WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - BEN NEWTON

[rpfc 28,990]

This pickup has implications for the AFL recruitment infrastructure; here we have a player who is wanted by his club (they offered him a contract), but he wants to go elsewhere and they delist him out the kindness of their heart.

He was supposed to have gone through the draft to get to another club.

I am excited to see him play for us, but this is another example of why we need to look at the recruitment and contract infrastructure of the AFL.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

It was probably unfair of me to lump Michie and Riley in with the much older Jones. Michie and Riley hopefully have much improvement in them. If two of Michie, Riley and Newton can become regular B grade mids we've done well.

[P-man 13,367]

Same question for me. I hope we're picking up a best 22 mid, but honestly I have no idea whatsoever. I'm pleased as the club seems to be happy and Port fans seem miffed, but I'll keep the cartwheels on hold for now.

Same boat. Geelong fans were keen to nab him as well, so nice to get one back.

[beelzebub 23,392]

Agreed. but is this more Viney being allowed to do what he wants as opposed to Roos direction? Remembering Vineys involvement in Hawthorns list rebuild...

I reckon youd find Viney and Roos are on the same page.... Roos cleaned out a bit of staff on arrival..he wanted Viney to stay.

If you look at the hawthorn model of list building and Roos' they are that dissimilar really, not mirrors but share ideologies.

Remembering Viney ( T) as a player you have to think hed be attracted to similar types as potential players. Todd was less about "elite' and more about no nonsense. Jobs were there to be done.

[Nasher 33,637]

This pickup has implications for the AFL recruitment infrastructure; here we have a player who is wanted by his club (they offered him a contract), but he wants to go elsewhere and they delist him out the kindness of their heart.

He was supposed to have gone through the draft to get to another club.

I am excited to see him play for us, but this is another example of why we need to look at the recruitment and contract infrastructure of the AFL.

Does it? The club losing the player did the right thing by him, at their own expense, when they didn't have to. I haven't given this any more than a second's thought so I'm open to you smacking me down with logic, but this is a case of the system working I think. And I reckon PAFC deserve some credit in their handling of this.

[beelzebub 23,392]

Same boat. Geelong fans were keen to nab him as well, so nice to get one back.

its ok...they got Sam!!!

[watchtheeyes 1,429]

Wow Port were really up on him!

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/forgotten-man-ben-newton-ready-to-step-up-for-power/story-fnia6ojc-1226903795151?nk=ddc33dee75f57d04ca84fdf01f63c12e

Excited to watch him play!

[Watts Jurrah Dunn? 735]

Newton looks a promising pick-up for nothing.

I like that we've nabbed a young Port Adelaide midfielder where there has clearly been an emphasis on drafting 6 ft 1" / 6 ft 2 " mids that can really run and cover the ground.

It's also really encouraging that Port Adelaide, who've made good decisions for a couple of seasons now, didn't want to lose him and had a contract offer in front of him.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Same question for me. I hope we're picking up a best 22 mid, but honestly I have no idea whatsoever. I'm pleased as the club seems to be happy and Port fans seem miffed, but I'll keep the cartwheels on hold for now.

These types of pick ups seem shrewd to me as you are buying low.. You could pick up a 50 game player who hasn't quite shown enough, or a player such as Michie, Riley and Newtown who haven't really had enough opportunity.

At very least these guys improve the the bottom end of the list. Now if we can just nail this draft thingy we might be able to add to to top part of the list.

Dunn Frost Jetta

Lumumba Mcdonald Garland

Cross Tyson JKH

Vince Dawes Kent

Howe Hogan Garlett

Foll:

Jamar, Jones, Viney

INT from: Michie, Newton, Watts, Bail, Grimes, Salem, Toumpas, Pedersen.

NB: Purely authors opinion on rough 2015 side. Expecations re Viney and JKH that they can improve to be starting 18. NBB: This team lacks speed through the centre and will need to be addressed.

[binman 44,761]

Interesting article. I love the fact (which I didn't know) is that he is a lefty. I see a clear pattern emerging

[rpfc 28,990]

It was probably unfair of me to lump Michie and Riley in with the much older Jones. Michie and Riley hopefully have much improvement in them. If two of Michie, Riley and Newton can become regular B grade mids we've done well.

For him to help us improve he has to get himself in the best 12-man midfield/flank rotation from 2014 somewhere:

N Jones, Tyson, Vince, Viney, Cross, M Jones, Bail, JKH, Watts, Kent, Salem, and Riley.

He would have to be considered a show to get into that motley crew...

