Personally, I'd say we can lock in with some serious certainty for 2 years' time:

FB: Jetta McDonald BLANK

HB: Salem BLANK BLANK

C: BLANK Brayshaw Vince

HF: Watts BLANK Petracca

FF: BLANK Hogan BLANK

R: BLANK Jones Viney

I: Tyson Neal-Bullen Toumpas BLANK

That's a lot more than I'd have been willing to lock in of recent times.

Personally, I'd say we can lock in with some serious certainty for 2 years' time:

FB: Jetta McDonald BLANK

HB: Salem BLANK BLANK

C: BLANK Brayshaw Vince

HF: Watts BLANK Petracca

FF: BLANK Hogan BLANK

R: BLANK Jones Viney

I: Tyson Neal-Bullen Toumpas BLANK

That's a lot more than I'd have been willing to lock in of recent times.

I'd also lock in Garlett and possibly Kent and Vandenberg.

Also you don't think Lumumba and Dunn are part of our plans going forward?

Edited June 24, 201510 yr by DeeZee

The list is certainly better and having been appalling for the best part of a decade I understand the hyperbole.

On Roos and Neeld, both tried to alleviate the lack of experience at the club, both tried to have us play a more honest brand of footy based on a culture of ownership and accountability.

One was able to execute the plan better and command more respect and compliance.

Edited June 25, 201510 yr by jabberwocky

I'd like to win two in a row.....

I'd like to win two in a row.....

I keep seeing this and I understand the sentiment. I am not usually one that suffers from premature elation.

I don't want to get carried away either but there are good reasons why last week's win could be more significant than your usual four points.

On the forum somewhere someone mentioned that breakout games don't exist. Well they do, for individuals and for clubs.

When Roos was first appointed I believed that halfway through the second season we would start to see more, more than just foundations being laid, more than effort, more than glimpses of a plan. I expect to see some tangible results in the second half of the year and have some MFC players recognised for their efforts.

The lack of mids (or players in general) in that bracket down to our recruiting failures from 07-09. Riley and Trengove will both be 24 by next year, but neither is a sure thing to be regular contributors going forward. Hope Riley can show more as the season goes on, he has shown little flashes of what he might develop into. I think Cross should be given another year. He may not play every game next year, but I still think he could play an invaluable role (and play it well).

I agree that Frost is probably better as a key back, but feel the club views him as a forward option, at least for the time being. Think Plowman (if available) might be a very good fit if Garland goes. Has midfield potential as well.

Parish probably the dream result. Mathieson and Balic aren’t quite the quick runners we need, but more than happy with either in this draft. Clarke could jump up here and Minogue looks decent as a possible second rounder.

Agree. Schache probably won’t be around at our pick, and it gets a bit sketchy after that. McKay possibly the next best, but his value probably sits between where I’d imagine out first and second round picks would be. Smoky could be Charlie Curnow. Hopefully he gets a few games in at the back end of the year, rated pretty highly prior to injuring his kneecap. Can play midfield too.

Don’t expect any decent kpf’s to be available in trade, but hope we’ve at least put the question to Tom Lynch’s manager.

Wouldn't be bad, and probably wouldn't cost too much at this point in time.

I can assure you, the coaching staff have Frost marked as a long-term full back. This is from the mouth of one of said coaches as the end of the preseason games.

To top up our list, I'm still hoping we can target Coniglio, using Howe in some sort of deal.

Another player that I'd look at would be Bastinac from North. I say this as I noticed him playing reserves last week, so not sure if he's been out injured, or if he's not part of their regular 22. Any intel on this bloke would be appreciated so I can either highlight his name or cross it off my list.

Kent falls into the same category as Viney, Brayshaw & Hogan for mine.

I see him as untradable (unless it's too good to refuse) due not only to his ability, but his attitude. Kent along with the other three I've mentioned above are team culture changers. Competative, fierce and wont take a backwards step. The offer would have to be out of this world for me to be happy about trading him.

Dean is close to my favourite player. I just love the way he goes about it - tough, uncompromising and aggressive and he has deadly pace and a booming kick.

Just wish we saw him on the park more.

Edit: Great footage of Kent enforcing the law at about the 3.20 mark of this clip to the bottom right. Love it.

Edited June 25, 201510 yr by Django

What are our thoughts on either Mazunga from Freo and or Bastionac from North - both midfielders that cant break into there respective sides.

I think our prime target should be another high-quality mid in the 23-25 age bracket. Like Vince, but with us prepared to part with our first pick (or two) to claim him.

