6 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Pedant? Sure Saty, but can you explain me what a 'versatile playing moving forward' is? Or have you already taken him under his wing?

Maybe the transcriber misheard or misread and everyone's friend auto correct didn't pick it up, I only read for the gist not the lesson in grammatically corect flowing prose, you?

Like in the 70's, a friend asked to borrow my personal recording device

He said 'can I borrow you Dictaphone?'

I said "no, use your finger like everybody else'

 

7 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

he's been very chirpy at training

the coaches are sure to throw a few crumbs his way

i expect we'll see him flying at some stage

Smokey for the Brownlow? 

I reckon Melksham was the versatile playing moving forward last season. He was probably more adaptable than versatile though.

28 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Smokey for the Brownlow? 

The famous demonland poster? Can't see it. Unless he's drafted as a rookie.

1 hour ago, pineapple dee said:

Careful with the corny one liners Mazer. There are some humourless old codgers reading this. 

I am one of them.

So watch it.

None of our draftees this season will be permanent fixtures like Spargo and Fritsch last year.

2 hours ago, Skuit said:

I'm looking forward to seeing young Tom Sparrow play for the Melbourne Football Club in the top-flight Australian Football League. But can someone outline the scenario in which this might happen this year? Without a massive dent to our finals/flag chances?

So you're assuming Sparrow doesn't come in and just star and make us better which is probably fair, if that's not the case then it's a matter of where he can play and how he gets a game. Depending on his tank and ability he could play a role in 3 positions.

4 inside mids: Oliver, Viney, Gus, Harmes
3 outside mids: Fritsch, KK, Vanders
3 half forward flankers: Melksham/Petracca, ANB, Spargo

Depth: Jones, Maynard, JKH, C. Wagner, Stretch, Baker

There's some other forward options in J. Smith, Hannan and Garlett, plus the option of going tall, but by and large I think the 6 I've named are the primary depth options to cover 10 spots in the team. If Sparrow is the 7th best depth option then we might be in trouble turning to him, but if we have a couple of injuries to similar guys and they want a bit of pace and crash and bash then he can come in without the side being massively weaker.

From what I've seen of him his best chance of playing is probably in a forward/on ball rotation where he can be a bit of depth and energy. If maybe Harmes and Vanders were out and they wanted to rotate Petracca on ball a bit without taking him from the forward line too much then Sparrow could be handy in a similar forward/mid role. It's a long season, if he plays well in the VFL he'll get his chance at some stage. Yeah it means the team isn't full strength but no team is for the full year.

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

So you're assuming Sparrow doesn't come in and just star and make us better which is probably fair, if that's not the case then it's a matter of where he can play and how he gets a game. Depending on his tank and ability he could play a role in 3 positions.

4 inside mids: Oliver, Viney, Gus, Harmes
3 outside mids: Fritsch, KK, Vanders
3 half forward flankers: Melksham/Petracca, ANB, Spargo

Depth: Jones, Maynard, JKH, C. Wagner, Stretch, Baker

There's some other forward options in J. Smith, Hannan and Garlett, plus the option of going tall, but by and large I think the 6 I've named are the primary depth options to cover 10 spots in the team. If Sparrow is the 7th best depth option then we might be in trouble turning to him, but if we have a couple of injuries to similar guys and they want a bit of pace and crash and bash then he can come in without the side being massively weaker.

From what I've seen of him his best chance of playing is probably in a forward/on ball rotation where he can be a bit of depth and energy. If maybe Harmes and Vanders were out and they wanted to rotate Petracca on ball a bit without taking him from the forward line too much then Sparrow could be handy in a similar forward/mid role. It's a long season, if he plays well in the VFL he'll get his chance at some stage. Yeah it means the team isn't full strength but no team is for the full year.

I think he could also be coverage for Nev in the BP...stong kid, quick, good in the air.

I noticed in some of his highlights he was either playing back or had dropped back (more likely) and didn't look out of place.

4 hours ago, rjay said:

I think he could also be coverage for Nev in the BP...stong kid, quick, good in the air.

I noticed in some of his highlights he was either playing back or had dropped back (more likely) and didn't look out of place.

Yeah he played back for South Australia in the national champs but I don't think they'll use him there early days. His kicking and decision making could be trouble down back. He should get his chance at Casey to play a fair amount of midfield. 

