbourne and by Justin Fletcher's old man at school.

as has already been mentioned, Frawley is a second year player.

he is 19 yrs old and still is lightly built yet ppl want him to be able to outmaneavre strong bodied experienced forwards...

Guyz like Mitch Thorp, Beau Dowler, Ben Reid and other top10 draftee KPP are still learning the trade at vfl bc KPP take longer to develop.

Garland has shown how improvement can come at any time when u least suspect it, and it would silly to rule out frawley bc he isn't setting the world on fire atm.

As long as he gets 15 games experience this season he will be better for it come 2009

I completely agree, in fact why stop there? Let's look at the whole picture!

- No obvious replacement for Neitz at FF

- No CHF

- No obvious replacement for White in the ruck

- Poor leadership

- One paced midfield

- No marquee player

- KP defenders have little experience

- No depth

You're absolutely right, all we have to do is fix these simple problems and we'll easily have a premiership in our hands, in fact I'm completely amazed that we haven't won the last 3 in a row with our brilliant list. CAC is a freakin genius with his skillful list management, and you're also 100% with your comments about the outrage, with everything being said around here people would think that we're dead last on the ladder!

You forget Jarka that I own you. I've done you before on this topic and you don't even know that your argument is dead. At least you're not sniping at players this time - just former employees of the club.

Where should I begin...Newton or Zomer are replacements for Neitz...and Miller, Bate or Dunn may have developed into replacements. Of crouse, you expect that recruiters must understand the definitive destiny of every player - heck other clubs clearly do - and so do you with hindsight.

Miller, Dunn, Bate and Newton may all still develop into CHF...but you do not understand the modern chf anyway.

WE've recruited a bunch of ruckmen. There are four replacements for White. They are better around the ground or better tap. None have his leap or experience. But we have replacements, not clones.

Our leadership is improving all the time. How have you rated Mclean, Jones, Bate, Miller, Rivers this year...or do you not watch the games?

Our midfield is one paced. Except for Bate. And Davey. And Morton. And Bartrum. And Grimes and Maric ( who are developing). ARE YOU GETTING THE MESSAGE? I guess you also forget that we lost thompson (who is quicker than the other current mids) and broadbridge as a running rebounder...but hey, let's not let facts stand in the way of mindless ridicule. And Garland is clearly quick, bell is bloody quick, aussie is fast at reading play and reasonably pacy...Wheels when he is playing had good pace, frawley is quick...

no marquee player...well [censored] you've got one! Of course that is entirely the fault of CAC. Oh wait...

Blaming CAC for having defenders with little experience is about as clever as blaming the players' mothers for having them born late. He does not determine when they'll play...that is coaching (god, its horrible. Look away children).

No depth...well of everything you've said, this is the winner for stupid. Who are you comparing it to? Over what positions? Given how much experience? At what point of development is our list vis a vis a premiership? Would you prefer that we hang on to Fergs and wardy - clearly you would.

Now, if you'd argued that list management had been a problem rather than just take pot-shots at one aspect of it (recuiting), whell then that is an interesting arguement. But don't post about recruiting again, for your sake.

You forget Jarka that I own you.

In your dreams.

Zomer is our replacement for Neitz?

This one comment sums up your entire reply. A guy who hasn't even played one single game for Melbourne is our replacement for David Neitz at FF? Hell he's played just one game for Sandy and you've decided to annoit him as our next FF? FFS don't put too much pressure on the poor kid, at least let him play a couple of games of footy first.

pfft, the sadest thing is that you actually believe the tripe you post here.

PS Even Grimes describes himself as one paced, you have no idea at all

*shakes head*

I completely agree, in fact why stop there? Let's look at the whole picture!

- No obvious replacement for Neitz at FF

- No CHF

- No obvious replacement for White in the ruck

- Poor leadership

- One paced midfield

- No marquee player

- KP defenders have little experience

- No depth

You're absolutely right, all we have to do is fix these simple problems and we'll easily have a premiership in our hands, in fact I'm completely amazed that we haven't won the last 3 in a row with our brilliant list. CAC is a freakin genius with his skillful list management, and you're also 100% with your comments about the outrage, with everything being said around here people would think that we're dead last on the ladder!

