This is brought up every few months.

The guy can't kick well for goal.

But he also can't:

Put in the work required in the gym.

Take a grab in a pack, unless on top of one.

Beat an opponent one-on-one.

Lead fast.

Track back on his opponent.

Make compotent decisions with the ball.

He has only learnt in the last 12 months:

Not to run his mouth off.

Chase and tackle when the ball is loose.

If we are to employ coaches specifically to improve the talents of Newton, we'd be broke. Get a goal kicking coach, but don't expect that to fix all the problems that encapsulate Michael Newton.

Jack Fitzpatrick can do all of that! Thats why he will be playing out of the goal square in short time.

Newton s lazy and doesnt take his football seriously. I would be paying him out and rookieing a young fella who wants to have a go!

Panos, Grimes, Daw, Patrick, Dare etc! There is a multitude of kids who would love Newtons spot.

Time is up Newton!

Newton definitely showed improvement in his defensive game last year and that's all about work rate and attitude.

I'm just as happy to see him on our list next year as I am to see a speculative rookie tall.

Toby Thurstans kicked 4 goals in a winning GF side.

Meesen's engine is an appealing attribute, he could ruck all day enabling us to play a part-time ruck forward as relief.

He was making good progress before his injury last year.

If he's over that then I'm happy to see him have another year too.

Above all, he has a low football IQ.

Newton definitely showed improvement in his defensive game last year and that's all about work rate and attitude.

I'm just as happy to see him on our list next year as I am to see a speculative rookie tall.

Toby Thurstans kicked 4 goals in a winning GF side.

Meesen's engine is an appealing attribute, he could ruck all day enabling us to play a part-time ruck forward as relief.

He was making good progress before his injury last year.

If he's over that then I'm happy to see him have another year too.

Shane Ellen kicked 5.

Meesen's injury was most unfortunate for him personally. As long as his body is sound and injury free for a prolonged period and his form is very good, I'd be happy too to have him for another year. However, the pieces must fall into place for him, any further injury or delay could well be the last nail.....alot has to go right for him for him to remain an AFL footballer. The main pre-requisite for an AFL footballer is to play the game, and play it well. He hasn't past first base yet.

I don't hold high hopes for him.

Edited December 4, 200915 yr by High Tower

Shane Ellen kicked 5.

Meesen's injury was most unfortunate for him personally. As long as his body is sound and injury free for a prolonged period and his form is very good, I'd be happy too to have him for another year. However, the pieces must fall into place for him, any further injury or delay could well be the last nail.....alot has to go right for him for him to remain an AFL footballer. The main pre-requisite for an AFL footballer is to play the game, and play it well. He hasn't past first base yet.

I don't hold high hopes for him.

I spoke to John at training on Wednesday. I asked him if it was the same injury he had this time last year. He said it was.

Stress fracture of the foot. Certainly, don't get your hopes up. When these type of injuries occur it's out for 3 months or more. In his case he has been out a lot longer. He is a high risk player now and will probably miss part of pre-season if not more. His is cycling at the moment and hopes to start running in a couple of weeks. He was running this time last year doing lap upon lap only to break down during the season.

Maybe, he (or Newton) should remain as a delisted player with the proviso they play at Casey and we re-rookie him next year if he is over his injury.

for all those talking about GC rookieing one of our superstars in hiding (im in an optimistic mood) they said earlier this year that they were only going to draft young players with their rookie picks, no mature players. It was in reference to VFL players having a chance at getting picked up. With that in mind, the likelihood is low, but as i said, i'm in an optimistic mood...

First I think Ablett is about 28 and if he is that is probably too old for their needs.

Second I wonder if there isn't a way to do some sort of deal here. For example we could agree that if they drafted a player or two that we wanted like D. Grimes and Daw/Temel/etc they could agree to swap him or them to us for a player next year.

Third we could ask them to consider taking Newton and Meesen. Given that they need some big bodies for their VFL side next year to help the youngsters and both may kick on and additionally we pay most of their salary, we could then agree in advance to a player swap next year. This would give both boys a chance in a developing team which is more than they might have on our rookie list.

Longshots I know but sometimes you have to think outside the square.

I wouldn't be surprised to see GC pick up Ablett - if only for the marketing exercise.

His body whilst 28, hasn't been knocked about as much as a lot of other footballers at that age as he hasn't played for a couple of years.