On 1/25/2019 at 6:23 PM, Satyriconhome said:

Maybe the transcriber misheard or misread and everyone's friend auto correct didn't pick it up, I only read for the gist not the lesson in grammatically corect flowing prose, you?

Like in the 70's, a friend asked to borrow my personal recording device

He said 'can I borrow you Dictaphone?'

I said "no, use your finger like everybody else'

 

Saty, love your work. Those 70s were a different time.

Very true CT, tougher but more even.

On 1/25/2019 at 5:58 PM, Skuit said:

Meanwhile, this doesn't inspire a lot of confidence as to the coaches' grammatical efforts: Nietschke: “He’s joined the defenders group also even though he’s played a large part of his games as a midfielder. We see him as a versatile playing moving forward.  he’s got some strong mentors already taking him under his wing and  helping him out."

 

 

 

I'm more disappointed in the opportunity lost. If he's going to use the "taking him under his wing" cliche, surely it would have been much better to use it with Sparrow.  

16 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I'm more disappointed in the opportunity lost. If he's going to use the "taking him under his wing" cliche, surely it would have been much better to use it with Sparrow.  

Maybe, if he landed at the Swans ?

On 1/25/2019 at 12:26 PM, demonstone said:

Incredibly, four of the nine listed were born within a six day period in May 2000.

Bradtke and Bedford both born on the 27th,  Nietschke one day earlier on the 26th and Sparrow on the 31st.

I am sure it is a sign, though of what I am uncertain - even clueless. Perhaps some of the deep thinkers here like Hemingway will find the truth. 

Top pick Tom Sparrow (No.27) is already turning heads with his solid frame and power out of stoppages. James Jordon is training with the defenders and is developing a reputation is a good user of the footy. The same goes with Aaron Nietschke, who could develop into a midfielder as his career progresses. After recovering from post-season ankle surgery, Marty Hore is starting to press his claims for an early-season debut. Toby Bedford is a strong tackler and he pinned Max Gawn in a tackle at training on Thursday, while rookie Kade Chandler plays with energy and likes to fly for his marks despite his small stature. Corey Wagner is already one of the club's strongest runners and has done some nice things up forward. Category B rookies Guy Walker (who has been dealing with a shoulder injury) and Austin Bradtke are further behind than the others, and will spend the year learning their craft in the VFL. - Ben Guthrie

The standout
After winning back-to-back best and fairests for Collingwood's VFL side, Hore is a fast learner and could get an opportunity to play early.

On track for round one
Marty Hore, Tom Sparrow

Last year we thought it was tough for players on the fringe (e.g. Tyson, Garlett) to get a run. This year I think it’s going to be even mor competitive. Good problems to have, but I just hope that a relatively fixed team gets a lot of game time together.

On 1/25/2019 at 7:51 PM, Petraccattack said:

None of our draftees this season will be permanent fixtures like Spargo and Fritsch last year.

Sparrow may well 'chirp' up at that statement.

On 1/25/2019 at 6:26 PM, Ethan Tremblay said:

I reckon Melksham was the versatile playing moving forward last season. He was probably more adaptable than versatile though.

The Melk is a preferred destination forward, such is his attack on the ball and movement into position. His snaps can be inspiring, team-wide. Great bang for the buck.

22 hours ago, monoccular said:

I am sure it is a sign, though of what I am uncertain - even clueless. Perhaps some of the deep thinkers here like Hemingway will find the truth. 

I only think deeply when i am depressed but thanks for the compliment. 

An interesting statistic anyway. 

I only note that along with the birds and the bees the above-mentioned children were conceived in Spring and during the footy finals in September. The anticipation of footy finals, the smell of new grass and liniment massages can be very intoxicating to the senses.

Alternatively, perhaps senses, libidos and fertility were heightened with the turn of the century and the new millennium (depending on your view if that was 2000 or 2001). Remember there were fears of the world imploding (Y2K) as well as the excitement of the new century, the symbolism and significance of the year 2000, the new millennium etc. There were many bacchanalian parties around that time. Personally I avoided ribald activities due to my depressed condition and traveled to the Eternal City to be close to the Pope and seek spiritual ecstasy unachievable through consumption of alcohol. Roma was either going to be a good place to die or a good place to thank the Great Creator for continued life. I did get to see the Pope but my request for a personal audience was denied. He was very busy with the Jubileo 2000 celebrations!  And at the end of the day as a past fan of Marx and Lenin, I am not a religious man. I just enjoy the significance of some things and some people and enjoy just being. 

