The Youth Moving Forward

[The Cold Hard Truth 0]

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.

[deanox 8,721]

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.

[Stigga 25]

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.

[Eastie Boyz 0]

General word is that he's alright, and Spencer's a ruckman and no one ever knows with them

[deanox 8,721]

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.

[The Cold Hard Truth 0]

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'

[Brocky 4]

F.....Zomer........Newton......Wonaimarri

Who?

[LeBron James 41]

Make it youngest 25, we need emergencies

[The Cold Hard Truth 0]

Who?

Pretty stiff to get pulled up misspelling Aussie's name...

But noted and edited...

[drdrake 3,045]

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

[H_T 2,941]

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...

[71 Molloy 266]

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.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

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.

[footyfreak 0]

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???

[Chook 14,602]

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.