If we have a good run with injurys and the majority of players pull their collective heads out of....we can finish above the dogs, lions , giants and saints. Teams we may not finish about but should trouble when playing are overrated teams like Carlton and Richmond. I have stated in many previous posts on different threads, there is only so many ways to play the game. I don't buy into 2-3 years to learn a game plan. 2 -3 maybe to perfect it. Cross and Vince both would have seen 2-3 coaches before arriving at Melbourne, every coach brings new tactics but they are all slight variations of what players already know. We have recruited wisely and have a good mix of ages. I believe our backline has been reasonably strong but has been constantly bombarded. We still need some skill/speed of the other flank, many think Toumpas will grow into this role. By years end our forward should be the envy of most other teams. The team will take time to gel with new coach, players and LTI players coming back, but there's too much talent now on the list to remain crap.

But Jordie McKenzie getting games ensures we are bottom 4?

Travis Cloke and Kennedy didn't make elite. Don't hold your breath on Mitch.

Who GAF anyway. I just want to win a few games.

as good a contested mark Cloke is we all know his sets shot are disgraceful. As far as what the paper says I don't GAF, but a couple of star players would be nice going into a final series.

But Jordie McKenzie getting games ensures we are bottom 4?

I take your point mate.

I don't disagree with you and suspect that we may even finish above the Suns and Eagles [given we can keep our three tall forwards on the park]. It was worrying however to see in the ranking of AFL players [by Club] in this morning's paper, that we are the only Club in the AFL not considered to contain a single elite player.

Keep in mind the categorisation of players as elite was based on Champion Data rankings. Given the low disposal gameplan we've been playing over the last couple of years, if Gary Ablett (either one) had played for us during that time he probably wouldn't qualify as elite either.

Rapt for Matt Jones, a great first year effort for a mature ager, all upside for him with a better team around him. Speed, durability, ability to find the ball, and guts. Dean Kent, hmmmmmm. Showed patches of ability which make him worth the punt, but not nearly as confident about him.

To be fair, you're comparing a 26 year old with a 19 year old.

As I said I'm pleased with the signing and it makes sense to keep him on, but if the best is ahead of Matt Jones as many are claiming/hoping, it wouldn't want to be very far ahead.

To be fair, you're comparing a 26 year old with a 19 year old.

As I said I'm pleased with the signing and it makes sense to keep him on, but if the best is ahead of Matt Jones as many are claiming/hoping, it wouldn't want to be very far ahead.

Doesn't have to be. If he's as good as last year, with the aforementioned 'better' team, he's worth every bit of his new contract. If he plays as many games as last year, he'll go top 5 bluey again. Kent won't, but I understand his potential.

Doesn't have to be. If he's as good as last year, with the aforementioned 'better' team, he's worth every bit of his new contract. If he plays as many games as last year, he'll go top 5 bluey again. Kent won't, but I understand his potential.

If Jones plays as he does last year and the sides the same (2 wins, percentage in the 50's) he'll finish top 5, if the side has improved to a competent side that has a percentage of around 80% then even with Jones playing every game and average around 20 touches he won't be top 10. A competent team has a couple of consistent forwards (Dawes, Clark, Howe maybe), a few reliable defenders (any of Frawley, McDonald, Grimes, Garland) and at least some quality class midfielders (N. Jones, Vince, Tyson, Viney) and maybe a ruckman or tagger who finish in the top 10 B+F.

Matt Jones could be in or around the best 22 for the next 5 years, play over 100 games and be a good servant of the club without finishing top 10 in the B+F again.

Kent's potential looks like at worst he becomes a depth midfielder. But with good development he has burst speed (compared to Jones who has a high motor prolonged speed), a thumping left foot and whilst Jones has desire at the contest Kent can be strong and powerful when the ball is up for grabs. He's a much more important signing I believe. Especially as he's a WA boy.

If Jones plays as he does last year and the sides the same (2 wins, percentage in the 50's) he'll finish top 5, if the side has improved to a competent side that has a percentage of around 80% then even with Jones playing every game and average around 20 touches he won't be top 10. A competent team has a couple of consistent forwards (Dawes, Clark, Howe maybe), a few reliable defenders (any of Frawley, McDonald, Grimes, Garland) and at least some quality class midfielders (N. Jones, Vince, Tyson, Viney) and maybe a ruckman or tagger who finish in the top 10 B+F.

Matt Jones could be in or around the best 22 for the next 5 years, play over 100 games and be a good servant of the club without finishing top 10 in the B+F again.

Kent's potential looks like at worst he becomes a depth midfielder. But with good development he has burst speed (compared to Jones who has a high motor prolonged speed), a thumping left foot and whilst Jones has desire at the contest Kent can be strong and powerful when the ball is up for grabs. He's a much more important signing I believe. Especially as he's a WA boy.

Matter of opinion, and mine is that Matt Jones is and will prove to be one of our first half dozen to get selected every week this year and hopefully for a few more. Barlow-like, he will be.

Matter of opinion, and mine is that Matt Jones is and will prove to be one of our first half dozen to get selected every week this year and hopefully for a few more. Barlow-like, he will be.

Whoa that's a big call. Jones can find the footy but I don't see the ability in close or even that kind of level of accumulation around the ground.

