The Dees got their man in Clark.

At only 24 he can still be an 8-10 year player for us.

Along with the fact we spent last year drafting big blokes Cook, McDonald and Davis plus Watts, Gawn and Fitzpatrick with Jamar, Martin and maybe Spencer, outbid man stocks are good.

We also have a number of young and mid 20's mids coming along with Jack Viney and possibly 2 compo picks still to use on securing more elite mids.

I really reckon we should now take a punt in this years draft on small pacy crumbing forwards.

We're not going to have any high picks and with the draft pool not rated that great outside the top 10, we really have nothing to lose. It is a big hole in our list given Wonna has issues and the others aren't up to it.

Then Neeld can work with a group where we have players for all positions and spend next year onwards fixing up any other deficiencies.

My 2 cents anyway.

I still think Wonaeamirri has a lot to offer, it obviously depends on his personal situation, but he has so much to give still.

Kelvin Lawrence on our Rookie List. May step up with new coaching & fitness staff. Still raw! But will break the shackles in the net 18 months.

Still have Aussie! Will be raring to go after big pre-season.

I also think Bennell could play the role well. Just needs to be groomed for that position. Very quick! Can apply that defensive pressure aswell. Needs to improve goal kicking though. The only flaw in his game playing forward I would think.

I think one of these three would be quite capable in 2012.

I actually think Petterd could play as a more crumbing forward also. But stll play tall! I think Ricky is a real weapon!

Kelvin Lawrence on our Rookie List. May step up with new coaching & fitness staff. Still raw! But will break the shackles in the net 18 months.

Still have Aussie! Will be raring to go after big pre-season.

I also think Bennell could play the role well. Just needs to be groomed for that position. Very quick! Can apply that defensive pressure aswell. Needs to improve goal kicking though. The only flaw in his game playing forward I would think.

I think one of these three would be quite capable in 2012.

I actually think Petterd could play as a more crumbing forward also. But stll play tall! I think Ricky is a real weapon!

This is exactly my thoughts.. Petterd has played a bit tall. but hes just on 6' really. Hes very agile , very good below knees etc. This is a role id like to see explored.

This is exactly my thoughts.. Petterd has played a bit tall. but hes just on 6' really. Hes very agile , very good below knees etc. This is a role id like to see explored.

I agree that Petterd is a dangerous forward pocket. But I'm talking about a player with genuine pace, and a natural goal kicking ability.

Think Betts, Milne, Stokes, Cyril, Krakour etc.

Think Aaron Davey when he first came to the club.

It's that genuine ability to be a danger every time they're near the ball, offensively and defensively.

I love Wonna, but I'm not sure if he will make it back. I don't hold such high hopes for the other small blokes on the list.

It's not to say that one or two of the blokes we have won't fill that void but given our draft position I believe it is a punt now worth taking. At the very least it will create some good pressure for spots which is what all great teams have.

Disappointed that Saad is no longer available, he was just what we needed

Disappointed that Saad is no longer available, he was just what we needed

And St kilda rudely recruitedanother one from the SANFL i think at the same time..... no sharing at all haha

I think Lawrence is a serious option, Neeld seems like he wants alot of "structure" meaning we need a small forward, either Davey, Wonna or other imo

Patrick Rose has been mentioned by yours truly and a few others....24-25 year old, big body, topped the goal kicking in the VFL and top goal kicker in a premiership team.

Worth a rookie list?

Patrick Rose has been mentioned by yours truly and a few others....24-25 year old, big body, topped the goal kicking in the VFL and top goal kicker in a premiership team.

Worth a rookie list?

Height and weight?

Patrick Rose has been mentioned by yours truly and a few others....24-25 year old, big body, topped the goal kicking in the VFL and top goal kicker in a premiership team.

Worth a rookie list?

Have you seen Rose play? We have enough mid sized forwards. Petterd as a crumber is also a joke. You do not learn to be a crumber you either are or you are not. Lawrence, Wonna and Davey are all suited but all have risk in that role. Matthew Campbell as a trade would have been worthwhile. I agree a late pick or rookie to punt on one is worthwhile as we definitely have a gap there.

