20 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

biggest concern is that he shows no ability to win the ball in large quantities as you'd expect from a modern mid

If you're talking Brayshaw 'Andrew', then he's hardly done any midfield time at AFL level to get the possessions.

He's been used a lot on flanks, forward mainly and back.

Certainly gets plenty of midfield ball at VFL level and I would expect this to translate as he gets more midfield minutes at AFL lever, the kid can play. 

I think I've said Salem for the past two years so I'll go Salem again!

Would love to see Brayshaw play 22 games.

Think Hunt and Petracca will take the next (big) step.

Maynard for me, think he could surprise.

3 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Please let it be Weideman.

Please don't hold your breath LDC.

I don't think Nev Jetta could become any more perfect in my eyes but I think he'll jag an All-Aus guernsey if he plays 22.

I'm thinking Hoges will repay the faith in him this season and have a wonderful year.

But I'm backing in Frost to become a full time best 22 player. Not a champ, just a good solid fullback who does a job week in week out. That's enough of a break out for me

 

7 hours ago, CBDees said:

Petty for mine (however I expect the whole list to lift judging from Goodwin’s training updates)!

Hope so, CBDees. Love to see yet another all-team lift. However, Goodwin's training updates have meant very little, being terribly generic in flavour and content. 

15 minutes ago, old dee said:

Please don't hold your breath LDC.

Doubtful, LDC. Sadly. 

2 minutes ago, deeko said:

I don't think Nev Jetta could become any more perfect in my eyes but I think he'll jag an All-Aus guernsey if he plays 22.

I'm thinking Hoges will repay the faith in him this season and have a wonderful year.

But I'm backing in Frost to become a full time best 22 player. Not a champ, just a good solid fullback who does a job week in week out. That's enough of a break out for me

 

Definitely think Frosty could be a full-back sensation this year. Hogan will show his class and skills, for sure. Nev Jetta is just the best rebound backman there is ... an amazing talent. Keep an eye on Petracca as a forward prime mover. Clarrie will just roll an even better year this year and Hibberd will make Collingwood terribly upset. 

20 minutes ago, old dee said:

Please don't hold your breath LDC.

 

3 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Doubtful, LDC. Sadly. 

That's why I mentioned it as a plea rather than a prediction. I share your views.

5 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

 

That's why I mentioned it as a plea rather than a prediction. I share your views.

Understandable situation ... I will plea or two as well: Frosty to take fullback with OMac to work on things at Casey; TMac to move to CHFwd; Hogan kept at FFwd on a roving assignment; Bugg & Garlett to rove and decoy within the 50m area; Pedersen to take out any opponent who gets in the way.  

1 hour ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Understandable situation ... I will plea or two as well: Frosty to take fullback with OMac to work on things at Casey; TMac to move to CHFwd; Hogan kept at FFwd on a roving assignment; Bugg & Garlett to rove and decoy within the 50m area; Pedersen to take out any opponent who gets in the way.  

I think that Goodwin will agree with most of what you suggest however Frost will spend time at Casey before O’Mac does!

I agree with many others about the importance and likelihood of Brayshaw and Salem lifting a level. Two very smart footballers who can make things happen and just need the proverbial clean run at it.

I've full of anticipation for the 2018 seasons of Hogan and Petracca, as I'm sure everyone is.

And I'm really keen to see Nibbler and Stretch mature and each force themselves into stable spots in the 22.

BUT

If I'm making a tip for the true stunner, the big breakout that has everyone talking, I have to go for Mitch Hannan.

I think the time off to reflect on his initial success and to identify the next steps will do wonders for his confidence, the extra preseason of fitness will greatly help him get more involved more often, as will the extra pre-season of training for his role. Add to that, in my opinion he will benefit greatly from the forward line restructuring with the departure of Watts, with extra involvement, responsibility, and space. I think he will really thrive as the fourth 'resident' in a forward line settled around the Hogan, McDonald, Garlett core.

Mitch Hannan, playing as a versatile medium forward, 30+ goals and a really good all-round contribution.

 

 

Maynard.

13 minutes ago, KingDingAling said:

Maynard.

There's been more than one media pundit on Maynard's bandwagon.

1 hour ago, Little Goffy said:

I agree with many others about the importance and likelihood of Brayshaw and Salem lifting a level. Two very smart footballers who can make things happen and just need the proverbial clean run at it.

I've full of anticipation for the 2018 seasons of Hogan and Petracca, as I'm sure everyone is.

