Jump to content

Who takes the FP spot?

WERRIDEE
WERRIDEE
in Melbourne Demons

Who takes the FP spot? 78 members have voted

  1. 1. Who takes the FP position

    • Pickett
      61
    • Chandler
      3
    • Corey.Wagner
      3
    • Bedford
      8

Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

Featured Replies

Posted

I think Pickett thoughts?

  • Quote
    • Love 1
     

    Sad list on paper and will probably end up holding us back from taking the next step unless delivery inside 50 dramatically improves

  • Quote
    1 hour ago, MelbourneFootballChub said:

    Sad list on paper and will probably end up holding us back from taking the next step unless delivery inside 50 dramatically improves

    Agreed, it's definitely our area of weakness. We should've retained Garlett unless he wanted his career to be over.

    It pains me to say it but I'd say Corey Wagner looks the most ready for round 1, but hoping Pickett can show signs in the Marsh series as he clearly has the biggest upside of the group.

    Hopefully ANB can have a bounce back year as a small forward and kick his 25 like he did in 2018.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
     

    Interesting You cannot vote for Spargo?

    The guy who has filled the roll for the majority of the last two years.

    Not that I would but have we decided he is not up to the job?

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    6 minutes ago, old dee said:

    Interesting You cannot vote for Spargo?

    The guy who has filled the roll for the majority of the last two years.

    Not that I would but have we decided he is not up to the job?

    Good point.

    How we forgot he kicked 2 goals in a winning final against Hawthorn.

    However, he hasn't exactly set himself up for a big season due to his prolonged ankle injury.

  • Quote

    Hannan, Spargo and ANB played as our smalls in the 2018 finals... none are options here.

    Of the list, Pickett looks promising, but I think we’re forgetting how valuable a fully fit Hannan is.

  • Quote
    • Like 6

    Voted Pickett because Hannan was not an option. It’s a clear weakness for us that we drafted Pickett to address longer term. Not sure how long he’ll take to come on though, as though as while he can do some magical stuff, he’s a long way off it consistency-wise and is very low production like Spargo.

    I think if fit that Hannan is the best proven option. Not a huge goal kicker, but chimes in, can provide a target and has decent pace too.
    C Wagner and Spargo are better in other positions and probably not best 22. Bedford and Chandler unknowns. ANB more a running HFF. Fritsch plays taller as a marking option. AVB better further up the ground around the ball.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     

    I think Pickett will play round 1. ANB the other small in the forward line.

    I hope to see something to get excited about from Bedford and Chandler this season to potentially pair with Pickett long term. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    Its definitely an are of weakness, that specific small forward role, it has to be Pickett i think, but its a role that will be rotated throughout the year until someone grabs it.

    Interestingly enough, toward the end of teh year it may be Bennell if it works out that he gets back,it might work nicely for him to play that small forward role close to goal to ease back into teh game., ultimately you want him up the ground a bit but he is smart enough to play that small fwd role.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Pickett a long term option but maybe this is a last year hurrah for Jones.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    We don't really have a specialist crumber (I think Pickett, Chandler & Bedford will probably be a couple of years away), but then neither do Collingwood or the Giants and their forward lines go alright. 

    Hannan for me. Regularly kicks those 'something out of nothing' goals that we sourly lacked in 2019. Goes missing for periods, but there aren't many small forwards that don't. Currently our best option IMO.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    24 minutes ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

    Hannan for me. Regularly kicks those 'something out of nothing' goals that we sourly lacked in 2019. 

    Agreed. He's very good at those sort of opportunist goals.

    Has been in rehab all summer so unless he graduates to fill training by early Feb, I doubt he'll be in the round 1 frame.

  • Quote
    4 hours ago, old dee said:

    Interesting You cannot vote for Spargo?

    The guy who has filled the roll for the majority of the last two years.

    Not that I would but have we decided he is not up to the job?

    Decided early he was not up to AFL Standard and as a FP The Major job description is to kick goals. In this instance he has failed dismally! I would think 35 plus goals in this day and age as a small forward earns your keep!

    Edited by picket fence

  • Quote

    I’d like to see Hunt trained in the role. The wings look like they won’t be available to him, and he has pace, smarts and can kick. He needs to learn the arts and tricks but he is still young.

    Of course, if Pickett is half as good as his uncle..........

  • Quote
    • Like 4

    I would love to see Pickett in there but voted Bedford as I suspect he might be a bit fitter.