And St kilda rudely recruitedanother one from the SANFL i think at the same time..... no sharing at all haha

I think Lawrence is a serious option, Neeld seems like he wants alot of "structure" meaning we need a small forward, either Davey, Wonna or other imo

I agree. Lawrence sounds like he could become the type of player that Grandson is talking about, and Davey in his early days fits the bill exactly.

Height and weight?

'Outside of Patrick Rose and Dean Gallea, their next two most dangerous forwards are club stalwart Ryan McMahon, and Chris Cain, who possesses a lethal kick. Both players combine for over three goals per game between them (Rose and Gallea combining for over seven goals per game).'

From Bigfooty....not sure of his height or weight. I reckon he's worth a punt.

He works hard I reckon he's worth a gamble.

'Outside of Patrick Rose and Dean Gallea, their next two most dangerous forwards are club stalwart Ryan McMahon, and Chris Cain, who possesses a lethal kick. Both players combine for over three goals per game between them (Rose and Gallea combining for over seven goals per game).'

From Bigfooty....not sure of his height or weight. I reckon he's worth a punt.

He works hard I reckon he's worth a gamble.

OK rookie spot maybe,

I was just wondering if he is the crumbing small forward type?

Other people seem to think he is a medium forward?

Are we forgetting Brad Green - he's played his best footy as a small forward - and he has been scapegoated this year as well as played out of position up the ground .

Captaincy or no Captaincy he will bounce back this year or least we should hope he does .

OK rookie spot maybe,

I was just wondering if he is the crumbing small forward type?

Other people seem to think he is a medium forward?

I reckon he's too small for a medium forward - he played his best footy this year by creating space and staying on the carpet.

I'm liking Aaron Davey for this role in 2012. Get him fit, get him confident again, stick him at the feet of Clark, Watts and Jurrah and watch him wreak havoc.

Are we forgetting Brad Green - he's played his best footy as a small forward - and he has been scapegoated this year as well as played out of position up the ground .

Captaincy or no Captaincy he will bounce back this year or least we should hope he does .

Brad Green is not a small forward.

I'm liking Aaron Davey for this role in 2012. Get him fit, get him confident again, stick him at the feet of Clark, Watts and Jurrah and watch him wreak havoc.

+1

put this guy in his best position, put fear back into opposition defenders and we will see the real Aaron Davey again

+1

put this guy in his best position, put fear back into opposition defenders and we will see the real Aaron Davey again

+1

Brad Green is not a small forward.

He's not exactly a tall ! We've seen him kick heaps of "crumbing" type goals over the years so he fits the bill . One of his strengths is his ability at ground level - He kicked 55 goals in 2010 - he was played up the ground this year which didn't work . Don't write him off yet . Watch for the redemption year from him .

I'm liking Aaron Davey for this role in 2012. Get him fit, get him confident again, stick him at the feet of Clark, Watts and Jurrah and watch him wreak havoc.

The problem with this is that Davey has completely changed his body shape since then and doesn't have that spark of acceleration he once had.

The problem with this is that Davey has completely changed his body shape since then and doesn't have that spark of acceleration he once had.

Mission might change it back if thats how Neeld wants the Daveytrain

Have to agree with Aaron Davey getting a go forward. He has a lethal kick and can cause headaches for defenders who like to run and rebound. Flash can run them down as good as anyone. Flash's days are numbered in the backline with an emerging Blease/Tappy and a fit Bail and Strauss. Stick flash in the middle, or put him forward. I think building some form forward might just be what he needs to turn his luck around.

Our best option is hoping Davey returns to form as crumbing forward, Wonna sorts his issues and fitness out, and develop Lawrence.

I've watched a number of Port Melb games and can say neither Rose nor Galea are small crumbing forwards, they're both leading medium forwards. Also nothign against Galea but he would be eaten alive at AFL level, he's a good strong reliable player at VFL but he I doubt he has what it takes to make it in the next level.

We have him. His name is Liam Jurrah. Don't let his size fool you, he is about as good a crumbing small forward as you will ever find. Austin Wonaeamirri is currently a blimp, so there's nothing 'small' about him. Perhaps he can get in shape, but until then - and maybe even after that happens - Jurrah is a better option.