WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - BEN NEWTON

[Wunders 397]

Back: Jetta, Frost, Dunn

Half-back: Grimes, TMac, Lumumba

Mid: Vince, Viney ,Watts

Half-Forward: Kent, Dawes, Howe

Forward: JKH, Hogan, Garlett

Followers: Jamar, Jones, Tyson

I/C: Garland, Salem, Pedersen

Sub: Cross

Wouldn't have him in there just yet.

I like the look of the team, but i think its too forward/back player first focused (a few more midfielders first in the team perhaps?). At the very least i would not have two talls (garland and pederson) on the bench & in the team (one has to go in my view for another midfielder (e.g. Cross from sub and one of the new draftees or Michie in).

Also I wonder how Garland will go this year, injury crippled his year it seemed last year..

On newton - apart from that last kick to wines in the video didn't see to much to really excite me yet. Bring on the practice games to see how he really goes:)

[InVINCEable 358]

That's a pretty good lineup. but someone's always out injured/suspended, and once he's in he'll be hard to push out, if that video's anything to go by.

Yeah very true

[tappysquads 618]

I like the look of the team, but i think its too forward/back player first focused (a few more midfielders first in the team perhaps?). At the very least i would not have two talls (garland and pederson) on the bench & in the team (one has to go in my view for another midfielder (e.g. Cross from sub and one of the new draftees or Michie in).

Also I wonder how Garland will go this year, injury crippled his year it seemed last year..

On newton - apart from that last kick to wines in the video didn't see to much to really excite me yet. Bring on the practice games to see how he really goes:)

I have to agree in regards to that video. In saying that I know nothing about the player, only going on a brief highlight clip but it was not impressive in my opinion. Would love to hear or see otherwise though, and I'm sure roos knows the player and selected him based on that, so hope he turns out to be another solid mid

[Gorgoroth 12,924]

Only played 4 games, could get the ball, could tackle, time and use will get better over the next 10-15 games.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Nev Jettas tackle on Westhoff!!

He destroyed Port Adelaide twice this year.

[InVINCEable 358]

He destroyed Port Adelaide twice this year.

Absolutely love the bloke, best small defender in the league!

[Grapeviney 9,712]

Gee watching that vid shows how close we were to knocking off Port twice this year - the report card on season 2014 would have been somewhat different if we'd managed to get over the line.

Arguably, it would have given us a real shot of confidence that would have spilled over into other games and might have snared us another win or two along the way.

Shoulda woulda coulda...

I still maintain that we're closer to being competitive than current results might indicate.

[Redleg 40,842]

If Garlett, Lamumba, Frost and Newton become regulars, coupled with Tyson, Vince and Cross last year, that is 1/3 of the side turned over in 12 months.

Also half the list has gone in the same period, when you add the draftees and a few other trades.

That is one hell of a list change and there will be more to come next year.

[What 18,810]

well Port fans are spewing that they lost Newton and say he is unlucky to have been stuck behind such a deep talented midfield

They say he would have broken in to it in 2015

So thats gotta be a good sign

[DeeSpencer 25,477]

well Port fans are spewing that they lost Newton and say he is unlucky to have been stuck behind such a deep talented midfield

They say he would have broken in to it in 2015

So thats gotta be a good sign

More annoyed than spewing I think. They have 8 mids clearly better than him (Boak, Grey, Hartlett, Ebert, Wines, Wingard, Cornes, Polec) he was just good competition and depth with White, Young, Mitchell, Colquhoun and Moore.

If they got a pick in the 30's or 40's for him and therefore got in to the draft a bit earlier than they will that certainly would've benefited them. But they offered him a one year deal, that's pretty much saying we aren't sure you're a long term here.

[old55 23,402]

More annoyed than spewing I think. They have 8 mids clearly better than him (Boak, Grey, Hartlett, Ebert, Wines, Wingard, Cornes, Polec) he was just good competition and depth with White, Young, Mitchell, Colquhoun and Moore.

If they got a pick in the 30's or 40's for him and therefore got in to the draft a bit earlier than they will that certainly would've benefited them. But they offered him a one year deal, that's pretty much saying we aren't sure you're a long term here.