Are you serious? Are you a Melbourne man or have you been sent by our opponents to try to rob us of hope and destabilse us? We are rebuilding.

1. Cannot replace Neitz. A star full forward is great to have but not necessary to win a flag. Our forward line is progressing with the likees of Wona, Sylvia, Bate and the improvement of Miller. I look forward to seeing Maric and I believe a big part of the clubs focus over the next couple of years will be to recruit or develop a key forward. Admittedly this is a void that needs to be filled

2. See 1.

3. Cannot replace White. We have a number of young ruckmen at the club. They take time. Johnson will be a handy second ruck. Meesen may still make the grade.

4. Leadership. Moloney, Jones, Mcdonald. We are a young side with recent retirements. It is exciting to watch leaders rise up the ranks. Moloney has taken his game to another level. It is great to see new leaders emerge. They will be developed as the team does.

5. Midfield. They get the footy. I would rather have a strong ball getting midfield than a quick group of recievers. Make no mistake our midfield will become our greatest strength moving forward. We do need to look at injecting pacy players on the wings and half back line to complement Davey.

6. No Marquee player. Who cares? I want a team to be proud of. A premiership wouldnt go astray.

7. KPPs lack experience?????? WTF does that mean? The MFC should no longer allow KPPs to make thier debut as they don't have the necessary experience.

8. No depth. Agreed. We have had mass retirements and we are rebuilding.

I dont really care what people think about the merits or otherwise previous recruiters. Time to get over it and look to the list for what we have and look to get what we need for the future.

Success in the AFL is a cyclic thing. We are in the rebuilding phase and are bottom out. I only want to see improvement which will hopefully transfer into some wins mid next year.

I have said before that I would rather be us than St Kilda.

Dont sarcastically attack those who are attempting to be positive. They are looking at a bigger picture than you are. Far more productive to find plusses in the list than to put down others.

Our midfield is one paced. Except for Bate. And Davey. And Morton. And Bartrum. And Grimes and Maric ( who are developing). ARE YOU GETTING THE MESSAGE?

We robbed Davey from our forward line because we needed to inject pace into our midfield. Are we going to do the same with Maric? Wasn't he recruited as a forward, and hasn't he been playing forward for Sandringham?

As for Bate, does he cover the ground quicker than our 'one paced' midfield? I wouldn't call Morton a speedster either, but it's reported that he has great endurance and seems to find time to use the footy. I believe Grimes said in an interview that he had never been called quick (refer MFC site).

PS Even Grimes describes himself as one paced, you have no idea at all

grimes might be one paced, but he isn't slow. his 20m sprint time at the academy was under 3 seconds and was in the 'elite' level i believe. his beep test was also 15.10 which would have EASILY made him the number 1 endurance at draft camp had he not been injured.

We are rebuilding.

Correct, we are rebuilding. That is the point I'm trying to make.

But what are the reasons why we find ourselves in a position where we are forced to rebuild the list?

grimes might be one paced, but he isn't slow. his 20m sprint time at the academy was under 3 seconds and was in the 'elite' level i believe. his beep test was also 15.10 which would have EASILY made him the number 1 endurance at draft camp had he not been injured.

Read rogues reply, he clearly does not see himself as being quick, which is an accurate assessment.

I've never said that he is slow.

nonetheless, pure pace can be overrated.

Sure, every team needs a flashy finisher or two- just look at the importance of Pendlebury at Collingwood. We have one in Davey and another one wouldn't hurt.

However quick ball movement is everything, not quick speed necessarily.

A midfield of Jones, Mclean, Moloney, Valenti and Davey could loook very quick if they use the ball well and efficiently.

just look at Hawthorn. They core of their is Mitchel, Sewell, Hodge, Crawford, McGlynn. NONE of these players are super quick. They are all tough, talented players who use the ball efficiently and cleverly. they do have Batemen who is super quick and he tops them off nicely, but he Bateman often play off half back rather than in the midfield.... the point i'm makign is quite clear

nonetheless, pure pace can be overrated.

True, but we don't have the talent in our midfield to make up for it.