Pre-season update: McDonald to Sellar

These is an interesting group of backs here, some who have yet to realise their potential.

I wonder who are going to slot into our starting 22 (apart from McDonald who is a certainty)?

Nicho is a given IMO

It's Sellar, not Sellars.

I wonder what Jade Rawlings means when he says, "Joel brings a lot to the group from a spiritual sense..."

I wonder what Jade Rawlings means when he says, "Joel brings a lot to the group from a spiritual sense..."

i also thought it a curious quip.

James Sellar will be the big surprise of 2013. Will hold down centre half back and will get into the All Australian squad.

I wonder what Jade Rawlings means when he says, "Joel brings a lot to the group from a spiritual sense..."

He's talking about the"An Innocent Man" albuim clearly.

read the signs.

Edited January 5, 201312 yr by Biffen

Really wish MacDonald was more naturally talented as a footballer. He has so many great attributes, especially in a "Neeld" team, and he's obviously a "spiritual leader" if you're reading the same thing I am. As a depth player I think he's perfect, he goes hard in training and in games, and creates competition for spots. Underrated by a lot here I think.

It's Sellar, not Sellars.

Pardon me!

James Sellar will be the big surprise of 2013. Will hold down centre half back and will get into the All Australian squad.

It would be nice if he did as so far he has under-performed as a former No. 8 draft pick, 5 years into the system. Neeld gave him 16 matches last year (to add to his previous 21); and he was less effective for us than Rivers, McDonald etc whereas he should have been a super star as a top ten draft pick with 5 years senior experience. Obviously Craig and Viney had faith in him otherwise we would not have drafted him and I will be pleasantly surpirsed if they are on the money as BBP is so confident. At present I cannot see Sellar (no 's') displacing McDonald.

We also have to fit in Garland, Frawley and Dunn, (and possibly Terlich) amongst others. Good article on Dunn on the club's website;

Lynden Dunn, the defender

James Sellar will be the big surprise of 2013. Will hold down centre half back and will get into the All Australian squad.

Gee BBP that is a weight you have added to his saddle bags.

KOD mate

It would be nice if he did as so far he has under-performed as a former No. 8 draft pick, 5 years into the system. Neeld gave him 16 matches last year (to add to his previous 21); and he was less effective for us than Rivers, McDonald etc whereas he should have been a super star as a top ten draft pick with 5 years senior experience. Obviously Craig and Viney had faith in him otherwise we would not have drafted him and I will be pleasantly surpirsed if they are on the money as BBP is so confident. At present I cannot see Sellar (no 's') displacing McDonald.

Sellar was picked up at 14 in the draft by Adelaide but was at one stage considered a top 5 prospect. He wouldn't be displacing McDonald but could be very handy against some of the monsters which would free up Frawley and McDonald, let's hope he gets near the potential that was seen as a junior.

Sellar was picked up at 14 in the draft by Adelaide but was at one stage considered a top 5 prospect. He wouldn't be displacing McDonald but could be very handy against some of the monsters which would free up Frawley and McDonald, let's hope he gets near the potential that was seen as a junior.

I agree with you rjay. If he only could replace the loss of Rivers then i would be satisfied. We need another big body down back.

I agree with you rjay. If he only could replace the loss of Rivers then i would be satisfied. We need another big body down back.

wasnt it the idea that Gillies was this sort of player ?

I agree with you rjay. If he only could replace the loss of Rivers then i would be satisfied. We need another big body down back.

Would have thought Watts would play the Rivers role this year.

Would have thought Watts would play the Rivers role this year.

im not sure Jack has the mongrel (yet) Jared could get narky... A needed quality.

im not sure Jack has the mongrel (yet) Jared could get narky... A needed quality.

Mostly at the cricket, but we won't get into that again....

I just think Watts has shown a bit in that "loose" man role (even though he has a man and just reads the play well enough to help out), which is obviously the role where Rivers made a name for himself. I don't see Sellar playing every week, but he's an important role player for when we need another gorilla down back.

Besides, mongrel isn't the be all and end all, I'd rather Watts take an intercept mark, run, and deliver the ball to a leading player than stand around defensive 50 jumper punching.

I want to hear more about Joel Macdonald's spiritual activities. All hail Pope JMac the First.

Joel Mac obviously shops at Chakra in Acland St and has an old van with street graffiti on the outside.

Nothing to worry about...

It would be nice if he did as so far he has under-performed as a former No. 8 draft pick, 5 years into the system. Neeld gave him 16 matches last year (to add to his previous 21); and he was less effective for us than Rivers, McDonald etc whereas he should have been a super star as a top ten draft pick with 5 years senior experience. Obviously Craig and Viney had faith in him otherwise we would not have drafted him and I will be pleasantly surpirsed if they are on the money as BBP is so confident. At present I cannot see Sellar (no 's') displacing McDonald.

I'm getting tired of people referring to players draft number as to what to expect from the player. It's completely irrelevant once the player becomes a Melbourne demon. If you want to look at it that way, he was a Number 54 draft pick, who we got 16 games out of in his first season at the club.big win! It just doesn't work, every player should start on an even playing field, especially if ur supposed to be a supporter of the club.

I agree with you rjay. If he only could replace the loss of Rivers then i would be satisfied. We need another big body down back.

I agree with you rjay. If he only could replace the loss of Rivers then i would be satisfied. We need another big body down back.

Riv struggled with the monsters like Cloke but Sellar has the size to go with them so maybe the mix of our defence will be a bit more balanced this season if he can hold down a place.

I see Wattsa as a more of a defender-sweeper.. Gillies can do the shut down , negativity style thing quite well.

27. the abridged Tom Gillies
Really well, really well, really keen, really impressed – Really Rawlings

What I really like about the above debate, is that we are having a genuine discussion about who will fill the defence 6. It seems we may have actual competition for spots down back. I'm loving this as it demonstrates that we are becoming a professional unit.