    Hannan is a quick thinker and is super talented but seems to find himself out of the play too often. Needs to bring more tackle pressure if that's going to be the case.

    Alternatively, Wagner brings solid tackle pressure but he's not the creative goal kicker we're looking for. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    If you take a look at Lockhart’s reel while playing in the forward line (in particular vs Dockers/Bombers), you’ll see a player who showed enormous potential in this position. (especially given his lack of pre-season and experience in the big league). Seems however that he’s being groomed for defence (possibly taking over from Nev when the time comes). My 2¢: if somebody else seems like a good fit for this defensive role, then start grooming Lockhart for the FP role immediately. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    18 hours ago, picket fence said:

    I would think 35 plus goals in this day and age as a small forward earns your keep!

    You set a hard pass mark, there aren't too many small forwards in the comp that put up those sort of numbers. I'd settle for 25 goals and consistent, manic tackling pressure (strong user name to posting content correlation!)

    Agree that Spargo's not the forward pocket answer though.

    16 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

    I’d like to see Hunt trained in the role.

    I reckon it's probably the hardest position to teach - good forward pockets are purely instinctual in my view. You've either got it or you don't IMO, and I don't think Hunt's got it. Quick in straight lines, but he's not particularly evasive or creative. He's at his most damaging streaming inside 50 rather than crumbing a pack IMO.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    12 hours ago, Mel Bourne said:

    If you take a look at Lockhart’s reel while playing in the forward line (in particular vs Dockers/Bombers), you’ll see a player who showed enormous potential in this position. (especially given his lack of pre-season and experience in the big league). Seems however that he’s being groomed for defence (possibly taking over from Nev when the time comes). My 2¢: if somebody else seems like a good fit for this defensive role, then start grooming Lockhart for the FP role immediately. 

    I suspect Lockhart will be part of Melbourne's future defence with breaknet speed and drive from half back/pocket.
     

    Similar to Andy McGrath of Bombers or Chris Johnson of the 3 peat flag winning Lions.

  • Quote

    If we go with 7 forwards then you don't need to rotate them through the midfield all that much. If you go 8 you're looking at more midfield rotations.

    At this stage I'd probably say 7 forwards.
    2 mid sizes: Fritsch, Melksham
    2 talls: T Mc, Weid/Petty/Brown
    1 x factor: Hunt, Jackson, Hannan

    Which then leaves:
    1 high half forward: ANB, Jones, C Wagner, Spargo, Chandler, Bedford
    1 crumber: Chandler, Pickett, Spargo, Bedford

    Until Pickett shows he's got the fitness and ability at AFL or VFL level (which could be as soon as the first preseason game) I think Chandler is ahead in the order. He's not rated highly enough on here.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Am I missing something or don’t we have two positions? ?

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     

    I suspect Chandler will take the spot to start the year.

    While Bedfords running ability will keep him firmly in the frame also. and they'll be keen to get Picketts obvious talents into the team when they think he's fit enough.

    I would love to see 2 of those guys out there pressuring oppo defences, crumbling goals and earning their spot every week.

    But our excellent track watchers/reporters would have a better idea than me on who is likely in pole position at this stage. 

  • Quote

    Pickett has more serious X Factor than any of the other candidates. I reckon play him very early and Blood for the future!

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • GAMEDAY: West Coast

      It's Game Day and the Demons have a chance to notch up their third consecutive win — something they haven’t done since Round 5, 2024. But to do it, they’ll need to exorcise the Demons of last year’s disastrous trip out West. Can the Dees continue their momentum, right the wrongs of that fateful clash, and take another step up the ladder on the road to redemption?

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 322 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • FEATURE: 1925

      A hundred years ago today, on 2 May 1925, Melbourne kicked off the new season with a 47 point victory over St Kilda to take top place on the VFL ladder after the opening round of the new season.  Top place was a relatively unknown position for the team then known as the “Fuchsias.” They had finished last in 1923 and rose by only one place in the following year although the final home and away round heralded a promise of things to come when they surprised the eventual premiers Essendon. That victory set the stage for more improvement and it came rapidly. In this series, I will tell the story of how the 1925 season unfolded for the Melbourne Football Club and how it made the VFL finals for the first time in a decade on the way to the ultimate triumph a year later.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: West Coast

      Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

      • 1 reply
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 08

      Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

        • Like
      • 181 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: West Coast

      The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Like
      • 563 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Richmond

      The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All