Sleeping Talent

[demondomination 27]

On the way to our first preseason session yesterday I was driving along with a fellow Melbourne supporter dissecting our list. We seemed to agree that there is a large amount of "Sleeping Talent" on our list. And for the last 24 hours the thought of unfulfilled potential has been at the forefront of my mind...I thought I would share with you some of my thoughts:

As all Melbourne supporters now know, there is no promise that sleeping talent will ever arise from the slumber. Just ask Cale Morton, Jordan Gysberts, and Lucas Cook who all seem to be in an ever lasting coma. Potential makes every Melbourne supporter sick to the stomach. We have heard it all before...

So why is this season different to all other seasons? It might not be...However, all of a sudden we have the "messiah" at the helm. A man that seems to motivate men better than any other in the football industry. A man that when he speaks, he makes complete sense and because he makes complete sense, people listen. Not only has he turned average footballers into integral members of premiership teams (Shaw, Kennedy, Mcglynn etc.) he has also given birth to two A-grade coaches in Longmuire and Lyon. The man has the runs on the board. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results...However, I like his chances a lot more than those that have come before him. If Roosy is able to turn this club around, which players will finally arise from their slumber. There are plenty of possibilities...Lets have a look at some of our "Sleeping Talents":

#4 Jack Watts- A shift into the midfield might spark his performance, but it would seem a shift in his mind is what is required. Will he be remembered as the soft private school boy or the gun number 1 draft pick?

#5 Jimmy Toumpas- A full preseason could just do the trick. Will he be another draft blunder or the next Simon Black?

#6 Chris Dawes- Will he return to the form that saw him become a premiership CHF or is he just here to boost his superannuation?

#7 Jack Viney- Will he turn those bursts of brilliance from season 1 into a consistent A-grade midfielder?

#8- James Frawley- Once considered the brightest prospect out of any key position backman in the league. Will Frawley be a one hit wonder or the gun we all hope for?

#9- Jack Trengove- No longer with the burden of being captain and hopefully a full preseason under his belt...Is Trennerz ready to live up the hype of being pick 2?

#11 Mitch Clark- Should be our best player, but can his body hold up?

#17 Sam Blease #19 James Strauss #35 Luke Tapscott- All first round draft picks, but the jury is well and truly out. The same generation as Gysberts, Morton, & Cook, but hopefully not the same destiny.

#37 Max Gawn- The giant man has shown glimpses, but can he become Aaron Sandilands or will he be the next Daniel Bandy?

#48 Jack Fitzpatrick- He teased us last years with spurts of form, but will he be able to go that extra mile?

#? Viv Michie- Had 6 plus 30 possession games in the WAFL last year...Just ask James Magner, doesn't mean he can bring it to the big league.

#? Dom Tyson- He's already had 24 and 26 possessions at AFL level. So did Jordan Gysberts...Will his body let him fulfil his potential?

#9 draft pick- Can he come in and make an immediate impact in the way Daniel Rich and Ollie Wines have previously?

As you can see there are many questions that are yet to be answered. All the aforementioned have sleeping talent...Most of them have scars from years gone by. Some physical, most emotional. Will Roosy be able to heal the wounds and as he says himself, "find what makes them tick"? The jury is out. But if this man is good as all say he is, there is plenty of sleeping talent at his disposal.

[PaulRB 6,435]

I like that several of the players you list (Clark, Dawes, Tyson, Trenners) rely more on Misson and the health of their bodies than delivering on untapped or as yet unseen potential.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Fitzpatrick.

EDIT: Literally.

[Vagg 2,449]

I've been having similar thoughts, and agree with most names on the list. I'd also add Bail, Jetta & Evans. Even Howe (who needs to become more than just a one trick pony). And, for that matter, Will Roosy be able to find something extra in Dunny?

I just reckon that if most of the guys on our list can rise anywhere near the potential they were sold to us as having, then we are going to have one VERY good team...!

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Kent.

Dean Kent.

[Dees2014 2,377]

On the way to our first preseason session yesterday I was driving along with a fellow Melbourne supporter dissecting our list. We seemed to agree that there is a large amount of "Sleeping Talent" on our list. And for the last 24 hours the thought of unfulfilled potential has been at the forefront of my mind...I thought I would share with you some of my thoughts:

As all Melbourne supporters now know, there is no promise that sleeping talent will ever arise from the slumber. Just ask Cale Morton, Jordan Gysberts, and Lucas Cook who all seem to be in an ever lasting coma. Potential makes every Melbourne supporter sick to the stomach. We have heard it all before...