They could rookie him, which will be better for our pick 6.

Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to matter. If we're going to pick up another kid, I expect we'll do it through the PSD.

I wouldn't be surprised to see GC pick up Ablett - if only for the marketing exercise.

His body whilst 28, hasn't been knocked about as much as a lot of other footballers at that age as he hasn't played for a couple of years.

They could rookie him, which will be better for our pick 6.

Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to matter. If we're going to pick up another kid, I expect we'll do it through the PSD.

28 ?!!!!

Nathan Ablett turns 24 on December 13.

Gary Ablett Jnr is 25 fwiw.

Edited December 4, 200915 yr by High Tower

Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to matter. If we're going to pick up another kid, I expect we'll do it through the PSD.

How can we do that when we only get one pick in the PSD and that is Joel MacDonald.?

28 ?!!!!

Nathan Ablett turns 24 on December 13.

Gary Ablett Jnr is 25 fwiw.

He is referring to Luke Ablett. Who is (Nog).

This is brought up every few months.

The guy can't kick well for goal.

Put in the work required in the gym.

Take a grab in a pack, unless on top of one.

Beat an opponent one-on-one.

Lead fast.

Track back on his opponent.

Make compotent decisions with the ball.

He has only learnt in the last 12 months:

Not to run his mouth off.

Chase and tackle when the ball is loose.

im not sure if you are on the mfc coaching staff, but have you ever seen him at a gym session?

and i raise you all of those things and ask who on the melbourne list can:

Take a grab in a pack, unless on top of one.

Beat an opponent one-on-one.

???

i dont think he actually has a bad marking ability. but i cannot remember very many occasions in the handful of games he has played for the mfc when the ball has been delivered out in front, or to his advantage, ie on his side of the contest. most of the time the ball is above his head, and not many players take marks like that with a defender punching.

im not saying he is great. im not even saying he will make the grade as afl standard. but i think you are being overly harsh on a player who has improved, and imo has shown that he does have some level of ability and could be a handy player.

that being said, if he is delisted i will not be annoyed, but i don't think he deserves a trash talking, or a bagging etc like he gets on here.

in 21 games he has kicked 29 goals 24. average of 4.4 marks and 2.3 tackles. not a fantastic return, but it could be far worse. he might not be the player who kicks 5-6 a game, but he may be a competitive tall forward option who kicks 2 a game with good delivery. either way, but no need to pay him out.

im not sure if you are on the mfc coaching staff, but have you ever seen him at a gym session?

and i raise you all of those things and ask who on the melbourne list can:

Take a grab in a pack, unless on top of one.

Beat an opponent one-on-one.

???

i dont think he actually has a bad marking ability. but i cannot remember very many occasions in the handful of games he has played for the mfc when the ball has been delivered out in front, or to his advantage, ie on his side of the contest. most of the time the ball is above his head, and not many players take marks like that with a defender punching.

im not saying he is great. im not even saying he will make the grade as afl standard. but i think you are being overly harsh on a player who has improved, and imo has shown that he does have some level of ability and could be a handy player.

that being said, if he is delisted i will not be annoyed, but i don't think he deserves a trash talking, or a bagging etc like he gets on here.

in 21 games he has kicked 29 goals 24. average of 4.4 marks and 2.3 tackles. not a fantastic return, but it could be far worse. he might not be the player who kicks 5-6 a game, but he may be a competitive tall forward option who kicks 2 a game with good delivery. either way, but no need to pay him out.

Yeah, I'm harsh on him.

As a footballer.

The only thing I question that has to do with his application is the fact that Bate, who came to the club at the same time, and played half of his career in the midfield, has more upperbody definition than Newton.

He has not, up until now, done the work in the summer to give himself the best opportunity to succeed. Posters need to stop questioning the coaching/development methods that lead to a problem like Michael and look at the man himself.

And Miller, Bate, Jurrah, and Martin, have all shown more than Newton playing the position he wants to play. And I haven't mentioned Watts yet, who will, hopefully, soon possess those attributes I said Newton lacked.

This is from a recent article in the Gold Coast Bulletin -SA star warms up for AFL draft on Coast. 

Gold Coast media manager Greg Price is quoted:

As we progress from TAC Cup (under-18) to VFL we are going to need some bigger bodies and some more experienced players and they fit that description of player to surround our younger players with.

