DRAFT DAY - 2014

[Moneider96 1,045]

Alex Neal-Bullen with the 'great bloke reward'

[Moneider96 1,045]

and Petracca's parents rapped that he is at the Dees, it seems. Thanks Roosy!

[RalphiusMaximus 6,013]

I honestly don't remember the last time I was completely happy with a draft like this. I don't have any questions about any of the picks. We've had nothing but positive feedback from the media and pretty much all of them have us as clear winners from this year's crop. I'm even thrilled with the one I hadn't looked at previously in Neal-Bullen who seems to have the same combative streak to him as Petracca and Brayshaw. This young midfield we've put together really does seem to have the potential to match anything in the league within a few seasons.

[rpfc 28,084]

I try to respect all opinions, but couldn't believe the short sightedness of so many who wanted to give up picks 2 AND 3 for Dangerfield, and still can't.

This is the best and most sensible outcome in terms of our age profile and the longer term benefit of the club.

If we were to give away 2 and 3, we would have got back more than Danger.

I would have traded 2 and change for him.

But the best bet may have always been to compete with all the other punters in FA.

But I will reiterate what I said a few months ago - we need stars more than promise.

I am very excited about what these boys might become. I am excited by what Dangerfield is.

[rjay 24,685]

If we were to give away 2 and 3, we would have got back more than Danger.

I would have traded 2 and change for him.

But the best bet may have always been to compete with all the other punters in FA.

But I will reiterate what I said a few months ago - we need stars more than promise.

I am very excited about what these boys might become. I am excited by what Dangerfield is.

Of course we would have; it didn't stop many on here from thinking the trade of pick 2 & 3 on it's own for 'Danger' was a good deal though.

[beelzebub 23,254]

Let's all calm down.

Yes, our draft looks good, but I've definitely heard all this before.

In a way I will...in a way I won't.

Its one thing for us one eyed ( rosey and blue at that ) diehards to pump us up , only to what the air escape but when the outside world is starting to think....hmmm what have we here , then maybe we can take solace in the idea something is happening.

And something is.. We've assembled a list of mini synergies which with any luck might join up into one big cohesive unit that can actually play footy and by god play it well.

If Kev was still around we all know what he'd exclaim !!!!

Edited November 30, 2014 by beelzebub

[Lucifers Hero 39,063]

Seems to me we are having a 'Claytons' rebuild! ie a rebuild when you are not having a rebuild!

We are doing exactly what the WB and StK have done and re-built thru talented kids over 2 to 4 drafts. The difference is MFC isn't talking about it and won't...last thing Dee supporters can stomach is the word 'rebuild' again!! We have about 12 highly talented players under the age of 21. That is the makings of a rebuild.

My guess is the club goal is to show good improvement in each of next 2 years and fans will probably be ok with that. If we make finals it is a bonus. The bigger goal IMO, is to hand over to Goodwin a team that is cherry-ripe to go!

Depending how the year goes will determine if and what type of FA we go after. It may not be a midfielder. A forward or ruck/forward perhaps?

[beelzebub 23,254]

I think blind freddy can see its a rebuild though...and I , have no problems at all with that...Had to be done.....but properly.

[rjay 24,685]

Seems to me we are having a 'Claytons' rebuild! ie a rebuild when you are not having a rebuild!

We are doing exactly what the WB and StK have done and re-built thru talented kids over 2 to 4 drafts. The difference is MFC isn't talking about it and won't...last thing Dee supporters can stomach is the word 'rebuild' again!! We have about 12 highly talented players under the age of 21. That is the makings of a rebuild.

My guess is the club goal is to show good improvement in each of next 2 years and fans will probably be ok with that. If we make finals it is a bonus. The bigger goal IMO, is to hand over to Goodwin a team that is cherry-ripe to go!

Depending how the year goes will determine if and what type of FA we go after. It may not be a midfielder. A forward or ruck/forward perhaps?

There's no Clayton's about it, we have been in a rebuild and our approach is very different to the WB & Saints.

They have gone the kids approach that we did under the Schwab reign, we have a mixed approach now which has involved bringing in talent and leadership (Cross, Vince, 'H', Tyson, Garlett) along with kids. A much better balanced approach.

[beelzebub 23,254]

Seems to me we are having a 'Claytons' rebuild! ie a rebuild when you are not having a rebuild!

We are doing exactly what the WB and StK have done and re-built thru talented kids over 2 to 4 drafts. The difference is MFC isn't talking about it and won't...last thing Dee supporters can stomach is the word 'rebuild' again!! We have about 12 highly talented players under the age of 21. That is the makings of a rebuild.

My guess is the club goal is to show good improvement in each of next 2 years and fans will probably be ok with that. If we make finals it is a bonus. The bigger goal IMO, is to hand over to Goodwin a team that is cherry-ripe to go!

Depending how the year goes will determine if and what type of FA we go after. It may not be a midfielder. A forward or ruck/forward perhaps?

Im just , even now, forward gazing and supposing that what would we be like with both... another A grade Mid and another more than handy forward.

Add a Shiel to the mix ( I think Danger might stay put now ) . Not sure as to fwd...might need to see who coyly put up their hands ( sts) as season unfolds.

if we can show a decent amount of improvement we WILL become a desired team to move to.

[ickey_11 145]

If we were to give away 2 and 3, we would have got back more than Danger.

I would have traded 2 and change for him.

But the best bet may have always been to compete with all the other punters in FA.

But I will reiterate what I said a few months ago - we need stars more than promise.

I am very excited about what these boys might become. I am excited by what Dangerfield is.

