WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - CHRISTIAN PETRACCA

[nutbean 8,837]

My guess is that in five years time the best player from this draft won't have come from the top 5 or even top 10 picks. It just seems to be the way these days.

I truly don't think anyone can pick (guess) who will be the best from the draft in five years time ( as history tells us) but I am prepared to settle. If Brayshaw/Petracca turn out to be Bartels rather the Abletts (Bartel in my opinion is a really good top notch footballer but Ablett is a superstar) - I am prepared to accept that. Up to now we have drafted what we thought could be Abletts that turned out to be Mortons.

Edited November 26, 2014 by nutbean

[What 18,810]

makes our picks 40 and 53 very exciting doesnt it !!

:roos: :roos: :roos:

[P-man 13,309]

makes our picks 40 and 53 very exciting doesnt it !!

Given who we grabbed at Pick 40 last year, you bet it does

[What 18,810]

Given who we grabbed at Pick 40 last year, you bet it does

Jeremy Howe - pick 33

JKH - pick 40

Dean Kent - pick 48

Neville Jetta - pick 51

Tom McDonald - pick 53

We have done very well around that nark in recent years

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

makes our picks 40 and 53 very exciting doesnt it !!

My point is that there is such group think around the top 10 to 20 players each year, usually based on current rather than future ability.

[P-man 13,309]

My point is that there is such group think around the top 10 to 20 players each year, usually based on current rather than future ability.

The law of averages says you're right but it then starts to enter a damned if you do or don't scenario.

In the draftee interviews posted on the afl website, almost half picked Petracca to win the Rising Star, and they nominated him like it was an inevitability.

I'm loving the hype, personally. I'm embracing it.

[beelzebub 22,708]

My point is that there is such group think around the top 10 to 20 players each year, usually based on current rather than future ability.

I was actually sorta being real in my thinking that theres every chance we'll get someone who'll surprise a bit from these two picks.

As you suggest there is so much hype about the pointy end that the middle ground is all but cast aside by the 'groupthink" . it wont be though by the recruiters who'll see it as an opportunity to grab someone who 'they' think has shown a little bit of 'something' to suggest they might make more than a handy player

In many respects i feel THIS is where they ( recruitment ) really earn their money

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,086]

My guess is that in five years time the best player from this draft won't have come from the top 5 or even top 10 picks. It just seems to be the way these days.

laverde will be the best.

[nutbean 8,837]

laverde will be the best.

or conversely, he won't

[rpfc 27,676]

I'm loving the hype, personally. I'm embracing it.

I'm baulking at it.

The way the 'experts' talk up these kids belies the fact that the junior footy infrastructure has never delivered players further away from being ready for AFL then they do today.

The gulf for these teenagers to bridge is so massive that I really do struggle to get excited by the so called 'best players' that we have access to with ND2 and ND3.

We just don't know what talents we are getting.

I am hopeful, but the hype makes me nauseous...

[old dee 23,256]

I'm baulking at it.

The way the 'experts' talk up these kids belies the fact that the junior footy infrastructure has never delivered players further away from being ready for AFL then they do today.

The gulf for these teenagers to bridge is so massive that I really do struggle to get excited by the so called 'best players' that we have access to with ND2 and ND3.

We just don't know what talents we are getting.

I am hopeful, but the hype makes me nauseous...

You have my vote

[rpfc 27,676]

That's not to say I am not excited by the fact we look to be getting two mids who know hoe to get the pill.

That's what we need.

It's hopefully what we get.

[nutbean 8,837]

That's not to say I am not excited by the fact we look to be getting two mids who know hoe to get the pill.

That's what we need.

It's hopefully what we get.

We have been continually burned by the career reality not matching the draft time potential and hype. I'll get really excited when reality = hype.

(I have allowed myself for the first time in a long time to get excited - Dom Tyson. Paid a big price for him trading immediate impact for potential "superstar" and he delivered from day one)

[rjay 24,184]

My point is that there is such group think around the top 10 to 20 players each year, usually based on current rather than future ability.

laverde will be the best.

I'm thinking it may be Lever...

Petracca is not over the line yet by the way. Probably Ox's 90 something % but not a total lock.

[CatFishPig 435]

Nakia Cockatoo, who won't come to us, is the player I will watch with great interest..

[Wells 11 4,988]

I'm baulking at it.

The way the 'experts' talk up these kids belies the fact that the junior footy infrastructure has never delivered players further away from being ready for AFL then they do today.

The gulf for these teenagers to bridge is so massive that I really do struggle to get excited by the so called 'best players' that we have access to with ND2 and ND3.

We just don't know what talents we are getting.

I am hopeful, but the hype makes me nauseous...

