One of the things that has impressed me so far in 2021, is the fact that last night, playing in a huge game against another title contender, we had 7, yes SEVEN players with 26 games experience or less in our 23 man squad.

Pickett-26

Rivers-21

Jordon-12

Jackson-17

Petty-17

Sparrow-15

Baker-15

 

Unless he is doing stuff that I don't see, and fulfilling a role for the coaches which we aren't aware of, I can see Bowey coming in for Melksham at some stage, making us even stronger. But it also reinforces how important drafting and player development will be in the next few years when we have low draft choices, and need to find some diamonds in the rough.

Edited June 4, 20214 yr by Bendigo_Demon

One of the absolutely fantastic things about Melbourne over the last few years has been our ability to take relatively low draft choices and turn them into gold. Trent Rivers is a perfect example.

Yes but we're not the Baby Bombers, just ask all the commentaters they'll tell you that they are the team of the future and that they should win a flag in the next 3 years.

I doubt that they have taken the opportunity to look up the ages of our players, even Clarry is only 23 and Tracc 25.

These young guys are the reason we have improved so much - for a group with so few games they are really performing at a very high level

absolutely the best recruiting I’ve seen at the club in many years 

They have a great opportunity to build a dynasty and enjoy success together I never really thought I’d ever see a Melbourne team in that position - love to see it happen 

 Sparrow was excellent last night. Will only get better. 

It’s remarkable how much improvement there is across the board on an individual and team level. 

We know about Oliver, Gawn, Petracca etc but I find the improvement of our kids the most exciting development.  Not just for this season but our future. The kids have been sensational and have an enthusiasm and confidence that is boundless. 

1 hour ago, Dante said:

Yes but we're not the Baby Bombers, just ask all the commentaters they'll tell you that they are the team of the future and that they should win a flag in the next 3 years.

I doubt that they have taken the opportunity to look up the ages of our players, even Clarry is only 23 and Tracc 25.

It makes me sick?reading how the media keep going on about ess?

Symbiosis is a beautiful thing.

The beautiful thing about MFC post Paul Roos is that putting kids in your team isn’t out of the question. It’s just that you play them in positions commensurate to the level of responsibility they can take on at the time.

Remember when Gus and Salo made their debuts in ‘14 and ‘15. They were played in bursts because their teammates at the time weren’t durable or experienced enough to take on the burden so as to let them play a bigger role. We had to get our senior group playing the right way before our rookies could be given an expanded role.

Now with May, Gawn, Lever, Tracc and Clarry taking most of the heat, blokes like Rivers, Jordon, Jackson and Sparrow can get 80% plus game time as 1) the opposition aren’t putting time into them (yet) and 2) they’re getting a first class education on the right way to go about it. 
Their enthusiasm and energy is also a fillip for the older blokes as well, and places good selection pressure on others. It’s a real time example that if you don’t pull your weight, a kid at Casey will kick the door down for your spot.

Edited June 5, 20214 yr by Colin B. Flaubert

1 hour ago, Sydee said:

These young guys are the reason we have improved so much - for a group with so few games they are really performing at a very high level

absolutely the best recruiting I’ve seen at the club in many years 

They have a great opportunity to build a dynasty and enjoy success together I never really thought I’d ever see a Melbourne team in that position - love to see it happen 

In all my posts pre season I emphasised  that tangible improvement would not come in the team sadly if we continued to play Nev Jonesy Melky and that Hibbo might be a watch this space although his 2020 was good.

I still think on occasions we need a small defender Lockhart or maybe in the future Bowey. But that may be nit picking but Locky might have had a chance vs the speed of Bailey last night.

So this post is so correct with the under  26  gamers.Youth brings speed daring no boundaries and new skills to a side and that's what we get from our youth.

it's almost as if the Full Forward spot is jinxing us Weid underperforming and IMO clearly lacks confidence.He now should play in the Casey side at CHB to get his marking and body positioning more positive to or hopefully a big attempt to bridge the gap to AFL standard.

Good and all that Petty has been in defence I still think he could go forward if needed and make a fist if it if Weid or BBb do not. In saying this yhecCoaches I am sure are more concerned about the Ff position having acrole player first who ms blossom into a 40/50 goal kicker a season.

