WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - MITCHELL KING

[Tough Kent 2,137]

I disagree that the players listed are 3rd rate options, and are superior to Spencer who's still on our list. You would have said the same thing about Jonathon Ceglar 2 years ago.

Spencer is no worse than those players you mentioned. I'd rather show some faith in a kid with potential than those who have shown little in five years on an AFL list. We'll have to agree to disagree.

[durango 2,005]

From the limited vision of this player he is a true tap ruckman and has the ability to run both ways which is a trait that will put him in good stead. I believe he will in time be the second best ruckman behind Gawn at the MFC?

[Mach5 4,767]

I disagree that the players listed are 3rd rate options, and are superior to Spencer who's still on our list. You would have said the same thing about Jonathon Ceglar 2 years ago.

Yeah, not sure that's exactly true, just because you've never heard of them...

[Deecisive 1,709]

if this guys can take a mark and kick straight then their is no reason we cannot play him either forward or back until he gets up more bulk and experience to ruck. We are all hoping that we can snaffle a bargain and maybe our two late picks are just that, players who have slipped under the radar.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

The time was probably right to draft another ruckman, and I know nothing about Mitch King, but I must admit, it's hard to get excited about an 18 year old ruckman that will take years to develop.

[old55 23,402]

If he develops into a real ruckman (1st ruck in the team) in 5-6 years time, and Gawn is still our no.1 ruckman, he'll look elsewhere for a 1st ruck gig. Smith, Currie or Gorringe were the perfect solution for our list.

Gee if that happened the we might even be forced to trade him for a first rounder! The horror!

[#11-TonyAnderson 765]

Out of three ruckmen we have two Kings and two Max's.

Not so many Jack's now!

[whatwhat say what 22,700]

his tap work looks good and his skillset looks not entirely awful.

[boydie 655]

Gee if that happened the we might even be forced to trade him for a first rounder! The horror!

Not theses days! Someone may offer a first rounder but no doubt the player would have already nominated their preferred club which will offer a 3rd rounder/fringe player.

[DeeSpencer 25,477]

My thoughts exactly. Zac Smith cost 2 x 3rd rounders. Daniel Currie 1 x 3rd rounder. Gorringe was there for nothing.

I don't understand this pick.

Currie and Gorringe look like they are half way out of the AFL. I don't like their long term prospects.

The opportunity cost of taking one of those types on is you are very unlikely to get the next Goldstein or Sam Jacobs. Developing your own might be a 1 in 30 chance of a player that good but at least you are in with a chance!

Zac Smith is slightly different. He has a chance to become legitimately good. But he did cost twice as much as Mitch King, and would've been more if Gold Coast had any bargaining power. Plus he lost his physicality and needs to find it again.

Next year we can swap Spencer out for a mature back up like a Curry or Gorringe all the while Mitch King will be finished year 1 of the 5 year process.

By the way a lot of rucks took 5+ years to become consistently good but still played the odd decent game when given a chance early. They often just can't compete against the leagues 5 or so elite ruckman or play out a long string of games, but that's true for most positions.

[dazzledavey36 54,285]

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/3517640/demons-tall-order-a-shock-for-bushranger/?cs=10

[DeeSpencer 25,477]

He played 11 games and was in the best 8 times. That's a great sign.

Seems one of those players who will make others better by doing all the little things. Was in Murray's leadership group as well.

[KingDingAling 3,752]

his tap work looks good and his skillset looks not entirely awful.

His tap work is exceptional. I've watched his highlights a handful of times now. He is actually quite agile. But what a smart ruck man. Another player we drafted to come back off of a set back - did an ACL last year. We seemed to of placed a premium on resilence - which is exactly what this club needs. Players who refuse to give up after major setbacks.

[Demon Disciple 12,067]

200cm and 91kg ruckman. He will take quite a while to develop (as is normally the case for ruckman).