Lastly, perhaps 2000 was regarded as an auspicious birth-date.   LAETUM DIEM NATALEM 

36 minutes ago, hemingway said:

I only think deeply when i am depressed but thanks for the compliment. 

An interesting statistic anyway. 

I only note that along with the birds and the bees the above-mentioned children were conceived in Spring and during the footy finals in September. The anticipation of footy finals, the smell of new grass and liniment massages can be very intoxicating to the senses.

Alternatively, perhaps senses, libidos and fertility were heightened with the turn of the century and the new millennium (depending on your view if that was 2000 or 2001). Remember there were fears of the world imploding (Y2K) as well as the excitement of the new century, the symbolism and significance of the year 2000, the new millennium etc. There were many bacchanalian parties around that time. Personally I avoided ribald activities due to my depressed condition and traveled to the Eternal City to be close to the Pope and seek spiritual ecstasy unachievable through consumption of alcohol. Roma was either going to be a good place to die or a good place to thank the Great Creator for continued life. I did get to see the Pope but my request for a personal audience was denied. He was very busy with the Jubileo 2000 celebrations!  And at the end of the day as a past fan of Marx and Lenin, I am not a religious man. I just enjoy the significance of some things and some people and enjoy just being. 

Lastly, perhaps 2000 was regarded as an auspicious birth-date.   LAETUM DIEM NATALEM 

Console yourself with the thought that you probably missed a personal audience with the Pope due to the Y2K bug interfering with the Pontiff's calendar so his alarm didn't go off (in other words, the Bell didn't Toll for Thee).  I can't think of any other reason.

On 1/28/2019 at 5:03 PM, DeezNuts said:

Last year we thought it was tough for players on the fringe (e.g. Tyson, Garlett) to get a run. This year I think it’s going to be even mor competitive. Good problems to have, but I just hope that a relatively fixed team gets a lot of game time together.

I suspect that Tyson will struggle even more to crack into our lineup this year ?

As regards Jeffy - entirely up to him to put the pressure on. Like every player he will need to maintain intensity. Plenty of players to replace anyone who falters. 

On ‎1‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 12:52 PM, dazzledavey36 said:

I actually do wonder whether this is more of a case that we will see Alex Neale Bullen spend more time in the midfield to use his 2 way running? I also believe Wagner is a very high endurance runner and this could then see him take on that half forward role Nibbler has occupied the past couple of years.

I think ANB would be playing Harmes role by now, but Harmes just went to such a high level, he is an automatic selection. very under valued given he shuts down a big name often as well as being constructive with the ball.

 

With Tyson gone he will still have a chance.

16 minutes ago, Bay Riffin said:

I think ANB would be playing Harmes role by now, but Harmes just went to such a high level, he is an automatic selection. very under valued given he shuts down a big name often as well as being constructive with the ball.

 

With Tyson gone he will still have a chance.

High-level Harmes. Totally agree. A real Club driver getting more and more lethal. Has the blend to make great outcomes for the team. 

On a personal note, Bay Riffen, are you related to the spoonerisk Clint Bilton?

2 hours ago, Bay Riffin said:

I think ANB would be playing Harmes role by now, but Harmes just went to such a high level, he is an automatic selection. very under valued given he shuts down a big name often as well as being constructive with the ball.

 

With Tyson gone he will still have a chance.

The development of Harms and ANB are two of the best success stories out of 2018. Seen as fringe players by many, they have developed into automatic selections and are playing important roles in a team. 

They have gained confidence from the coach who has nurtured their development and given them the opportunity to develop without the fear of failing. .  Individuals develop over different lengths of time, but you need to be able to identify the potential and and allow the growth of self-confidence.

These two guys are clearly self-motivated and switched on.  Self starters who have been given the start they needed.   

6 minutes ago, hemingway said:

The development of Harms and ANB are two of the best success stories out of 2018. Seen as fringe players by many, they have developed into automatic selections and are playing important roles in a team. 

They have gained confidence from the coach who has nurtured their development and given them the opportunity to develop without the fear of failing. .  Individuals develop over different lengths of time, but you need to be able to identify the potential and and allow the growth of self-confidence.

These two guys are clearly self-motivated and switched on.  Self starters who have been given the start they needed.   

Agree with everything until the last sentence. How can a self starter be given a start?