Actually one club failed to unlock his potential.

One club has failed to unlock the potential of many a draftee - I am sort of seeing a constant theme....

I must say I am in agreement with you on this. While yes the ability to improve and the competitiveness of the player should be there, it's on the club to unlock these talents and turn potential into a player.

The amount of failures tells me out recruiting hasn't been the biggest problem, most of these guys were rated where we got them, it's the clubs development that has been abysmal. Look at what the coaching staff is doing right now, they are almost trying to rid the club of its recent failures and start fresh with guys that haven't been burnt by the club already.

Blease failed and we failed him. Didn't know how to motivate him in the beginning, didn't know how to use him. I can see him being useful at another club.

The players that have failed at Melbourne with potential have all been recruited by other clubs and the underlining theme with all these players was their attitude. One of the players recruited by West Coast commented that he did not realise how hard you had to train to become a AFL player. The coaches who tried to get players to train harder and run both ways seem to get resistance from the player rather than buying in. Blease has now realised his dream of being a successful AFL player is fast disappearing and has finally taken the step to build up is endurance. While at Melbourne he was satisfied with half hearted efforts. The players who want to be AFL footballers and have what it takes have a fiierce attitude to training and playing.

The players that have failed at Melbourne with potential have all been recruited by other clubs and the underlining theme with all these players was their attitude. One of the players recruited by West Coast commented that he did not realise how hard you had to train to become a AFL player. The coaches who tried to get players to train harder and run both ways seem to get resistance from the player rather than buying in. Blease has now realised his dream of being a successful AFL player is fast disappearing and has finally taken the step to build up is endurance. While at Melbourne he was satisfied with half hearted efforts. The players who want to be AFL footballers and have what it takes have a fiierce attitude to training and playing.

The underlying theme amongst all the recruits is Melbourne recruited them.

I find it hard to believe that we got them all wrong, and the fact that we have been unable to develop anyone says more about us than the individuals.

These guys put faith faith that club knows best how to train and develop them.

If players are commenting on 'how hard it is at another club' then Melbourne is the problem, not the players.

If anyone thinks they're not trying their guts out, then seek help.

A perceptual illusion - It must exist because there's a word for it. But it's about imagining what will be rather than the current reality and the fault is often with the expectations that are built up in the absence of hard evidence (by the recruiters rather than the recruit). If we were to increase the draft age to 20 we could relegate potential to a subordinate category rather than the primacy that it currently occupies.

If you make love to only one post this year - this would be it...

Calling Clint Bizkit - we have another one for raising the draft age!

Huzzah!

Strauss was a silly selection at pick 19 in that draft.

The players that have failed at Melbourne with potential have all been recruited by other clubs and the underlining theme with all these players was their attitude. One of the players recruited by West Coast commented that he did not realise how hard you had to train to become a AFL player. The coaches who tried to get players to train harder and run both ways seem to get resistance from the player rather than buying in. Blease has now realised his dream of being a successful AFL player is fast disappearing and has finally taken the step to build up is endurance. While at Melbourne he was satisfied with half hearted efforts. The players who want to be AFL footballers and have what it takes have a fiierce attitude to training and playing.

So why was it that some players at Melbourne resisted the call for them to train harder and be able to run both ways? Why did they not buy in when they clearly needed to step up to reach the fitness levels of the stronger clubs? Have the players at the club finally bought in now?

Crap leadership is my guess- what kind of trainers were Moloney, Sylvia, Green etc.. What kind of player development systems did we have in place? Who was in charge of seeing that industry standards were being met. Just an all round shitty culture with weak systems in place and weak characters setting the standard. Couple that with recruitees with less than elite attitudes (Viney Jnr wouldn't have put up with that [censored], Jones didn't ) and you end up with a list full of spuds.

The Systems in place at MFC failed many young players. I feel were finally doing it right now. About [censored] time!!

Strauss was a silly selection at pick 19 in that draft.

what are your thoughts on Tapscott? Killed it in juniors, great highlights and should be playing like Stringer from Bulldogs! How did we fail to develop his tank?

I thought Tapscott was a safe selection.

Just as I think Brayshaw looks one and that scares me!

