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.

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.

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

Very interesting indeed.

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.

  On 25/11/2011 at 07:34, The Great One 99 said:

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".

  On 25/11/2011 at 08:12, Clint Bizkit said:

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.

  On 25/11/2011 at 08:30, The Great One 99 said:

"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.

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.

  On 25/11/2011 at 08:36, Clint Bizkit said:

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.

  On 25/11/2011 at 09:02, The Great One 99 said:

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".

Some highlights of James Sellar playing SANFL this year.

He's second on the highlights after Bernie Vince.

At about 3:30, you should have said!

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

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!

  On 25/11/2011 at 22:06, Demon 16 said:

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!

  On 25/11/2011 at 22:06, Demon 16 said:

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...

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.

james seller inverview, talks about being delisted ect.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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!!!!!

Zac Dawson

Tom Lonergan

Trent Croad

Chris Tarrant

What do they all have in common?