Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

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.

  • Like 1
Posted

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.

  • Like 1
Posted

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.

  • Like 1

Posted (edited)

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 by beelzebub
Posted

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?

  • Like 1
Posted

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.

  • Like 2

Posted

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.

  • Like 6
Posted

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.

Posted

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.

  • Like 1
Posted

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".
Posted

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.

Posted

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.

  • Like 2
Posted

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


Posted

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

what about them all together next year ....

Posted

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...

Posted (edited)

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 by P-man
  • Like 5
Posted

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.

  • Like 2
Posted (edited)

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 by jabberwocky
  • Like 4

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  

    2024 Player Reviews: #15 Ed Langdon

    The Demon running machine came back with a vengeance after a leaner than usual year in 2023.  Date of Birth: 1 February 1996 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 22 Career Total: 179 Goals MFC 2024: 9 Career Total: 76 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5 Melbourne Football Club: 5th Best & Fairest: 352 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 6

    2024 Player Reviews: #24 Trent Rivers

    The premiership defender had his best year yet as he was given the opportunity to move into the midfield and made a good fist of it. Date of Birth: 30 July 2001 Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 100 Goals MFC 2024: 2 Career Total:  9 Brownlow Medal Votes: 7 Melbourne Football Club: 6th Best & Fairest: 350 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 2

    TRAINING: Monday 11th November 2024

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin, Slartibartfast & Demon Wheels were on hand at Gosch's Paddock to kick off the official first training session for the 1st to 4th year players with a few elder statesmen in attendance as well. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning. Joy all round, they look like they want to be there.  21 in the squad. Looks like the leadership group is TMac, Viney Chandler and Petty. They look like they have sli

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    2024 Player Reviews: #1 Steven May

    The years are rolling by but May continued to be rock solid in a key defensive position despite some injury concerns. He showed great resilience in coming back from a nasty rib injury and is expected to continue in that role for another couple of seasons. Date of Birth: 10 January 1992 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2024: 19 Career Total: 235 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 24 Melbourne Football Club: 9th Best & Fairest: 316 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons

    2024 Player Reviews: #4 Judd McVee

    It was another strong season from McVee who spent most of his time mainly at half back but he also looked at home on a few occasions when he was moved into the midfield. There could be more of that in 2025. Date of Birth: 7 August 2003 Height: 185cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 48 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 1 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1 Melbourne Football Club: 7th Best & Fairest: 347 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #31 Bayley Fritsch

    Once again the club’s top goal scorer but he had a few uncharacteristic flat spots during the season and the club will be looking for much better from him in 2025. Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 149 Goals MFC 2024: 41 Career Total: 252 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 9

    2024 Player Reviews: #18 Jake Melksham

    After sustaining a torn ACL in the final match of the 2023 season Jake added a bit to the attack late in the 2024 season upon his return. He has re-signed on to the Demons for 1 more season in 2025. Date of Birth: 12 August 1991 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 229 Goals MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 188

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7

    2024 Player Reviews: #3 Christian Salem

    The luckless Salem suffered a hamstring injury against the Lions early in the season and, after missing a number of games, he was never at his best. He was also inconvenienced by minor niggles later in the season. This was a blow for the club that sorely needed him to fill gaps in the midfield at times as well as to do his best work in defence. Date of Birth: 15 July 1995 Height: 184cm Games MFC 2024: 17 Career Total: 176 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 26 Brownlow Meda

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 8

    2024 Player Reviews: #39 Koltyn Tholstrop

    The first round draft pick at #13 from twelve months ago the strongly built medium forward has had an impressive introduction to AFL football and is expected to spend more midfield moments as his career progresses. Date of Birth: 25 July 2005 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 10 Goals MFC 2024: 5 Career Total: 5 Games CDFC 2024: 7 Goals CDFC 2024: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 9
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...