that's where we'll be different - although we'll have a gun midfield I think our defense is sorted and our attack is almost there.

While they have some handy players in those areas, I'm not sure if the kangas can compete there.

The development and progression of Lachie Hansen will be important for the Kanga’s in this regard. I agree our acquisitions in this area have us ahead of them at this stage, and the Dee’s set up nicely down back. We’ve done brilliantly to add Joel Mc to our developing backline.

I wouldn't be surprised if it got near 50k.

I would. MFC fans despise Etihad, but i think we will turn up in good numbers. My prediction is 36,000.

It really is a nothing game in rivalry terms. That said we seem to have developed a singular rivalry between Dunn and Harvey.

I'm really looking forward to a lot of whinging from oppo officials and supporters about our drafting for the next ten years.

Winding up North supporters is an art form...

Interesting comments by Brad Scott on afl.com.au.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/93256/default.aspx

He says "The footy they (Melbourne) are playing is just reflective of their talent" and that "they should be in the position they are now because of their prominence in the NAB AFL Draft in the last three years."

However, is our recent improvement really due to the top-end draft talent we've brought onto our list in the last 3 years?!

2009 draft:

- Scully and Trengove- yes are having an impact early, but for the most part have not really been dominant in games.

- Gysberts, Tapscott, Gawn, Fitzpatrick- no impact... yet to debut

2008 draft:

- McKenzie and Bennell- yes has made an impact, but are they on our list due to our high draft position? McKenzie(rookie), Bennel(35)

- Watts, Strauss, Blease, Jetta, Bail, Jurrah- none played last round. Strauss has played a couple of games with no impact, Bail has done a bit but hasn't been crucial to any victories.

2007 draft:

- Grimes- yes has made a big impact

- Morton, Maric, Cheney, McNamara- none have played this season

Summery: in the first 5 rounds of the year, Trengove, Scully, Grimes, Bennell and McKenzie are the only players who are making a genuine impact. And of those, Grimes (14), Bennell (35) and McKenzie (rookie) cannot be said to have come to us due to our draft position. They were just good drafting that anyone could have picked up.

Therefore, I would argue that our improvement is NOT due to our great draft position for the last 3 years. Improvement has actually come from improvement in our 4-6 years players: Bate, Sylvia, Jones, Frawley, Pettard and improved performances from our senior players in Green, McDonald, Moloney, Warnock, Jamar etc.

I think what is making everybody so excited, including myself, is the fact we are improving earlier than expected DESPITE the number of first round picks NOT in our team!

Imagine how good we'll be when those guys develop into quality players: Gysberts(11), Tapscott (18), Watts (1), Morton (4), Blease (17), Strauss (19). Add to that the high hopes we have for Jurrah(PSD), Gawn(35), Jetta(50), Maric(21), Bail(66)

Brad Scott analysis of our recent success is wrong. Thoughts?

I agree just look at Richmond they have had 9 years of top ten picks and they are three to five years from playing in final, they are at where the dees where at in 2008 when we cut a lot of older players.Miller is the worst recruiter of all time, you cant count on one hand how many mistakes in pick the wrong player Eg. not picking pav, Franklin