Rich would be a decent addition, no doubt. However, I think the FD would be content with what they have to work with.

It's not likely that Rich would be interested anyway.

Agreed, I'm not as hungry for Rich now we're building through the middle. Not fussed, but we must be involved in all options to try to get the best of all deals we can do.

Plus I think the game has changed a lot in the last 2 years, & I wonder if Rich has the time & space to hit a target at this moment in the game, or if he's step is good enough.

Could be handy on the switch from behind the play, switching the ball or receiving the switched ball & going over the zone. The leg speed comes in here. The zone makes it important IMO to have some acceleration.

Ouch.

I know players can improve their speed. But Rich?

I'm just saying I think it'll be hard for him to top his sensational 2009.

Just my opinion. No need to fly off the handle over it.

I can see your point and I agree that he has limited upside compared to, say, a Cale Morton, but I think you go too far in saying he has already peaked. Sure, he's not going to get much stronger, or quicker, and his disposal is already pretty near perfect, but there is absolutely no way he's going to play another 100 AFL games without learning anything, and without finding various ways to improve his game.

If Brisbane are trying to trade Rich for pick 4, then the wheels must have really fallen off up there. Surely theres no way they'd be doing it unless he wants to go, which would mean that literally all of their best young prospects are clamoring to leave. I would absolutely love him in a Melbourne jumper, but I doubt we're in a position to make a play for him. Whatever we gave up for him would probably offset the benefit of getting him, since Brisbane would be looking for a gun kid in exchange.

Edited September 21, 201015 yr by two sheds jackson

Don't rate him, don't want him.

He'd cost more than I'd be willing to part with to get him.

You'd be nuts not to part with pick 12 for Rich. There is a reason why he was tagged heavily this season. It's academic anyways, won't happen.

Apologies for the language.. Have edited it out !!

But seriously, Brisbane have a had a terrible, terrible year and the same people who talk up so many young Melbourne players based on

a season or two talk about Rich hitting his peak after a two seasons! It's a joke really. He is a kid. I think people forget that he is the same age as Watts.

What makes people think that he has peeked? Please do tell.

Don't rate him, don't want him.

He'd cost more than I'd be willing to part with to get him.

Why don't you rate him E25?

Apologies for the language.. Have edited it out !!

But seriously, Brisbane have a had a terrible, terrible year and the same people who talk up so many young Melbourne players based on

a season or two talk about Rich hitting his peak after a two seasons! It's a joke really. He is a kid. I think people forget that he is the same age as Watts.

What makes people think that he has peeked? Please do tell.

I think they may forget this because its not true B)

Daniel Rich 7/7/90

Jack Watts 26/3/91

Watts eight months younger, roughly same age. STMJ speaks sense.

Daniel Rich 7/7/90

Jack Watts 26/3/91

Watts eight months younger, roughly same age. STMJ speaks sense.

rich will be a gun for many years.

His kicking skills would be a huge asset for any team he plays for. He can kick the ball like a bullet 65m easily onto the chest of a leading forward.

If he learns to break a tag, and gets the ball 25 times a game, he could become elite

Daniel Rich 7/7/90

Jack Watts 26/3/91

Watts eight months younger, roughly same age. STMJ speaks sense.

rich will be a gun for many years.

His kicking skills would be a huge asset for any team he plays for. He can kick the ball like a bullet 65m easily onto the chest of a leading forward.

If he learns to break a tag, and gets the ball 25 times a game, he could become elite

Thank the lord that there be similar minds out there.

Not interested. I think we would have to give up more than what it is worth to us. I'd rather us keep playing this group and chase a backup ruck. Use the picks on a kid like Matt Watson that looks like he could be another Neitz.

Edited September 21, 201015 yr by Rojik of the Arctic

Apologies for the language.. Have edited it out !!

But seriously, Brisbane have a had a terrible, terrible year and the same people who talk up so many young Melbourne players based on

a season or two talk about Rich hitting his peak after a two seasons! It's a joke really. He is a kid. I think people forget that he is the same age as Watts.

What makes people think that he has peeked? Please do tell.

Is already physically developed.

Lacks natural speed and endurance to break a tag-although these can be improved.