It was not possible to compete in FA when losing a player like Frawley; the compensation would have been diluted like the pick 49 we got for Rivers and Maloney because we picked up Byrnes.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,224]

I'm only following on the AFL trade tracker, but what's with the painfully long wait between picks? Surely the clubs have a pretty good idea about who they'll probably take - or is it TV/interview guff? Pickett to GWS seemed to come up very quick.

Its called "theatre".

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,224]

Those three are 100% best 22.

Was a bit of a strange "best 22" thrown up.

[rpfc 28,084]

It was not possible to compete in FA when losing a player like Frawley; the compensation would have been diluted like the pick 49 we got for Rivers and Maloney because we picked up Byrnes.

What are you referring to?

I was saying that with regard to Dangerfield - we may end up with him through FA in a years time and have Petracca and Brayshaw.

Have our cake and eat it too - so to speak.

[Moneider96 1,045]

This got me excited...

http://madmondayshow.com/2014/11/30/melbourne-fc-2014-draft-summary/

[Moneider96 1,045]

Likens Petracca to Dangerfield, Brayshaw to Sam Mitchel, and Alex Neal Bullen to Lenny Hayes...

[rjay 24,685]

Likens Petracca to Dangerfield, Brayshaw to Sam Mitchel, and Alex Neal Bullen to Lenny Hayes...

Always laugh at these likens...

Petracca supposed to be explosive so like Dangerfield

Brayshaw kicks both feet so must be Sam Mitchel

Neal Bullen loves Lenny so is like Hayes

They will all bring their own game and hopefully it is up to scratch.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I think blind freddy can see its a rebuild though...and I , have no problems at all with that...Had to be done.....but properly.

try try again till we get it right, thanks Vlad for setting things up... without them we wouldn't have PJ + Roosy & Co..... from there things are starting to fall into place.

no faith in those from the northern culture

[markc 975]

Petracca and Brawshaw V Dangerfield....Who would you rather so far?

what about them all together next year ....

[rpfc 28,084]

Likens Petracca to Dangerfield, Brayshaw to Sam Mitchel, and Alex Neal Bullen to Lenny Hayes...

Better than Sylvia, Bell, and Gysberts.

And we won't know where they are on the spectrum for years...

[P-man 13,366]

And we won't know where they are on the spectrum for years...

Not necessarily.

Look no further than that old chestnut in Ollie Wines. Exploded in his first year. After his second year he is now listed by potential draftees as someone to look up to and base their game around. He was a manchild, just like Brayshaw and Petracca.

Miles at Richmond. Admittedly in his third year but had only played 10 games at GWS before he arrived at the Tigers and dragged them into the finals.

Bontempelli was a first year sensation who quite literally won games off his own boot. He didn't need years in the system to have an impact or provide a strong indication as to where he sits on the spectrum.

O'Meara in his debut season averaged 22 disposals and kicked 16 goals. Whose game enough to rule out Petracca reaching similar heights?

None of our first year players may reach this level, but there's no way you can discount them doing so.

If you have the big frame to compete against men, you give yourself a fighting chance.

Edited November 30, 2014 by P-man

[ignition. 1,454]

Not necessarily.

Look no further than that old chestnut in Ollie Wines. Exploded in his first year. After his second year he is now listed by potential draftees as someone to look up to and base their game around. He was a manchild, just like Brayshaw and Petracca.

Miles at Richmond. Admittedly in his third year but had only played 10 games at GWS before he arrived at the Tigers and dragged them into the finals.

Bontempelli was a first year sensation who quite literally won games off his own boot. He didn't need years in the system to have an impact or provide a strong indication as to where he sits on the spectrum.

O'Meara in his debut season averaged 22 disposals and kicked 16 goals. Whose game enough to rule out Petracca reaching similar heights?

None of our first year players may reach this level, but there's no way you can discount them doing so.

If you have the big frame to compete against men, you give yourself a fighting chance.

Well said P-man!

A couple more examples are "Boy Wonder" aka J. Selwood, and Toby Greene who averaged 28.4 disposals and 4 tackles per game in his first year.

MOST A grade midfielders "breakout" somewhere within their first 4 years along with many glimpses of brilliance prior.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Not necessarily.

Look no further than that old chestnut in Ollie Wines. Exploded in his first year. After his second year he is now listed by potential draftees as someone to look up to and base their game around. He was a manchild, just like Brayshaw and Petracca.

Miles at Richmond. Admittedly in his third year but had only played 10 games at GWS before he arrived at the Tigers and dragged them into the finals.

Bontempelli was a first year sensation who quite literally won games off his own boot. He didn't need years in the system to have an impact or provide a strong indication as to where he sits on the spectrum.

O'Meara in his debut season averaged 22 disposals and kicked 16 goals. Whose game enough to rule out Petracca reaching similar heights?

None of our first year players may reach this level, but there's no way you can discount them doing so.

If you have the big frame to compete against men, you give yourself a fighting chance.

Players who make a major contribution in their first year, that is consistently, are the exception.

Hopefully we are due for an exception, but I agree with RPFC, we shouldn't be expecting it.

What I am expecting is for some meaningful contributions from players in the 2-5 year bracket.

In other words accept the exception but don't be expectational of the exceptional.

Edited November 30, 2014 by jabberwocky

[chook fowler 19,304]

The recruiters have done as good a job as they could possibly do. it's over to the development team now.

No more excuses.

[P-man 13,366]

accept the exception but don't be expectational of the exceptional.

Mate, is this an original? Sig worthy stuff