I think we have enough young midfield talent being developed and primed to come into the team with Brayshaw, Petracca, ANB, Stretch, Salem, Toumpas, Viney, Tyson, etc...

Would love to pick up a midfield version of Gartlett, slick and damaging.

I think our prime target should be another high-quality mid in the 23-25 age bracket. Like Vince, but with us prepared to part with our first pick (or two) to claim him.

I think we have enough young midfield talent being developed and primed to come into the team with Brayshaw, Petracca, ANB, Stretch, Salem, Toumpas, Viney, Tyson, etc...

Would love to pick up a midfield version of Gartlett, slick and damaging.

Agreed, Paul. But I think we'll go a little bit younger if possible. If we're giving up a first rounder, it'd be better if the age bracket was 21-23. It's almost not worth it otherwise.

I can assure you, the coaching staff have Frost marked as a long-term full back. This is from the mouth of one of said coaches as the end of the preseason games.

To top up our list, I'm still hoping we can target Coniglio, using Howe in some sort of deal.

Another player that I'd look at would be Bastinac from North. I say this as I noticed him playing reserves last week, so not sure if he's been out injured, or if he's not part of their regular 22. Any intel on this bloke would be appreciated so I can either highlight his name or cross it off my list.

Fair enough, I think that's his best position going forward.

Bastinac not injured, dropped. He seems to have stagnated at North. Coaches don't seem to be happy with aspects of his output, not sure if it's accountability and/or defensive running elements, but I note he was marginalised during North's finals campaign last year. Handy ball winner, might be available relatively cheaply.

Edited June 25, 201510 yr by ChaserJ

Fair enough, I think that's his best position going forward.

Bastinac not injured, dropped. He seems to have stagnated at North. Coaches don't seem to be happy with aspects of his output, not sure if it's accountability and/or defensive running elements, but I note he was marginalised during North's finals campaign last year. Handy ball winner, might ne available.

It's a no to Bastinac from me. Let's aim a it higher, especially as our currency as a destination should be a bit higher come season's end.

It's a no to Bastinac from me. Let's aim a it higher, especially as our currency as a destination should be a bit higher come season's end.

We've gone from palliative to critical but stable, hardly call it an attractive destination just yet.

I can assure you, the coaching staff have Frost marked as a long-term full back. This is from the mouth of one of said coaches as the end of the preseason games.

To top up our list, I'm still hoping we can target Coniglio, using Howe in some sort of deal.

Another player that I'd look at would be Bastinac from North. I say this as I noticed him playing reserves last week, so not sure if he's been out injured, or if he's not part of their regular 22. Any intel on this bloke would be appreciated so I can either highlight his name or cross it off my list.

What are our thoughts on either Mazunga from Freo and or Bastionac from North - both midfielders that cant break into there respective sides.

This might provide some light on Bastinac's (and North's) issues at the moment:

http://www.news.com.au/national/north-melbournes-season-is-on-the-precipice-and-much-of-the-blame-falls-on-the-midfield/story-e6frfkp9-1227391955195

Fitz could be the next Steph Martin. I think he is a keeper. Can play back & forward and a bit of ruck, could be a new prototype mobile tall.

There is absolutely no chance he is the next Martin.. He's no good.

This might provide some light on Bastinac's (and North's) issues at the moment:

http://www.news.com.au/national/north-melbournes-season-is-on-the-precipice-and-much-of-the-blame-falls-on-the-midfield/story-e6frfkp9-1227391955195

Excellent, he shouldn't cost us much then.

A preseason under Roos, Goodwin and McCartney and he'll be in Brownlow contention!

Many thought Bastinac was potentially as good as Scully after his TAC Grind Final performance, pre their draft selection. Would sign him up as he could definitely flourish with a few quality youngsters around him.

List is looking more competitive

Awesome? This is awesome!......

Personally, I'd say we can lock in with some serious certainty for 2 years' time:

FB: Jetta McDonald BLANK

HB: Salem BLANK BLANK

C: BLANK Brayshaw Vince

HF: Watts BLANK Petracca

FF: BLANK Hogan BLANK

R: BLANK Jones Viney

I: Tyson Neal-Bullen Toumpas BLANK

That's a lot more than I'd have been willing to lock in of recent times.

I'd also lock in Garlett and possibly Kent and Vandenberg.

Also you don't think Lumumba and Dunn are part of our plans going forward?

Agreed. Our leading 25 year old goal kicker, does't make the cut?

Vanders, one of our best mids this year doesn't either?

etc. etc.

hmmmmm

There is absolutely no chance he is the next Martin.. He's no good.

For a long time there seemed to be a consensus that Steph would never be the first Martin.