Will be more targetted once Black, Power etc.... retire and if Rischitelli and Brennan are gone.

Just like his first year he would look great in a top 4 side here he is the 3rd/4th best mid.

I think I would rather draft Dion Prestia this year and turn him into Melbourne's own 'Daniel Rich'.

Short, Good build, Powerful, Smart with the ball, beautiful kick.

....AND he has longer arms

... AND he's a Melbourne supporter.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/102362/default.aspx

Edited September 21, 201015 yr by Mr Untouchable

Comparing Watts and Rich is as nonsensical now as it was when they were drafted.

One is 195cm and 2 years off his body being solid enough to play consistent AFL footy.

The other was ready as soon as he put the jumper on.

You're limited by your body - and his has been ready to go for a couple of years.

Others - Watts, Morton, Hill, et al have to wait.

There is no mirror in the development of Watts and Rich.

Why don't you rate him E25?

Scope for improvement is non-existent.

Physical limitations, doesn't win enough of his own footy because of that.

He is a good kick and not much beyond that.

Comparisons with Watts are terribly misguided.

There is a reason he slipped to 7.

Comparing Watts and Rich is as nonsensical now as it was when they were drafted.

One is 195cm and 2 years off his body being solid enough to play consistent AFL footy.

The other was ready as soon as he put the jumper on.

You're limited by your body - and his has been ready to go for a couple of years.

Others - Watts, Morton, Hill, et al have to wait.

There is no mirror in the development of Watts and Rich.

I don't think anyone was actually comparing the two. The point being how common it is for demonlanders to claim that because our young player wears a red and blue jersey they have unlimited potential, if they wear different colurs they have reached thier potential.

Daniel Rich played in a struggling midfield in 2010 and was often the first bloke tagged, because he is so damaging when he gets it. Yes he was physically ahead of the others you mentioned when he enetered the comp but there a still plenty of intangible areas that Rich can and probably will develop such as his motor, positioning, dealing wih tags etc.

Would people agree that Rich and Tapscott sould like very similar players. FWIW I don't think so but I heard comparisons being made.

Would people agree that Rich and Tapscott sould like very similar players. FWIW I don't think so but I heard comparisons being made.

From early reports, absolutely. I think Tappers may even have him covered for speed.

The introduction of Rich in to our midfield would then allow Tappers to play a true half forward flank role and hopefully kick 30-40 goals a year.

It's the one area I want to see us increase next year - more goals from our mids/flankers. We started this year with Dunn getting more, I think it's an area that needs to improve for us to become top 4. Geelong always have great contribution from the mids in terms of goals scored, admittingly they lack a good key forward, however, Stevie J and J-Pod still kicked 100+ between them, as well as Ablett, Chappy, etc kicking a lot between them.

It's going to be up blokes like Scully, Trengove, Tapscott, Sylvia and Dunn to do this, as I can't really see (what I call) enough (around 20 goals each a season) coming from Moloney, Grimes, Morton, McKenzie, Flash and Jones.

The only reason Rich is being linked to a WC trade is that he is from WA and nothing more. Surely Brisbane would only consider this trade if Rich told them he was homesick and wants out... in which case MFC have absolutely no chance of snagging him.

Comparing Watts and Rich is as nonsensical now as it was when they were drafted.

One is 195cm and 2 years off his body being solid enough to play consistent AFL footy.

The other was ready as soon as he put the jumper on.

You're limited by your body - and his has been ready to go for a couple of years.

Others - Watts, Morton, Hill, et al have to wait.

There is no mirror in the development of Watts and Rich.

It's also nonsensical when someone doesn't read posts properly and then proceed to argue something that was never said....

Unless it was another poster, I certainly didn't compare Watts and Rich in terms of how much scope they have for improvement.

I merely made a point about them being of similar age and that people seem to forget that because of his body size and the fact that

he cut the grade as soon as he was drafted.

Just because his body has filled out before other draftees of his year does by no means mean he has peeked!!!

That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard.

Dandeeman or deeman has summed it up well.

Scope for improvement is non-existent.

Physical limitations, doesn't win enough of his own footy because of that.

He is a good kick and not much beyond that.

Comparisons with Watts are terribly misguided.

There is a reason he slipped to 7.

