WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - JAMES SELLAR

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

The more I think about it the happier I am about drafting Sellar. As far as I see it, it's a low risk and it's good to see Melbourne take a player who can potentially play now, not just in five years time.

[The Great One 99 125]

My theory is that the plan for most teams to combat the so called press game, that is the current trend; is to kick the ball long. This will often result in kicks being taken quickly and under pressure. Obviously this will result in inaccurate kicks to (hopefully) contest situations. Therefore, the bigger, taller players will be used to bring the ball down from contests, to the teams advantage. Or obviously to mark when possible.

If you have more players that can play this role, as well as being versatile enough to play other roles, then the better off you will be. I hope that that makes sense. And remember, as stupid as it may sound to you, it is just an opinion.

[Axis of Bob 10,308]

According to the tabloid Prendergast sees Sellar as initially playing in defence.

Very interesting indeed.

[Sir Why You Little 34,700]

Good Pick up for 54....2 of our senior staff know him....and he is ready to go as a big player..

Says to me with Clark & Sellar that Neeld is not looking years ahead with projects....That has been done.

He is going to train this list to be ready for 2012 Battle.

Something the journo's haven't picked up yet. Just depends on how good a coach Neeld turns out to be.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

My theory is that the plan for most teams to combat the so called press game, that is the current trend; is to kick the ball long. This will often result in kicks being taken quickly and under pressure. Obviously this will result in inaccurate kicks to (hopefully) contest situations. Therefore, the bigger, taller players will be used to bring the ball down from contests, to the teams advantage. Or obviously to mark when possible.

If you have more players that can play this role, as well as being versatile enough to play other roles, then the better off you will be. I hope that that makes sense. And remember, as stupid as it may sound to you, it is just an opinion.

I hate to break it to you, but this has been around for about 150 years now, hardly a "current trend".

[The Great One 99 125]

I hate to break it to you, but this has been around for about 150 years now, hardly a "current trend".

"Current Trend" is in reference to the press. Kick long being the strategy to combat it.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

"Current Trend" is in reference to the press. Kick long being the strategy to combat it.

But kicking it long never left the game, it's not a trend but a cornerstone of Australian Rules football. I understand what you are saying but long kicking to tall forwards in a forward line has always been the most effective strategy.

[... 11]

I'm happy about picking up this big fella. Good luck to him.

I read in full, the draft meeting article on the MFC website. At one point, it was reported that Neeld asked Turnbull about a mature age player - "so will he be ready to go in round one against Brisbane?".

They must have been referring to Sellar. Surely...

That says to me that Neeld is going to alter our game plan and outlook significantly. He is stacking our forward line with size.

It also says that the young bloke we picked at 52 was rated (as much as a pick 52 can be) by our footy department.

Great stuff.

[The Great One 99 125]

But kicking it long never left the game, it's not a trend but a cornerstone of Australian Rules football. I understand what you are saying but long kicking to tall forwards in a forward line has always been the most effective strategy.

EDIT: Re-wording.

Most would argue, that in more recent times, the long kicking part of the game has decreased, and the handball, and more possession type of play has taken over. This is the reason that the press game works so well.

So to combat that, I think that the long kicking, to contests,may start to rework its way back. It will combat the press, because you can just kick it long out of danger, and therefore the need for bigger players, who will be an advantage in a contest, will become required. Or maybe I am wrong? It is just a theory.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Most would argue, that in more recent times, the long kicking part of the game has decreased, and the handball, and more possession type of play has taken over. This is the reason that the press game works so well.

So to combat that, I think that the long kicking, to contests,may start to rework its way back. It will combat the press, because you can just kick it long out of danger, and therefore the need for bigger players, who will be an advantage in a contest, will become required. Or maybe I am wrong? It is just a theory.

I agree, it's just a shame when long kicking has to be referred to as a "trend" because anyone who has watched more than five minutes of football should understand that it has been, is, and always will be a key part of an game plan. I'm not having a go at you, it's just that with so many "experts" in the football media these days the game is so over analysed that everyone is trying to predict or label the next big "trend".

Edited November 25, 2011 by Clint Bizkit

[Matt Demon 1,387]

Some highlights of James Sellar playing SANFL this year.

He's second on the highlights after Bernie Vince.

[Lutz 76]

At about 3:30, you should have said!

Watching 3 mins of Bernie Vince in the reserves ain't great!

[Demon 16 176]

Very tactical selection.

If we face 3 tall forwards there aren't many options for Neeld for a few years.. especially if one of our tall defenders are injured!

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Very tactical selection.

If we face 3 tall forwards there aren't many options for Neeld for a few years.. especially if one of our tall defenders are injured!

You can say that again!

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Very tactical selection.

If we face 3 tall forwards there aren't many options for Neeld for a few years.. especially if one of our tall defenders are injured!

Oh look you did...

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Seriously though I have been getting a bit of stick from my crows mates, I think they are happy to see the back of him.

[don cordner 165]

james seller inverview, talks about being delisted ect.

http://www.fiveaa.com.au/audio_james-sellar-seeking-another-club-in-the-afl_103305

[BAMF 3,787]

I'm impressed with his highlight vid. Must have been one of his better games.Took some really nice contested marks. Knows how to use his size. He will at least force the opposition to play a larger body against him, which will help our forward structures.

[Sideshow Bob 2,163]

From the clip he Looks a lot like the Dawes, L. Brown type that everyone has been screaming for. Along Leroy himself to coach - I like it.

[DEELIRIOUS 156]

I think he could be a swing man. They will more than likely play him at CHB and then if needed CHF, seems as though he can play ruck but there are too many of that type in the best 22 so he won't be needed in that department. I truly believe that if he loses a few kg's he could sharpen up much like Bate and get that agility up. Looks quite slow but could be handy. We shall see, hopefully he is there on Monday at training, I'll be a curious onlooker on Monday just quietly

[Guest KingDingAling]

Lets face it, Sellar is a spud and this pick couldve been used properly.

But getting that out the road and making a positive out of it all is that Sellar comes across as

a top bloke - a real class act. He works hard and never gives up and those are attributes that hopefully

rub off on some of our younger blokes down at Casey.

[daisycutter 28,639]

A lot of posters need to get their hand off of it re Sellar

5 years, 20 games and delisted and picked up at 54, yet people see him as a 'ready-to-play' KPP no less

Get real people, he has an uphill battle ahead of him realistically and won't even squeeze in a full pre-season

He's a long-shot but Casey should be pleased to get a big body down there

[Nasher 33,133]

Yeah - the Dawes / Leigh Brown is a huge stretch. My expectations are much lower. This is a big second chance; good luck to him.

[The Backyard Charizard 1,178]

I wonder if circumstances were different in 2006, and we had Neeld and Craig on board....

Selection 12 - Melbourne - James Sellar

Selection 14 - Adelaide - James Frawley

Epic Fail!!!!!

[Axis of Bob 10,308]

Zac Dawson

Tom Lonergan

Trent Croad

Chris Tarrant

What do they all have in common?