We're a big chance on Sunday. I worry that we don't have the player we need to go with Richo, but I'm happy enough for him to be allowed to kick at goal. Purely on match ups (that one aside) I think we're in good shape to pick up a win.

Good post. I agree.

FWIW Frawley hasn't shown as much in his time in defence as many would have hoped for from a highly-rated junior, specialist KP defender and 1st round draft pick. At times he's been beaten in one-on-one contests a bit too easily, and hasn't looked as natural a reader of the play as Garland and Warnock, who have now overtaken him in that prospective FB/CHB position.

I think that DB has identified young Spud has been struggling in defence, and with the rise of Warnock/Garland, has noted that if Frawley is going to be a player, it'll have to be in a different role. I've read James played most of his junior footy as a backman, but its ridiculous for some people to suggest that at 20, and being a highly rated pick, he has no future in the AFL and is not worthy of playing in the forward line, because he has been poor in the backline. At least try it out, what have we got to lose? With Rivers out i must say it seems unlikely that he will play forward, but if we can't find an immediate match-up for him, i like the idea of trialling him at CHF.

Whether DB is playin coaching mind games or not, we wont know until game day, but I'm happy to see him named at CHF and genuinely hope he's given a chance to play there. One thing that irritated me most during the Daniher years was our inability to find flexible young KP defenders, capable of playing forward or back, because, with the exception of Brad Miller, none of our KPP's have ever had a go playing at the 'other end of the ground'. It's fair to say we haven't had enough quality young talls on our list in the first place to swing them around, but a guy like Frawley who has struggled as a defender at AFL level, is a perfect opportunity for the club to try develop a KP forward and do something different to what has been done in recent times.

Yeah I tend to agree Doggo, with the rise of Garland and Warnock, he doesn't need to be played in defence. I reckon when we had Carroll only DB, and Daniher last year, were using Frawley in defence in the hope that he'd be the answer to our KP problems. Now that Garland and Warnock have KP defence down (hopefully), DB can release Frawley to another position. And we all know we need to unearth some talent in the forward line, so who knows, Frawley might just solve some problems.

I think that DB has identified young Spud has been struggling in defence, and with the rise of Warnock/Garland, has noted that if Frawley is going to be a player, it'll have to be in a different role. I've read James played most of his junior footy as a backman, but its ridiculous for some people to suggest that at 20, and being a highly rated pick, he has no future in the AFL and is not worthy of playing in the forward line, because he has been poor in the backline. At least try it out, what have we got to lose? With Rivers out i must say it seems unlikely that he will play forward, but if we can't find an immediate match-up for him, i like the idea of trialling him at CHF.

How long did it take for Warnock to show this type of form at AFL level? He's 24, isn't he?

Frawley's still got time.

How long did it take for Warnock to show this type of form at AFL level? He's 24, isn't he?

Frawley's still got time.

I am not one who bags players as a rule but Frawley has shown nothing to suggest he is a forward. I agree that we have nothing to lose trying things this year but I can't see that working.

A key forward needs at least some of the following attributes

1. A leap

2. Speed off the mark

3. Sure Hands

4. Evasive skills

5. Goal sense

6. Strength

7. Skills

I know that he is young but he has had a few games. I haven't really seen him do anything yet that ticks off any of these. Even when young players dont perform it is good to see them do something, whether it be show some strength in a pack, take a fly, show a bit of pace in a chase, evade a tackle etc to illustrate that the player has a future. I haven't seen anything from him or I haven't seen the right game/s. I sincerely hope I am wrong and the coaching staff obviously see something in him that I am yet to see. I would be interested to here from others who may have seen Frawley do some good stuff.

What are his strengths?

I reckon for a tall bloke he's got quite a bit of dash, he's hands aren't that bad and i reckon evasive skills are one of his better attributes when he attacks of the backline.

Just my thought though

Melbourne

B: James McDonald, Colin Garland, Matthew Warnock

HB: Brad Green, Paul Wheatley, Cameron Bruce

C: Colin Sylvia, Brock McLean, Lynden Dunn

HF: Jace Bode, James Frawley, Clint Bartram

F: Paul Johnson, Brad Miller, Austin Wonaeamirri

Foll: Jeff White, Chris Johnson, Nathan Jones

I/C (from): Aaron Davey, Mark Jamar, Matthew Bate, Cale Morton, Matthew Whelan, Adem Yze, Nathan Carroll

In: Davey, Frawley, Jamar, C Johnson, Carroll, Whelan

Out: Jared Rivers (groin), Brent Moloney (shoulder), Daniel Bell

I am very disappointed Valenti didn't make the 25, let alone the final 22. An obvious replacement for Moloney. :angry: :angry: