I read this at Dees to welcome back key players

It's a good position to be in and we know that Liam Jurrah, Cale Morton, Luke Tapscott and these other really talented players are going to come back into the team at some stage.

Jurrah and Morton we know all about but Tapscott? Firstly it suggests how highly thought of he is (pick 18 is no slouch). I wish there was reason to set the following hare running.

For Tapscott to get a mention in an article about injured players returning to availability, and noting that Tapscott was not scheduled to return until mid season/round 13 is his rehabilitation ahead of schedule?

We had a sighting of him about two weeks ago walking laps at training I believe.

Mature-bodied, no-nonsense half-forward/midfielder whose precise, penetrative kicking, contested play and strong marking are his main features. Represented South Australia at the 2009 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships where he averaged 16 disposals and was selected in the All-Australian team. Has been likened to young Brisbane Lions star Daniel Rich.

I like the sound of that.

I think it's the fact he is highly rated and is out with a longterm injury.

I wouldn't read any more into it than that.

From the little that I've seen of Luke, I'd compare him more to a Sylvia or Chapman. Not overly tall, but strong hands, booming kick, can roam across half forward or even in the midfield. A toughness that I'd liken to both the former as well. I'm looking forward to seeing him in a Melbourne jumper.

this kid is going to be a superstar

cant wait to see him out on the ground

Have heard glowing reports from guys who played under 18s of this guy. Looks the goods.

Wont debut til next season.

No rush at all with him.

this kid is going to be a superstar

cant wait to see him out on the ground

I love posts like these.

He is going to be a superstar?

Based on a highlights reel of the U/18 championship on youtube?

Let him play a f@*#9ing game first !

Jesus.

I love posts like these.

He is going to be a superstar?

Based on a highlights reel of the U/18 championship on youtube?

Let him play a f@*#9ing game first !

Jesus.

yes i believe from the footage so far this kid will be a great footballer.

every melbourne fan said watts is going to be a superstar

shall you have a word with them as well?

yes i believe from the footage so far this kid will be a great footballer.

every melbourne fan said watts is going to be a superstar

shall you have a word with them as well?

Yes.

I have my views on Watts.

Every person has their own opinion which is fair enough. However, making comments

like the one's that have been made about Tapscott/Watts, (and any

Melbourne player as a matter of fact), makes me sick.

I don't believe that Watts will become a superstar. I HOPE he does. I will never say to someone that he WILL

become a superstar because not only is it complete guesswork from a one-eyed Melbourne

supporter, it also adds this ridiculous weight of expectation on the player. I understand Watts has to have some

expectation because he went at number 1. But we have seen number 1 draft picks in the past not always turn out

to be Riewoldt's, Franklin's and Judds.

So I ask people why they make these absurd comments!?

Especially to a player like Tapscott who went at 18.

Dunn went at 14 or something and he is barely in our best 22 and soon he won't be !!!

I enjoy reading educated, non - biased posts on this forum from supporters of not only

MFC but supporters of the game AFL.

People that are realistic and can give criticism and praise to players when they deserve it.

I do not enjoy people that make profound statements about players like that and I especially do

not enjoy people that take offence to players that rightly deserve criticism.

yes i believe from the footage so far this kid will be a great footballer.

every melbourne fan said watts is going to be a superstar

shall you have a word with them as well?

Short memories. Nick Smith was going to be a superstar - Captain of SA at Under 18 level.

Luke Molan was going to be a gun too

It is a great position to be in. Right now we have too many players fit and in form to fit into our senior side. Aside from the fact that this is a sign of a team in form and with depth, it also allows us to take some time with our young guys. Players like Straus, Blease, Watts, Tapscott and even Wona are not needed right now, so we can take the time to make sure they are ready and also to let them get some good form before bringing them in. The same goes for Morton and Jurrah. While these guys all want to be in the team ASAP, there is no reason to rush them back.

Yes.

I have my views on Watts.

Every person has their own opinion which is fair enough. However, making comments

like the one's that have been made about Tapscott/Watts, (and any

Melbourne player as a matter of fact), makes me sick.

I don't believe that Watts will become a superstar. I HOPE he does. I will never say to someone that he WILL

become a superstar because not only is it complete guesswork from a one-eyed Melbourne

supporter, it also adds this ridiculous weight of expectation on the player. I understand Watts has to have some

expectation because he went at number 1. But we have seen number 1 draft picks in the past not always turn out

to be Riewoldt's, Franklin's and Judds.

So I ask people why they make these absurd comments!?

Especially to a player like Tapscott who went at 18.

Dunn went at 14 or something and he is barely in our best 22 and soon he won't be !!!

I enjoy reading educated, non - biased posts on this forum from supporters of not only

MFC but supporters of the game AFL.

People that are realistic and can give criticism and praise to players when they deserve it.

I do not enjoy people that make profound statements about players like that and I especially do

not enjoy people that take offence to players that rightly deserve criticism.

I tell you what makes me sick - unoriginal, sanctimonious posts about how its so wrong to judge young players and they need time to develop etc etc....

BORING, I say let people make bold predictions and scathing criticisms that are completely unsubstantiated, then see if they end up being vindicated.

