What I rate is his inside 50 kicking, in a couple of highlight moments you see him check himself and select the right option, that doesn't look like it was his initial intention (going off body language/position), gives the impression of being calm under pressure. In JT we trust.

35 minutes ago, binman said:

This is critical.

Says two things - one he is a natural athlete. And two he must be a hard worker.

I suspect nibbla's 2km draft trial was similarly impressive and i'm guessing the role they have in mind for Koltyn is, like Nibla, the high half forward role.

As i have banged on about that role has become critical in footy and was a clear need we had to fill (ie another elite high half forward to compliment Nibbla).  

Appears to have good foot skills too, which is important

Nibbla has really improved his field kicking and was our best kick inside 50 last season (as defined by kick to score ratio - our three worst were Tracc, Oliver and Gawn).

Having a player on both flanks who can hit a target inside 50 will be a big positive. 

Good get. 

Think they see him as a mid ultimately and that 2k time alone will have done wonders for his draft position in that regard.

189cm on a HFF would be a great waste, even if he's very good. Get that body, power and skill into the contest where it belongs. If ANB was bigger he'd be a mid, no doubt in my mind.  

9 hours ago, Sydee said:

So why did we go and get McAdam (186cms) and Billings (185cms)

I could be wrong, but we seem to be loading up on similar types when we have needs elsewhere. Hope they are confident of keeping Petty beyond next season. 

have you considered that with our first rounder for next year, as well as any compensation that we would get for petty, we could get a tall forward to join the club?.. 

 

1 hour ago, fr_ap said:

Think they see him as a mid ultimately and that 2k time alone will have done wonders for his draft position in that regard.

189cm on a HFF would be a great waste, even if he's very good. Get that body, power and skill into the contest where it belongs. If ANB was bigger he'd be a mid, no doubt in my mind.  

I very much doubt that is the case (that they see him as a mid).

And his time trial is more relevant for the high half forward role as it is the most aerobically challenging role.  

Dirk will play Rd 1.

Bookmark it.

28 minutes ago, layzie said:

Dirk will play Rd 1.

Bookmark it.

I am fairly confident he will too.

All of ANB, Chandler, Kozzie, Spargo, Sparrow, Billings and McAdam will want to have very, very good preseasons.

Our forward half will be very dynamic if everyone is up and running

 

1 hour ago, binman said:

I very much doubt that is the case (that they see him as a mid).

And his time trial is more relevant for the high half forward role as it is the most aerobically challenging role.  

Watch the Taylor interviews. He's a HFF now likely to become a mid. That's what they're projecting for him. 

Last night Delsanto in usual exaggeration had Kol in the mould of Track and Degoey.

But no harm in hoping.

4 hours ago, binman said:

This is critical.

Says two things - one he is a natural athlete. And two he must be a hard worker.

I suspect nibbla's 2km draft trial was similarly impressive and i'm guessing the role they have in mind for Koltyn is, like Nibla, the high half forward role.

As i have banged on about that role has become critical in footy and was a clear need we had to fill (ie another elite high half forward to compliment Nibbla).  

Appears to have good foot skills too, which is important

Nibbla has really improved his field kicking and was our best kick inside 50 last season (as defined by kick to score ratio - our three worst were Tracc, Oliver and Gawn).

Having a player on both flanks who can hit a target inside 50 will be a big positive. 

Good get. 

I think more important, is that unlike our mate Nibbler, KT has demonstrated the ability to absorb pressure and make sound decisions under both physical and perceived pressure.

12 hours ago, Demonstone said:

We had Cale Morton, who was Cale A.  Now we have Cale B.  

Should have been Cale Z shocking draft choice 🤮

Will be an amazing feat if Tholstrup, Fritsch and Melksham can get on the field together for at least one game. Three games of the most punchable heads you’re ever likely to see in one 50m radius. Glorious.

If KT can turn out somewhere near Melksham’s level over the course of his career then I’ll be pleased. Not every first rounder will be a superstar but I think Tholstrup has got regular AFL player and impact player vibes. 

On 20/11/2023 at 21:49, Whispering_Jack said:

I don’t suppose that Melbourne has ever had a Koltyn playing for the club before?

Has any AFL / VFL team had a Koltyn?

13 hours ago, mo64 said:

The same thing was said about Grundy. Every list spot is valuable, and we already have a bunch of experienced players who'll struggle to be best 22.

Billings hasn't played well for 2 years. What makes you think he'll return to his best?

