Hopefully this thread will be seen as "thread worthy" by some of our posters.

As an interstater, and one that is not willing to start paying to read some parts of the Herald Sun online, can someone be so kind to update me as to how the Top 50 is shaping up? Most obviously, how many Melbourne players have been listed to date and what are their positions?

A couple of seasons ago now, there was a heated discussion between myself, HG45, and someone else (can't remember who), about where Melbourne players were at in terms of Sheehan's views. I think at the time, I made the comment that I would struggle to fit a Melbourne player in the Top 75 or so, someone did make the comment about Top 150 (which was eventually edited, which started a whole new drama).

I'm intrigued now, 2 seasons since that conversation, as to where our players rate. I would think that based on 2011 form, Frawley and Moloney may be in it, and Jamar could sneak a high 40's spot, but on the other hand, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Sheehan doesn't have any Melbourne players in the Top 50.

While some don't care about the Top 50, I still think it gives a good insight as to how teams, and certain players with those teams, are travelling. To think that potentially we don't have players in Sheehan's Top 50 again, even after "bottoming out" is concerning.

I think Frawley gets in at 48. That's about it for Dees. Pendlebury at 1.

I think Frawley gets in at 48. That's about it for Dees. Pendlebury at 1.

Cheers Jnr.

So in the opinion of one of the better football writers of recent times (hasn't got a great field to beat!), our best player is ranked the 48th best in the league.

Oh dear.

Mike has it right, Frawley at 48 our only player in the top 50 at the moment is spot on. Our club is the great unknown at the moment, you look at our list and get excited then you watch them put in a performance like last week and you start thinking more of the same. We have players that by seasons end could find their way into the top 50, Clark, Jamar, Grimes, Trengove, Sylvia , Moloney but they have to start performing at there best on a consistant basis

Cheers Jnr.

So in the opinion of one of the better football writers of recent times (hasn't got a great field to beat!), our best player is ranked the 48th best in the league.

Oh dear.

Would you rate any of our players higher given our 2011 season? We finished 13th and it's fairly common knowledge that we don't have any bona fide stars on our list.

I think Moloney deserves a sniff. Other than that I agree with it.

For a big chunk of the season last year Moloney was pulling the highest clearance numbers of any player. How quickly we forget... sure he hasn't been at his best so far in the pre season but he is still worthy of the top 50 and maybe as high as top 30 in my book.

Interesting to see dustin martin at 30 odd or whatever he was, do we recruit players that arent as good or once the get to the club does it go pear shaped. If we had have taken Martin instead of trengrove would martin still be as good?

Would you rate any of our players higher given our 2011 season? We finished 13th and it's fairly common knowledge that we don't have any bona fide stars on our list.

Well, considering we didn't have any in the 2 years before this list, I would've expected some players to be rising up. Players like Rivers, Moloney, Davey, Bartram, and as much as I hate to say it - Jones, these are the blokes that have no excuse not to be consistently considered to be in the Top 50 players in the AFL. Obviously for Watts, Morton and Trengove, they have their own reasons, but it still doen't help when Nik Nat and Dusty Martin are coming out of the same drafts and are considered that far ahead of our selections.

I heard about the pessimist and optimist walking past a horse stall the other day that was choc-full of horse crap, basically up to the ceiling. The pessimist walked past and whinged about how much horse crap there was in the stable and kept walking. The optomist jumped the stable door, duck-diving all through the crap yelling "I know there's a horse in here somewhere!!!". Damn 2012 preseason, I'm starting to question if I'm one of those guys blocking my nose as I walk past that stable. I hate you Demonland!!!!

Well, considering we didn't have any in the 2 years before this list, I would've expected some players to be rising up. Players like Rivers, Moloney, Davey, Bartram, and as much as I hate to say it - Jones, these are the blokes that have no excuse not to be consistently considered to be in the Top 50 players in the AFL. Obviously for Watts, Morton and Trengove, they have their own reasons, but it still doen't help when Nik Nat and Dusty Martin are coming out of the same drafts and are considered that far ahead of our selections.

I heard about the pessimist and optimist walking past a horse stall the other day that was choc-full of horse crap, basically up to the ceiling. The pessimist walked past and whinged about how much horse crap there was in the stable and kept walking. The optomist jumped the stable door, duck-diving all through the crap yelling "I know there's a horse in here somewhere!!!". Damn 2012 preseason, I'm starting to question if I'm one of those guys blocking my nose as I walk past that stable. I hate you Demonland!!!!

Come on Billy the season hasn't started yet. Tell me about it after the season.

Come on Billy the season hasn't started yet. Tell me about it after the season.

What part do you disagree with? I'm saying how 2 seasons ago we didn't have a player in the Top 50, and we still don't. I think similar comments were made back when that original arguement took place. By the end of the year we had Frawley, Green and Jamar in there, then the next year, Frawls at 48 is all.

I just hope we don't get to the start of season 2013 and Sheehan releases his Top 50 and we find 1 Melbourne player in the high 40's, with the comment being made "let's wait til the end of the season". Is there anything wrong with wanting to be good now?

