Whether we like it or not, it seems the AFL is hell-bent on adjusting the benching rotation system to minimise the use of the bench. Melbourne were shown up to be an incredibly unfit team last year, and I think as the years progress it will be the teams that are able to run out the games the best that will benefit the most from the new rules.

What we have just done in the last 2 days is not only fill 3 immediate needs (under midfielder, bustling key forward & fast wingman) but we have identified two major components, in skill and fitness and targetted them.

Hogan ran a 10.09 3km time, which is Nick Riewoldt-esque. To put it in perspective Andrew Gaff the free running mid for WCE ran exactly 10.00. Difference is Hogan carries around a whopping 97.3 kgs.

Barry on the other hand, also ran 10.09, which was the equal 3rd best time of the combine. His skills are very slick, another area the Demons have targetted and drafted accordingly.

The point of my post is, there is a system to what we are doing. Neeld has targetted areas in which he thinks Melbourne will most benefit, and it is refreshing. The re-build ends at the completion of the 2012 draft. From that moment on, it's only a road to the top.

Hogan ran a 10.09 3km time, which is Nick Riewoldt-esque. To put it in perspective Andrew Gaff the free running mid for WCE ran exactly 10.00. Difference is Hogan carries around a whopping 97.3 kgs.

I think your point is valid, however just as a correction Hogan ran in 10:20 (equal 10th).

Also did the 20m sprint in 3.02 (considered midfielder range)

equal 7th best in the Beep test. So,... yeah some impressive combine results.

For a huge man they are some impressive figures...

I agree with you in part but recruiting young players who are U18 fit doesn't hold much sway when entering AFL ranks. They need to be made AFL-fit and that could take some time.

The major changes to our fitness will come via Sylvia, Gysberts, Tapscott, Martin (if we keep him), Bail, Blease Strauss, Jetta etc... doing a full preseason and entering Round 1 with no injury setbacks. They will have had two summers under Misson's training regimen and we will see a massive upturn in fitness for 2013.

I also think that players like Trengove and Garland will re-find form and excel next year.

For a huge man they are some impressive figures...

and he's at least a year younger than most of this years combine attendees