Post pick 4, MFC needs to boost the midfield. Here are some later players that I rate

Ben Kearns (183cm midfielder - Gippsland)

Had a very good 2012 in TAC. Versatile player as he plays mid/fwd role. Knows where the goals are ... he booted 5 goal in the 1st TAC game for Power. Good size and would be a handy pickup.

Tullio DeMatteis (184cm midfielder - Norwood)

Will slide to post 50. He has pace and very competitive. Looks to take on the game. Skills are solid on either left or right.

Shane Nelson (178cm midfielder West Perth)

the mystery of the 2011 draft. He gets the footy, has good pace and he knows how to use the footy. Had a good year in the WAFL and should be very very seriously considered.

Sam Lowrie (187cm Sth Fremantle)

Very good size for mid. Reminds me of a Lenny Hayes type. Yes big wrap but flys under radar. A real mid worker both with & without the footy. Watch the Jesse Hogan tape for a glimpse of Lowrie. Not at draft combine but at State screening.

Braedon McLean (178 cm midfield - NT)

shhhhhhhhh ... Barry on one wing. McLean on the other. Another NT speedster , he has real pace. Watch the Under 18's champs closely.

Edited October 17, 201213 yr by spirit of norm smith

If Nelson lasts topick 58 would be a good pick up considering we seem to have plenty of forwards & defenders. Good pace and very good user of the ball. IMO he has only slipped down the draft order due to an ilness which affected his pre season. Finished the season well and got better once he got to almost full fitness.

Worth a punt

If Nelson lasts topick 58 would be a good pick up considering we seem to have plenty of forwards & defenders. Good pace and very good user of the ball. IMO he has only slipped down the draft order due to an ilness which affected his pre season. Finished the season well and got better once he got to almost full fitness.

Worth a punt

Few people still talking him up, but also wondering why he didnt go last year?

From all reports had a very draftable year this year ontop of his U18's last year

I also wouldnt mind a look at Anthony Tupangwuti at some stage in the draft if deemed appropriate,

Small forward form the NT, very much like Wonna, but has lived down in VIC playing for Gippsland this year and is said to be adjusting well and really wants a shot at the AFL

I don’t know if it has been mentioned anywhere else but I am of the opinion that we will only be using pic 4 as our live pic, then JV then PSD pick #3 as our 3 draft picks...? do we think we will be picking into the 50's?

I though MN suggested upto 12 list changes is off season?

I dont think Melbourne will really be focusing heavily so much on picks outside the top 50.

It was important for us to get Dawes and Brynes to inject some experience into our side.

With 2 first round draft picks this year (pick 4 and Viney effectively).. we have exactly what we want.

Hopefully with another 2 preseasons with Hogan he will become a beast.

We need to stop with the youth and develop the amazingly talented list we have

Wouldn't be surprised if those later picks were traded out for Cameron Pederson, but also if we use them on rookie upgrades, definitely for nicho at least

Wouldn't be surprised if those later picks were traded out for Cameron Pederson, but also if we use them on rookie upgrades, definitely for nicho at least

Sounds good. Two young draftees (4 and Viney), some senior experience and a rookie upgrade or 2. Or do we have to take 3 from the draft?

You know, I honestly believe that in the end, the main factor that affects the ability of kids selected in this part of the draft is the coaching (i.e. DEVELOPMENT) that they receive once they get into the system.

For mine, it appears that in the past some clubs have had the belief that young players will develop naturally, and that others intensively direct and hone that development to "manufacture" footballers. I would put MFC, Dogs and Dons in the first category, and WCE, pies, hawks and the lions of the last two years in the latter.

Although it is painful to admit, it is no coincidence that teams like the Filth and hawks have been able to stay up for so long, while teams like us have a plethora of first round picks (as well as more speculative picks in later rounds) on our list who have not progressed since the day they walked in the door.

The presence of a new FD led by Neeld and actual, real development shown in players such as Tom Mc and even Watts has given me some hope that all the picks that have been taken over the past few years may not yet have been in vain.

Surely our later picks will be upgrades of rookies.

Re: development - Dave Misson will be a key component underlying the period of sustained success that this club will enjoy from 2014 onwards.

Again, of that, I am convinced.

Get excited folks, because what's happening at the moment is just that.

If Rivers goes he will probably secure us a pick in the late 20's early 30's.... but that could very well be on-traded for more experienced players

Post pick 4, MFC needs to boost the midfield. Here are some later players that I rate

Ben Kearns (183cm midfielder - Gippsland)

Had a very good 2012 in TAC. Versatile player as he plays mid/fwd role. Knows where the goals are ... he booted 5 goal in the 1st TAC game for Power. Good size and would be a handy pickup.

local churchill boy - played soccer at my club (and footy at the local footy club too) up until the age of 16.

would be pretty stoked to see him on an afl list

local churchill boy - played soccer at my club (and footy at the local footy club too) up until the age of 16.

would be pretty stoked to see him on an afl list

agree Ben Kearns is a very good player ...

local churchill boy - played soccer at my club (and footy at the local footy club too) up until the age of 16.

would be pretty stoked to see him on an afl list

Churchill hey I'm in traralgon that is very local don't know of him though?

Well our Compo pick will help somewhere down the road.. lets hope about pick 25-35.

i think we should stock up on defenders of midfielders post pick 4.

The loss of Rivers and the gain of Clark and Dawes means we have a vacant back spot. We need to replace the void Rivers used to fill in backline, before he moved to forward line when Mitch got injured

Would be very surprised if our late picks are not used to upgrade Nicholson and possibly Magner. And if not both, then one late pick on another mature age midfielder.

I though MN suggested upto 12 list changes is off season?

Around 25% of the list.

Would be very surprised if our late picks are not used to upgrade Nicholson and possibly Magner. And if not both, then one late pick on another mature age midfielder.

I'd be happy if they upgraded Nicholson with our last pick 80+ but definitely not Magner or Couch as I can't see them being in our best 22. Another year on the rookie list for me at best. Sheahan could be upgraded but there is no need at this stage either. Jade Rawlings said at a function I attended in July that he has a way to go.

Leigh Williams and Evans are the interesting ones that could surprise this year. Williams is strong enough to play forward or even back and with another pre-season he could be competing for a senior spot. in 2013. It fit, Evans could be a better bet than Couch and Magner.

If they pick-up Pederson I hope they have a smokey in mind that could be our "diamond in the rough". at pick 60+. I have this feeling that they just may have.

Its my understanding that we either promote evans or delist him...would have thought he has shown a bit when not injured and would be worth keeping

I am ok with pick 4, trade for pedersen and rookie upgrades for nicho, magner and maybe Evans.

A very good drafting period for us.

Its my understanding that we either promote evans or delist him...would have thought he has shown a bit when not injured and would be worth keeping

Yeah that's right. It will be an interesting call by Neeld on this one. He has played very very little footy since Neeld has been around, so we will see if Neeld thinks he is worthy of taking up a place on the senior list. For mine, I don't think he will.

Churchill hey I'm in traralgon that is very local don't know of him though?

I'm in Boolarra.. I've heard this kid Kearns goes alright aswell.