For a big chunk of the season last year Moloney was pulling the highest clearance numbers of any player. How quickly we forget... sure he hasn't been at his best so far in the pre season but he is still worthy of the top 50 and maybe as high as top 30 in my book.

I like Moloney but he has to start playing well against the good teams, and with out Jamar feeding him the ball. He has the ability to make the top 50 but doesn't deserve to be in it at this time.

Would you rate any of our players higher given our 2011 season? We finished 13th and it's fairly common knowledge that we don't have any bona fide stars on our list.

I think Frawley should be higher.

Possibly the only other candidate is Jamar. I think he should be higher than Kruezer and Leeuinberger. Kruezer doesn't rate for me, particularly on actual performance.

What part do you disagree with? I'm saying how 2 seasons ago we didn't have a player in the Top 50, and we still don't. I think similar comments were made back when that original arguement took place. By the end of the year we had Frawley, Green and Jamar in there, then the next year, Frawls at 48 is all.

I just hope we don't get to the start of season 2013 and Sheehan releases his Top 50 and we find 1 Melbourne player in the high 40's, with the comment being made "let's wait til the end of the season". Is there anything wrong with wanting to be good now?

Mate ,all I'm saying is that there is a season to be played and after that we can see who had a break out year,who did not make the cut. I don't really care what Sheehan thinks or prints as his opinions are as much value as mine, the only difference is I am not a retired football writer. I too have watched and played this game since 1962,why does his opinion matter????

Congraulations Chip!

With him at 48...it really shows how much our list needs to catchup.

It is an interesting conversation starter each year.

Will post thoughts after seeing the full list later after I've seen it - but from memory we had two players in the list last year? Frawley and Jamar? With Moloney and Green hovering.

I still can't see why it matters what Sheehan thinks or how many MFC players get into his top 50

Frawley as our only top 50 player is spot on IMO.Moloney may have a sniff but that's it.also can't believe Dustin Martin and Stevie J were where mike had them. Both are certainly in my top 20 and probably knocking on the door of top 10!

The problem/intrigue with a list stems from the nature of its definition and the subjective nature of viewing the importance of varying roles in a team IMO.

Is it a list of best players out and out? Of most important players? Of important players at important clubs? Of predicting the best 50 this year?

As it is, at a brief glance, I cannot fathom Michael Hurley over Brendon Goddard for instance.

I also feel a number of players are a champion of circumstance (copyright) - I feel Michael Jamison fits this bill. I'm not a massive Carlton follower, indeed I despise them so my judgement may be biased, but I feel he is overrated because he is a KPP of a likely top 4 team.

I dont care what anyone thinks...Jamar is in the top 50 players in the competition. Full stop.

The problem/intrigue with a list stems from the nature of its definition and the subjective nature of viewing the importance of varying roles in a team IMO.

Is it a list of best players out and out? Of most important players? Of important players at important clubs? Of predicting the best 50 this year?

As it is, at a brief glance, I cannot fathom Michael Hurley over Brendon Goddard for instance.

I also feel a number of players are a champion of circumstance (copyright) - I feel Michael Jamison fits this bill. I'm not a massive Carlton follower, indeed I despise them so my judgement may be biased, but I feel he is overrated because he is a KPP of a likely top 4 team.

Which ever one of these it is HG, we'll still struggle having one in the Top 50. Oh no, deja vu! Any advances on Top 50? Do I hear 150?!!!

Mike Sheahan publishes a top 50 at the end of each season and another at the beginning of the next. Given nothing has actually happened in the time between the publishing of the two lists, the only justification for any change must relate to expectations. Consequently, the list just published must be Sheahan's prediction of who he thinks will be the best in 2012.

And good luck to him. He knows he puts his head in the noose every time he does this. I may disagree with his choices, but I admire his willingness to put his reputation on the line.

It's amazing how much discussion and thought is generated from one's opinion.

I'm thinking of releasing my top 50.

I'll make it even better... I'll try for top 100.

Scrap that, I'll do a countdown from 500...make it more suspenseful. Yeah, I'll release 5 every day...:

500 - Israel Folau

499 - Josh Hill

498 - Neville Jetta

497 - Setanta O'Hailpin

496 - Jack Fitzpatrick

*Based on my current rankings and subject to change based on output. Stay tuned for the next installment.

Bring on the footy....

If we had have taken Martin instead of trengrove would martin still be as good?

I think recent history (at least) has shown that we have a poor record in developing players. Richmond probably not the best to measure against in that regard though, given their lack of success in the same area.

It's amazing how much discussion and thought is generated from one's opinion.

I'm thinking of releasing my top 50.

I'll make it even better... I'll try for top 100.

Scrap that, I'll do a countdown from 500...make it more suspenseful. Yeah, I'll release 5 every day...:

500 - Israel Folau

499 - Josh Hill

498 - Neville Jetta

497 - Setanta O'Hailpin

496 - Jack Fitzpatrick

*Based on my current rankings and subject to change based on output. Stay tuned for the next installment.

Bring on the footy....

Little Nev's a bit stiff HT?