Tim Smith in the 22 by the end of the year?

If he gets elevated prior to the season proper, I can see him lining up against St Kilda in round one (given that Pedo and Hannan have had interrupted pre-seasons and Weids might still be in the development zone).

 

Article on the MFC website: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-01-29/hard-work-pays-off-for-smith

I love this kind of story.  For all the kids out there who get plucked from school straight in to the AFL system, there's heaps of players kicking around who probably are good enough play, that have to go the longer and far more difficult road to get there.  If nothing else, you know he comes in knowing what hard work is, and that he won't take it for granted.  Additionally, the fact that he and Keilty have been selected from Casey in to Melbourne is a fantastic endorsement for the alliance, and a fantastic advertisement for Casey as a club.  It says to players at VFL level who want to pursue an AFL career: "come play for us; if you're good enough and work hard enough, we can give you a path in".  That has to attractive to good players.  

As far as how he'll go, I'll keep my expectations moderate.  I see him as competing with Pedersen in the short term for the 'second' tall forward role, and taking the pressure off Weideman to develop in the medium term. He's apparently tough and takes a good mark.  I see it as a very low risk selection - it has a low ceiling (I wouldn't expect much more than 'decent' player - he won't be the next Hogan), but no downside whatsoever, if it doesn't work out then we haven't sold the farm and we know he'll contribute at Casey level.

In quite a few games last season, Bull played better then most if not all of the Melbourne listed forwards in the VFL. If he gets a go in the JLT games, or even plays well enough in the Casey pre season games, expect to see him getting his debut early in the season.

 

For those that haven't met him, he is a super nice and respectful kinda guy, has worked his arse off to get where he is, and I think is more appreciative because of the hard work he has had to put into getting this opportunity. If any of the new recruits deserve senior games this season, it's definitely Bull (Even more then Keilty, who I am absolutely dieing for, hoping he gets a shot)

 

He might not become a superstar, but he is definitely the most entertaining player outside the AFL I have ever watched. His ability to take marks that shouldn't be possible and his attack on the ball as well as anyone with the ball is great to watch. If he gets a go and stays in good form, he will become a favourite of the Melbourne supporters, gaurenteed. 

Probably just depth but could be handy and get games this year and in to the future. Key forwards at AFL level are usually very good or in and out of the side, it's a hard balance to be a reliable 2nd or 3rd string option. Especially as he can't ruck and probably can't do much as a midfielder to add a second string to his bow.

In the VFL he has size and athleticism over most of his opponents. In the AFL that will mostly be the opposite. So to get a lot of the ball he'll have to working really and even be taking spectacular grabs.

What I do like about him though is that he'll hit the contest hard and his goal kicking seems really good. That's pretty much perfect for a back up forward.

Tim's best option is to be a stretch tall. If he can come in and play as a 4th tall/medium (similar to how Vanders played alot in 2016) behind Hogan, Watts and Weids then he has a real chance but if the club choses to go with a 3 forward setup I would think Weids will have a Oscar type year when it comes to AFL exposure making forward line spots pretty tight. 

Personally with Hogan playing as a CHF further up the ground, Watts in the ruck at times, Weids still pretty raw and CP5 spending longer stints in the midfield I think a forwardline with Tim could be very possible.

HF: Kent Hogan Watts
FF: Garlett Smith Weid 
Int: CP5 Brayshaw Salem

All guess work untill the JLT series... with the 26 a side or whatever it is early on I would be expecting him in the first round or 2 of that then we will get a better idea of his chances

 

Hoping he can be another Tory Dickson of at the very least Sam Lloyd from Richmond.

24 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Tim's best option is to be a stretch tall. If he can come in and play as a 4th tall/medium (similar to how Vanders played alot in 2016) behind Hogan, Watts and Weids then he has a real chance 

 

Exactly what i was thinking.

21 minutes ago, binman said:

Exactly what i was thinking.

I like the way adelaide's forwarline plays with the 4 talls Jenkins, McGovern, Tex and Lynch. Granted neither Garlett or Kent are going to come close to the level of Betts which has a huge influence on their ability to score but I still like the stucture.

I honestly believe anyone can make it onto an AFL list with the application, desire and heart. This is why Jack Viney is one of my favourite players. He isn't blessed with speed, height, or silky smooth skills but he makes up for the lack of things he can't control with the things he can. If Tim Smith wants to be best 22, he can. Just like any other player on our list. It just boils down to how BADLY you want that. 

