Davey surrounded by Clark, Watts, Jurrah, Petterd (Howe) and Martin will most likely have an excellent Season. He has the smarts, burst of pace, tackling ability, kicking ability to be a weapon. Good coaching should make it a certainty. I'm all for it.

Is that based on last years form, or what you have seen at Pre season training?

So, has anyone seen Aaron during the training setups this pre-season in a forward crumbing role? I do like the thought of it, just reckon if it was a serious option, it might have been implemented at training before now. There have been plenty of changes to the structure & forward line since AD was positioned there last, so I'd reckon it needed to be practiced well before it was rolled out on game day.

I dont think anyone has....seems pure conjecture or speculative to date that this is the role intended. Hey , it might be. . But id wonder if theyd take a bloke used to running...and who has trouble shaking a tag and lob him in the constrictions of a pocket where he would be well and truly 'minded' . Still.. all will be revealed, as they say..

Is that based on last years form, or what you have seen at Pre season training?

The training session I attended pre-Xmas Davey (and Blease) were definitely playing the role of a small forward in the full ground match simulation. This may have been more to do with their training load rather than positional though.

I'll answer on Rhino's behalf. Crumber - Kelvin Lawrence, Michael Evans or Sam Blease (I'd prefer Blease back but they are trialling him forward in preseason).

Leadership group - Moloney, Grimes, Trengove, Jones, Frawley or Rivers, Jamar and Green. All guys who put their body on the line, win contested ball (except for Green) and work their butts off at training.

Bit unfair on Green. Do you recall him nearly being paralysed when going head first for the pill? Do you notice who takes most contested marks? When younger we all loved him, now many knock him and unfairly IMO. I watched a few games again recently on replay and he can still kick a goal. We don't have too many of those. Yes he is coming to the end of his career, but he can still play and he is at the moment in our best team. Will also remain captain for one more year IMO.

The training session I attended pre-Xmas Davey (and Blease) were definitely playing the role of a small forward in the full ground match simulation. This may have been more to do with their training load rather than positional though.

ah well..some evidence if such

The training session I attended pre-Xmas Davey (and Blease) were definitely playing the role of a small forward in the full ground match simulation. This may have been more to do with their training load rather than positional though.

Now there's a thought, rotating small forwards

All I ask for is a fit playing list with the best 22 playing each week in their best positions. Davey (switched on) is in our best 22 and is a dynamic excitement machine, especially in the forward line. He's a noted goal kicker and I'm excited by this move (if true). Let's hope he rekindles days gone by.

The first batch of player pre-season updates are up on the Melbourne website and have been written by the relevant positional coach for that player. Worth noting both Davey's and Blease summary are by forward coach Leigh Brown.

The idea of using Davey behind centre as a running set-up player might have been OK if there had been a plan B for when he was tagged out. I've always wanted to see him playing forward because that's where I see him doing most damage to an opposition. I rate him as a better player than Maric, and while Aussie has/had explosive pace and and tackling, those attributes aren't really any use of they're not on the park. Aaron Davey is a 150 game player and with the right preparation and coaching, (and luck with injuries), could easily regain the form that won him a Bluey...

The first batch of player pre-season updates are up on the Melbourne website and have been written by the relevant positional coach for that player. Worth noting both Davey's and Blease summary are by forward coach Leigh Brown.

That's a fair comment. Let's assume it's correct and all the comments are written by the coach of their assigned position (backs, mids, forwards).

It looks like Bartram and Bennell are fighting for the back pocket position;

Bate and Bail are contesting a spot in midfield (possibly commencing on the wing);

Blease and Davey are competing for the forward pocket; and

Lyndon Dunn could be the replacement power forward for Clarke, Watts and Howe (possibly coming off the bench).

In the past, these guys have played all over the ground. Now they can settle into a certain role each week. If they don't perform then there is a ready-made replacement.