For a comparison of Matt Jones I'm thinking Matt Rosa (WCE), maybe a little more inside version of Farren Ray (St Kilda) or a little less class but similar to Mitch Duncan (Geel), maybe a Sam Gibson or a Shaun Grigg type.

I'm thinking of midfielders who do the job each week without being amazing inside clearance players (or taggers), or class outside ball winners (with speed or skills) or massive accumulators. I think the reality is those sorts of players either knock the edges off some of their deficiencies or make way for better players over time.

If Matt Jones is at the bottom of the best 22 selected we will be doing fine.

Looking at other lists the 22nd best player of many would be inferior to Matt.

He is a better player than many give him credit for, and what he achieved in his first season with only one pre-season under his belt was great and he will be better after getting another solid pre season into his body.

We are seriously deluded if we think our best 22 for 2014 wouldn't feature M.Jones on a consistent basis.

I rate Kent as an excellent prospect and given an injury free run at it, will be featuring heavily from 2015 onwards.

Even top sides have Matt Jones type players who are happy to go about their job and relish the opportunity to be AFL players, not a trait some of our list seem to portray as often as they should.

as good a contested mark Cloke is we all know his sets shot are disgraceful. As far as what the paper says I don't GAF, but a couple of star players would be nice going into a final series.

In 2014 his push comes to AFL approved SHOVE !

Kent I think will be a good role-player as he continues to develop, Matt Jones I am not a huge fan of but he does appear to have a good attitude and desire to improve so I won't lose too much sleep over the extra year.

We should all know by now that 'blind faith' in list management decisions doesn't always work out well. Personally, I would have given them a one-year extension, rather than two. But I'm not paid and I'm not fully informed to make these decisions either.

From my observations watching Paul Roos coaching and his team selection & player development at Sydney, Matt Jones is exactly the type of player he would have some faith in. As always, time will tell.

Matter of opinion, and mine is that Matt Jones is and will prove to be one of our first half dozen to get selected every week this year and hopefully for a few more. Barlow-like, he will be.

Barlow-like? LOLZA. He didn't even stand out in the VFL.

Dean Kent might be our best player in 5 years

He has superstar written all over him, I dont see one weakness in his game

12 months before the end of their contracts (and 12 months into their contracts) they have been given a further 24 months.

They may not be THE priority but with Frawley (RFA), Tapscott, McDonald, Blease, Strauss, Spencer, Bail, Dunn, Byrnes, Barry, Terlich, Cross, Clisby*, Riley*, Nicholson, Harmes ®, King ®, Georgiou ®, and Jetta ® the others out of contract - Kent and Jones would be in the top 4 priorities to re-sign (those bolded would be ahead of them).

Of that list Strauss, Bail, Byrnes, Nicholson & Jetta would need to play the majority of the season to warrant another contract. Blease& Tapscott need to repay the faith as well. I will watch with interest but I can't see how Nicholson, Brynes & Bail in particular can improve or for that matter deliver. Who wants players that can't kick or don't go 100%.

Dean Kent might be our best player in 5 years

He has superstar written all over him, I dont see one weakness in his game

I'm not sure about "superstar" but the kid certainly has ability and a great attitude.

However I am hopeful that in 5 years he will be one of the better players for the MFC ( and not the Weagles)!!!!!

As for Jones, as things stand with the team, he's better in than out!

Barlow-like? LOLZA. He didn't even stand out in the VFL.

He played 17 games in the VFL seniors in 2012, as a first year player, having been moved up from the ressies after a handful of games. He won the Box Hill Hawks most consistent award and finished Fourth in their B n F based on those 17 games. Most of those games were in the backline before being shifted to the midfield much later in the season. The previous year he played for Labrador in the NEAFL. He plays 22 games for the MFC in 2013 and finishes top 5 B n F.

You say he 'didn't even stand out in the VFL'. Ridiculous rubbish. How much more impressive could this guy's trajectory have been? Feel free to name someone with a quicker ascent in football.

Dean Kent might be our best player in 5 years

He has superstar written all over him, I dont see one weakness in his game

He reminds me a lot of Stuart Dew with the way he plays and that long left foot kick of his.

Barlow-like? LOLZA. He didn't even stand out in the VFL.

Funny, I thought standing out at VFL level usually offers the best chance at getting you on to an AFL list.

Dean Kent might be our best player in 5 years He has superstar written all over him, I dont see one weakness in his game

You make some really outlandish predictions.

You make some really outlandish predictions.

Make enough crazy statements and sooner or later one will come to fruition.

In 2014 his push comes to AFL approved SHOVE !

The rule needs to be changed, just hope the umps don't stuff it up.

Make enough crazy statements and sooner or later one will come to fruition.

I'm not so sure about that logic..

Funny, I thought standing out at VFL level usually offers the best chance at getting you on to an AFL list.

I think what Theo was trying to say is that Barlow was a dominant VFL player prior to getting his chance. On the other hand Matt Jones was a decent performing VFL player who had only just graduated from local footy to VFL reserves then VFL seniors. It's hard enough going from dominant VFL player like Barlow to top level AFL player, how unlikely is it that Matt Jones goes from relative anonymity in the VFL to a household AFL name?