 

47 minutes ago, juzzk1d said:

I honestly believe anyone can make it onto an AFL list with the application, desire and heart. This is why Jack Viney is one of my favourite players. He isn't blessed with speed, height, or silky smooth skills but he makes up for the lack of things he can't control with the things he can. If Tim Smith wants to be best 22, he can. Just like any other player on our list. It just boils down to how BADLY you want that. 

 

Any chance someone could photoshop Stephen Hawking into a Dees guernsey?

 

If my father was my mother then I would be called? 

2 hours ago, faultydet said:

Any chance someone could photoshop Stephen Hawking into a Dees guernsey?

 

Doesn't really want it from what I've seen, but who knows if he can get a full preseason into him it might just happen.

13 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Hoping he can be another Tory Dickson of at the very least Sam Lloyd from Richmond.

Different type to them.

10 hours ago, don't make me angry said:

If my father was my mother then I would be called? 

Late for dinner.

Hope he played a few games he is taking a massive pay cut,  plumbers are one of the best payed tradesman, he can always go back, I guess many man would give up work for a year to be a AFL player 

Any one know how Bull has been tracking at training?

The Bull could end up being as good as any MFC forward in the next 6 years or so if he gets a decent pre season in and enough match fitness/practice in order to get up to speed at senior level.

This bloke could end up being our Podsiadly I reckon. Easily the most accurate forward down there at the moment along with Wattsy. In front of a big AFL crowd is another matter I realise but I'd love to see him get the chance this season.

I see him as a Membrey type (the type that always seems to tear us a new one).

Not the main or even second key forward, but causes the opposition a headache given his in between size.

In the intraclub he just looked a fraction behind the pace of play in terms of leading out to the flanks when required. Otherwise didn't really notice him good or bad. 

He seemed to be playing a CHF type role for the lesser of the teams that day so it might not have been an easy spot. He hasn't looked out of place at training. 

At this stage I'd say he's a wait and see. If we persist with Weideman, Spencer and Vanders in the side and leave Watts, Hulett and Pedersen out of the team there's a lot of competition for spots.

On 1/31/2017 at 8:23 PM, Nasher said:

Article on the MFC website: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-01-29/hard-work-pays-off-for-smith

I love this kind of story.  For all the kids out there who get plucked from school straight in to the AFL system, there's heaps of players kicking around who probably are good enough play, that have to go the longer and far more difficult road to get there.  If nothing else, you know he comes in knowing what hard work is, and that he won't take it for granted.  Additionally, the fact that he and Keilty have been selected from Casey in to Melbourne is a fantastic endorsement for the alliance, and a fantastic advertisement for Casey as a club.  It says to players at VFL level who want to pursue an AFL career: "come play for us; if you're good enough and work hard enough, we can give you a path in".  That has to attractive to good players.  

As far as how he'll go, I'll keep my expectations moderate.  I see him as competing with Pedersen in the short term for the 'second' tall forward role, and taking the pressure off Weideman to develop in the medium term. He's apparently tough and takes a good mark.  I see it as a very low risk selection - it has a low ceiling (I wouldn't expect much more than 'decent' player - he won't be the next Hogan), but no downside whatsoever, if it doesn't work out then we haven't sold the farm and we know he'll contribute at Casey level.

I get what you are saying.....and then there is James Magner.....

15 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

I get what you are saying.....and then there is James Magner.....

Well, hang on, James Magner got games in the AFL. Nash is simply saying we can provide players a pathway in.

When Magner was in the team, our 'alignment' was in a very different state too.

3 hours ago, A F said:

Well, hang on, James Magner got games in the AFL. Nash is simply saying we can provide players a pathway in.

When Magner was in the team, our 'alignment' was in a very different state too.

Magner cops a bad wrap I feel, he played some decent games for us but at the end of the day just wasn't up to it. Gave it a fair crack every time he was out there, which was more than some at that time.

9 hours ago, Pates said:

Magner cops a bad wrap I feel, he played some decent games for us but at the end of the day just wasn't up to it. Gave it a fair crack every time he was out there, which was more than some at that time.

And also got played out of position in the last part of his brief career.

How a coach could think they'd turn him in to a half forward flank has me stuffed.

18 minutes ago, billy2803 said:

And also got played out of position in the last part of his brief career.

How a coach could think they'd turn him in to a half forward flank has me stuffed.

I fear they could be doing the same thing to Vandenberg.