And I'm really keen to see Nibbler and Stretch mature and each force themselves into stable spots in the 22.

BUT

If I'm making a tip for the true stunner, the big breakout that has everyone talking, I have to go for Mitch Hannan.

I think the time off to reflect on his initial success and to identify the next steps will do wonders for his confidence, the extra preseason of fitness will greatly help him get more involved more often, as will the extra pre-season of training for his role. Add to that, in my opinion he will benefit greatly from the forward line restructuring with the departure of Watts, with extra involvement, responsibility, and space. I think he will really thrive as the fourth 'resident' in a forward line settled around the Hogan, McDonald, Garlett core.

Mitch Hannan, playing as a versatile medium forward, 30+ goals and a really good all-round contribution.

 

 

Mitch, given these opportunities, would be a phantastique bloke to use up-forward. He kicked some freakishly fast snaps at goal last season and with the training that you describe, may well be a major solution. Terrific indicators already being produced; a full training season would be great for hum in so many ways. 

Watts.

 

Back it in.

Said Harmes last year and have trouble going past him again this year, based on a hunch more that any external rating of his ability.

This guy has some great all round wepons.  Probably one of the strongest one on one marks in the team and at times his kicking can be supurb.  Love how this guy breaks lines and takes the game on with his physicality and don't argues.  He showed in patches last year, against the Suns in Darwin and that first quarter against Port that he can be very damaging and dominant player.  If he can rise to putting in those sort of performances for four quarters and week in week out, he could become a real star of the comp.

He has the tats going like Nathan Jones, who I think he looks up to as a role model, so if he can translate that into similar on feild performances, we would have a quality player on our hands. 

Edited January 12, 20187 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Two smalls to surprise - Charlie Spargo and Dion Johnstone. And Harrison Petty to be one of the great picks by the Melbourne FC. Sure, that's three but hey...

4 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Said Harmes last year and have trouble going past him again this year, based on a hunch more that any external rating of his ability.

This guy has some great all round wepons.  Probably one of the strongest one on one marks in the team and at times his kicking can be supurb.  Love how this guy breaks lines and takes the game on with his physicality and don't argues.  He showed in patches last year, against the Suns in Darwin and that first quarter against Port that he can be very damaging and dominant player.  If he can rise to putting in those sort of performances for four quarters and week in week out, he could become a real star of the comp.

He has the tats going like Nathan Jones, who I think he looks up to as a role model, so if he can translate that into similar on feild performances, we would have a quality player on our hands. 

Agree, Harmes has slid a little under the radar, but boy is he aggressive. He's about the only MFC player that has a Dustin Martin-like fend off, can break lines, and throws his body on the line time and time again. I see Bugg in the same vein, stringing solid aggressive and self-less (dare I say it, but very un-Watts-like). 

So here are my predictions for a few of the list:

Harmes - kills it, tank is better than last year

Petracca - disappoints somewhat, still too much pasta, his tank not quite there

Hogan - delights with the new structured fwd line, really settles and finally starts kicking beyond 50m arc

ANB - solidifies permanent B22

Oliver - terrifies all opponents, gains a second tag for most of the year

Salem - has a few blinders, but no change

Frost - makes better decisions and improves greatly

 

Edited January 12, 20187 yr by DeezNuts

I say Salem every year and I'm always wrong. So, I'm going with a smokey and going Dion Johnstone. I think he is someone who could break into the team late in the year and become an x factor for us.

Footnote: I'm always wrong when picking break out players.

There are blue and red rainbows in my rainforest here out back of Mullumbimby and I smoke it as an omen that the dees might just have arrived...all hinging on one player stepping up for me and the coaches giving him license to impose himself ...and he is Hogan... if he can become our cameron our Franklin our reiwoldt we could be unstoppable... the depth and age of the list behind him is powerful..

Just saw the recent photos on Demonland. Frosty will star at full back. Pedo will star in the fwd line. End of story.

25 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Just saw the recent photos on Demonland. Frosty will star at full back. Pedo will star in the fwd line. End of story.

.....and as long as we star somewhere in between those lines we should be fine.

P.S. O Mac also looking good.

Watching the fantastic photos, I was rapt to see Hunt kicking low and hard. Im picking Hunt and Pedo. Im also hoping Brayshaw isnt as far back in the field as I unfortunately rate him.

Any or all of Salem, Harmes, Brayshaw, Hannan and Joel Smith.

I also think Spargo and Frisch may excite a few here.