How do you see the 2015 team?

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

So Jordie has played his last game then??

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

Really need to start exploring other options for our bank flanks. Whilst The Prince may at times be on one would like to see someone with better disposal than Grimes given a go.

[Brian Wilson 331]

I don't expect the new draftees to play much this year. I hope to see them in small doses.

So in the spirit of draft-bred exuberance, here is my 2016 team:

FB: Jetta Frost Dunn

HB: Lumumba McDonald Grimes

C: Watts Jones Toumpas

HF: Salem Dawes Vince

FF: Garlett Hogan Petracca

Foll: Gawn Tyson Viney

Int: Scintillating-Recruit, Howe, Brayshaw, JKH

Emergency: Shrewd-Acquisition, Stretch, Trengove

2015 Draft Picks 18, 36 and 54

[Its Time for Another 4,288]

I've got a question for everyone. Where is the speed going to come from. Other than Garlett and I guess bursts from Heritier it's not a fast list and we haven't drafted in speed.

The team Roosy assembled at the Swans wasn't a fast team either. He seems to be much more interested in big bodied midfielders than fast ones. This leads to a team needing to be more defensive because it doesn't have the burst speed on the rebound. Thus ultra defensive Swans teams.

Swans were transformed after he left with the speed of Lewis Jetta and Rohan before and after injury.

It's an interesting one. The AFL are doing everything they can to slow the game down and make it more contested so maybe speed isn't as important. But if they revert back to a 4 man bench and do away with the sub which Roosy amongst others has been crying out for then speed or lack of it might become an issue.

I guess one of the answers is that endurance is more important than speed. Think Dan Hannebury who isn't particularly fast but can gut run from one end of the field to the other and break a game open with his run rather than speed.

Neal Bullen has elite endurance and so does the Toump. So maybe that will compensate for lack of speed.

What do people think. I would dearly love to see a more attacking performance next year compared to this year. I'm sure we will but speed brings that exciting X factor.

[P-man 13,366]

I've got a question for everyone. Where is the speed going to come from. Other than Garlett and I guess bursts from Heritier it's not a fast list and we haven't drafted in speed.

The team Roosy assembled at the Swans wasn't a fast team either. He seems to be much more interested in big bodied midfielders than fast ones. This leads to a team needing to be more defensive because it doesn't have the burst speed on the rebound. Thus ultra defensive Swans teams.

Swans were transformed after he left with the speed of Lewis Jetta and Rohan before and after injury.

It's an interesting one. The AFL are doing everything they can to slow the game down and make it more contested so maybe speed isn't as important. But if they revert back to a 4 man bench and do away with the sub which Roosy amongst others has been crying out for then speed or lack of it might become an issue.

I guess one of the answers is that endurance is more important than speed. Think Dan Hannebury who isn't particularly fast but can gut run from one end of the field to the other and break a game open with his run rather than speed.

Neal Bullen has elite endurance and so does the Toump. So maybe that will compensate for lack of speed.

What do people think. I would dearly love to see a more attacking performance next year compared to this year. I'm sure we will but speed brings that exciting X factor.

Both Stretch and Toumpas were known for their pace and skill as juniors. In time, and at full fitness, those are two players we will look towards to provide some speed on the outside.

[beelzebub 23,383]

A lot is made of speed and certainly its a bonus but there's a quality I like to see a bit more also and that tackle braking core strength whereby players are able to shrug off opposition and make a little time for themselves and them make a quality decisive movement ( kick, hand pass whatever)

This often results in the ball moving effectively and quickly. This is what ppl think speed is on occasions...its the ball moving quickly...not always the players....just saying

[P-man 13,366]

Petracca is also no turtle. In fact his explosive speed is one of his most hyped attributes. I think we'll be fine on that front.

As bb said, speed of ball movement is the greater issue. Quick and smart decison-makers. It looks like we've picked up a couple of those.

