15. Ricky Petterd [185 cm 78 kg 24.07.88 - 11 games (2 in 2008) 6 goals (0 in 2008)] - since suffering that life-threatening punctured lung in Round 14, 2007 against Carlton, he has played only two AFL games - the first in Round 1 of this year and the other in round 22 when he injured his hamstring.

In between he has suffered from osteitis pubis and related ailments but managed to play some really good games at Sandringham and will be an asset to the club if he can get through the next pre season fit and ready for 2009.

Was really excited about this guy when he debuted against Sydney in 2007. Infact it was one of the better debuts I've seen in recent years. Had the courage to take Barry Hall on, got 21 touches and a nice goal. I remember the channel 10 commentators raving about him. Then backed it up with a 14 mark performance the next week against Port to win a NAB nomination. Impressive stuff!

And then the MFC injury/bad luck curse struck him. Sad thing is if he has another injury plagued year or struggles to get a game, who knows what will happen to him. Important year for Petterd.

While his best position is half back, I'm impressed that he knows where the goals are and kicked his 3 and 4 goal bags for Sandy and did kick goals for the MFC in his first year.

One player who I REALLY hope steps up next year and beyond.

As Bert Newton once famously said to the audience in front of Muhammed Ali at the Logies, "I like the boy".

Looking forward to Petterd putting the O.P. behind him and to use another footy cliche', "hopefully he puts in a big 'uninterrupted' big Pre-Season."

I think Ricky will be a huge asset for our 2009 and beyond teams. His return games for Sandy showed he was a cut above, once he's back up to speed he'll be a really handy player.

Before his injury, his debut was outstanding.

Ricky will be quality. Got all the makings of a star midfielder.

One of the most disappointing displays of 2008 happened in the drubbing the Kangaroos gave us in the practice match at Casey. On arrival I walked one circuit of the oval with the first quarter in full swing. I got to the southern end just in time to see Davey hit the goal post with laser like precision from a snap. Then arrived at the Northern pocket to see a very lethargic Green run sideways after taking a mark and popping a dinky kick over his shoulder which landed in the arms of a gleeful Kangaroo 20 metres from an opponent, GOAL! By the time I got to the Bar flank we were already being flogged. It was there I propped for the rest of the day and watched Bate limp of with a hammy and the likes of White running into trouble and coughing up a handball to the opposition with regular monotony. The only passage of play that I could applaud was one where Petterd tackled one, two, three times and kept going for a fourth effort while Kangaroo players ran rings around our mob. In that single play Petterd showed his G&D and his ability to put it all on the line when other blokes were obviously taking a longer summer break. I agree with what all have said about his debut and have seen enough to know he has a place in our best 22 when, and if, he can get his body right!

I like this bloke..and yet he concerns me. Here we have yet another member of what is quickly becoming an elite club within a club, a band of players at Melbourne who through injury and ongoing fitness concerns may never really light up the way they were intended.

Id like him to return to his career path as it was, to develop and really turn on some games.. Id like him to. Im just not sure if he will get to .

Interested to see his progress though the perseason etc and see where he comes up to at the start of 09.

Like bub, I really do like Petterd, but I fear we will never see him reach his potential thanks to injuries. But he has definitely shown enough in just 11 games to be persevered with.

Like bub, I really do like Petterd, but I fear we will never see him reach his potential thanks to injuries.

That's very, very pessimistic. He is only 20 (recently) and we still have ALOT to see from him. He will have a very good year next year.

'MELBOURNEfc, crippled in debt by medical bills, ceased trading in 2008'.

That's very, very pessimistic. He is only 20 (recently) and we still have ALOT to see from him. He will have a very good year next year.

I dont particularly try to be pessimistic. Im jsut a hard and fast realist..I have no coloured glasses. I see things exactly for what they are..Sometimes I may wish them different but that doesnt take away from the underlying ackowledgements !!

He may well yet climb to lofty heights.. I just wont expect it !! Happy if he does

Maybe the injury took a lot more out of him than we all realise - after all he was close to death.

He did seem to lack confidence when he returned, bith the first time and the second.

Give him another year to regain his touch.

Ricky who?

Kind of the forgotten man. First season was a beaute, but that seems like such a long time ago now. I think it's fair to say his second one was forgettable.

I'm still a fan.

hope he doesnt go down the bartram path of struggling to find the rhythm again in his 3rd.

TRADE HIM!

TRADE HIM!

No way goose/YM. will be a very good player.