Really, if he's looking for experience at VFL level, he need look no further than Michael Newton who spent the better part of the past five years learning the ropes in that competition. In his early days he was in the shadow of Nick Sautner, then he had his share of injuries and lately has been swinging from AFL to VFL. If given a regular spot in the Gold Coast side, he would surely kick at least 65-70 goals up here. I think that's exactly what they're looking for to bolster their young kids moving up the ranks.

I wouldn't be surprised therefore, if the Gold Coast named him among their first five draft picks in the forthcoming rookie draft. 

 

It wouldn't surprise me.

pick 6 in the rookie draft is to high a pick for either of them. i would really like someone that is at least a remote chance of making it in the afl. really am hoping the GC pick up newton.

Newton is out of the contest once the ball hits the deck. Not good enough in today's game. He shouldn't have survived the '09 cull.

Meesen has showed glimpses and probably deserves 2010 to have one more crack at it. He really needs to play with more aggression though.

If reports of Meesen's injury are true and that he's going to miss most of the pre season, then the possibilty of him making it as a rookie elevation is a remote one. And if that's not a possibility why rookie list him. Surely, the club could pay out his contract or underwrite a fresh contract so that he can play for Casey and still gets paid out his contract?

If reports of Meesen's injury are true and that he's going to miss most of the pre season, then the possibilty of him making it as a rookie elevation is a remote one. And if that's not a possibility why rookie list him. Surely, the club could pay out his contract or underwrite a fresh contract so that he can play for Casey and still gets paid out his contract?

If that is the case regarding his injury and missing most of pre-season, then for mine the goal posts have shifted a little, because it might be less likely a rookie elevation will happen for him. So, in that regard D'land, I agree regarding questionning the rookie listing of Meesen.

Edited December 9, 200915 yr by High Tower

So for argument's sake, that would free up pick 22 in the Rookie Draft?

So for argument's sake, that would free up pick 22 in the Rookie Draft?

pick 6 more like it.

You'd give Newton every chance possible to be taken by another club and take him with the latest pick you possibly can.

We have picks 6 & 22 in the RD.

Edited December 11, 200915 yr by High Tower

...

The only thing I question that has to do with his application is the fact that Bate, who came to the club at the same time, and played half of his career in the midfield, has more upperbody definition than Newton.

...

jeff white played afl footy for over a decade but never got any upper body definition...

im not sure how much definition james mcdonald or aaron davey have, though i realise these players are shorter that doesnt mean they cannot get muscle definition based on height.

some people do not develop physically no matter what they do. all i am saying is please comment on what you know. if you know for a fact he doesnt put in on the training track or in the gym, tell us how you know that, but citing his physical appearance doesnt cover it.

jeff white played afl footy for over a decade but never got any upper body definition...

im not sure how much definition james mcdonald or aaron davey have, though i realise these players are shorter that doesnt mean they cannot get muscle definition based on height.

some people do not develop physically no matter what they do. all i am saying is please comment on what you know. if you know for a fact he doesnt put in on the training track or in the gym, tell us how you know that, but citing his physical appearance doesnt cover it.

For role Newton was playing, body strength and the ability to play one on one are critical. He does not play that well. Its more than a body definition issue

It was the achilles heel of White from 2005 onwards that he could not play body on body. Davey is also limited in that respect and must rely on his strengths in other areas to cope.

For role Newton was playing, body strength and the ability to play one on one are critical. He does not play that well. Its more than a body definition issue

It was the achilles heel of White from 2005 onwards that he could not play body on body. Davey is also limited in that respect and must rely on his strengths in other areas to cope.

Think you've missed deanox's point there RR. Read the last line in particular. rpfc asserted that Newton's lack of body strength was due to him being lazy in the gym; how could anyone outside the club possibly know that? deanox rightfully pulled him up on it.

jeff white played afl footy for over a decade but never got any upper body definition...

im not sure how much definition james mcdonald or aaron davey have, though i realise these players are shorter that doesnt mean they cannot get muscle definition based on height.

some people do not develop physically no matter what they do. all i am saying is please comment on what you know. if you know for a fact he doesnt put in on the training track or in the gym, tell us how you know that, but citing his physical appearance doesnt cover it.

Yeah, good call. No one has accused Morton of being lazy even though at times he seems to become skinnier since he arrived at the club...