Scope for improvement is non-existent... Christ.

Enforcer, I thought you had a little more footy knowledge but that comment makes me think otherwise.

Physical limitations.... Why do we persist with Bate can I ask? If you watched any of Brisbane this year you would have seen

that Rich was under close attention from opposition... Why? Because he one the rising star last year. He can play, no matter how

"physically" developed he may be.

Again, I don't remember reading any comparisons to Watts apart from them being the same age. (approximately)

For all the people that share this opinion of Rich scream out "biased Melbourne supporter". Clearly very little knowledge or care of other teams and

their players.

Edited September 22, 201015 yr by stevethemanjordan

It's also nonsensical when someone doesn't read posts properly and then proceed to argue something that was never said....

Unless it was another poster, I certainly didn't compare Watts and Rich in terms of how much scope they have for improvement.

I merely made a point about them being of similar age and that people seem to forget that because of his body size and the fact that

he cut the grade as soon as he was drafted.

Just because his body has filled out before other draftees of his year does by no means mean he has peeked!!!

That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard.

Dandeeman or deeman has summed it up well.

Really...

You love your hyperbole don't you.

All top selections are very good footy players - the thing that differentiates them are their physical attributes - their body.

You compared the two because they are the same age and you believe that fans should not be so dismissive of a player just as old as the raw Watts but I am here to tell you that Rich at 18 is as ready as Watts at 22 - because of the filled out frame, and the role they are expected to play.

Apologies for the language.. Have edited it out !!

But seriously, Brisbane have a had a terrible, terrible year and the same people who talk up so many young Melbourne players based on

a season or two talk about Rich hitting his peak after a two seasons! It's a joke really. He is a kid. I think people forget that he is the same age as Watts.

What makes people think that he has peeked? Please do tell.

Doesn't matter.

I am definitely not one to talk up our own players. But seriously, with all our first round selections, you can easily see why they're talked up. It's warranted I think.

I like to see how certain players at other clubs develop. Rich will be interesting. I'll happily bump this thread in a few years if I'm wrong. But it's hard to see where the improvement is going to come from.

Really...

You love your hyperbole don't you.

All top selections are very good footy players - the thing that differentiates them are their physical attributes - their body.

You compared the two because they are the same age and you believe that fans should not be so dismissive of a player just as old as the raw Watts but I am here to tell you that Rich at 18 is as ready as Watts at 22 - because of the filled out frame, and the role they are expected to play.

It's hard to say that it's the most absurd thing I've heard, the amount of comments from people wanting to pick up Tom Hawkins would take 1st prize there. However, I think it is a little premature that people are saying Rich has reached his limit. Surely a kid that has just finished his 2nd season of AFL football has more upside than that? Surely?

Let's look at it this way, IF (and that's a bloody big "if") he has reached his level, is that level sufficient to hold a spot in our team for the next 10 years? I would probably say yes, definitely the next 5 years, and I can't really see it stopping there.

We have a similar bloke on our list that will play next year. Big bodied, dominant kick, tough as nails, what upside will Lukle Tapscott have? Just throwing it out there, considering he and Rich are very similar. Nb. I'm hoping Tapscott wins the Rising Star next year and is a 10+ year player for the club.

The thing is, Rich is the size of his namesake Bambam and he is playig against men.

This won't change.

I think Rich's biggest problem is his poor natural endurance. This was found out in his second year in the junior national championships, he couldn't break a tag, that's why many clubs overlooked him. Aside from a great kick, he doesn't have much going for him Phscially. He is not fast, and not strong overhead, so he won't end up down forward. He has a good football brain, but these days a midfielder needs to be able to run all day.

Talk of him having second year blues or is getting tagged so he will learn how to deal with is rubbish. Rich actually had more possessions this year than last, and played two lees games. First year form, and the impact a player has, gets overrated because they are so young.

To me it looks like physically Rich and Nathan Jones are at a similar stage. Stat's wise, Rich's first two years have been similar to Nathan Jones 2010, and Many believe that Jones may not have a future at Melbourne. Rich may be more damaging with his possessions, Nathan Jones can run all day, so I'm not saying they will be the same player, just think that Rich is being overrated.

I wouldn't swap Rich for a top 30 pick this year.