I would love for that list to be in 2015:

N Jones, Tyson, Vince, Viney, Cross, Newton, Kent, M Jones, Bail, Riley, Brayshaw and JKH.

More talented, pure midfielders, and less reliance on kids to fill out the middle section of the rotation. I don't think it is a very good rotation just yet but it is an improvement.

[Its Time for Another 4,306]

For him to help us improve he has to get himself in the best 12-man midfield/flank rotation from 2014 somewhere:

N Jones, Tyson, Vince, Viney, Cross, M Jones, Bail, JKH, Watts, Kent, Salem, and Riley.

He would have to be considered a show to get into that motley crew...

I would love for that list to be in 2015:

N Jones, Tyson, Vince, Viney, Cross, Newton, Kent, M Jones, Bail, Riley, Brayshaw and JKH.

More talented, pure midfielders, and less reliance on kids to fill out the middle section of the rotation. I don't think it is a very good rotation just yet but it is an improvement.

Why have you dropped Watts and Salem out of that. I've got my fingers crossed that the Toump will come good in 2015 I certainly haven't written him off. It's a major improvement on 2 yrs ago.

[rpfc 28,990]

Why have you dropped Watts and Salem out of that. I've got my fingers crossed that the Toump will come good in 2015 I certainly haven't written him off. It's a major improvement on 2 yrs ago.

Watts should be a high HFF and not go through the middle. I think he can fit a role where we can play another mid. Salem and JKH were fighting it out for the 12th spot - I have JKH ahead on exposed form.

And that exposed form is why Toumpas is behind them, he has done nothing at AFL level for me to justify putting him in that rotation to start the year...

[rpfc 28,990]

Does it? The club losing the player did the right thing by him, at their own expense, when they didn't have to. I haven't given this any more than a second's thought so I'm open to you smacking me down with logic, but this is a case of the system working I think. And I reckon PAFC deserve some credit in their handling of this.

The right thing by him, but not the evenness of the comp. While he has gone to the second worst team, what if he went to another top team? The PSD (and the nat draft) is structured so that the worst teams have access to the best players.

The PSD is designed to give the worst teams access to those players that wish to move on for more opportunities.

Newton was a prime candidate to go through that route.

I don't like hypotheticals, but why does he get to go where he wants as a wanted player but other wanted players around the league are told their fate is through the PSD?

PA did the right thing by him, but they should not have been allowed to IMO. As soon as you are offered a contract for next season and you turn it down - you should be made to head for the PSD/ND.

[beelzebub 23,392]

The right thing by him, but not the evenness of the comp. While he has gone to the second worst team, what if he went to another top team? The PSD (and the nat draft) is structured so that the worst teams have access to the best players.

The PSD is designed to give the worst teams access to those players that wish to move on for more opportunities.

Newton was a prime candidate to go through that route.

I don't like hypotheticals, but why does he get to go where he wants as a wanted player but other wanted players around the league are told their fate is through the PSD?

PA did the right thing by him, but they should not have been allowed to IMO. As soon as you are offered a contract for next season and you turn it down - you should be made to head for the PSD/ND.

but he didnt

and the PSD is a dinosaur ( now ) from the pre FA era

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,486]

So the same recruitment team that supposedly stuffed up the Frost deal got this selection right? People are welcome to their opinion but some need to have more faith in the current coaching group.I think some people forget how far back we are coming from.

[CBDees 3,167]

Another go at the team suggested by JW, bearing in mind our two draft picks may be ready to go.

Dunn Frost Jetta

Lumumba Mcdonald Garland

Vince Tyson Watts

McCartin Dawes Howe

Garlett Hogan Kent

Foll: Gawn, Jones, Viney

Interchange: Brayshaw, Newton, Salem, Toumpas

Emergencies: Cross, JKH, Stretch

The above assumes that both Salem and Toumpas have a strong pre-season, but it grieves me to think that Cross, JKH and Stretch may not be automatic selections, plus that Jamar, Pederson, Mitchie, Bail and co-captain Grimesmay also be squeezed out by some of the new blood.

[Lucifers Hero 40,656]

For him to help us improve he has to get himself in the best 12-man midfield/flank rotation from 2014 somewhere:

N Jones, Tyson, Vince, Viney, Cross, M Jones, Bail, JKH, Watts, Kent, Salem, and Riley.

He would have to be considered a show to get into that motley crew...

I would love for that list to be in 2015:

N Jones, Tyson, Vince, Viney, Cross, Newton, Kent, M Jones, Bail, Riley, Brayshaw and JKH.

More talented, pure midfielders, and less reliance on kids to fill out the middle section of the rotation. I don't think it is a very good rotation just yet but it is an improvement.

