Nice article about behind the scenes on draft day......

Who we were after and why.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...4-19742,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...4-19742,00.html

great to see we got 5 out of the six players we wanted,

interesting they put a line through guys cause on injury - I read into that we were never interested in swift or trengrove

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...4-19742,00.html

great to see we got 5 out of the six players we wanted,

interesting they put a line through guys cause on injury - I read into that we were never interested in swift or trengrove

The club is probably sick to death of injury prone footballers e.g Sylvia, Rivers and McLean. We need our best players to remain fit.

interesting they put a line through guys cause on injury - I read into that we were never interested in swift or trengrove

Could it have been that they were never expected to be available at either pick 17 or 19 that also cooled the interest of MFC?

The club is probably sick to death of injury prone footballers e.g Sylvia, Rivers and McLean. We need our best players to remain fit.

Everyone gets injuries at some time or another. Just ask our man Jim who played 244 consecutive games. Its just that some players might be dealt a harsher blow with longer term injuries every so often. Some get soft tissue, some get breaks. Its part of the game.

Could it have been that they were never expected to be available at either pick 17 or 19 that also cooled the interest of MFC?

It could be that or that Swift perhaps was also from WA as well there being concerns about his injuries. We picked the best, the fittest and the closest proximity wise to the GPO Melbourne players available at picks 17 and 19.

It could be that or that Swift perhaps was also from WA

Fwiw, at the Draft Preview Function last Thursday Prendergast said the 'go home' factor was irrelevant.

He asserted that the Club would back itself to provide an environment that was good enough to keep players at Melbourne.

Fwiw, at the Draft Preview Function last Thursday Prendergast said the 'go home' factor was irrelevant.

He asserted that the Club would back itself to provide an environment that was good enough to keep players at Melbourne.

I would agree with him. The club should back itself to be able to keep a player.

They'll form bonds with teammates over the first few years that would be hard to break.

& kids at this age often want nothing more than to get away from home.

there's arguments for both sides, but in the end it is such a minor worry.

non-factor for mine.

I would agree with him. The club should back itself to be able to keep a player.

They'll form bonds with teammates over the first few years that would be hard to break.

& kids at this age often want nothing more than to get away from home.

there's arguments for both sides, but in the end it is such a minor worry.

non-factor for mine.

Of relevance with Jetta and Bennell is that both indiginous boys come from the same club and area and will join brothers in Whelan, Flash and Aussie at this stage. They should feel welcome and adapt fairly quickly given that scenario. Bail a former Melbourne boy appears so dedicated to playing AFL that he would move to New Guinea to play.

Of relevance with Jetta and Bennell is that both indiginous boys come from the same club and area and will join brothers in Whelan, Flash and Aussie at this stage. They should feel welcome and adapt fairly quickly given that scenario. Bail a former Melbourne boy appears so dedicated to playing AFL that he would move to New Guinea to play.

Very true, I missed that aspect.

edit: But I see these things as only additional benefits of the circumstances, not reasons to accept or reject any of them as a viable draft pick.

Of relevance with Jetta and Bennell is that both indiginous boys come from the same club and area and will join brothers in Whelan, Flash and Aussie at this stage. They should feel welcome and adapt fairly quickly given that scenario. Bail a former Melbourne boy appears so dedicated to playing AFL that he would move to New Guinea to play.

I wonder if Brad Miller would know of Bail?

Could it have been that they were never expected to be available at either pick 17 or 19 that also cooled the interest of MFC?

I think that played a part certainly... but it didn't look, according to the Quayles and Sheahans of the world that we were ever n the market for him. Perhaps we only had a passing interest, and then his injury just made them put a line through his name before they even started. I can see how the view might be that this isn't the time to take risks with your list. Maybe if we had a full squad of mature players, plus a decent spine + backups, then maybe you take a speculative one that could become a damaging player.... but not when you're constructing a list and don't even have reliability yet.

Of relevance with Jetta and Bennell is that both indiginous boys come from the same club and area and will join brothers in Whelan, Flash and Aussie at this stage. They should feel welcome and adapt fairly quickly given that scenario. Bail a former Melbourne boy appears so dedicated to playing AFL that he would move to New Guinea to play.

I think the point regarding Jetta and Bennell is a bit moot. Every club (except Dogs, at last glance) has indiginous boys playing for them. Why would ours be any more welcoming than them? Didn't work for Danny Hayes.

On Bail, yes, he seems to be chock full of heart. Which is a great place to start... but I'm also excited by how serious and professional Blease and Strauss are. That's Watts, Blease, Strauss and Bail that look like serious tryers even before they've set foot at the club. That's not to say Bennell and Jetta aren't serious... but I've not seen much about either... Only Jetta who seems to like the rough stuff.

Every club (except Dogs, at last glance) has indiginous boys playing for them.

Josh Hill, i think... but yeah, get your point.

I wonder if Brad Miller would know of Bail?

I doubt it, Miller left Mt Gravatt at 18 and Bail would've only have been 12 or 13 y.o. I also read in an article about him being drafted that he only joined Mt Gravatt recently, he hasn't always played there.

Josh Hill, i think... but yeah, get your point.

Oh really? Well there you go... Shows how much homework I need to do.

I actually loved it when Byron came to the club and the "brothers" played together... they looked dangerous... for about five minutes. That's why I kind of get prickly whenever anyone uses the term to describe a group of 3-6 indigenous players... It didn't count for much last time.

I actually loved it when Byron came to the club and the "brothers" played together... they looked dangerous... for about five minutes. That's why I kind of get prickly whenever anyone uses the term to describe a group of 3-6 indigenous players... It didn't count for much last time.

I agree. Too much stereotyping of a group of people in absence of fact.

I like the 5 minutes qualification.

I doubt it, Miller left Mt Gravatt at 18 and Bail would've only have been 12 or 13 y.o. I also read in an article about him being drafted that he only joined Mt Gravatt recently, he hasn't always played there.

Bail represented QLD at u/18 level in 2006 . Brad Miller's dad coached the same group when they were at u/16 level two years earlier. I don't think Bail was a member of that squad though. I'm sure he'd know about him. I wonder if Miller's dad has any links with our recruiting staff up here in QLD.

Bail represented QLD at u/18 level in 2006 . Brad Miller's dad coached the same group when they were at u/16 level two years earlier. I don't think Bail was a member of that squad though. I'm sure he'd know about him. I wonder if Miller's dad has any links with our recruiting staff up here in QLD.

There would be a link between Dean Bailey and some staff there. I'm assuming of course. But as I said before, I reckon Bail would know of Miller for sure, or vice versa through Millers connections with Mt Gravatt and as you pointed out, Goodvibes, Miller's dad. In footy clubs everyone seems to know everyone. Even if it is several years apart since Miller departed Mt Gravatt.

Not to mention, I'm sure Miller would drop in on the club and stay in contact with several people around the club