I think their first pick is 57 so 40 would've been handy.

[DeeSpencer 25,477]

I think their first pick is 57 so 40 would've been handy.

Yep and that would annoy me as a Port fan. Our pick 53 would've helped them as they are only having a couple of live picks I think. I'm sure they'd have preferred the 2 picks in the 50's instead of their second coming in the 70's.

[rjay 24,887]

Just talking to a Port Adelaide mate who lives over in SA and follows both the Power and SANFL team. Reckons Newton is a really good pick up a bit unlucky with the depth of there mids not to get more senior game time. Hard at it reminds him a bit of Boak in his words.

[beelzebub 23,313]

I just need Ben to be a good solid worker. Not looking for shiny baubles here.

He like really most of the team just need to go out , play good footy, be their role and contribute.

When that happens we'll kick ass.

Ben is no Bernie....but dont need him to be

a good decent consistent B graded is fine...a step up from recent history.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I just need Ben to be a good solid worker. Not looking for shiny baubles here.

He like really most of the team just need to go out , play good footy, be their role and contribute.

When that happens we'll kick ass.

Ben is no Bernie....but dont need him to be

a good decent consistent B graded is fine...a step up from recent history.

Yes agree with that.

A player doesn't need to be impressive to be effective.

[Demon trucker 1,800]

Yes agree with that.

A player doesn't need to be impressive to be effective.

No I want him to be a superstar, we have heaps of b grade's, need a grade's,

[beelzebub 23,313]

No I want him to be a superstar, we have heaps of b grade's, need a grade's,

actually we dont... weve had a lot of D and C graders.. Good B graders is what Jones used to be ti he got even a bit better

Flashy players might add to the spectacle but Id rather a team effort that added to the scoreboard...the only thing that matters

[spirit of norm smith 16,292]

Agree...we have too many C graders. Bail & Mckenzie are surplus that are clogging up the list. Newton will boost our midfield depth. He is likely to be an emergency Round 1 but we will give him a run Round 3-6 depending on results. HE IS TOUGH AND SKILLED...thats a bonus in my estimations.

[rjay 24,887]

Agree...we have too many C graders. Bail & Mckenzie are surplus that are clogging up the list. Newton will boost our midfield depth. He is likely to be an emergency Round 1 but we will give him a run Round 3-6 depending on results. HE IS TOUGH AND SKILLED...thats a bonus in my estimations.

Injury free he will play round 1.

[CBDees 3,167]

Injury free he will play round 1.

A big call rjay!

Why don't you post your likely team (including our likely #2 and #3 draft picks)?

[jnrmac 20,055]

No I want him to be a superstar, we have heaps of b grade's, need a grade's,

If he can hit a target he is well ahead of at least 15 of our players.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

If he can hit a target he is well ahead of at least 15 of our players.

I think there are a lot of midfielders who are very effective because they do what they do very well. They may become known stars because of consistentcy and longevity, not because what they do is flashy ie Jordan Lewis, Joel Corey etc.

A few foot soldiers who can operate under pressure and hit targets would be a nice start.

[rjay 24,887]

A big call rjay!

Why don't you post your likely team (including our likely #2 and #3 draft picks)?

Made a big call on Tyson last year saying he would be a star...as far as Newton goes it was more a reaction to 'Norm' saying he would be an emergency. He is ahead of a lot on our current list for a game round 1.

It's way too early to post likely teams, a lot of water to go under the bridge yet.

As for the draft a bit depends on St Kilda but it's likely to be Brayshaw and McCartin. I wouldn't be upset with Lever, think he will be a gun if injury doesn't get him. I'm not as big a fan of Petraca as many, he's still a forward who plays mid but has a good attitude and looks like he will do the work. Weight and endurance will be issues for him.

I hope we get Gore at pick 40, I think he is one of the best pure mids in the draft.

[Machsy 2,858]

Really surprised Gore's name hasn't popped up more regularly.

There's gotta be a reason for it, because he was quite impressive in the games I saw too.

[rjay 24,887]

Really surprised Gore's name hasn't popped up more regularly.

There's gotta be a reason for it, because he was quite impressive in the games I saw too.

I would be happy for him to drop through to 40 'Machsy'.