Depth I would think.   Like Dunstan. 🤔

12 hours ago, inanunda said:

It makes so much sense to get a half forward with grunt and connect.  We don't have one of those with BOTH attributes. Also, Langdon has been nothing like his pre-rib injury form, which might be the kick in the pants he needs.  Anyone can run all day but you need to be damaging as well.

Hopefully Langdon will be flyover the rib injury - can take a long time - and return with full confidence.

11 hours ago, djr said:

I hope Sestan can take the next step. He's not small, 188cm, can take a good mark, is hard at the contest, and certainly knows where the goals are. I hope he can put in a good uninterrupted preseason.

I was thinking of Sestan when looking at  the Viking's highlights.

Edited November 21, 20231 yr by monoccular

1 hour ago, Mach5 said:

I think more important, is that unlike our mate Nibbler, KT has demonstrated the ability to absorb pressure and make sound decisions under both physical and perceived pressure.

Sixth in the bluey says hi.

44 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Should have been Cale Z shocking draft choice 🤮

He (CM) certainly didn't work out as planned - one wonders how he may have performed in a better structured club environment with time to develop in the 2s, without thrusting them in as Messiahs..  (Add JW, Maric, Strauss, Valenti etc into that category)

8 minutes ago, monoccular said:

the Viking

 Tholstrup looks like he might be as mental as anything, possibly even a berserk warrior.

 

 

1 hour ago, manny100 said:

Last night Delsanto in usual exaggeration had Kol in the mould of Track and Degoey.

But no harm in hoping.

Do you mean Montagna?

He does resemble De Goey early on, in his play.

Here's hoping.

19 minutes ago, monoccular said:

He (CM) certainly didn't work out as planned - one wonders how he may have performed in a better structured club environment with time to develop in the 2s, without thrusting them in as Messiahs..  (Add JW, Maric, Strauss, Valenti etc into that category)

I think on reflection we tend to remember the end of Cales time with us instead of the start.

He played 40 games in his first 2 years (2008 and 2009), averaging 18 and 23 disposals on the wing. We were wooden spooners both years, not much going on for development.

In March 2010 (preseason) he did a PCL keeping him out for nearly 3 months. He only played 10 games that year.

Late in the 2011 preseason he tore a finger tendon and missed 2 months. He only played 14 games that year, struggling for form. But who didn't? The year featured 186 (Morton didn't play) and the coach was sacked mid year.

I recall in 2011 that we had shifted him to the HBF instead of the wing, presumably to learn more accountability, but it didn't gel. He was always at his best as an attacking winger.

Anyway, enter Mark Neeld, who does not have a track record of developing young players at Melbourne. In 2012 Morton continued to struggle, before a season ending shoulder injury. We traded him to WCE but I think his confidence was shot.

 

In a different environment, Cale Morton played a lot more games.

Not going to go back through the 10 pages but does anyone else here think he is an absolute dead ringer for Dean Chiron - perhaps he could have been father son 😆 (not that dean played enough but let's not let that get in the way here)

Can we give him number 29 (yes I know Joel and Shaun...) and find a zinc cream sponsor for him to complete the look

Dont want to moz the lad, 

This kid could be anything.

Cant wait to mutter the words Tholstrup what grab.

Our Forward line is starting to look very, very dangerous with the inclusions of Billings, McAdam and Tholstrup all of a sudden.

Going to be a very interesting pre season.

Watch this kid develop like Petracca and mutch like Phillipou is at the saints.  Build a tank as a fwd then become a dynamic midfielder.

Love this pick up

And get the boy an Oakley sponsorship. He’ll never want to go back home. 😬

On 20/11/2023 at 15:09, old55 said:

The hair.

It's a bit more than the hair for me - moves onfield like Jacko and his agility could well develop into noticeable opportunities upfield (HFFlk) - reminds me of a young (but larger) Nathan Jones with a reliable kick when free.

Edited November 21, 20231 yr by Deemania since 56

7 hours ago, monoccular said:

He (CM) certainly didn't work out as planned - one wonders how he may have performed in a better structured club environment with time to develop in the 2s, without thrusting them in as Messiahs..  (Add JW, Maric, Strauss, Valenti etc into that category)

He played so wide that he sat next to me in the stand calling for the ball!😂

11 hours ago, BW511 said:

All of ANB, Chandler, Kozzie, Spargo, Sparrow, Billings and McAdam will want to have very, very good preseasons.

 

The fact that most of the players we’ve brought in are forwards speaks volumes as to where the FD think we are. 

I watched/listened to a few interview's he's done in the lead up to the draft last night, this kids a ripping young lad. He's made of the right stuff & plays in a way that will make him a fan favourite very quickly. I'm really excited to watch him develop.