Jump to content

Featured Replies

I see this as a more fitting version of KF backup profile. Allow Turner to play def (we need backup the next couple of years), more promise than Schache and BBB, with more of a ruck string in the bow, and more ready to go than Jefferson.
we’ll move BBB and Schache on at the end of the year, and instead of drafting a long limbed project they get someone with development already. Makes sense. The question is can he make a difference this year, and I wouldn’t rule it out. 

I don’t know what it says about fullarton though. 

 

It's always exciting to see a new face, good luck young fella.

Edited by Dee Zephyr

11 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

The midfield that’s needed Nibbler and Kossie to go on ball to provide some run and speed, has had to move Langdon to half forward to have run there and is suddenly relying on Hunter again doesn’t need reinforcements?

I can see the case that no one really stood out, but we’d be silly if we don’t reinforce the midfield and mid/forward depth this offseason.


Surely you can see we are experimenting with our midfielders and half-forwards in other roles against lowly opposition, to adjust the mix and provide greater flexibility?

It’s not because we don’t have any better starting mids; it’s about giving us options.

 
54 minutes ago, binman said:

Indeed.

Of course we need to strengthen our midfield. We lost a starting mid, a top 3 draft pick no less, after (understandably) trading a possible staring mid in jordon and depth in harmes.

As you suggest we have some options, though of that list I think only laurie, the kolt and woey are any chance of being regular starting mids.

(by the by, the fact that none have been rushed into the side, particularly laurie who is AFL ready and played a full season as a mid at Casey, show the level of concern currently about our midfield. Compare and contrast to the decision to bring a defender, Turner  in as a forward).

Kolt looks ready made as an inside mid and might be pushing for a spot next year.

And I wouldn't have previously thought woey was a mid option previously- he hasn’t played as one at Casey or in the ones - but I've been impressed by his contest work and physically he is becoming a bit of a bull, so he might be a chance of becoming a mid.

So we have got options going forward and with our  likely draft picks it is unlikely we will be able to draft a kid good enough to slot straight in next season.

Which leaves trading in a mid. I have no idea who might be available.

But there is zero point trading in a mid who is not an automatic starter, ie not a deprh player.

In a similar vein to your comment old about there not being an AFL ready mid kicking around in the WAFL, VFL or country leagues, it's not as if thegu's a surfeit of gun mids playing AFL who are both good enough to slot into a top 4 team's midfield and available.

The trade whispers about who we might be targeting will give us some insight into how big an issue the club thinks our midfield is.

Yes there's not a great deal of ready made midfield impact in my list of players but they could come in and enable Salem, Rivers or even McVee to run through there in addition to ANB and Pickett who are already adding something.

But as you agree it's about available talent in the MSD. Maybe doom merchant @poita would have been happier with match winners like Trent Bianco or giving Kyle Dunkley another chance?

We can draft some midfield talent and maybe pick up some useful FA depth at the end of the year.

28 minutes ago, Jibroni said:

At 19 we know big lads take time to develop and hopefully Luka can mould into a handy fwd/ruck option.

That's an interesting point about being a ruck option.

Would make sense, as we need cover for JVR.

And Casey is desperate for a ruck, so perhaps rather than cutting g Jefferson's lunch the lurker can develop his ruck craft by being rhe number one ruck, who rests forward, for the rest of the year at Casey.


35 minutes ago, Jibroni said:

At 19 we know big lads take time to develop and hopefully Luka can mould into a handy fwd/ruck option.

That's an interesting point about being a ruck option.

Would make sense, as we need cover for JVR.

And Casey is desperate for a ruck, so perhaps rather than cutting g Jefferson's lunch the lurker can develop his ruck craft by being rhe number one ruck, who rests forward, for the rest of the year at Casey.

Also a very talented cricketer and played lacrosse 

 
4 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Also a very talented cricketer and played lacrosse 

There seems to be multiple reports, some praising his agility and speed and others saying it's a weakness.

What's your thoughts?

I think Luker Kentfield makes good sense from a list management pov. We are currently going with 2 tall forwards (one a ruck/fwd) plus Fritsch and three tall backs.

BBB is done, TMac is close to the end despite his great season, Tomlinson has not been starting 22 and would find better opportunities elsewhere, and May is getting on.  Schache is not up to it. J.Smith is assumed done.

To maintain our current set up through the decade I think we can assume that JVR, Fritsch and Lever are there and that hopefully we can retain Petty who could play at either end. That means we need two of Turner, Jefferson, Adams, Verrall and now Kentfield to make it as KP.  Hore is useful intercepting depth and Fullarton may be depth only too.  Kalani White is coming through but any effective impact can't be expected until towards the end of the decade. I think we've increased our chances of success in this area and we needed to.