So why is this season different to all other seasons? It might not be...However, all of a sudden we have the "messiah" at the helm. A man that seems to motivate men better than any other in the football industry. A man that when he speaks, he makes complete sense and because he makes complete sense, people listen. Not only has he turned average footballers into integral members of premiership teams (Shaw, Kennedy, Mcglynn etc.) he has also given birth to two A-grade coaches in Longmuire and Lyon. The man has the runs on the board. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results...However, I like his chances a lot more than those that have come before him. If Roosy is able to turn this club around, which players will finally arise from their slumber. There are plenty of possibilities...Lets have a look at some of our "Sleeping Talents":

#4 Jack Watts- A shift into the midfield might spark his performance, but it would seem a shift in his mind is what is required. Will he be remembered as the soft private school boy or the gun number 1 draft pick?

#5 Jimmy Toumpas- A full preseason could just do the trick. Will he be another draft blunder or the next Simon Black?

#6 Chris Dawes- Will he return to the form that saw him become a premiership CHF or is he just here to boost his superannuation?

#7 Jack Viney- Will he turn those bursts of brilliance from season 1 into a consistent A-grade midfielder?

#8- James Frawley- Once considered the brightest prospect out of any key position backman in the league. Will Frawley be a one hit wonder or the gun we all hope for?

#9- Jack Trengove- No longer with the burden of being captain and hopefully a full preseason under his belt...Is Trennerz ready to live up the hype of being pick 2?

#11 Mitch Clark- Should be our best player, but can his body hold up?

#17 Sam Blease #19 James Strauss #35 Luke Tapscott- All first round draft picks, but the jury is well and truly out. The same generation as Gysberts, Morton, & Cook, but hopefully not the same destiny.

#37 Max Gawn- The giant man has shown glimpses, but can he become Aaron Sandilands or will he be the next Daniel Bandy?

#48 Jack Fitzpatrick- He teased us last years with spurts of form, but will he be able to go that extra mile?

#? Viv Michie- Had 6 plus 30 possession games in the WAFL last year...Just ask James Magner, doesn't mean he can bring it to the big league.

#? Dom Tyson- He's already had 24 and 26 possessions at AFL level. So did Jordan Gysberts...Will his body let him fulfil his potential?

#9 draft pick- Can he come in and make an immediate impact in the way Daniel Rich and Ollie Wines have previously?

As you can see there are many questions that are yet to be answered. All the aforementioned have sleeping talent...Most of them have scars from years gone by. Some physical, most emotional. Will Roosy be able to heal the wounds and as he says himself, "find what makes them tick"? The jury is out. But if this man is good as all say he is, there is plenty of sleeping talent at his disposal.

Good, thoughtful post. I've always believed since Roos was appointed was that our biggest upside will come from a radical improvement from our current list. I would also add Garland, McDonald, Kent, Jetta and yes Dunne. I have always felt Dunne has all the tools, but little of the performance. If PR can get him up and running could be a bonus.

The new recruits will give us the cream on the cake and plug specific performance and capability gaps like our midfield.

I trust PR to deliver, and much quicker than we all might think and expect.

[daisycutter 29,897]

and i thought this was going to be another cale morton thread

[What 18,810]

this is whats most exctiing

All the dormant talent thats been laying in ruins, their young careers shot to pieces by a combo of Neeld and Bailey and others.

it can still be resurrected - kids written off as spuds.. like Tapscott and Strauss. these boys can play....

Gottta feel sorry for them

Now its time for Roos and Stone and the rest to help them rise like the phoenix

[jabberwocky 2,301]

and i thought this was going to be another cale morton thread

I thought this was about me, some days I get in a solid 14 hours.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,106]

#11 Mitch Clark- Should be our best player, but can his body hold up?

There's an article up on the MFC site with Dave Misson. He says the following:

“Essentially Mitch is in full training now and he’s no longer in rehab and he’s really excited about being back with the group and getting through some work. It’ll be a matter of holding him back more than anything

Encouraging signs I'd say. I really hope we see a full season from him.

[InVINCEable 358]

There's an article up on the MFC site with Dave Misson. He says the following:

Encouraging signs I'd say. I really hope we see a full season from him.

I think a fit and firing Mitch Clark, dare i say, can win a coleman.