If you make love to only one post this year - this would be it...

Calling Clint Bizkit - we have another one for raising the draft age!

Huzzah!

I'm coming round to it too I must say. Interesting the NBA is raising the draft age to 20 next season.

One benfit of increasing it here might be strengthening the wafl, sanfl and vfl with young guns spending a gap year at that level (though I guess many do already).

what are your thoughts on Tapscott? Killed it in juniors, great highlights and should be playing like Stringer from Bulldogs! How did we fail to develop his tank?

The broken leg didn't help .

But he waited around for the ball a lot having no impact on the scrum.

Strauss was a silly selection at pick 19 in that draft.

I thought Tapscott was a safe selection.

Thanks Barry. Not sure what you saw in Tapscott. Every time I saw him play VFL/AFL I can't think of one strong midfield trick he has.

And nearly all our picks in 2008 were silly!

what are your thoughts on Tapscott? Killed it in juniors, great highlights and should be playing like Stringer from Bulldogs! How did we fail to develop his tank?

Maybe he didn't have a tank.......

Maybe he had too much muscle and his crash and bash style wasn't effective in the way the game is now- full of running . The hip problems couldn't have helped- he slipped over a sprinkler cap how does that happen?

So why was it that some players at Melbourne resisted the call for them to train harder and be able to run both ways? Why did they not buy in when they clearly needed to step up to reach the fitness levels of the stronger clubs? Have the players at the club finally bought in now?

Maybe our players weren't aware how hard they need to train. If all you see around you are players doing as much as you do, it might not be possible to appreciate how much harder other club's train. I seem to recall a year (2008 or 2009?) where we had only three players on our list who had come from other clubs. Now we have a greater spread from other clubs including premiership players and others who will broaden the experience and, in effect, teach the home grown talent.

Maybe he had too much muscle and his crash and bash style wasn't effective in the way the game is now- full of running . The hip problems couldn't have helped- he slipped over a sprinkler cap how does that happen?

Trengove tackled him into it I heard, though I should find a way of blaming Watts.

The underlying theme amongst all the recruits is Melbourne recruited them.

I find it hard to believe that we got them all wrong, and the fact that we have been unable to develop anyone says more about us than the individuals.

These guys put faith faith that club knows best how to train and develop them.

If players are commenting on 'how hard it is at another club' then Melbourne is the problem, not the players.

If anyone thinks they're not trying their guts out, then seek help.

Yes....simple as that.

Kids with a poor attitude that (sometimes) played well in the lower grades.

Gysberts and Blease had a shocking work ethic - it was all 'too hard'

Look at the attitude of Jack V - not the most gifted but works his arse off!! Bail, the same..

Btw, have a look at the Geelong page and check out how excited the supporters are over there at the prospect of signing Blease.....

I'm coming round to it too I must say. Interesting the NBA is raising the draft age to 20 next season.

One benfit of increasing it here might be strengthening the wafl, sanfl and vfl with young guns spending a gap year at that level (though I guess many do already).

If it's happening in the NBA, you can bet it'll soon be introduced to our system. The AFL love attempting to emulate the American sports industry.

Thanks Barry. Not sure what you saw in Tapscott. Every time I saw him play VFL/AFL I can't think of one strong midfield trick he has.

And nearly all our picks in 2008 were silly!

I think he saw a high leading half forward flanker that could out-muscle his opponent at U18 level and kick a long goal, and also happened to remind him of Paul Chapman. I'm only speculating though.

Tapscott was a poor pick in hindsight. He looked half decent on the TV during the July Championships. That was about it.

Maybe he had too much muscle and his crash and bash style wasn't effective in the way the game is now- full of running . The hip problems couldn't have helped- he slipped over a sprinkler cap how does that happen?

I think he generally has a nice kicking action, but I think he's one of those guys whose body allowed him to impact games when playing against boys. Take muscle out of the equation and all of a sudden, he's a slow bloke, with little agility.

Edited October 26, 201411 yr by AdamFarr

Yes....simple as that.

Kids with a poor attitude that (sometimes) played well in the lower grades.

