Pedersen is more of an athlete than Sellar.

I would keep Sellar for the 2nd tall in the backline (even if Rivers leaves) and Pedersen/Dawes/Gumbleton should start at FF.

I agree that we should get 1 of Pedersen/Dawes/Gumbleton. If we get 2, that will be it for Sellar I fear.

If you're playing Sellar as the second tall in the backline, what would you do with McDonald/Garland/Watts? One of them could be moved up to FF or CHF (after all, they were all drafted as forwards), but if you were going to do that is there any need for Pederson/Dawes/Gumbleton at all?

If we're going to get one of Pederson/Dawes/Gumbleton, they will just be a place-holder until Hogan is ready. I don't think we're going to be competing for a finals spot in 2013, so I think it's a better investment to hang on to pick 20 and use it on the best available player. If we can snag Pederson with our third rounder I'm all for it, but otherwise I'm happy with Sellar.

might set a very good tone for young Viney

I don't believe anyone will need to 'set a tone' for Viney.

Besides, he's been training with the club for a year.

Player managers are hardly a recruitment agency they are managers who are hired by you to look after your interests. It's a professional sportsperson hiring a professional sports manager not a bloke lining up at a Centrelink Office looking for a job.

If this is a hard concept to grasp then I will type slower just for you.

And yes if I was Moloney I would be taking a break from football and relax.

And I wouldn't be so whats your point

Do you think Brisbane would take the guy running tan laps or the guy getting trashed in Vegas if they were a dead heat on ability

And I wouldn't especially call going to Vegas 'relaxing'

Fun and games !!! Lol

Aka

Smoke and mirrors

Things are not always what they seem, sometimes, but often not.

Some suggest there's an air of the desperado creepingin. It might be the case but it might wel be we are trying not to seem overly keen on anyone, just to keep things a bit honest. I.e. no one gets an over inflated idea of their worth.

You'd carry on if we got them, because you wouldn't like what we paid, and you'd carry on if we miss them, as it's a sign of how useless we are. You win either way.

I won't lose a nano second of sleep over either.

Me either but let me ask just one question if we miss out on either and don't get me started on Gumby Bad back and all

Who plays CHF next year?

Sellar is ok in the back line, I like him there. When he runs straight at the ball and can see his options up ahead he generally does well. I don't think he's clever enough (runs to the right spots, uses space well, assists crumbers, etc) or a strong enough mark to be a key fwd. Think we'll find him improve in 2013, assuming he is given a contract, which is likely if Riv leaves. One of Pederson, Gumby, Dawes at the right price would be a good pick up for 2013 and beyond. Difficult to expect too much of Hogan in 2014, ok if he plays 6-12 games. I like the idea of having 3 or even 4 KPFs on the list because at any one time it is possible that a KPF will be out injured, or poor form dictates they need a spell in VFL. Look what happened when Clark went down mid-year. Competition for spots on the list is important. Added to this mix of KPFs is Fitzpatick, who will show his worth next year if the rise in improvement continues.

Starting to get a little excited!

I'm bullish about Gumbleton. He dropped off a bit late in the year but I thought he moves pretty well and could take a good mark. The question will always remain about his back but I wouldn't be surprised at all if he turns out pretty good, whoever he ends up playing for.

Something many should ponder is the actuality that we're not really seeking a kpp. We're after a kpp's assistant.

Many of the names popping up have been in their day. Very able players, often a kpp in their own right in their day but either through age injury or not quite having all the trappings thought to have have seen their careers and playing positions slide.

The reality is if any of them can play to about 75% of the ability but do so week in week out then they can do the support role more than adequately.

Were not after a star, just someone to make a coaches job (oppo) a lot harder.

Leave Mitch to just ONE defender and hell probably beat them; two becomes hard work.

Neeld is looking to fill a role.

I think Pederson & one of Dawes or Gumby would be a good get.

I like Pederson. He is young and versatile.

The only way we could lose with Gumbleton is if we pay overs for him. Trade a player or 3rd round pick I would think!

Dawes is Pick 20 max!

If you're playing Sellar as the second tall in the backline, what would you do with McDonald/Garland/Watts? One of them could be moved up to FF or CHF (after all, they were all drafted as forwards), but if you were going to do that is there any need for Pederson/Dawes/Gumbleton at all?

If we're going to get one of Pederson/Dawes/Gumbleton, they will just be a place-holder until Hogan is ready. I don't think we're going to be competing for a finals spot in 2013, so I think it's a better investment to hang on to pick 20 and use it on the best available player. If we can snag Pederson with our third rounder I'm all for it, but otherwise I'm happy with Sellar.

