Below is what Melbourne’s best 22 looks like pre-draft:

FB: Neville Jetta, Steven May, Jake Lever
HB: Christian Salem, Oscar McDonald, Michael Hibberd
C : Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver, James Harmes
HF: Christian Petracca, Sam Weideman, Bayley Fritsch
FF: Jake Melksham, Tom McDonald, Mitch Hannan
Fol: Max Gawn, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney
Int: Jordan Lewis, Charlie Spargo, Alex Neal-Bullen, Kade Kolodjashnij

Draft picks: 23, 28, 54, 62, 91

Who could they target?

Bailey Williams is an athletic forward who would no doubt be on Melbourne’s radar.

The 198cm Dandenong Stingrays big man is capable of assisting in the ruck but is better viewed as a long-term key forward prospect who could be taken at 23 or 28.

With pace and agility around the flanks a need, the Demons could look at a player in the mould of Sam Sturt.

William’s Stingrays teammate is a half-forward who tested high in the running vertical jump as well as sprint and agility tests at the Draft Combine and could be developed over the next few years, provided he is still available at 23.

The Demons are expected to bid for NextGen academy prospect Toby Bedford (another Stingray) with his pace, forward pressure and tackling ability his standout qualities.

Medium-sized forward Curtis Taylor, from the Calder Cannons, may also be in the sights of the Dees with his overhead marking ability, doubled with his capacity to move into the midfield, both attractive attributes.

Alternatively, Tasmanian outside runner Fraser Turner could also be an option for the Demons.

Pretty much bang on IMO. Our team looks well balanced. Williams would be a good long term tall option. Bedford could become a decent small forward who can push up the ground. A bit of more pace through the midfield and front half with the other picks such as O'Halloran, Sturt etc and we're sorted for options of all kinds all across the ground.

I can't remember a better Melbourne list in my lifetime. The list we had in the early-mid 90s had stars such as Schwarz and Lyon, but weren't as well-rounded as this current list. Exciting times!

would like Vandenberg in that team but otherwise spot on

Great team.  and doesn't include: Vanders, Stretch, Preuss, Frost, Hunt, and other exciting kids

certainly need more pace and tall fwd options though

That back line makes me slightly aroused.

15 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

That back line makes me slightly aroused.

Only slightly?

6 hours ago, Lord Travis said:

Pretty much bang on IMO. Our team looks well balanced. Williams would be a good long term tall option. Bedford could become a decent small forward who can push up the ground. A bit of more pace through the midfield and front half with the other picks such as O'Halloran, Sturt etc and we're sorted for options of all kinds all across the ground.

I can't remember a better Melbourne list in my lifetime. The list we had in the early-mid 90s had stars such as Schwarz and Lyon, but weren't as well-rounded as this current list. Exciting times!

 

IMO... we are roughly equivalent to the Saints team under Ross Lyon.  Hard working, tough defensively. lacking class.

We have to progress beyond the position of that Saints unit.  They lacked the class and speed.

 

We have built a great foundation for this club... that works hard and are hungry competitors.   But now, we need to add the toppings to the cake...  not just icing, but the complete sweet layer.

We need competitors with speed and balance, and great disposal to the list... then they can learn to win themselves games in the Red'n'Blue jumper.

Once they hone that competitive edge, they will force they're way into the team, doing the tough things, automatically.

 

.

Oscar v Frost will be an interesting one as I cant see both of them in the same team if Lever returns to good form.

 

Edited November 15, 20186 yr by Jibroni

1 hour ago, Jibroni said:

Oscar v Frost will be an interesting one as I cant see both of them in the same team if Lever returns to good form.

 

Lever won't play the first couple of rounds IMO.

Oscar and Frost will get an opportunity to push their cases. Great position for the club to be in.

1 hour ago, Jibroni said:

Oscar v Frost will be an interesting one as I cant see both of them in the same team if Lever returns to good form.

 

Interesting? No contest!

6 hours ago, DemonLad5 said:

would like Vandenberg in that team but otherwise spot on

Need to free up some space, I vote Lewis off the island

Teams rarely have their best 22. Look at round one - Lever won’t be in the team. Realistically it’s a best 26. The 22 above is very good, then as backup Frost, Vanders, Preuss, Hunt. Hannan worries me a little as he can go very cold at times, but can see why people like him as he can also fire. Still have Smith, JKH, TSmith, & Maynard who can fill in and I’ve probably missed a few more!

Disagree we’re like Lyon Saints - Gawn, Oliver, Brayshaw, & Viney stars. TMac & Lever will be close! Fingers crossed Petracca takes that next step!!

Yes I like the team but hope we can weave in Preuss and Vanders into our best 22 as I would love us to be a physically intimidating team that can match it with the best sides in talent as well. A lot of premierships have been won by nasty sides who blend mongrel with talent. 

Edited November 15, 20186 yr by Earl Hood

27 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

Yes I like the team but hope we can weave in Preuss and Vanders into our best 22 as I would love us to be a physically intimidating team that can match it with the best sides in talent as well. A lot of premierships have been won by nasty sides who blend mongrel with talent. 

I like it. Spargo the unlucky one to miss out and Lever won't play rnd1. Hopefully Fritsch takes Lever's spot and cements a place in the 22.

vandenBerg is definitely best 22.

I know Hunt's faults, but it would be great if he has a big year.

Oscar Baker has the outside size and traits we need.  It will be an interesting summer for him.

That is a bloody team to have on the park. Agree with Vanders being in as well.

2019 should be interesting!

Our season has suddenly gone from pre-season plus about 20 rounds to pre-season plus 26 rounds over 2/3 years.

Thats why we need 26 or 28 firsts. Frost, Hunt and Vanders will all get a good chance to stay in the team. For example Spargo has faded in some observers sights because he just was not suited to the distance and we are in a position to rest rather than inject/strap/push players into finals. Spargo and Fritz especially.

We were really burnt out against the Hawks but got over the line. Eagles we were totally exposed. Thats my understanding of why we are shoring up all suspect areas, and why Jayden Hunt for one is in for a big comeback.

8 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Im so Footy hungry Im trying to read into the photo things like 1) oh no theres seven going into a back half of 6, who misses out? 2) where is Frosty?, 3) Why is May 2 spots in front of Lever? Why are 2 not folding arms? Is Paul dead? etc

 

17 minutes ago, Demonland said:

How's that grin on Oscar! Hasn't his workload in the backline just got easier, no wonder he' happy!

49 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Seriously good pic of a seriously good back half.  Keep 'em on the park and we will be seriously hard to beat!

1 hour ago, Damo said:

Why are 2 not folding arms?

They've got guns...don't have to push them out like the others.

Just now, rjay said:

They've got guns...don't have to push them out like the others.

Full disclosure; That's Petracca's body with May's head.

1 hour ago, Damo said:

Im so Footy hungry Im trying to read into the photo things like 1) oh no theres seven going into a back half of 6, who misses out? 2) where is Frosty?, 3) Why is May 2 spots in front of Lever? Why are 2 not folding arms? Is Paul dead? etc

 

Now with 10% more Frost.

The Full Monty

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