Nice article about Dec in the local paper 

https://imgur.com/gallery/4V19X

Thanks Drunkn167. Here's a link to the same story online which some people with older eyes (like me) might find easier to read.

http://m.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-02-10/china-southern-arrivals-declan-keilty

  On 10/02/2017 at 08:56, Drunkn167 said:

http://m.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-02-10/china-southern-arrivals-declan-keilty

Seems like a nice kid.

 

By the by Drunkn i went to the sessions today and on leaving at the end saw some people around dec, Do you have a nice new dees hat?

  On 10/02/2017 at 12:25, binman said:

Seems like a nice kid.

 

By the by Drunkn i went to the sessions today and on leaving at the end saw some people around dec, Do you have a nice new dees hat?

Yep that'd be me

  On 10/02/2017 at 13:56, Drunkn167 said:

Yep that'd be me

Nice hat. I notice red hair runs in the family.

On hats i was amazed they chose to set the merch tent up on the opposite side to where all the fans were and were always going to be given the heat. Marketing 101

I was going to buy a hat and thought bugger it.

  On 11/02/2017 at 01:53, binman said:

Nice hat. I notice red hair runs in the family.

On hats i was amazed they chose to set the merch tent up on the opposite side to where all the fans were and were always going to be given the heat. Marketing 101

I was going to buy a hat and thought bugger it.

I am sure Collingwoods sponsors would have loved to see AHG next to their paid for sponsorship signs around the ground, the tent was set up there for a reason       

i had a chat to Dec at Maroochydore. Feels super lucky to get the chance and was working very hard through the pre season. He said it was amazing all the support he has received. 

He will play mainly at Casey again but will cover if any of the Mcdonald bros goes down.

  On 11/02/2017 at 08:21, Satyriconhome said:

 

Do you think he's a chance of getting at least one game in the JLT Sports pre season comp?

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-02-14/keilty-puts-teammates-ahead-of-himself

A humble young man. 

Clearly wanted to be a Demon!  “If I had an option between every club, Melbourne would’ve always been number one for me – especially this year with the alignment and being in close quarters with them...It’s probably turned out the best, but I didn’t have much interest [in going to any other clubs] besides Melbourne.”

He will repay the faith shown in drafting him.  Hope he gets a chance at the seniors at some stage this year.

  On 13/02/2017 at 12:37, Pink Freud said:

Do you think he's a chance of getting at least one game in the JLT Sports pre season comp?

No idea on how Goodwin will approach this, there is a trip west involved as well, may use this as an opportunity to have a look at fringers, Declan's body shape has already changed and with the proper develooment now in place, you can see more improvement in him

  On 29/11/2016 at 10:42, rpfc said:

@45HG

What did u say 

Edited February 14, 20178 yr by don't make me angry

Get your Keilts on people! It may nearly be Declan Keilty time.

ROUND 1

Declan Keilty: He had 11 possessions, three tackles and 10 hit outs. He’s taken over our main ruck role, since Jake Spencer was promoted to the AFL. Declan’s made some real progress in that area of the game. He pushed forward and took some really good contested marks.

ROUND 2

Declan Keilty 2 goals 1 behinds 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 8 tackles 12 hit outs 86 dream team points 

  On 24/04/2017 at 23:27, MadAsHell said:

Get your Keilts on people! It may nearly be Declan Keilty time.

ROUND 1

Declan Keilty: He had 11 possessions, three tackles and 10 hit outs. He’s taken over our main ruck role, since Jake Spencer was promoted to the AFL. Declan’s made some real progress in that area of the game. He pushed forward and took some really good contested marks.

ROUND 2

Declan Keilty 2 goals 1 behinds 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 8 tackles 12 hit outs 86 dream team points 

As much as I would love for this more than anyone to happen, Dec isn't ready for the AFL yet. Maybe some better form during the year might get him a gig but he needs at least another preseason in him.

 

  On 24/04/2017 at 23:27, MadAsHell said:

Get your Keilts on people! It may nearly be Declan Keilty time.

ROUND 1

Declan Keilty: He had 11 possessions, three tackles and 10 hit outs. He’s taken over our main ruck role, since Jake Spencer was promoted to the AFL. Declan’s made some real progress in that area of the game. He pushed forward and took some really good contested marks.

ROUND 2

Declan Keilty 2 goals 1 behinds 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 8 tackles 12 hit outs 86 dream team points 

Forgot all about him.  Didnt know he was playing as ruck.