Prrhsps dome patience is needed in view of our results but a high marking player st at FF helps Tommy Jacko and Fritta in marking duels and the first to fourth defender minding them.

BBB needs a solid 3 games footy to get right into it agsin.

 

I love our young players and life after Gawn is now insured with Jackson who will blossom in his natural position. I think the Bowey comparisons with Caleb Daniel are a bit unfair as I think he is more comparable to a John Noble who I actually rate as a player so hopefully he becomes a good player. 

I also have high hopes for Rosman too. I like what I've seen so far from him. A true shame about Mac Andrew not falling through to us in next years draft. He would've complimented our list perfectly. 

B D that is an impressive group, I am so proud of our kids, they have all slotted in and played important roles when given the opportunity and Sparrow and Jordon showed last night how versatile they are. Kozzie provides the spark and the good thing is we have another six kids up our sleeve, baby bombers be damned. We will show them all.

Go Dee’s...!!!

25 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

I love our young players and life after Gawn is now insured with Jackson who will blossom in his natural position. I think the Bowey comparisons with Caleb Daniel are a bit unfair as I think he is more comparable to a John Noble who I actually rate as a player so hopefully he becomes a good player. 

I also have high hopes for Rosman too. I like what I've seen so far from him. A true shame about Mac Andrew not falling through to us in next years draft. He would've complimented our list perfectly. 

Probably going a bit early here, the draft is 6 months away.

Last week we actually had a younger side than Essendon.

 

4 hours ago, Bendigo_Demon said:

One of the things that has impressed me so far in 2021, is the fact that last night, playing in a huge game against another title contender, we had 7, yes SEVEN players with 26 games experience or less in our 23 man squad.

Pickett-26

Rivers-21

Jordon-12

Jackson-17

Petty-17

Sparrow-15

Baker-15

 

Does anyone know if being an unused emergency sub actually counts towards your game total?

Footywire has both these kids on 13 games while the mfc site has them on 15.

This thread inspired me to a closer look and I thought it would be nice to share that both Pickett (20) and Sparrow (21) just had their birthdays this week. Bummer with the lockdown but I hope they had fun anyway.

Also, I'm a little worried about just how young we went in the mid-season draft...

The beautiful thing to me is not only that Rivers is comfortably holding down a spot in the top team, Kossie is a weapon in the top team, Jordon and Sparrow are showing they belong at this level ... it's the mentoring and in-game development they're getting from the likes of May, Lever & Max. None of those three have any any significant degree of team success, unlike a Hodge, but they sure know how to play football.

Makes me feel sad for all the talent we've let slip through our fingers over years without ever seeing their best or even knowing that they had an unfulfilled best.

Back on a positive note: everyone knows ruckmen take years to develop before they're any good. Yet here's Jackson. Walk-up start every week in the best team in the land. This really is some list.

3 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

The beautiful thing to me is not only that Rivers is comfortably holding down a spot in the top team, Kossie is a weapon in the top team, Jordon and Sparrow are showing they belong at this level ... it's the mentoring and in-game development they're getting from the likes of May, Lever & Max. None of those three have any any significant degree of team success, unlike a Hodge, but they sure know how to play football.

Makes me feel sad for all the talent we've let slip through our fingers over years without ever seeing their best or even knowing that they had an unfulfilled best.

Back on a positive note: everyone knows ruckmen take years to develop before they're any good. Yet here's Jackson. Walk-up start every week in the best team in the land. This really is some list.

So true Mazer. And Jordon and Sparrow are hopefully a great reference re how to bring promising players through. Gives me greater optimism that Bowey and 'project players' such as Rosman will have a better shake at it.

Can someone give me an update on Bailey Laurie? Thought I'd read he was injured (ankle?) a couple of weeks ago. Haven't heard anything since.

Was talking about this last night. We used to have talked up embryos coming in to save the team under all sorts of pressure. This round we saw Jimmy Toumpas getting subbed out with zero touches in his day. 
 

Now they play when they’re ready, with pretty much zero hype outside of MFC. Come in and not only play well, they’re all important parts of the team. 
Warms my heart. 
 

Absolutely love Jordon. 

1 hour ago, BradDemonSufferer said:

Last week we actually had a younger side than Essendon.

 

Not that the numbies in the media would notice - just “wow, baby Bombers”.  
Very happy to stay under the radar of the media, thanks.