Contemplating our list after the game, I realized that apart from Scully, Trengove, Grimes and a couple of late gems in Bennell and McKenzie, we really havent even begun to delve into the talent amassed over the past 3 years. None of the following players were on the field last night:

Morton pick 4

Watts pick 1

Blease pick 17

Strauss pick 19

Jetta - pick 51

Gysberts pick 11

Tapscott pick 18

Bail pick 64

Fitzpatrick pick 50

Gawn pick 34

Cheney pick 53

Maric pick 21

Jurrah PSD

Martin rookie draft

Wonaeamerri rookie draft

Im not saying all these players will make it, but many of them should -the inevitable departures of Green, Bruce and McDonald will be well covered for.

The forward line is a bit of a concern at the moment. But similar to Garland, Warnock and Frawleys emergence over 2008-2009, I can see Jurrah and Watts making a similar impact in the near future. In just 9 games, Jurrah already looks to be the most potent forward weve had since Neitz.

I suspect it will be difficult to shrug off the tanking tag, but thinking about Melbournes downfall during the 70s and 80s which took us from a powerhouse to battling for our existence. Aside from poor management, one of the main reasons for our lack of success was the quality of the zones we recruited from. So as I see it, any success we have in the next 10 years, we completely deserve.

Contemplating our list after the game, I realized that apart from Scully, Trengove, Grimes and a couple of late gems in Bennell and McKenzie, we really haven’t even begun to delve into the talent amassed over the past 3 years. None of the following players were on the field last night:

Morton – pick 3

Watts – pick 1

Blease – pick 17

Strauss – pick 18

Jetta - pick 51

Gysberts – pick 12

Tapscott – pick 18

Bail – pick 64

Fitzpatrick – pick 50

Gawn – pick 34

Cheney – pick 53

Maric – pick 21

Jurrah – rookie draft

Martin – rookie draft

Wonaeamerri – rookie draft

I’m not saying all these players will ‘make it’, but many of them should -the inevitable departures of Green, Bruce and McDonald will be well covered for.

The forward line is a bit of a concern at the moment. But similar to Garland, Warnock and Frawley’s emergence over 2008-2009, I can see Jurrah and Watts making a similar impact in the near future. In just 9 games, Jurrah already looks to be the most potent forward we’ve had since Neitz.

I suspect it will be difficult to shrug off the ‘tanking’ tag, but thinking about Melbourne’s downfall during the 70’s and 80’s which took us from a powerhouse to battling for our existence. Aside from poor management, one of the main reasons for our lack of success was the quality of the zones we recruited from. So as I see it, any success we have in the next 10 years, we completely deserve.

Yep. What has me excited so much is exactly this--- the huge talent that ISN'T playing in the team atm.

Morton, Watts, Jurrah, Pettard, Blease, Strauss, Gysberts, Tapscott... all extremely highly rated. that's 8 players!!! + Wona, Maric, cheney, Jetta, Gawn, Bail... all could be players!

+ undoubtably the talent we'll get from the first round picks we get in the next 2 years + Jack Viney the year after.

We are going to be the envy of the competition

Get used to the 'tanking talk'. It comes out of pure jealousy.

Jeez is Watts becomes the player we hope he can become, we will be scary

Yeah i have been thinking about this alot our depth could run really deep and spots in the near future will really depend on players excuting there jobs week in week out we should not be seeing players in the team just making up the numbers, which is very exciting and i havnt seen as a dee's supporter for...... well i cant remember when. just a thought on the list you have mentioned

Morton – Is a very exciting talent and could become our Brendan Goddard (Mr Fixit, any part of the ground)

Watts – Is obviously a great talent, but must be well behind in where the football department would have seen him this time last year. TIME WILL TELL

Blease – Very Highly rated youngster, But that was a terrible brake in his leg will take time and if he reaches his potentail could have another gem on our list.

Strauss – Has shown a bit great disposal, but really not up too AFL standard from what i have seen, alot of room to develope/improve

Jetta - IMO there are alot of players ahead of him at the moment, would have too improve alot too push for senior selection

Gysberts – Don't know much about him, Good size and good skills obviously the recruiters thought very highly of him one too keep a close eye on!

Tapscott – Can not wait too see this bloke play saw a bit of him leading up too the draft and liked what i saw, he could be a steal at pick 18 if he gets his body right

Bail – LOVED his games to date really unlucky to get injured and will have too force his way back into the side, watched him pretty closely, runs all day, finds space, reads the play and makes excellent decisions. Couldn't ask for more out of him so far in his 3? games. Just a point of interest he won the league B & F in his local QLD league beating Dayne Beams who came third

Fitzpatrick – Watched him in the under 18's carnival and wasn't impressed looked lazy then and nothing has changed, however the chronic fatigue could be the issue so ?? ??

Gawn – Got a great feeling about this kid, he was very highly rated until he got injured. he is mobile, quickish with good skills for a big man. Will take time but could be anything

Cheney – Tough hard nosed backman that will get limited opportunities in the seniors, only because of our talent. If given the chance is certainly up too the standard.

Maric – Hasn't impressed me so far.

Jurrah – Well this bloke has the X-factor we have all been craving, everyone in the compitition loves this bloke can;t wait too see him back

Martin – ?? ?? had a great first season in an average side, Where is his best position and is he up to the standard? I would think not at this stage but for the future??

Wonaeamerri – Very exciting talent, looking forward too seeing him back.

All in all Some of these players can be walk up starts, some will put huge presure on others to perform and could easily play now and some have the work ahead but ALL have a fantstic oppurtunity

Morton - pick 4

Strauss - pick 19

Gysberts - pick 11

...

Cheers, will edit.

It's all very exciting, and phase one and two of rebuilding the list you can just about say is done... (defence and midfield)...

The problem is in attack. And it's a LOOOONg way from being solved. Pretty much every forward we have is injury prone or has proven exactly nothing.

If the Dogs game showed us anything it's how far we've come. If it showed us anything else, it's exactly what we need to do to get there.

Job's not done yet folks.

Whilst I agree there's some (future) quality to come in, their draft picks mean nothing now that they're on the list.

It's all very exciting, and phase one and two of rebuilding the list you can just about say is done... (defence and midfield)...

The problem is in attack. And it's a LOOOONg way from being solved. Pretty much every forward we have is injury prone or has proven exactly nothing.

If the Dogs game showed us anything it's how far we've come. If it showed us anything else, it's exactly what we need to do to get there.

Job's not done yet folks.

Rubbish - our forward line has the talent and the cattle; it's just a matter of giving the players time to develop.

Just the same as with the midfield.

Going forward our attack is not something we need to focus on improving more than any other area of the field.

With Watts, Jurrah, Morton, Petterd, Bate, Sylvia, Dunn in there it gets a bit crowded. Doesn't leave much room for our plethora of small forwards.