Gawn is only just starting to announce himself after 6 seasons (admittedly he has had some injuries that have held him back).

Would expect a similar time-frame for King to develop into something worthwhile, if he is able to make something of an AFL career.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

I don't know much about Mitch's history in juniors, but to me he looks like he grew up playing as a midfielder and then had a later growth spurt....a bit like Troy Simmonds did from memory.

[Return to Glory 8,412]

his tap work looks good and his skillset looks not entirely awful.

I looked at the clips too DA and I thought his tap work looked a little too like round house swings (don't mean to be a wet blanket here but to me it stood out). Thought he moved around the ground ok though and, as others have mentioned, looks like a competitor. I do agree KDA with your comments about returning from setbacks.

Edited November 25, 2015 by Return to Glory

[olisik 4,060]

Our pick came right at that point that the talent tapered off. 3-5 picks off Bonner Balic and Mathieson hurts.

[Return to Glory 8,412]

Our pick came right at that point that the talent tapered off. 3-5 picks off Bonner Balic and Mathieson hurts.

Agree there Olisik. Once Bonner went, it had that feel about it too. Still, we have our back up ruckman but I would have loved a steal - as you say.

[mo64 5,853]

Our pick came right at that point that the talent tapered off. 3-5 picks off Bonner Balic and Mathieson hurts.

I was hoping to pick up Hardwick who went 2 picks earlier.

[TheoX 1,222]

I don't know much about Mitch's history in juniors, but to me he looks like he grew up playing as a midfielder and then had a later growth spurt....a bit like Troy Simmonds did from memory.

GC's Tom Lynch did this too, would be nice if it goes the same way.

[DeeSpencer 25,477]

Our pick came right at that point that the talent tapered off. 3-5 picks off Bonner Balic and Mathieson hurts.

Punishment for the Melksham trade too early costing us points in the GWS deal.

That said, I would've only wanted Bonner and to a lesser extent Balic. Mathieson we don't need. I think we might've liked Brandon White. And Blake Hardwick to have been there for our second pick in the 40's.

Picking a ruckman prior to North's pick was probably a consideration for doing it first.

[junk 342]

Another good draft year,perhaps the new king is a surprise only time will tell.The MFC put their faith in Harmes and he proved his worth.Hunt will also be an asset if he can remain injury free. Not being a Spencer fan he and others will have to try harder to get into the seniors,no longer players get free passage.

[mauriesy 7,261]

Don't worry about Max and Mitch. We can just Mix and Match.

[hoopla 418]

We shouldn't necessarily put the 2 MKs in the same basket - they seem very different. Max is a forward first and a ruckman second. Whether he ever adds the weight he needs for both those roles is problematic. He has of work to do before he will be a competitive back-up ruckman - even if he develops sufficiently to be an effective tall forward.

From his highlight reel and everything we have read , Mitch is very much a ruckman- who might struggle to rest effectively on the forward line. If they both reach the potential the club sees in them - a very big IF - they would complement each other very well.

While Spencer has shown that he can compete at the centre- bounce in the AFL - I can't see him leading our rucks into the Top 8 if Big Maxie gets a long term injury. I afraid he is very much a "Frank Spencer" to me.Mitch figures in the Top 10 in a couple of Draft Combine categories- so he has some athleticism to go with ruck-work. I think the club's strategy in drafting was very logical.

I don't accept the Currie/ ZSmith option. I'm not sure Currie is good enough - and Zac Smith left the Suns because he didn't want to be backup ( for Nicholls). There will almost certainly be mature age options available next year if our ruck stocks prove a bit thin.

I wouldn't be unhappy if we rookie listed another young ruckman this year - although a really fast small forward ( Ballantyne, Puopolo,Betts) or outside runner would be nice. Leave it to Mr Taylor...

[JTR 2,846]

Don't worry about Max and Mitch. We can just Mix and Match.

I hate to reply to anything with just a LOL, but LOL!