Any room for Stretch?

[Slartibartfast 18,086]

The right thing by him, but not the evenness of the comp. While he has gone to the second worst team, what if he went to another top team? The PSD (and the nat draft) is structured so that the worst teams have access to the best players.

The PSD is designed to give the worst teams access to those players that wish to move on for more opportunities.

Newton was a prime candidate to go through that route.

I don't like hypotheticals, but why does he get to go where he wants as a wanted player but other wanted players around the league are told their fate is through the PSD?

PA did the right thing by him, but they should not have been allowed to IMO. As soon as you are offered a contract for next season and you turn it down - you should be made to head for the PSD/ND.

Which players didn't get to their club of choice this year?

[Lucifers Hero 40,656]

Another go at the team suggested by JW, bearing in mind our two draft picks may be ready to go.

Dunn Frost Jetta

Lumumba Mcdonald Garland

Vince Tyson Watts

McCartin Dawes Kent

Howe Hogan Garlett

Foll: Gawn, Jones, Viney

INT from: Brayshaw, Newton, Salem, Toumpas

Emergencies: Cross, JKH, Grimes

The above assumes that both Salem and Toumpas have a strong pre-season, but it grieves me to think that Cross, JKH and co-captain Grimes may not be automatic selections, plus that Jamar, Pederson, Mitchie and Bail may also be squeezed out by some of the new blood.

Any room for Stretch?

[Slartibartfast 18,086]

Any room for Stretch?

No. Grimes can't get a game. Another classic case of DL groupthink.

Grimes can't play.

Bail can't kick.

[Lucifers Hero 40,656]

These types of pick ups seem shrewd to me as you are buying low.. You could pick up a 50 game player who hasn't quite shown enough, or a player such as Michie, Riley and Newtown who haven't really had enough opportunity.

At very least these guys improve the the bottom end of the list. Now if we can just nail this draft thingy we might be able to add to to top part of the list.

Dunn Frost Jetta

Lumumba Mcdonald Garland

Cross Tyson JKH

Vince Dawes Kent

Howe Hogan Garlett

Foll:

Jamar, Jones, Viney

INT from: Michie, Newton, Watts, Bail, Grimes, Salem, Toumpas, Pedersen.

NB: Purely authors opinion on rough 2015 side. Expecations re Viney and JKH that they can improve to be starting 18. NBB: This team lacks speed through the centre and will need to be addressed.

Any room for Stretch?

Ok I won't post this response to our hypothetical teams anymore. But I feel we have forgotten about him as he went so early in the recruiting process. He may well be one of the greats for us!

[Lucifers Hero 40,656]

No. Grimes can't get a game. Another classic case of DL groupthink.

Grimes can't play.

Bail can't kick.

Ha? No room for Billy our very own S.O.S.!! Have to disgree with you here BB.

[Nasher 33,637]

The right thing by him, but not the evenness of the comp. While he has gone to the second worst team, what if he went to another top team? The PSD (and the nat draft) is structured so that the worst teams have access to the best players.

The PSD is designed to give the worst teams access to those players that wish to move on for more opportunities.

Newton was a prime candidate to go through that route.

I don't like hypotheticals, but why does he get to go where he wants as a wanted player but other wanted players around the league are told their fate is through the PSD?

PA did the right thing by him, but they should not have been allowed to IMO. As soon as you are offered a contract for next season and you turn it down - you should be made to head for the PSD/ND.

The idea of free agency, according to the AFL, is to afford players not getting the opportunity at their current clubs to move to a club that does give them an opportunity. Now the RFA and UFA model will never achieve that because of the amount of time players have to wait - very few players survive on a list for 8 years (or whatever it is - sorry) without getting much opportunity. The only way the system works in this case is the DFA.

Players who aren't getting an opportunity generally aren't going to whizz off to a strong team; that's just gambling with your own future because you couldn't be sure the new opportunity will be any better than the old one. The bottom line is these guys want to play; it's why Membrey is now at St. Kilda as a DFA and Newton is at Melbourne as a DFA. I don't mind this model because I think in 90% of cases, the player is going to choose a weak team; it would be counterproductive not to. I don't see why you have to force him to go to St. Kilda through the PSD. Realistically he's probably going to choose St. Kilda, Melbourne, Footscray or GWS anyway, and he ain't going to choose Hawthorn. You might as well give him the freedom.

[beelzebub 23,392]

Any room for Stretch?

youre assuming he HAS to play seniors in 15.

I think we'll see a lot more development in the magoos for the noobs from here on in. if they show they have it , theyll play, otherwise its learn the trade kid !!