Round 1 next year

[sylvinator 96]

OK so here is my team... I have based a lot of my positions on conversations my brother had with Kerry O'Donnel and Josh Mahoney at the draft event. Also of coarse on my own opinions of where some guyz should be played.

Frawley, Warnock, Garland

Strauss, Rivers, Bennell

Davey, Sylvia, Grimes

Morton, Bate Green

Wona Watts Jurrah

Jamar, Moloney, Bruce

Interchange: Jones, Pettard, Jam McDonald, Joel McDonald, Martin, Scully, Trengove, Maric, Jetta

Depth: PJ, Bell, Miller, Dunn, Bartram, Cheney

Unproven 1st/2nd year players (Nb: obviously a few of these guyz will get significant number of games... some even round1... but too hard to place)- Blease, McNamara, Bail, Gysberts, Tapscott, Fitzpatrick, Gawn

Rookies: McKenzie, Spenser, Hughes, Healy, Meesan, Newton

My info from MFC's assistant coaches

- there was a battle between the defence and midfield coaches over Grimes. The midfield coaches won. Grimes will train and be developed to play midfield all next year. Take him out of your defences people!

- A large reason Joel McDonald was drafted was in case Garland never recovers from his injuries. Exact words "you'd be silly not to have someone in case Garland doesn't come up". If Garland remains injured, expect Joel McDonald to take his spot and slot into the back pocket. If Garland recovers, expect Joel to play a more depth, peripheral role in the team. It's a bit upsetting that Garland's injuries are so severe that they are taking these kinds of precautions, but hopefully Garland will come back 100% fit

- Tapscott was recruited with the thought that he'd play as a strong goal-kicking half forward flanker, so don't expect him to play too much midfield

- Martin is earmarked to play in the forward group, along with Fitzpatrick. Both these 198/201cm forwards will be developed as tall forwards, who can take ruck work in the forward line (or possibly even pinch hit in the ruck)

- I think it is worth noting that an assistant coach said that next year's draft is pretty much a write off, and the demons will look to draft heavily from the rookie list. In my opinion, the club has McKenzie and Spenser as 2 DEFINITE upgrades for next year is their development progresses as planned. Look to see Meesan upgraded as well if he recovers 100%. Wouldn't be surprised if 3-4 rookies are on our senior list next year. That makes sense, since coming 12th next year will get you only picks 12, the next year being only pick 40, then 57 etc. Basically we will only get a chance to draft 1 top quality kid, the rest will be speculative/ needs based selections.

My personal opinions

- Green should be looking to play as a forward more and more. It will extend his career. He is a smart, strong, experienced goal kicker. Also adds great versatility bc he is a difficult one to match up on (strong marking, but fast, fit, 185cm).

- Morton to be developed as a future CHF. at 194cm and a good overhead mark, with added bulk he could be a star of the afl. Won't play CHF until bulked, but in the mean time can play wing/half forward/half back. Morton has been quoted many times himself that he sees his eventual position to be CHF. That is Morton's own words!

- Strauss and Bennel to be ear marked as our attacking half back flankers for the next 10 years. Both speedy and amazing kicks.

- 2 players, Bruce and Rivers remain 2 extremely important parts of our team. Bruce in the midfield, and Rivers the rock in defence.

- Although they are unproven, I see Blease, Tapscott and Gysberts playing a few games this year. These 3 guyz are the ones that will replace Bruce and Green in the midfield/flanks as these 2 move closer to their retirements. No one else in our starting 22 is even close to being replaced

- Although Martin is on the bench, I see him becoming a very important player in the forward line/ ruck relief. If injuries become a problem, then even covering in defence. He will be a great guy to plug holes anywhere in the team.

[H_T 3,032]

Thanks for providing the information you gathered sylvinator.

By the sounds of that quote regarding Garland it does sound concerning. Although, if you've read anything from Demon Tingles, it seems a positive outlook with him about to commence running.

Fingers crossed for Garland anyway.

If we finish higher than 12th, even that "pick" that you speak of ..."top quality kid"...will not be so high...therefore it might well not be so "top quality".

[mordja 187]

No pressure at all...just go and replace Green and Bruce please. haha

I agree with you by the way and good post.

exciting times

[General Malaise 208]

Talked over a few points over lunch and a claret with a fellow Demon expert:

Gysberts: initially spluttered on our tawnies at the announcement, but have come around and are rather chuffed. Only about an inch shorter than a couple of the over-looked "KPPs". What's an inch between friends? Looking forward to a R5 debut.

Trengove and Tapscott: With our abundant expertise we've decide they are automatic selections and match-winners.

N. Jetta: If we don't do a shifty and swap him for cousin Lew, could turn into a Wheels-like stalwart, but going forward.

Scully: Yes.

Fitzpatrick: Moves a little like Jimmy, maybe it's just the kick of the Irish.

Morton: CHF? Yes and No. Mainly No.

Max: Big.

Miller: Not yet lost. Needs his confidence back, let's all go around to his place with a shepherds pie and cheer him up, then go through some kicking drills. In a young and under-bodied team, we could use some of his strong-arm from about 5 years back.

Also:

Rookie draft: As we're up first (other than the schoolies) who do we call out first? Juice, and hope Hawks pick up Meeson, or Meeson, and hope Blues (or someone, anyone) calls out Newton? A cleft stick, surely.

Robbo: loved him but had to go if only for his dubious ego-meets-role-model properties.

Paul Wheatley: the absolute toppest of blokes, though the other chap remains unconvinced about his on-field.

Bate: Came away from the B&F with a new regard for the Master and his dance moves. Not bad for a ginger.

Glad we could be of help.

Mine: R1

Frawley Warnock McDonald

Bruce Rivers Garland

Grimes Moloney Green

Sylvia Watts Tapscott

Jurrah Bate Wonaeamirri

Jamar Morton Davey

Miller Jones Trengove Martin

Em: Bennell, Petterd, Dunn

* These may have been my thoughts only, I wasn't really listening.

[Rogue 585]

My info from MFC's assistant coaches

All that is along the same lines as I'm thinking, so it sounds good to me.

I think Grimes might be more likely to play more of a HBF-type role as our younger midfielders develop, but for now I'm happy with him in the midfield group.