You are assuming that Clark and Hogan can manage from 2014 onwards. I would give them some help and a big lump would do that. He doesn't have to ruck as Clark and Hogan can do that and we would probably want them through the middle at some stage (although part of me thinks that is stupid to put two massive investments into the ruck...).

Martin struggles forward and we are looking for a forward to take pressure off Clark right now. Sellar is a backman from where I sit.

You are assuming that Clark and Hogan can manage from 2014 onwards. I would give them some help and a big lump would do that. He doesn't have to ruck as Clark and Hogan can do that and we would probably want them through the middle at some stage (although part of me thinks that is stupid to put two massive investments into the ruck...).

Martin struggles forward and we are looking for a forward to take pressure off Clark right now. Sellar is a backman from where I sit.

Okay so put Sellar in the backline. But what about shifting Watts/Garland/McDonald forward to take the pressure off Clark? Or do you think that we should keep them all in the back half as well? I've watched some footage of Pedersen (I realized I've been spelling his name incorrectly up until now) and he looks pretty good, but I don't want to spend pick 20 on him.

Pretty much the only issue that I would have with getting one of Pedersen/Dawes/Gumbleton would be spending pick 20. I'm fine with packaging a player+later pick for one of them, but I think we need to try our luck at drafting a good midfielder.

Okay so put Sellar in the backline. But what about shifting Watts/Garland/McDonald forward to take the pressure off Clark? Or do you think that we should keep them all in the back half as well? I've watched some footage of Pedersen (I realized I've been spelling his name incorrectly up until now) and he looks pretty good, but I don't want to spend pick 20 on him.

Pretty much the only issue that I would have with getting one of Pedersen/Dawes/Gumbleton would be spending pick 20. I'm fine with packaging a player+later pick for one of them, but I think we need to try our luck at drafting a good midfielder.

Didn't say that Pick 20 should be spent.

And I would keep McDonald as the third tall in the backline, Garland as a ute that can play small down back and medium up forward, and Watts I would keep as a flanker or a winger. Pedersen is a big, strong lad with a decent grab and I would play him at FF.

The majority of sides are moving to a 3 key forward structure where one can pinch hit in the ruck, one plays as a defined key forward, and one who roams beyond the wings into the defensive half of the ground. Then there's usually a plus one smaller player to rove and apply defensive pressure.

The 5 and 6 then push up and run back.

In Melbourne's ideal structure it would probably be Clark, Hogan and one other from 2014 onwards, with the small rotating between Byrnes, Blease, Davey, etc.

We're missing that third roaming tall option. I actually think Martin could potentially fill that bill. I'd prefer Gumbleton to Dawes as he's ostensibly more athletic - albeit more injury prone - and would complement the other two, with Clark the big lug who can pinch hit in the ruck AND play the key forward, Hogan with the defined key forward role and ability to run athletically, and the third able to play deep or push up.

No doubt min my mind Neeld is putting together a structure for 2015 onwards.

I agree DA, but I think he (mn) also wants some semblance of the 2015 ver machine next year also. Not perfect,but playable. It'll be used as a working model for development.

lol @ KPF assistant.

Perfect way of putting it.

I actually wouldn't mind seeing Tmac or Watts put down forward this year. Especially with Dunn doing a not too bad on the back line now.

Quick question: why is everyone seemingly OK with Sellar being made a defender, but so adamant about Martin being used in attack?

Martin is much more natural as a defender than a forward, IMO.

I like the possibility of Fitzy, Gawn and Jamar resting forward as the third tall forward. Like Cox and NicNat.

Clark, Hogan and Gawn/Fitzy/Jamar should cover us for tall forwards.

By the way, during Neeld & Viney's trip west, was any contact made with Koby Stevens? Not sure if he's what we need, but might have attracted some interest from them as he seems to be the hard-at-it type.

I think Hogan will be good, but he will still take time. You can't expect him to hold down a key position consistently from day dot.

I don't understand why Viney went west. A few days earlier he was saying how he was at school during the bidding process.

Was he wagging?

I don't understand why Viney went west. A few days earlier he was saying how he was at school during the bidding process.

Was he wagging?

You are aware that Todd Viney is an employee of the MFC?

I don't understand why Viney went west. A few days earlier he was saying how he was at school during the bidding process.

Was he wagging?

Viney Sr.

i hope your joking, just incase your not, I assume Todd the head of recruiting went west

By the way, during Neeld & Viney's trip west, was any contact made with Koby Stevens? Not sure if he's what we need, but might have attracted some interest from them as he seems to be the hard-at-it type.

maybe...and maybe keeping quiet for now. Neeld has form for subtefuge lol

Classic case again of everyone...look over there >>>>>>>>>>>>

Viney Sr.

Ahhh gotcha