We can concentrate of drafting midfielders which is the easiest target to hit and look for a serviceable ruck through trade or FA.


13 hours ago, Mickey said:

Interesting that a knock on him was his speed, but his agility seems quite good. With a bit of forward craft he might make up for a lack of speed

I can remember Cowboy Neale not having much speed, either. Plus, he played with an alleged 27% body fat. However, true or false, he did kick a heap of goals as part of a well-rehearsed St Kilda forward line. 

14 minutes ago, old55 said:

I think Luker Kentfield makes good sense from a list management pov. We are currently going with 2 tall forwards (one a ruck/fwd) plus Fritsch and three tall backs.

BBB is done, TMac is close to the end despite his great season, Tomlinson has not been starting 22 and would find better opportunities elsewhere, and May is getting on.  Schache is not up to it. J.Smith is assumed done.

To maintain our current set up through the decade I think we can assume that JVR, Fritsch and Lever are there and that hopefully we can retain Petty who could play at either end. That means we need two of Turner, Jefferson, Adams, Verrall and now Kentfield to make it as KP.  Hore is useful intercepting depth and Fullarton may be depth only too.  Kalani White is coming through but any effective impact can't be expected until towards the end of the decade. I think we've increased our chances of success in this area and we needed to.

We can concentrate of drafting midfielders which is the easiest target to hit and look for a serviceable ruck through trade or FA.

Exciting review ... there are combinations upon combinations for effectiveness in matches to come. 

46 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

I guess somebody had to be first!  :D

Think he lives on the second floor...

You might have seen him before....

I view this pick as a bit of insight into our plans for end of the season.

I think we all know Brown will be retiring and I think we will be delisting Schache. This will leave us with JVR, Petty, Fullarton, Jefferson, Turner & Kentfield as key forward depth.

I also expect Tomlinson to leave as a FA and I have a feeling McDonald will sign a 1 year contract, assuming he wants to go around again. If we do get Josh Battle as has been mentioned this would then leave us with May, Lever, McDonald, Adams & Battle as key back depth.

I then expect us to go hard at another midfielder or two, either through the draft or potentially trade/FA (LDU would be a dream).

Also, from what I read about the 2024 draft it seems to be absolutely stacked with midfielders so that is probably also in their planning.

Edited by DistrACTION Jackson

14 hours ago, Demongirl35 said:

Just in time for a kings birthday debut 

(kidding)

His nicname is "good"


14 hours ago, The Stigga said:

He played with Koltyn at WA rep, he's put in a good word for him!

 

Good so n

he will have a friend here in Melbourne 

32 minutes ago, old55 said:

Yes there's not a great deal of ready made midfield impact in my list of players but they could come in and enable Salem, Rivers or even McVee to run through there in addition to ANB and Pickett 

Absolutely. 100% agree. 

The fact they haven't felt the need to as of yet demonstrates they don't see our midfield as a big issue atm.

And they might even decide they have enough coverage in the middle - particularly if they think kolt can become a midfield gun

The reality is the game has changed. Teams now only need 3 elite mids. Ten years ago they needed 5 or 6. They now need 5 or 6 elite high half forwards, half backs or wingers who have elite endurance and speed. 

Which is why of course we used a critical top 10 draft pick (who knows when we will get another one?) on Windsor.

Look at the swans.  They have the best performing midfield atm built around three gun mids.

One of their starting mids last year, Luke Parker, has been kicking around in the magoos picking up 30 plus possessions and can't force his way into the side.

Because he is an absolute A grader  Mills will come back in when fit you'd think. But that will create a challenge fir them in terms of the mix of player types as they will he loathe to drop a runner. 

We have three A graders - oliver, tracc and viney.

Understandably given his interrupted preseasons, Oliver is not yet back to his best, though still performing well. In all likelihood he will get back to his best.

Even if one was available, is there any point chasing an A grader to trade in?

I don't think so. I reckon the go is to try and find a potential gun mid in the next draft. 

1 hour ago, binman said:

That's an interesting point about being a ruck option.

Would make sense, as we need cover for JVR.

And Casey is desperate for a ruck, so perhaps rather than cutting g Jefferson's lunch the lurker can develop his ruck craft by being rhe number one ruck, who rests forward, for the rest of the year at Casey.

He seems like a nice kick as well, has scored 42.13 from his WAFL games. I hope we dont beat that accuracy out of him :(

 

5 minutes ago, Jibroni said:

He seems like a nice kick as well, has scored 42.13 from his WAFL games. I hope we dont beat that accuracy out of him :(

 

Where did you get this number from?

