Jump to content

The Youth Moving Forward

The Cold Hard Truth
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

Posted

If the youngest 22 players on the current list were to field a side:

B....Garland......Frawley......Bode

HB..Petterd.......Martin........Bartram

C....Buckley......Dunn.........Grimes

HF...Morton.......Bate..........Maric

F.....Zomer........Newton......Wonaeamirri

R.....Meesen......Jones........Valenti

Int..Spencer, McNamara, Cheney, Weetra

What strikes me is the balance we have with a good mix of young talls (at either end), young smalls (again, at either end), and the versatility of midfield with many such Buckley/Dunn/Petterd/Morton who can play at either end on the flanks or through the middle.

Weetra and probably Meesen are the only obvious two I don't think we'll be seeing too much of in the future (at this stage, but if Col Garland has taught us anything, such comments aren't wise these days...!)

Will be interesting to see how Spencer and Zomer finish the year. At this stage I hope we see both retained for next season.

*Note: McLean, Sylvia & C Johnson are our next three youngest.

  • Quote
    •  

    Spencer, McNamara, Cheney, Weetra, Zomer and Meesen are the only ones on that list that dont seem to be either currently getting games or part of the future (ie petterd and grimes).

    thats a really promising sign.

  • Quote
    Spencer, McNamara, Cheney, Weetra, Zomer and Meesen are the only ones on that list that dont seem to be either currently getting games or part of the future (ie petterd and grimes).

    thats a really promising sign.

    McNamara's going to be awesome.

  • Quote
    •  

    tom mcn is also the youngest on an afl list this year too isnt he? with that in mind, give him an extra year of development that other players drafted this year. and also remember that he is a tall.

    dunn, bate, newton were all drafted bottom age in 2004, so this is their 4th year in the system, but they were all younger than their counterparts in the same draft.

    interesting that the applies to newton as well, who is still 20, and this is only his second year since debuting. i know he has problems but i am surprised that so many people are willing to write him off already.

    give your 22 some time and it will be an interesting list.

  • Quote

    • Author

    Interesting to note too that only 6 of our youngest 22 players are yet to debut (Meesen with Adelaide).

    Considering 2 of those 6 to debut are rookies and Grimes has been injured, its a fair effort and I wonder where this rates against other clubs.

    Grimes and Maric might both still debut later this year as the season winds down and more seasoned players head into surgery (or retirement..) as Melbourne exercise good 'list management'

  • Quote
    •  

    Spencer has to be retained next year interstate rookies get two years, but I'm not sure if they can nominate for the draft.

  • Quote

    Spencer has to be retained next year interstate rookies get two years, but I'm not sure if they can nominate for the draft.

    Thats interesting - i didn't know that about interstate rookies.......it is true then...you do learn something new every day...

  • Quote
    tom mcn is also the youngest on an afl list this year too isnt he? with that in mind, give him an extra year of development that other players drafted this year. and also remember that he is a tall.

    Colin Wisbey rated him at pick #14 and was a huge wrap for TMac. He will be good.

  • Quote

    And that's not including the 6 we'll take in the draft this year, the one or two in the PSD... and maybe the tradables...

    Exciting times.

  • Quote

    What are we going to do with Meesen....

    With ruckmen such as Jamar,P. Johnson and Spencer do we use him as a tall forward or trade him???

  • Quote
    What are we going to do with Meesen....

    With ruckmen such as Jamar,P. Johnson and Spencer do we use him as a tall forward or trade him???

    I reckon we should keep him for at least another year. If he shows no signs of improving, then we would probably be better off delisting the guy. Although he might be best suited to a Will Minson type of role. Basically to provide a big target to contest the ball up forward. Not necessarily to mark the ball, but to provide a crumbing situation for Davey or Aussie.

  • Quote

    • Archived

    This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREGAME: St. Kilda

      The Demons come face to face with St. Kilda for the second time this season for their return clash at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • 6 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Carlton

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Tuesday, 22nd July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees disappointing loss to Carlton at the MCG.
      Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • VOTES: Carlton

      Captain Max Gawn still has a massive lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Christian Petracca, Jake Bowey, Kozzy Pickett & Clayton Oliver. Your votes please; 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

      • 9 replies
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: Carlton

      A near full strength Demons were outplayed all night against a Blues outfit that was under the pump and missing at least 9 or 10 of the best players. Time for some hard decisions to be made across the board.

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Like
      • 147 replies
      Demonland

    • GAMEDAY: Carlton

      It's Game Day and Clarry's 200th game and for anyone who hates Carlton as much as I do this is our Grand Final. Go Dees.

        • Love
        • Like
      • 669 replies
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: Carlton

      Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
    View All