Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

With the drafting season well and truly upon us and the memories of skinny first-round draft picks being unable to stack on any kilos still fresh in our minds, I thought it might be wise to understand the science behind why some boys stay boys and others become men.

And with any hope our recruiters have watched this video and will stay away from the 'skinny and tall high-half forward, great aerobic capacity and the potential to develop into that Nick Riewoldt type player after a couple preseasons in the gym' draft prospects...

Posted

"So I thought that we should just try some of this experimental myostatin blocker on our guys. Hopefully it is safe, but, hell, time will tell"

"Sure James - should I deliver it to Windy Hill, through the same back door as the other stuff?"

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

Cale Morton had the same build as The Late Robert Flower.

Just couldn't play footy with the same panache.(Few could)

Your body shape is irrelevant in Aussie rules.

Edited by Biffen
  • Like 2

Posted

Cale Morton had the same build as The Late Robert Flower.

Just couldn't play footy with the same panache.(Few could)

Your body shape is irrelevant in Aussie rules.

It's not the same anymore. Flower definitely was a once-in-a-generation player but these days you need a good balance between core strength and pace.

Cale had neither.

Posted

It's not the same anymore. Flower definitely was a once-in-a-generation player but these days you need a good balance between core strength and pace.

Cale had neither.

Libba?

Brad Hardie?

Dale Weightman?

KB?

Core strength is great but being a very good player is the most important thing.This is where we [censored] it up royally every time because we pay too many experts.

Posted

AFL recruiters seem to have lost sight of the fact that the kids need to be able to play. With all the tests of pace, endurance and agility, a great football brain and instincts seem to have taken a secondary place. They are looking for people who fit the athletic profile in the belief that they can be turned into footballers. There is no way a player like Tom Rockliff should have slipped to the PSD, but he was a pure footballer who didn't fit in the athletic profile clubs thought they needed so despite his excellent year he was overlooked. Likewise, Melbourne repeatedly drafted kids with specific athletic attributes without looking at the whole package and wound up with Morton, Bennell, Blease, Nicholson etc. All runners with question marks on their ability to play, but it was assumed that they could be taught to play.

I think it's clearly time to re-think the priorities. If we can get a kid who fits the athletic profile and can play, great. If not, get a kid who can play the game first and foremost.

  • Like 5

Posted

I doubt recruiters are ignoring whether the guys can play or not. Morton looked absolute gun as an underage player.

And his first season with us was very promising. He looked like he was going to make it.

Posted

Morton was not developed properly and the year under Neeld completely broke him.

Posted

Cale Morton had the same build as The Late Robert Flower.

Just couldn't play footy with the same panache.(Few could)

Your body shape is irrelevant in Aussie rules.

courage & deesire, courage & deesire, courage & deesire. = the NEED to have a crack

Posted

I doubt recruiters are ignoring whether the guys can play or not. Morton looked absolute gun as an underage player.

Thrashed Goodes once.

Somehow.

Posted

Libba?

Brad Hardie?

Dale Weightman?

KB?

Core strength is great but being a very good player is the most important thing.This is where we [censored] it up royally every time because we pay too many experts.

Players from totally different eras. The way the game is played now, size and strength are extremely important.

Posted

I doubt recruiters are ignoring whether the guys can play or not. Morton looked absolute gun as an underage player.

Proves PRs theory,let other clubs develop them and when their ready to shine,offer a great deal and get at their prime.

Posted

Did Birchall, Suckling, Stratton, Langford, Hill, Isaac Smith,and Gunston all play in the grand final or am I mistaken?

Hill was tiny when he was drafted and is hardly bulky now. The other 6 were all tall and thin.

Posted

What was the difference between Morton's physique when drafted and that of Fyfe? Very little I would have thought. In a lot of ways Morton fits the mould for the taller midfielders that seem so prevalent these days, but he was never able to add the extra muscle that he needed to become a genuine contested ballwinner.

I doubt recruiters are ignoring whether the guys can play or not. Morton looked absolute gun as an underage player.

And his first season with us was very promising. He looked like he was going to make it.

Morton was not developed properly and the year under Neeld completely broke him.

I agree with all three of these posts, particularly the last. Morton was a far better player than most around here give him credit for, and was yet another player whose career was destroyed by Neeld.


Posted

What was the difference between Morton's physique when drafted and that of Fyfe? Very little I would have thought. In a lot of ways Morton fits the mould for the taller midfielders that seem so prevalent these days, but he was never able to add the extra muscle that he needed to become a genuine contested ballwinner.

I agree with all three of these posts, particularly the last. Morton was a far better player than most around here give him credit for, and was yet another player whose career was destroyed by Neeld.

I think the game changed a bit on Morton.

It got faster and he went from having a yard of speed over guys to being just average pace. And it got more congested meaning more pressure on kicks. Morton was a very good kick as a junior as he found space and could kick long to advantage.

He was destined to be a wingman. And this current Hawthorn team have brought the position back in to fashion a little. His job was pretty much to just run up and down the field and be an option, plus with his height you could kick it up to him 1 on 1 v other wingmen.

When Morton came in only Hawthorn played full ground zoning. Then St Kilda and Collingwood perfected the press. What should've happened is after a good first season, Dean Bailey should've put Morton back to the 2's and made him develop his contested ball, made him develop his kicking under pressure etc. Instead he coasted along in the team.

Neeld was right to put Morton back to Casey but ambitiously tried to make him a centre square midfielder. It didn't really work. Also tried him at half forward.

  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 3

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...