I have to agree with you but as demon supporters hope is the only currency we have! So I need to get a bit excited, The change, as I see it this year, is that all of the top 2 or 3 have really big bodies. I don't think any of them will get easily pushed around in 2015 and because of that they may well make a mark. Its true that their endurance will be low and their capacity to cope with the speed and pressure of the top level is unknown...so you're right its hard to judge. just when you look at the size of Brayshaw and Petracca it makes me feel a bit different than, Scully, Morton, Toumpas, Watts etc

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

laverde will be the best.

I agree, I like look of him a lot.

[spirit of norm smith 13,582]

Petracca at pick 3 and in red & blue round 1 ... I'd like to see that !!!!

[Webber 10,181]

Reading this thread, and in particular seeing the wraps on Colin Sylvia from 2003, taken at no.3 in that draft, then watching Petracca's interview and both highlights packages, it's just fascinating how unpredictable the draft can be. CP is very very confident in his abilities, and this could be a great thing, or part of a 'young prince' complex. He's got all the weapons at this age, but so did Sylvia. He could be a superstar, or he could be a journeyman, or he could be a bust.

To borrow from William Goldman speaking about whether Hollywood success can be predicted, 'nobody knows anything'. As is our lot, we can but watch, wait, and hope.

[Die Hard Demon 1,181]

There is a "highlight" package of his which shows a few shanks. Try this one instead to see how powerful and skilled Petracca is. If we land him and Brayshaw it'll be a great draft for us!

Despite the latest rumours about Saints opting for McCartin at Pick 1.. After watching this Petracca highlights package.. I can't fathom how the Saints could possibly overlook this future superstar. This kid will be a goal kicking midfield brute. I'm not buying into all this "late mail" until I hear the name called out tonight.

[rpfc 27,676]

I have to agree with you but as demon supporters hope is the only currency we have! So I need to get a bit excited, The change, as I see it this year, is that all of the top 2 or 3 have really big bodies. I don't think any of them will get easily pushed around in 2015 and because of that they may well make a mark. Its true that their endurance will be low and their capacity to cope with the speed and pressure of the top level is unknown...so you're right its hard to judge. just when you look at the size of Brayshaw and Petracca it makes me feel a bit different than, Scully, Morton, Toumpas, Watts etc

I have hope, just no time for the hype...

[rjay 24,184]

Reading this thread, and in particular seeing the wraps on Colin Sylvia from 2003, taken at no.3 in that draft, then watching Petracca's interview and both highlights packages, it's just fascinating how unpredictable the draft can be. CP is very very confident in his abilities, and this could be a great thing, or part of a 'young prince' complex. He's got all the weapons at this age, but so did Sylvia. He could be a superstar, or he could be a journeyman, or he could be a bust.

To borrow from William Goldman speaking about whether Hollywood success can be predicted, 'nobody knows anything'. As is our lot, we can but watch, wait, and hope.

'Webber', I always thought the big issue Silvia had was his awareness and peripheral vision. He certainly had the basics of runnin', jumpin' and kickin' down pat, but the lack of these other traits always put him at a disadvantage and meant he would never be an 'A' grade AFL player.

Being a good basketballer means Petracca should have the vision and awareness however I've seen nothing in his highlight package that really shows this. The only full game I've seen him in is the game against SA at Geelong and he showed that he was strong overhead and could use his strength to advantage. When he was contesting the stoppages though he was beaten by Gore who is very good in close.

So...I hope our recruiting people make the right choice and have covered every angle. If we take Petracca I hope he isn't Silvia II.

[nutbean 8,837]

I have hope, just no time for the hype...

I think posters are confused by other posters such as yourself, and my attitude to these draftees.

Absolutely I am excited to be getting what is believed to be the two of the top three talents in the land.

I am hopeful that this TAC talent translates in long and prosperous AFL careers.

But the hype has in so many cases not turned into reality. The boys that are hyped as the best now have constantly proven themselves not be the best in 3 years time.

I will pronounce any of our draftees as guns when they have hit the big stage and proven themselves to be guns. Until then - I am keeping my powder dry.

[nutbean 8,837]

So...I hope our recruiting people make the right choice and have covered every angle. If we take Petracca I hope he isn't Silvia II.

We disagree with the amount of talent Sylvia has. What we don't disagree on is Sylvia's attitude and his willingness to work his arse off to be the best he could be.

I hope anyone we draft possesses the trait to be the best he can possibly be.

I am on record as saying that Jones is not an elite footballer however he is my hero as does what it takes to extract every inch of talent out of himself and be the best he can be. I think that Sylvia has more talent in his little finger than Jones but it is no contest to which one you would take every day of the week.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,622]

Everyone's talking about Sylivia like he's a washed up has been.

Last time I checked he's on the list of a top 4 contender, with the aim of playing 22 games plus finals next year.