Yes I am praying ...for Liam. Often demonlanders review our draft selections and pour scorn over our recruiters ( I have done it myself at times) and it often includes the oversight of Cyril Rioli. Even though his possession count is often low we would dearly love him (how lucky for him he didn't come to us). His tantilizing skills are supreme. His great value is the motivation these provide his team as he weaves his magic at those necessary moments in a game. Fortunately at a far lower pick we got our 'Cyril' in Liam. I can't see too much difference in their ability. Now with our evolving forward line, Clarke, Howe, Maybe Tom Mac, Jack Watts, and Resting Ruckman, 'our Liam' will

be able to play the 'Cyril role'. His return to Casey next week is lighting a spark of excitement within me. .....and yes you are dam right I am praying these next couple of months go his way.

I certainly believe that the crumber we've been looking for is not Jamie Bennell or Aaron Davey or even Sam Blease. It is Liam Jurrah. His ability to read the ball and intercept in the forward-line is better than anyone ele on our team. The only issue is that he doesn't provide the tackling pressure required of a really good small forward (who in our team does). Hopefully he can work this attribute into his game when he comes back into the side.

I certainly believe that the crumber we've been looking for is not Jamie Bennell or Aaron Davey or even Sam Blease. It is Liam Jurrah. His ability to read the ball and intercept in the forward-line is better than anyone ele on our team. The only issue is that he doesn't provide the tackling pressure required of a really good small forward (who in our team does). Hopefully he can work this attribute into his game when he comes back into the side.

Forward pressure is non existant in the entire melbourne forward line not just Liam

If we had picked Cyril. Would he be as good as he is now?

I don't think so. Our development has been terrible. He would probably be playing for Casey and we would be complaining that we recruited too many skinny players.

Let's get our development right and we will unearth a gem or two.

If we had picked Cyril. Would he be as good as he is now?

I don't think so. Our development has been terrible. He would probably be playing for Casey and we would be complaining that we recruited too many skinny players.

Let's get our development right and we will unearth a gem or two.

Don't kid yourself.

The Dawks didn't develop Rioli, he was a gem when he walked through the doors.

Forward pressure is non existant in the entire melbourne forward line not just Liam

Incorrect. Forward pressure is a strong aspect of Howe'a game and Clark also provides some quality pressure. But two out of six isn't enough.

Incorrect. Forward pressure is a strong aspect of Howe'a game and Clark also provides some quality pressure. But two out of six isn't enough.

Nice - but we might have a "few" more on our list if we can get their bodies right. Sadly we might just have to wait a while longer.

If we had picked Cyril. Would he be as good as he is now?

I don't think so. Our development has been terrible. He would probably be playing for Casey and we would be complaining that we recruited too many skinny players.

Let's get our development right and we will unearth a gem or two.

Quoted for the truth. He would have given us much hope in his first 20 games and then we would have seen him go backwards. About now there would be a thread on here debating if we could trade him for a packet of potato chips or if we should just delist him.

As for Liam - agreed. He has the tools. If he can just get into the zone he'll be the player we all hope he can be. My fingers, toes, eyes and whatever else I can think of are crossed for him. And not just for him but for me too. I need to see a star at my club. These last five years have drained me and I'm not sure how much I've got left. I need a top up and not just of promises and hope this time.

A Cyril that can take hangers.

Cyril can turn nothing into something. Liam can do the same. Let's hope he gets himself right over the next couple of months.

Liam is potentially a star. If we manage to keep him om the ground he will the hardest forward for any team to match. Even when it seems like he is having an off day he generally pops up with two goals. Players like this are rare and precious. Look at his goal kicking record. If he can get through his current issues and get fit under Neeld he will be a bona fide star.

Don't kid yourself.

The Dawks didn't develop Rioli, he was a gem when he walked through the doors.

The point is that his understanding of the game and his abilities have been fast tracked at Hawthorn as opposed to what it may have been if he was drafted to Melbourne, due to obvious reasons that need no elaboration.

Don't kid yourself.

The Dawks didn't develop Rioli, he was a gem when he walked through the doors.

It's well known that his style at APS-level was quite different to his current role at Hawthorn. HFC developed him perfectly into the gamebreaker he is today.

It's well known that his style at APS-level was quite different to his current role at Hawthorn. HFC developed him perfectly into the gamebreaker he is today.

His style in the APS was exactly what you'd think most top draft picks were, win a truckload of footy and pretty much do as you please. He did the same thing in the under 18 carnival for NT.

Hawthorn didn't develop his game breaker ability at all. That's like saying the Australian cricket team taught Shane Warne to bowl or Don Bradman to bat.

Hawthorn did get him fitter than he was and allow him to make an impact playing very good defensive footy in his first year, and ever since they've got him fitter and managed him through a series of hamstring injuries. That I'll give them credit for. They also developed a strong indigenous culture that helped Franklin and Rioli amongst others get the best out of themselves. If he was at Melbourne he'd still be a good player, but maybe more a less fit small forward with the occasional good game. As oppose to a guy who is always dangerous and occasionally breaks games open in 5 minutes.

However it's still up to the individual as seen with Carl Pederson who left Hawthorn after one promising year. We can do lots for Jurrah, but if he can't rise above the obstacles his background have put in front of him and become a good citizen and professional athlete then I won't really be blaming the club.

It's well known that his style at APS-level was quite different to his current role at Hawthorn. HFC developed him perfectly into the gamebreaker he is today.

I would have said that Hawthorn provided him with great leadership and opportunity to develop his own game to what it is today.

Which, to me, suggests he wouldn't be the same if with the MFC.

I don't see to many similarities between Cyril and Jurrah. They are both quick and can kick a goal- that's about it. Jurrah is comparable only to Jurrah. Like has been stated- if he can get the defensive side of his game up to scratch he will be a franchise player in the realms of Buddy!

Don't kid yourself.

The Dawks didn't develop Rioli, he was a gem when he walked through the doors.

Wonder who paid for his Education at Scotch?

Would it be in the salary cap?

Wonder who paid for his Education at Scotch?

Would it be in the salary cap?

Don't think it was the Hawks. From memory Essendon first brought him to Melbourne

The only difference in development between us and the top sides is the intangible that the kids have to work alot harder to get games and maintain their place in the leading sides.

Only the best of the youngsters in top sides manage to do it.

We however have a revolving door policy and the kids are rewarded senior games for more mediocre efforts.

The only difference in development between us and the top sides is the intangible that the kids have to work alot harder to get games and maintain their place in the leading sides.

Only the best of the youngsters in top sides manage to do it.

We however have a revolving door policy and the kids are rewarded senior games for more mediocre efforts.

I'm not going to disagree with this - but do you think this has anything to do with out inability to attract ready made players thru the trade table?

Basically we have been forced to play "kids". Where as Hawks have been very successful as attracting ready mades ie Gunston, Hale, Gibson, Burgoyne & dare I say it our ex-player Cheney etc

Sadly we do not have a Cyril. Stop dreaming.

We do but we tried to turn him into a half back flanker and he lost his mojo.

Wonder who paid for his Education at Scotch?

Would it be in the salary cap?

He was on a bloody scholarship.

Schools want to win school footy, and to do that they need good players.

Anyway, how the hell would Hawthorn be able to predict they'd get him with pick 12?

Jurrah, is the player who would have most benefited from Mitch Clark's arrival. Can't wait to see him back in the side