Does he get to wear the Number 11 jumper ??

Exactly.

Grinning like a Cheshire cat.

He'll be like an extra development coach, and a very good one at that.

Where was Bails shown smiling?

Where was Bails shown smiling?

See interview with Matt Burgan - Bigpond TV; Mfc Website.

Here: - http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/tabid/8667/contentid/318257/default.aspx

Where was Bails shown smiling?

Campbell becomes the second oldest player on the list and thanks to Cameron Bruce's defection, he or one of our other rookie list players could go straight onto the senior list if their form warrants it over the remainder of the pre season.

This is a story about the early days of his return to football:-

AFL comeback on Robert Campbell's radar

Does he get to wear the Number 11 jumper ??

I reckon he will as its become a ruckmans jumper.

FWIW, i used to rate Campbell as a #1 ruck type when he was at the Hawks, but his credentials as a resting key forward aren't great... 25 goals from 116 games is actually much worse than PJ's record (20 goals from 69 games).

FWIW, i used to rate Campbell as a #1 ruck type when he was at the Hawks, but his credentials as a resting key forward aren't great... 25 goals from 116 games is actually much worse than PJ's record (20 goals from 69 games).

Very happy we rolled the dice with Robert Campbell.

Only 28 - Story is his knee is now OK.

This bloke gave Sam Mitchell a dream ride in a premiership year.

Combined with Jamar our midfield boy's should be very pumped with this selection.

Daniel Nicholson

Super speedy half-back with precise delivery who dominated the Victorian Amateur competition. Considered to have the goods to step up.

20yo 183cm 76kg

Michael Evans

Midfielder with good kicking skills whose talent is undoubted. Considered to have a big upside.

18yo 180cm 75kg

Kelvin Lawrence

Small forward with speed who improved as the 2010 season progressed. Had a superb WAFL under-18 finals series and was largely responsible for Peel's advance to the grand final.

18yo Indiginous 177cm 72kg

Cameron Johnston

Versatile player with no weaknesses to his game. A medium sized forward with the ability to play up the ground. Runs long and hard, with a booming and accurate kick.

18yo 181cm 78kgs

Mind you, with these inspiring bios one wonders just how they were al overlooked in the first round!!!!

I guess we can always hope that at least one will turn out a gem, hopefully more.

Now all we need to do is get him on the pitch. Either waits for the auto elevation or that great unknown...a LTI to appear somewhere.

Do we win the Smokie award ( again ) ?

Now all we need to do is get him on the pitch. Either waits for the auto elevation or that great unknown...a LTI to appear somewhere.

Do we win the Smokie award ( again ) ?

If fit, which I would expect he is, I wouldn't be surprised if he plays round 1. Depends if we go with 2 ruckmen or not

FWIW, i used to rate Campbell as a #1 ruck type when he was at the Hawks, but his credentials as a resting key forward aren't great... 25 goals from 116 games is actually much worse than PJ's record (20 goals from 69 games).

However, Campbell can play CHB or FB. He did so many times for Hawthorn. He's not a forward so those figures are clearly going to make him seem crap, which he is. But he can help out in defence.

Let's not get carried away, he's on the rookie list for a reason. Martin, Spencer and Gawn are on the senior list.

Now all we need to do is get him on the pitch. Either waits for the auto elevation or that great unknown...a LTI to appear somewhere.

Do we win the Smokie award ( again ) ?

If fit, which I would expect he is, I wouldn't be surprised if he plays round 1. Depends if we go with 2 ruckmen or not

If fit, which I would expect he is, I wouldn't be surprised if he plays round 1. Depends if we go with 2 ruckmen or not

Hes a Rookie...needs to be elevated first !!

Hes a Rookie...needs to be elevated first !!

Yep, aware of that. But we can have a rookie play from round 1.

Massive pre-season for our 7 rookies given 1 of them will be nominated for senior service for the whole season. Another gets a chance mid way through not to mention promotions for injuries.

Importantly we got our stock ruckman. B)

Unbelievable surprise- great pick up for leadership and experience topas onto our list.Will no doubt be a great coach for the likes of Gawn & Fitzpatrick.

I sit stand and lean corrected

If fit, which I would expect he is, I wouldn't be surprised if he plays round 1. Depends if we go with 2 ruckmen or not

The good thing is if he and Jamar are both in the side it gives us some good flexibility as he can go back and Jamar can go forward.

Quite smart.

I sit stand and lean corrected

Just think of it as a free lesson

The good thing is if he and Jamar are both in the side it gives us some good flexibility as he can go back and Jamar can go forward.

Quite smart.

Indeed. Jamar rest up forward, Campbell rest across half back. Perfect.

Certainly opens up options for game setups. I have a passing knowledge of his escaped as ruck. Hes good. ( obviously as a premiership winnng player ) but not aware of his adventures possibly at the sharper end of the ground. Is he that Hale option we looked for or is he more an arond the ground type.

He spent a bit of time pinch hitting around the defence but he has kicked goals..is this a role he can be forther groomed for ?

Hopefully he gets on the park and is able to play regular games. If he does, its an inspired choice for the next 2-3years at least. Can see Jamar moving forward and being our big bodied stay at home forward at least.

Jamar will bring the ball to ground. I think Campbell fills the major missing piece from Bailey's game plan which is why we chased Hale so much Pre draft. Now it comes down to out of Hale and Campbell who will offer more to their respective sides.

Certainly opens up options for game setups. I have a passing knowledge of his escaped as ruck. Hes good. ( obviously as a premiership winnng player ) but not aware of his adventures possibly at the sharper end of the ground. Is he that Hale option we looked for or is he more an arond the ground type.

He spent a bit of time pinch hitting around the defence but he has kicked goals..is this a role he can be forther groomed for ?

A far better ruckman than Hale- can also play key back or forward.He played full back for Hawthorn several times against the monsters. A geniune flexible footballer whom whilst versatile will also be a great mentor along with hopefully a great player.Great pick up.And well done to BP and the rest of the footy dept.We have a very good listto go forward now.

Anyone else see the irony...Hawthorn !!!!

This was an interesting piece by Shane Crawford in May this year - Robert Campbell worth the punt

Among the quotes:

"Don't be surprised if ... Robert Campbell makes a shock comeback next year. I went cycling with Robbie along Beach Rd recently and I told him that I have never seen him in better shape. He said he was feeling the best he ever has. I said to him: "Robbie, you should make a comeback."

"Robbie turns 28 next month, the same age as James Podsiadly. His career ended ... when constant knee issues forced him into premature retirement. He got the scan results ... and they were not good. The club needed him to make a decision ... in terms of filing their list with the AFL. But I'm sure if Robbie had had his time again, he would have taken more time to think it through ..."

"Refreshed and re-energised, he could give a club at least 50 games, if he can overcome his knee issues. I'm sure it is not just on the playing field that he would make a difference. He shows natural leadership ... He has a strong character and work ethic."

Again I applaud the efforts of BP and his band of merry head hunters. To have deftly grabbed him from the likes of those nasty Sqawkers whilst all the while they thought they were being the sneaky ones!!

Well we seem to have an embarassment of riches regarding the midlfield now. Some fo rnow and some for later as well as depth. We seem to have a more than capable defence which seems to find new personnel and effecctivelness with each year. Now we have two of the leagues beter rucks.

All thats left is to hammer the scoreboard.

Will be very interesting to see how the team of 2011 lines up. Many new faces will push exisitng for spots. That cant be bad.

Funny isnt it.. Kennett Country so busy playing with all their shiny new toys forgot what they already had !! Delicious !!

Looking forward to seeing how the FD make all this work !!