So here's one for you - I reckon Maric will not play more than 50 AFL games, and was a wasted pick. There, I criticised a young player who hasn't even had a fair go yet. Backlash anyone?

Short memories. Nick Smith was going to be a superstar - Captain of SA at Under 18 level.

Luke Molan was going to be a gun too

might be saying that about watts as well

Yes.

I have my views on Watts.

Every person has their own opinion which is fair enough. However, making comments

like the one's that have been made about Tapscott/Watts, (and any

Melbourne player as a matter of fact), makes me sick.

I don't believe that Watts will become a superstar. I HOPE he does. I will never say to someone that he WILL

become a superstar because not only is it complete guesswork from a one-eyed Melbourne

supporter, it also adds this ridiculous weight of expectation on the player. I understand Watts has to have some

expectation because he went at number 1. But we have seen number 1 draft picks in the past not always turn out

to be Riewoldt's, Franklin's and Judds.

So I ask people why they make these absurd comments!?

Especially to a player like Tapscott who went at 18.

Dunn went at 14 or something and he is barely in our best 22 and soon he won't be !!!

I enjoy reading educated, non - biased posts on this forum from supporters of not only

MFC but supporters of the game AFL.

People that are realistic and can give criticism and praise to players when they deserve it.

I do not enjoy people that make profound statements about players like that and I especially do

not enjoy people that take offence to players that rightly deserve criticism.

let people judge a player

if it comes back to bite us in the ass who gives a rat

im sticking with my own opinion i truly believe this kid WILL be great!!!

every player gets talked up

its afl!!!!!

I tell you what makes me sick - unoriginal, sanctimonious posts about how its so wrong to judge young players and they need time to develop etc etc....

BORING, I say let people make bold predictions and scathing criticisms that are completely unsubstantiated, then see if they end up being vindicated.

So here's one for you - I reckon Maric will not play more than 50 AFL games, and was a wasted pick. There, I criticised a young player who hasn't even had a fair go yet. Backlash anyone?

Cool.

Well I hope you don't cry yourself to sleep each night if one or a few of our draft picks don't become

superstars.

And with the criticism. It was more for players that have been on our list for a while and are still underperforming

and making errors.

Maric is still young. So how about wait along with the rest.

Zooooooooooooooom, bazinga

I don't believe that Watts will become a superstar. I HOPE he does. I will never say to someone that he WILL

become a superstar because not only is it complete guesswork from a one-eyed Melbourne

supporter, it also adds this ridiculous weight of expectation on the player. I understand Watts has to have some

expectation because he went at number 1. But we have seen number 1 draft picks in the past not always turn out

to be Riewoldt's, Franklin's and Judds.

I have to agree. Superstars are few and far between. We haven't really had one since Flower so I'd be happy if Watts turns out to be a very good player for us. If he does make it to superstar status then I'll be over the moon.

Oh, and remove Franklin from that list. He is still at least 2 very good seasons away from that.

Does anyone know where Tapscott is at with his rehab? What about Gawn? How far from playing would he be?

I have to agree. Superstars are few and far between. We haven't really had one since Flower so I'd be happy if Watts turns out to be a very good player for us. If he does make it to superstar status then I'll be over the moon.

Oh, and remove Franklin from that list. He is still at least 2 very good seasons away from that.

"But we have seen number 1 draft picks in the past not always turn out

to be Riewoldt's, Franklin's and Judds."

Going back in time Kreuser, Gibbs, Murphy, Deledio, Cooney, Goddard, Hodge, Riewoldt - some pretty handy players so its going back a while since a no. 1 hasnt ended up being useful. I would be more than happy if Watts turns out to be an average player in a team that wins a flag or 3.

i'll bump this rather than start a new tapscott topi. i realy am excited about seeing him attack the footy in the big leage. 4-6 and then some...

i'll bump this rather than start a new tapscott topi. i realy am excited about seeing him attack the footy in the big leage. 4-6 and then some...

I'm looking forward to seeing him too there were some big raps on him and I was more than pleased we got him. He is a big bodied player that has a big kick and doesn't seem to afraid to use his size, that's something we have lacked over the last 10 or so years.

I saw one kick from the U18 comp where he kicked a gem to Trenners perfectly weighted and to advantage. Let's hope there are many more like that.

how far off is he??

I love posts like these.

He is going to be a superstar?

Based on a highlights reel of the U/18 championship on youtube?

Let him play a f@*#9ing game first !

Jesus.

Was a standout in preseason training. So much so that he would have played round 1 if he had have been fit.

My 2 cents.

Tapscott, Gysberts, Blease, McKenzie = All going to be superstars.

Scully, Watts, Trengove = Super Dooper Stars. (Probably win brownlows, Norm Smiths etc..)

Very exited about our future champs.

If some of these dont quite live up to it. Who cares. What is wrong with enthusiasm?

I have to agree. Superstars are few and far between. We haven't really had one since Flower so I'd be happy if Watts turns out to be a very good player for us. If he does make it to superstar status then I'll be over the moon.

Oh, and remove Franklin from that list. He is still at least 2 very good seasons away from that.

Neitz? our only 300 game player?