5. Brock McLean [184cm 86kg 03.11.86 - 75 games (14 in 2008), 32 goals (3 in 2008)] - the man upon whose shoulders rest the hopes of many at the club had a terrible start and end to his season.

McLean lost his place in the leadership group after a number of off field indiscretions ranging from brawling while tripping through Europe, doing wheelies in the Trinity car park after training and speeding home from a NAB Challenge match. Then he busted an ankle and missed most of the last half of the season.

In between, he was one of Melbourne's better players but only climbed to the true heights once or twice this season.

Hopefully, the experience of sitting things out for such an extended period will bring greater maturity and see him playing consistent football of an elite standard from next year onward.

Player with lots of grunt... and presence... never intimidated.

I was impressed when he injured his foot in the Brisbane game, refused to stay off, and he came back on and showed the way on one leg.

Captain next year, hopefully.

to state the obvous, brock is a very important player for us.

whilst he played well in patches this year, the most worrying aspect to his game was his slowness.

He has really lost his ability to accelerate through packs and looks tired and jaded. Indeed, at times he runs like a guy who is struggling with OP.

Perhaps the time off he has had in the last third of the season will do him well. He looks like his whole body needs a good rest and recuperation.

Lets hope his body can heal and he can come out firing in 09.

Currently Melbourne's best player. Obvious leader. Had he not suffered an ankle injury he would have won his first Best & Fairest for the club given the form he was in.

My only concern with Brock is that we may have seen the best he has to offer and he will just plod along at the standard he is at now. Can he get back to the form he showed in the final against the saints a couple of years ago?

My only concern with Brock is that we may have seen the best he has to offer and he will just plod along at the standard he is at now. Can he get back to the form he showed in the final against the saints a couple of years ago?

Of course he can. The addition of quality teammates around him on the field will add to his game.

I just hope he learns from his many mistakes this year, because he's key to any success we're to have in the next 5 years.

He is our best player but because of his lack of pace he will need to adapt his game and not hold onto the ball as long as he has in the past. As I recall that was how he broke his foot in round 1 last year. He was slow to dispose of the ball and got caught and was tackled awkwardly.

On the positive he is tough, hard at the ball, requires a good player to follow him around, is great in and under packs and is one of the best kicks in our team. He is a natural leader and will captain the team in a couple of years.

Has he...Hasnt he ?

Will he...wont he ??

Has he learnt the error of his indicretions ? has he now got his head firmly in the right place ??

Will he or wont he play to the level that he shows on occasions. Will he rise to the call ??

He's a very good player when on song. Why is it our good players have to be on-song. Surely really good players just are !!

People underrate his season.

Indeed, he finished second in Demonland's B&F despite missing half the season.

With the exception of the first 2 games (where everyone was terrible), Brock was one of our best and most consistent. To put it simple, without him we have no midfield and we lack serious leadership. It's sad but true.

28 touches round 1.

Averaged 23.6 touches a game, third at the club and played under duress to help us beat Brisbane.

Proven leader on field, needs to address his problems off field if he is to lead the club out of the depths but there is so much to this guy to like.

Hope he can have an injury free season to really stamp his name on the comp.

I thought he was awesome between rounds 3 to 14. Those 3 MCG games against Fremantle, Hawthorn and Collingwood were vintage McLean at his best. I reckon he'll snag about 6 votes in 3 games. Also had 20 touches to half time against the premiers and was solid against Carlton in round 5.

I'd be interested to see how we go next year if McLean, Rivers, Davey, Moloney Green (if still at MFC) and Bruce all play 20+ games next year.

I agree with others in that he's our best player. I know it doesn't matter, but I hope he has a big year next year and opposition supporters take note and realise that we have a genuine gun at the MFC...because at the moment would any club want any of our players in their best 22?

I'll confess I am as guilty as many when considering some players..in that I expect them to perform..EXPECT it.. I feel no joy in that they had a good day.. They should all be good days. The problem for Brocky is that sometimes you're only as good as your supporting performers. All too often he , if not a lone gun, certainly not well supported and as such is limited in his choices. Some hard work goes wasted as there often isnt the link happening to reward the effort and so he can look a bit of a goose.

I rate Brock for sure. I also will say he isnt quite where , even he would think, he ought to be. With a sound mind he'll get there though and as a team we'll be far better for it. Injury must niggle him, must frustrate him.

Definitely one Im hoping to have a sound preseason.. Many others in the team look to him ...He's very much a litmus of our fortunes.

Will be very much the "making of the man " type season for Brocky in 09. I wish him well.

I thought he was awesome between rounds 3 to 14. Those 3 MCG games against Fremantle, Hawthorn and Collingwood were vintage McLean at his best. I reckon he'll snag about 6 votes in 3 games. Also had 20 touches to half time against the premiers and was solid against Carlton in round 5.

I don't think there's any coincidence that those three games (Freo, Haw, Coll) were three of our better games for the year.

One of the rare guns in our team. Love ya brock.

Has had a good to solid season. Needs to play a full season though.

Can play. KEEP.

Quality footballer. Covers everything you would ever want for an in-and-under midfielder.

I'd just like to see him out on the park a bit more often!

Three comments of interest,

Essendon recruiting scout: "This kid is a football animal, he will go very early in his draft". - 2002

Tim Watson: "This bloke is a warrior!" - 2005

Same Essendon recruiting scout: "He won't be at the Demons next year". - 2008

Hope he is around long enough to claim his rightful place as captain of the MFC. We (and Jones) missed him big time in 2008.