HS List analysis by Gary Buckenara

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Melbourne list analysis: Demons will play finals soon says Gary Buckenara

"CRYSTAL BALL

Melbourne has definitely made some improvements. There weren’t as many of those big losses in 2015 as there have been in recent seasons and the Demons under Paul Roos are definitely more competitive. They even had a surprise win or two against teams like Geelong and Collingwood, which is a very promising sign.

Given the rebuild has taken so long and stalled for a year or two until Roosy came on board, can fans be confident they will get there with these young players? Yes, they can.

I don’t think the list is there yet in terms of challenging for a premiership, but I suspect in two years they should be knocking on the door of the eight and playing finals.

Having said that, a lot depends on player development and which experienced players they bring via trading.

Melbourne needs to decide whether it will be a premiership team or just a team that is competitive and makes finals, but doesn’t really challenge. That’s going to be the big question mark."

[Chris 2,892]

Bit harsh on Kent and telling the development team to lift their socks, they have done well in the 2 years they have been there. Otherwise I thought it was pretty much right.

[AllMyTeamsAreWank 564]

Not sure how closely this guy has actually watched us, given that the way he speaks about Dawes, Kent, Terlich and ANB. I do think that it gives us an idea that public is starting to take us a bit more seriously and we're not viewed as a total basket case.

We definitely need some speed and outside run. We looked painfully slow so many times this year. I'm hoping with another a pre-season under the belts of our young players in Harmes, Stretch, Michie & Kent we will start to see some real speed on the outside. Petracca could also prove to be a target up forward and it will be nice having Pederson back on the park.

I'm tipping us to finish 10th this season only just missing out on the 8.

[DeeSpencer 24,790]

Yeah not much point bagging the development team when we've just bought in McCartney.

And he's way off the mark with Kent. Who does have to lift in certain areas but is a great talent.

He's right on:

the need for outside speed and skill

the need for extra developmental rucks/forwards

the need to bring in the right experienced players at the right time

[rpfc 28,052]

There is a minute and a half I won't get back...

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

It seems like he's based his judgements purely off players reputations in the media. Doesn't seem to know what he's talking about.

[Gorgoroth 12,712]

Good article. Can we sign him up? Get him to the club to help develop the list.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

What a tool.

[Gorgoroth 12,712]

What a tool.

Ok, I'm bored, I'll bite.

Why?

[chook fowler 19,266]

Yeah not much point bagging the development team when we've just bought in McCartney.

And he's way off the mark with Kent. Who does have to lift in certain areas but is a great talent.

He's right on:

the need for outside speed and skill

the need for extra developmental rucks/forwards

the need to bring in the right experienced players at the right time

I also thought Michie showed something in the last few games. Further development and confidence could bring him on quite nicely.

[P-man 13,366]

Places Kent in the same basket as Jones, Terlich and Spencer, labels Toumpas a good runner, and Stretch a poor user of the footy.

Thanks Gary. Fabulous insight.

[jnrmac 19,905]

His Watts analysis is spot on.

Saying Stretch has disposal issues is a bit bizarre.

[reynolds46 1,065]

his comments re: Melksham seem consistent with a lot of us on demonland

[Tough Kent 2,118]

Billy Stretch not a great ball-user?? His decision making and execution really impressed me this year.

[rjay 24,616]

I know there are a lot of Kent lovers here but Bucky is right, he needs to step up next season.

So far he shows some talent but that's not enough if we want to be a serious football team.

Yes, he's had injury problems. Can he overcome them? Next season is very important for Kent.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

People who question Kent remind me of the people who questioned Gawn early last year.

[MadAsHell 4,209]

This guy is so far off the mark with Stretch & Kent that he couldn't kick a goal from 55m out directly in front with a 15m penalty!

Oh wait.....

[Watts Jurrah Dunn? 735]

People just won't hear a bad word about Melbourne players.

Kent has done bugger all in AFL footy. He's been on the list 3 years and has played less than 5 really good games. He's had far more 8 possession, irrelevant matches than he has had good ones. I don't have him in the Terlich category, and I know his left foot looks a million bucks, but he absolutely needs to pull his finger out.

I would love to know why we haven't been mentioned at all for Seedsman or Freeman who offer that line-breaking pace we so desperately need.

[Chris 2,892]

People just won't hear a bad word about Melbourne players.

Kent has done bugger all in AFL footy. He's been on the list 3 years and has played less than 5 really good games. He's had far more 8 possession, irrelevant matches than he has had good ones. I don't have him in the Terlich category, and I know his left foot looks a million bucks, but he absolutely needs to pull his finger out.

I would love to know why we haven't been mentioned at all for Seedsman or Freeman who offer that line-breaking pace we so desperately need.

Kent was playing some good footy this year before being injured. He appeared to have turned the corner and started to believe. That is why people rate him. If you look at the two years prior then you are right he needs to lift, the point is though that he was lifting.

[Sir Why You Little 36,670]

Can't believe i am reading an article by Gary Buckenara. He who broke my heart in '87

But he is pretty right.

Chris Dawes is my worry. Love the bloke. But can his body take another year of AFL

We must have him kicking 2-3 goals a game to help the Colonel

[ManDee 7,124]

Can't believe i am reading an article by Gary Buckenara. He who broke my heart in '87

But he is pretty right.

Chris Dawes is my worry. Love the bloke. But can his body take another year of AFL

We must have him kicking 2-3 goals a game to help the Colonel

Edited October 15, 2015 by ManDee

[Watts Jurrah Dunn? 735]

Kent was playing some good footy this year before being injured. He appeared to have turned the corner and started to believe. That is why people rate him. If you look at the two years prior then you are right he needs to lift, the point is though that he was lifting.

Absolutely. And I think Kent will make it. But he needs to get a tank and stay in matches for longer. When you're a 5 ft 9 flanker you don't have too many opportunities, so next year, his 4th on the list, is a make or break year for him.

[Bay Riffin 1,454]

People just won't hear a bad word about Melbourne players.

Kent has done bugger all in AFL footy. He's been on the list 3 years and has played less than 5 really good games. He's had far more 8 possession, irrelevant matches than he has had good ones. I don't have him in the Terlich category, and I know his left foot looks a million bucks, but he absolutely needs to pull his finger out.

I would love to know why we haven't been mentioned at all for Seedsman or Freeman who offer that line-breaking pace we so desperately need.

Think your wrong on Kent. If you base it on possessions, then Salem last year had done 'bugger all" but you could see he had it. Kent has pace, foot skills and mongrel. he has the attributes to be a line breaking half forward/midfielder. something we are desperate for. just need to get his body right.

[boydie 655]

Kent was playing some good footy this year before being injured. He appeared to have turned the corner and started to believe. That is why people rate him. If you look at the two years prior then you are right he needs to lift, the point is though that he was lifting.

I think Kent has talent but I also agree that he does need to show more, no doubt injuries are a factor with consistency but if his body cant stay fit then we cant keep hanging on to him.

I also wouldn't consider in the 3 games he played before being injured in round 4 that averaging 12 disposals, 1.3 tackles and kicking less than a goal a game is good footy. For someone who is meant to be applying pressure in the forward line, 2 tackles a game is on par with Jack Watts.

[H_T 3,032]

Interesting comments on the pursuit of Melksham and Kennedy from Gary.