Gysberts and Blease had a shocking work ethic - it was all 'too hard'

Look at the attitude of Jack V - not the most gifted but works his arse off!! Bail, the same..

Btw, have a look at the Geelong page and check out how excited the supporters are over there at the prospect of signing Blease.....

So the it's the players not the club, that's why they were ALL rated in their draft years and haven't come on.

Watts was a number one pick who I still rate, yet has not developed hardly at all - he must be lazy, because the club has nothing to do him not coming on as he should have.

Had a quick look at big footy Geelong page, and if you take out the couple of Melbourne supporters bagging Blease, I'd say 40/60 in favour, which for a guy that can't get a regular senior game here is probably better than expected.

So the it's the players not the club, that's why they were ALL rated in their draft years and haven't come on.

Watts was a number one pick who I still rate, yet has not developed hardly at all - he must be lazy, because the club has nothing to do him not coming on as he should have.

Had a quick look at big footy Geelong page, and if you take out the couple of Melbourne supporters bagging Blease, I'd say 40/60 in favour, which for a guy that can't get a regular senior game here is probably better than expected.

Due diligence wasn't done.....lazy, lazy boys.

Rated? By who? Sheehan? Ever seen a negative report written on any potential draftee? Full of superlatives and bs.

First hand experience with these two - shocking picks.

Due diligence wasn't done.....lazy, lazy boys.

Rated? By who? Sheehan? Ever seen a negative report written on any potential draftee? Full of superlatives and bs.

First hand experience with these two - shocking picks.

Rated by most, in fact The Ox still rates Blease, along with N Brown and it looks like Geelong see something as well.

The club has failed many players.

ps

First hand experience - the moon is made of cheese.

If it's happening in the NBA, you can bet it'll soon be introduced to our system. The AFL love attempting to emulate the American sports industry.

I think he saw a high leading half forward flanker that could out-muscle his opponent at U18 level and kick a long goal, and also happened to remind him of Paul Chapman. I'm only speculating though.

Tapscott was a poor pick in hindsight. He looked half decent on the TV during the July Championships. That was about it.

I think he generally has a nice kicking action, but I think he's one of those guys whose body allowed him to impact games when playing against boys. Take muscle out of the equation and all of a sudden, he's a slow bloke, with little agility.

Tapscott's muscle does occasionally come in handy with some big bumps, tackles and hard ball gets. It's just wasted most of the rest of the time. It's his skills that haven't stepped up to AFL level which has probably been the greatest disappointment. The game changed and he didn't adapt so not only does he not get much of the ball but he doesn't use it.

I wonder if the lack of professionalism in our players and fitness staff also caused troubles by him never having a preseason. If he had trained more efficiently from the start he probably would've got through a preseason by now. The whole you make your own luck thing is probably true regarding fitness for some people at least.

And you forgot the one other thing he brought in recruiting him! Being Trenner's best mate. A silly factor to recruit someone for but if Trengove went and became the superstar and Tappy kept him in Melbourne it would've worked a treat!

Rated by most, in fact The Ox still rates Blease, along with N Brown and it looks like Geelong see something as well.

The club has failed many players.

ps

First hand experience - the moon is made of cheese.

They are not AFL standard players.

You're clutching at straws.

Good luck with your fantasies.

PS They've been delisted....

Tapscott's muscle does occasionally come in handy with some big bumps, tackles and hard ball gets. It's just wasted most of the rest of the time. It's his skills that haven't stepped up to AFL level which has probably been the greatest disappointment. The game changed and he didn't adapt so not only does he not get much of the ball but he doesn't use it.

I wonder if the lack of professionalism in our players and fitness staff also caused troubles by him never having a preseason. If he had trained more efficiently from the start he probably would've got through a preseason by now. The whole you make your own luck thing is probably true regarding fitness for some people at least.

And you forgot the one other thing he brought in recruiting him! Being Trenner's best mate. A silly factor to recruit someone for but if Trengove went and became the superstar and Tappy kept him in Melbourne it would've worked a treat!

The thing that must be taken into consideration with Tappscott is his lack of a preseason. Hell, the kid has hardly had a 2 month stretch where he was injury free in his career to date.