If he didn't have me on ignore he would know that had already been said.

W/o the acidic asides...

Emotional hangover from his time in the galleys?

He got 25 possessions to half-time on his way to the Jack Clarke Medal in the GF. He wouldn't have even been drafted unless Bassett turned his entire career around by playing him back. Melbourne want a skilled runner off the half-back flank. He has shown that defence is clearly where he plays his best footy. He will train all season with the backs. If he gets picked for Melbourne it will be as a back.

I understand you don't get this and it's not surprising.

You must keep yourself amused arguing with yourself all day.

Why would Neeld draft another medium forward who we have to many of them, when what we are seriously lacking is a skilled rebounding defender, no chance we will play him forward.

There are so many different options. Say we want to really beef up our backline we might move Grimes back to a half back flank and maybe Toumpas there as well to settle him into AFL. That then creates spots for the midfield and guys like Magner and Jones become important. Or we might go the other way and leave Grimes in the midfield and see if we can get Viney and Toumpas playing midfield minutes from the start. Then all of a sudden there will be good opportunities for Terlich to play back.

Personally I'm not sure why Terlich couldn't play on a wing if he has the fitness. It might be easier than having to defend a dangerous forward. If he can accumulate and use the footy I don't see why he can't play on a wing.

I'm expecting both of these mature age guys to take half a season to learn our game plan and also adapt to being AFL footballers. They may be ready to go but they still haven't been there before.

I'm not sure there has ever been a club as unsettled in regard to best 22 as Melbourne. Sure we've got the big men sorted to a degree but there is probably a core of about 12 positions filled and 10 left up to grabs for whoever can step up and take them. This includes a chunk of midfield along with small defender small forwards.

We have a lot of backmen, but good backmen? I doubt it

We have been used to a lot of mediocre performances from out back six over the years.

Sometimes I reckon we think they are great, when in actual fact they are just fair.

How many top 4 clubs would Strauss, Garland, Nicho, Dunn & Watts walk into a backline?

Therefore we can still afford to add backmen to our list let's just see what Terlich and Dean can do.

probably only Watts right now.

Nicholson and Strauss may be able in time to work their ways in

I doubt it. I really think that they recruited to see whether he can do in the AFL what he did in the SANFL.

We lack backs with efficient disposal. From what I have seen he is quick, has good disposal & can play tall for his size. I see him playing off a HBF & will hopefully take Dunn or Nicholsons place in the side. Not really sure how Strauss is tracking at this stage but I'd assume he isn't best 22 at the moment.

I would think Strauss will be on his last chance this year.. not sure of contracts but if he is up, he would want to produce like never before or he will follow Bater and Petterd out the door next year.. Has potential but that doesnt win games alone and hasn't really done too much as far as I can see. lets hope for his sake that he has a real ripper year in 2013

We have a lot of backmen, but good backmen? I doubt it

We have been used to a lot of mediocre performances from out back six over the years.

Sometimes I reckon we think they are great, when in actual fact they are just fair.

How many top 4 clubs would Strauss, Garland, Nicho, Dunn & Watts walk into a backline?

Therefore we can still afford to add backmen to our list let's just see what Terlich and Dean can do.

That is a fair call, However i feel Watts (people place a lot on him) Would certainly walk ito a top 4 backline. He is a sublime user of the ball and is as athleticly gifted as they come. He could very well have a huge year this year and prove the doubters wrong.I'm sure he could very well have a huge year and prove the doubters wrong. I know you were not paying out on Watts, but any chance i get i defend him. However in saying this you made some good points.

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I'm not sure there has ever been a club as unsettled in regard to best 22 as Melbourne. Sure we've got the big men sorted to a degree but there is probably a core of about 12 positions filled and 10 left up to grabs for whoever can step up and take them. This includes a chunk of midfield along with small defender small forwards.

With the list turn over we had its no surprise. Although for the first time in a long time.. i feel like we have depth in the list. We arent relyig on guys to 'develop'. We have ready made players or guys who are there abouts competing for spots.