Edited November 28, 2014 by P-man

[Wunders 397]

Also, (even though i said it can't be correct) all the articles said Brayshaw is 2.81secs over 20 m, which makes him the fastest guy on our list and in the top 5 on all lists. Combined with petracca who is also fast, i would say we have drafted speed in this draft then (if that is correct lol).

[DemonWheels 1,086]

Both Stretch and Toumpas were known for their pace and skill as juniors. In time, and at full fitness, those are two players we will look towards to provide some speed on the outside.

Agreed - I keep going back to Toumpas's game footage pre hip surgery and he's very quick - virtually gliding across the turf on the wing and flanks. If he can get back to that which I think he will - we'll be in a good place. I'd also add Kent to that group who showed brilliant pace throughout the games he played this year - all going well he should have an even better year in 2015.

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

Bit of Judd about petracca imo

[beelzebub 23,383]

How do I see the team ?

Watching Melbourne's progress or lack thereof has been like viewing a lesson in Anthropology. It's been about seeing a link missing and we didnt know how to overcome this gap.

Im impressed with how the club how been going about re-inventing the team. it realised there was actually if not a nucleus of a team there were fragments upon which one could be built.

A few and lone hands cant muster to the job, not week in week out . The list has been attended to. No one is suggesting it's perfect, but it now seems a useful list without too many glaring faults. It can and will be refined as ability permits but those missing links have been , imho, filled.

There is now a semblance of a capable team. The new kids wont be asked to carry the torch nor raise the flag . They will only be asked to grow into the job.

How do I see the team....potentially quite competitive.

[Wells 11 5,422]

Bit of Judd about petracca imo

I see more a Darren Jarman or even a Jobe watson

[ILLDieADemon 804]

So Jordie has played his last game then??

Is that guy still on our list?

He will be a solid player for Casey next season.

[Roger Mellie 4,103]

We've got Hunt coming through too - he'd be the fastest on our list.

[Uncle Fester 2,848]

Is that guy still on our list?

That guy? The one that shut down Gaz jnr so well the GC whined to the AFL?

Is that the guy you meant?

[DeeSpencer 26,082]

I've got a question for everyone. Where is the speed going to come from. Other than Garlett and I guess bursts from Heritier it's not a fast list and we haven't drafted in speed.

It's probably still a concern from the list in general. But hard running and skills create fast ball movement. Geelong 07 were the kings of it. Not too many quick players but played very fast.

JKH and Garlett are obviously some nimble small forwards. Kent is super quick. Salem has a good burst and certainly has fast skills. Petracca has straight line power that moves the ball on. I think that group there is enough for the forward line and somewhat for the midfield rotations. Particularly if Brayshaw and Petracca can go in to the midfield and play with some burst.

In terms of the starting outside midfielders and half back it's probably more a wait and see at this stage. There isn't a definitive line breaker besides Lumumba. Stretch and Toumpas aren't lightning but link up very well and run all day. Long term they should be part of the solution. We know Matt Jones isn't the worst of all time for a bit of depth. Howe can certainly run and link up if he's not forward he'll be important. If Grimes gets back to form he might not be blistering but he can run and carry. We know Jayden Hunt has speed, obviously we need to see him play more.

The enigma is probably still Jack Watts. He's the other quick wingman we could have really step it up.

[old dee 23,872]

That guy? The one that shut down Gaz jnr so well the GC whined to the AFL?

Is that the guy you meant?

Yep and next season could easily be his last at the MFC

I have said for some time that when he cannot get a game we will know we have improved.

2015 will be interesting on a number of fronts.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Did Newton just go from being depth at Port to depth at Melbourne? Where does he fit in if we have Neal-Buleen, Brayshaw, Riley or eventually Trengove up and running?