Must be a smokey to debut this week...  though he is just 194 cms, we may as well just go with Pedders in the ruck.

Edited April 25, 20177 yr by Petraccattack

He's not the answer as a fill in ruckman.

Won't happen.

Nothing against Keilty, but the fact that he's currently playing as first ruck for Casey makes a mockery of the couple of people who wanted to bring King in to the senior side.  Not even ready to be the chief ruck at Casey yet.  [Edit: that's from the round 1 report.  By the sounds of it, King was first ruck in round 2.]

Let's just leave our undeveloped rookies alone.  This isn't an issue they need to be concerned with.  We will have to make do with part timers until one of the big men recover.

  On 25/04/2017 at 09:25, Petraccattack said:

 

Forgot all about him.  Didnt know he was playing as ruck.

Must be a smokey to debut this week...  though he is just 194 cms, we may as well just go with Pedders in the ruck.

I reckon we should play them both. We're loosing two key position players, so bring 2 in with Keilty & Pedersen who can split ruck 50/50 given neither is a genuine ruckman in their own right.

This would then allow Watts to stay as a permanent forward with Hogan to help us out structure wise.

  On 25/04/2017 at 09:33, Nasher said:

Nothing against Keilty, but the fact that he's currently playing as first ruck for Casey makes a mockery of the couple of people who wanted to bring King in to the senior side.  Not even ready to be the chief ruck at Casey yet.  [Edit: that's from the round 1 report.  By the sounds of it, King was first ruck in round 2.]

Let's just leave our undeveloped rookies alone.  This isn't an issue they need to be concerned with.  We will have to make do with part timers until one of the big men recover.

I really like what he brings, and wouldn't at all be surprised if, when he's ready to step up to AFL, he makes a big impact. He was thrown into the ruck at Casey a few times last year and I was surprised how well he did, considering his height.

But he definitely shouldn't be pushed before he's ready.

  On 26/04/2017 at 08:25, Akum said:

I really like what he brings, and wouldn't at all be surprised if, when he's ready to step up to AFL, he makes a big impact. He was thrown into the ruck at Casey a few times last year and I was surprised how well he did, considering his height.

But he definitely shouldn't be pushed before he's ready.

Sorry but he will never be an option as a ruck at AFL level...his best chance really is in defence.

I know they've been using him forward and in the ruck at Casey but I think they are playing him out of position...

  On 26/04/2017 at 07:14, MadAsHell said:

I reckon we should play them both. We're loosing two key position players, so bring 2 in with Keilty & Pedersen who can split ruck 50/50 given neither is a genuine ruckman in their own right.

This would then allow Watts to stay as a permanent forward with Hogan to help us out structure wise.

This is my thinking too, if they play both Pedo and Dec to rotate through the ruck, it frees up Watts to stay up forward and have a formidable forward line with Hogan. 

But as I and others have said, he isn't quite ready for AFL yet and needs more developing, but you never know.

  On 26/04/2017 at 08:53, rjay said:

Sorry but he will never be an option as a ruck at AFL level...his best chance really is in defence.

I know they've been using him forward and in the ruck at Casey but I think they are playing him out of position...

We both agree that defence seems to be his most natural position. But I encourage everyone to check out the footage of VFL Round 2 last year when it was Collingwood v Casey at Olympic Park. Was on the club website at the time.

Keilty played the whole game in the ruck v Mason Cox, giving away about 15cm and 20+kg. I was really impressed at how well he competed in there.

He probably wont play. I just think he should.

  On 26/04/2017 at 12:16, MadAsHell said:

We both agree that defence seems to be his most natural position. But I encourage everyone to check out the footage of VFL Round 2 last year when it was Collingwood v Casey at Olympic Park. Was on the club website at the time.

Keilty played the whole game in the ruck v Mason Cox, giving away about 15cm and 20+kg. I was really impressed at how well he competed in there.

He probably wont play. I just think he should.

Mason Cox has size but no football IQ 'MadAsHell'....Keilty would get smashed by any half reasonable AFL ruckman and that's not running him down it's just he would be outsized and outclassed by a player also more experienced in the position...

For his own career sake I hope they give him a couple of seasons to develop, recruit the right players and allow Dec to go back and see if he can make it as a defender.

Edited April 26, 20177 yr by rjay

Dec and Dion Jonhstone spent the weekend up in the NT doing community work, a good write up on their experience 

http://melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-05-27/dion-and-declans-excellent-adventure

Nice pic of Dec, got a decent write up too