Tom Couch upgraded from Melbourne's rookie list to replace the injured Neville Jetta.

Reported on twitter by Dr Dream Team.

Not surprising IMO.

Could find a way into my Dream teams forward pocket...

Tom Couch upgraded from Melbourne's rookie list to replace the injured Neville Jetta.

Reported on twitter by Dr Dream Team.

Not surprising IMO.

Spoke to him at the Family day Graeme and he is a good kid loves it at Melbourne and was rapt to be picked up by us was very impressed with the list before he was drafted.

Bit surprised that Nicholson hasn't been upgraded he was the best trainer at the club during the pre season; perhaps they don't like his disposal.

Bit surprised that Nicholson hasn't been upgraded he was the best trainer at the club during the pre season; perhaps they don't like his disposal.

Or maybe they realised that Nicholson is still not up to AFL standard is a fair few areas. Some VFL games should give him some confidence.

BTW, I am rapped that Couch has been upgraded cos now he's in my sc team for sure. Haha, the Magner Couch combo!

Lets hope he is an armchair off the old block .

If this is true, and given Neeld's reluctance to promote rookies, you'd think Couch might play Saturday.

Makes selection interesting: lots of hard-at-it mids; wonder who will miss out? Moloney, Jones, Couch and Magner all very similar types.

If this is true, and given Neeld's reluctance to promote rookies, you'd think Couch might play Saturday. Makes selection interesting: lots of hard-at-it mids; wonder who will miss out? Moloney, Jones, Couch and Magner all very similar types.

I think all 4 will play.

Will be nice to have a midfield that doesn't cower from a contest.

Spoke to him at the Family day Graeme and he is a good kid loves it at Melbourne and was rapt to be picked up by us was very impressed with the list before he was drafted.

Bit surprised that Nicholson hasn't been upgraded he was the best trainer at the club during the pre season; perhaps they don't like his disposal.

As you know Robbie I am loathe to criticise players however I am not impressed with Nicholson's awareness, decision making or disposal. His efforts at Darwin in 2011 and at Metricon in the NAB cup were poor to say the least. Sure he is fit and quick but he needs a great deal of work in other areas. Hope he proves me wrong.

BTW Robbie, hope to catch up round 4.

BTW Robbie, hope to catch up round 4.

Good stuff I'll keep a seat for you, let me know. QB as usual?

I have had a bit of time for Nico but it seems the common theme is, he's not ready or not good enough; I hope he makes it.

Lets hope he is an armchair off the old block .

Gave it a sympathy "like" Biff.

Nicholson gives me flashbacks to Luke Williams. Love the endeavour and the guy can move, but...

I haven't seen any pre-season footy except for the first round of the NAB, so I can only wonder how balanced the side will be with both Magner and Couch in it (and since both have been elevated I'm assuming both will play). Neeld did say he's a fan of grunt, and that seems to be evident in these promotions.

I look forward to seeing what they can produce.

Nicholson gives me flashbacks to Luke Williams. Love the endeavour and the guy can move, but...

I haven't seen any pre-season footy except for the first round of the NAB, so I can only wonder how balanced the side will be with both Magner and Couch in it (and since both have been elevated I'm assuming both will play). Neeld did say he's a fan of grunt, and that seems to be evident in these promotions.

I look forward to seeing what they can produce.

at least if picked they won't be under any illusions as to why they are picked

Could we possibly play Moloney, Jones, Couch, Magner, McKenzie and Bate all in the same team? Surely two of that group must miss out. I know most here will nominate Bate. And where does the Couch/Magner promotion leave Gysberts? I'm hoping both McKenzie and Gysberts play but I've always got an eye to the future. Looking forward to selection tomorrow night.

Bit surprised that Nicholson hasn't been upgraded he was the best trainer at the club during the pre season; perhaps they don't like his disposal.

Just like Maric last preseason

Could we possibly play Moloney, Jones, Couch, Magner, McKenzie and Bate all in the same team? Surely two of that group must miss out. I know most here will nominate Bate. And where does the Couch/Magner promotion leave Gysberts? I'm hoping both McKenzie and Gysberts play but I've always got an eye to the future. Looking forward to selection tomorrow night.

We were by far the worst midfield in the competition last year.

So i say any additions (Bate, Magner, Couch) are more than welcome, because our midfield can't get any worse. Change is good. Bigger bodies is good. hopefully we'll start getting more competitive around the middle of the ground

I am more than happy to have too many contested footy types in this team right now, we were pathetic in contested footy last year. Just hopeless.

Nicholson gives me flashbacks to Luke Williams. Love the endeavour and the guy can move, but...

I haven't seen any pre-season footy except for the first round of the NAB, so I can only wonder how balanced the side will be with both Magner and Couch in it (and since both have been elevated I'm assuming both will play). Neeld did say he's a fan of grunt, and that seems to be evident in these promotions.

I look forward to seeing what they can produce.

The good thing is, we now have some strong depth, so we don't have to be desperatly throwing games into our young players for the sake of it.

Now these skilled players will have to bulk up & play hard, to get a game.

Bigger bodies - Yes , Speed - No, Precision Kicking ability - question mark

I am mates with his brother. I'll see if I can get some valid information about him. obviously not for first goal scorer.haha

Bigger bodies - Yes , Speed - No, Precision Kicking ability - question mark

That's a fair assesment H, but I'd probably add 'footy smarts' with another question mark. The question marks hold the key imo. We'll know the answers soon enough.

I am more than happy to have too many contested footy types in this team right now, we were pathetic in contested footy last year. Just hopeless.

Agreed.

Nicholson gives me flashbacks to Luke Williams. Love the endeavour and the guy can move, but...

Key difference - Nicholson knows what he's doing. Doesn't mean he's the best at it just yet (i.e. his kicking needs work) but in Nicholson I actually see a footy player. In Williams I saw a dunce.

Also Nicholson can take a hit.

Nicholson gives me flashbacks to Luke Williams. Love the endeavour and the guy can move, but...

Nicho is an athlete so the pre season stuff is right up his alley, he played some good games last year and had a go. A lot on here get on his back about disposal which can be hit and miss, someone else has mentioned his lack of awareness but what I see is that he is not a one touch player. Maybe he is trying too hard and this leads to problems with awareness (to narrow focus) and handling errors but if he could take the ball cleanly with his pace it would be an asset. It's also possible that he is playing at his peak and has no more to give. Personally I hope he makes it.

Given where Nicholson has come from - 2 years in the amateurs, 1 so far as a rookie, I'm of the view that he needs at least another year of development before we know where his career is going. Personally, I like that combination of endurance and pace. He needs to work on his skills and decision making.

Couch is a goer but do we need both he and Magner competing against the other hard bodied mids who aren't exactly over-endowed with pace.

I don't think the trial of playing forward worked very well for Nicholson. He just couldn't find the footy or read the play. I'd like to see him either at half back again and working on his disposal and shutting down an opponent, tagging in the midfield or playing on a wing and given freedom to run.

This elevation puts Couch in line to play for round 1 and therefore ahead of Gysberts in my mind. Also I can't see McKenzie playing round 1, he just doesn't have the match fitnessed and as mentioned Jones, Moloney, likely Bate and Magner and probably Couch will be playing, that's enough of slow big body midfielders. The 2 Jordie's can spend a bit of time in the VFL and then cement themselves back at AFL level.