[Sylvinator1 3]

Post draft Best 22:

Garland Frost Dunn

Grimes McDonald Lumumba

Watts Jones Vince

Kent Hogan Howe

Garlett Dawes JKH

Jamar Tyson Viney

Int: Brayshaw, Petracca, Salem, Gawn

Reserves 22:

Jetta xxxxx Terlich

Neil-Bullen O McDonald Bail

Cross Matt Jones McKenzie

Michie Pederson Newton

Stretch Fitzpatrick xxxx

Spenser Toumpas Riley

Int: Trengove (Injuried), Hunt, Harmes, King

Summary of outside our best 22:

- Depth mids: Matt Jones, Cross, Riley, Newton, Miche, McKenzie, Trengove (injured)

- Developing mids: Toumpas (has the talent to be best 22 next year if he can take the next step), Stretch, Neil-Bullen, Hunt, Harmes

- Depth flankers: Jetta (the most unlucky outside the best 22), Bail, Terlich

- Depth talls: Pederson, Spenser, Fitzpatrick

- Devleoping talls: O McDonald, King

A couple of musings:

- I think this shows that we have (absolutely rightly) really stocked up well the last 2 years on our midfield. We had a bit of luck with 3 high quality midfielders in this draft off the back of Tyson and Salem last year, but we deserve a bit of luck after the last 8 years. We now have lots of talent coming through and even some of our depth are young with scope for improvement (ie Riley, Newton, Michie). We did have the worst midfield in the league 2 years ago, but now there is some hope.

- Super happy we picked up O McDonald and Frost this off-season, 2 young big, tall, agile KP defenders at 194cm+ to have developing is important. Were it not for these 2, it would be a big hole in our list. 2 very good off-season moves. The Frost trade in retrospect looks a massive winner, GWS picked a speculative kid at pick 23 in Patrick McKenna, who most predicted was a 30-50 range pick, and in return we got Frost, Neil-Bullen and O McDonald

- there's still plenty of dead-wood on the list (Bail, Terlich, Fitzpatrick, McKenzie), but not as much as in past years

For next off-season, looking at our best 22/reserves 22, I think we definitely need:

- another high quality big key forward to help Hogan. It's is a big hole in the list. Pederson and Dawes are stop-gap, but this is where Mitch Clark hurts. We don't even have any KP forwards developing either and getting quality key forwards onto a list is only getting tougher. Unfortunately a lot is resting on the shoulders of a kid who hasn't played a game;

- a ruckman to replace Jamar when he retires (Gawn is not a lock to become a great ruckman and has injury issues, although there's still hope and Spenser is only mediocre backup). Luckily, ruckman are usually not too hard to pick up through trade or free agency. Most clubs have 3-4 ruckman and if you're the backup and see an opportunity to be the number 1, I don't think it would be too hard to entice someone across to replace Jamar;

- some more class and creative drive off half-back. Lumumba is a step in the right direction, but it's still a weakness. Almost every one of our current defenders lack polish with their disposal and lacks real drive and creativity. They know how to defend, but the modern game requires class off half-back. Unfortunately the best ones are hard to come by.

[Guest]

Post draft Best 22:

Garland Frost Dunn

Grimes McDonald Lumumba

Watts Jones Vince

Kent Hogan Howe

Garlett Dawes JKH

Jamar Tyson Viney

Int: Brayshaw, Petracca, Salem, Gawn

Reserves 22:

Jetta xxxxx Terlich

Neil-Bullen O McDonald Bail

Cross Matt Jones McKenzie

Michie [Pedersen] Newton

Stretch Fitzpatrick xxxx

Spenser Toumpas Riley

Int: Trengove (Injuried), Hunt, Harmes, King

Summary of outside our best 22:

- Depth mids: Matt Jones, Cross, Riley, Newton, Miche, McKenzie, Trengove (injured)

- Developing mids: Toumpas (has the talent to be best 22 next year if he can take the next step), Stretch, Neil-Bullen, Hunt, Harmes

- Depth flankers: Jetta (the most unlucky outside the best 22), Bail, Terlich

- Depth talls: [Pedersen], Spenser, Fitzpatrick

- Devleoping talls: O McDonald, King

A couple of musings:

- I think this shows that we have (absolutely rightly) really stocked up well the last 2 years on our midfield. We had a bit of luck with 3 high quality midfielders in this draft off the back of Tyson and Salem last year, but we deserve a bit of luck after the last 8 years. We now have lots of talent coming through and even some of our depth are young with scope for improvement (ie Riley, Newton, Michie). We did have the worst midfield in the league 2 years ago, but now there is some hope.

- Super happy we picked up O McDonald and Frost this off-season, 2 young big, tall, agile KP defenders at 194cm+ to have developing is important. Were it not for these 2, it would be a big hole in our list. 2 very good off-season moves. The Frost trade in retrospect looks a massive winner, GWS picked a speculative kid at pick 23 in Patrick McKenna, who most predicted was a 30-50 range pick, and in return we got Frost, Neil-Bullen and O McDonald

- there's still plenty of dead-wood on the list (Bail, Terlich, Fitzpatrick, McKenzie), but not as much as in past years

For next off-season, looking at our best 22/reserves 22, I think we definitely need:

- another high quality big key forward to help Hogan. It's is a big hole in the list. [Pedersen] and Dawes are stop-gap, but this is where Mitch Clark hurts. We don't even have any KP forwards developing either and getting quality key forwards onto a list is only getting tougher. Unfortunately a lot is resting on the shoulders of a kid who hasn't played a game;

- a ruckman to replace Jamar when he retires (Gawn is not a lock to become a great ruckman and has injury issues, although there's still hope and Spenser is only mediocre backup). Luckily, ruckman are usually not too hard to pick up through trade or free agency. Most clubs have 3-4 ruckman and if you're the backup and see an opportunity to be the number 1, I don't think it would be too hard to entice someone across to replace Jamar;

- some more class and creative drive off half-back. Lumumba is a step in the right direction, but it's still a weakness. Almost every one of our current defenders lack polish with their disposal and lacks real drive and creativity. They know how to defend, but the modern game requires class off half-back. Unfortunately the best ones are hard to come by.

I'd take Jetta over Grimes every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

[P-man 13,366]

Did Newton just go from being depth at Port to depth at Melbourne? Where does he fit in if we have Neal-Buleen, Brayshaw, Riley or eventually Trengove up and running?

He'll get more opportunities this season than he would at Port, but he'd want to perform to a high standard...

[What 18,810]

Did Newton just go from being depth at Port to depth at Melbourne? Where does he fit in if we have Neal-Buleen, Brayshaw, Riley or eventually Trengove up and running?

Not sure but we need depth more than anything, so Im not complaining

[Slartibartfast 17,628]

Not sure but we need depth more than anything, so Im not complaining

We don't need depth. We need some players to become elite.

[rjay 25,091]

Not sure but we need depth more than anything, so Im not complaining

We don't need depth. We need some players to become elite.

Pretty much all we've had is depth 'hh', agree with 'Bob' here. We need A graders, Jones is close, Tyson is well on the way and hopefully a few will make the transition.

At the moment I would think Newton is ahead of the new recruits and some of the older kids in JKH, Kent and maybe Salem. Training and preseason form will be important.

[rpfc 28,779]

Did Newton just go from being depth at Port to depth at Melbourne? Where does he fit in if we have Neal-Buleen, Brayshaw, Riley or eventually Trengove up and running?

The top 10 mids at the Demons would be nowhere near the top 10 mids at Port.

I think that Newton would back himself to win a spot in our rotation...

1. N Jones

2. Tyson

3. Vince

4. Cross

5. Viney

From there it is M Jones, Bail, Michie, Riley, Toumpas, Trengove, McKenzie, Kent (Fwd?), JKH, Salem, Petracca, Brayshaw, Neal-Bullen, and Stretch. Some limited players and a bunch of kids.

Newton should back himself to play a few games...