11 hours ago, wheaters31 said:

Leave 34 vacant for Kalani White

44 is my bet

I think sons of former players are under enough pressure without having the added burden of the same jumper number.


8 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I think sons of former players are under enough pressure without having the added burden of the same jumper number.

Funny but I and a lot of others were thinking 34 for Kalani White as well, however by the time Kalani joins our ranks there will be a few jumper numbers to choose from.😁

1 hour ago, Mach5 said:


Surely you can see we are experimenting with our midfielders and half-forwards in other roles against lowly opposition, to adjust the mix and provide greater flexibility?

It’s not because we don’t have any better starting mids; it’s about giving us options.

We are in no position to consider anyone as lowly opposition after the Eagles pulled our pants down.

I wish our supporters would stop this arrogance.

Anyone know if this boy has played against Reid?

 
1 hour ago, Demonstone said:

I guess somebody had to be first!  :D

The only surprise being that it took ‘til page five. 🙃

Some people also forget that we may have an FA or younger on the hook for 2025, the club will also know Petty's intentions better than us, and will be drafting accordingly, as well as planning contingencies should things change.

I completely agree with @binman, surprise surprise, in that this year Luker is seen as the next in line for JVRs spot as KPF/2nd ruck. It will also give us cover for Petty if he goes down again.

As @old55 puts it, this list decision makes perfect sense from how we're looking at setting up. I'd also say it's spreading the "bet" across multiple players, rather than relying on too few to make it.


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...

Featured Content

  • NON-MFC: Round 05

    Gather Round is here, kicking off with a Thursday night blockbuster as Adelaide faces Geelong. The Crows will be out for redemption after a controversial loss last week. Saturday starts with the Magpies taking on the Swans. Collingwood will be eager to cement their spot in the top eight, while Sydney is hot on their heels. In the Barossa Valley, two rising sides go head-to-head in a fascinating battle to prove they're the real deal. Later, Carlton and West Coast face off at Adelaide Oval, both desperate to notch their first win of the season. The action then shifts to Norwood, where the undefeated Lions will aim to keep their streak alive against the Bulldogs. Sunday’s games begin in the Barossa with Richmond up against Fremantle. In Norwood, the Saints will be looking to take a scalp when they come up against the Giants. The round concludes with a fiery rematch of last year's semi-final, as the Hawks seek revenge for their narrow loss to Port Adelaide. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

    • 9 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: Geelong

    There was a time in the second quarter of the game at the Cattery on Friday afternoon when the Casey Demons threatened to take the game apart against the Cats. The Demons had been well on top early but were struggling to convert their ascendancy over the ground until Tom Fullarton’s burst of three goals in the space of eight minutes on the way to a five goal haul and his best game for the club since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2023. He was leading, marking and otherwise giving his opponents a merry dance as Casey grabbed a three goal lead in the blink of an eye. Fullarton has now kicked ten goals in Casey’s three matches and, with Melbourne’s forward conversion woes, he is definitely in with a chance to get his first game with the club in next week’s Gather Round in Adelaide. Despite the tall forward’s efforts - he finished with 19 disposals and eight marks and had four hit outs as back up to Will Verrall in the second half - it wasn’t enough as Geelong reigned in the lead through persistent attacks and eventually clawed their way to the lead early in the last and held it till they achieved the end aim of victory.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Geelong

    I was disappointed to hear Goody say at his post match presser after the team’s 39 point defeat against Geelong that "we're getting high quality entry, just poor execution" because Melbourne’s problems extend far beyond that after its 0 - 4 start to the 2025 football season. There are clearly problems with poor execution, some of which were evident well before the current season and were in play when the Demons met the Cats in early May last year and beat them in a near top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides sitting comfortably in the top four after round eight. Since that game, the Demons’ performances have been positively Third World with only five wins in 19 games with a no longer majestic midfield and a dysfunctional forward line that has become too easy for opposing coaches to counter. This is an area of their game that is currently being played out as if they were all completely panic-stricken.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: Essendon

    Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

      • Clap
    • 210 replies
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 04

    Round 4 kicks off with a blockbuster on Thursday night as traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton clash at the MCG, with the Magpies looking to assert themselves as early-season contenders and the Blues seeking their first win of the season. Saturday opens with Gold Coast hosting Adelaide, a key test for the Suns as they aim to back up their big win last week, while the Crows will be looking to keep their perfect record intact. Reigning wooden spooners Richmond have the daunting task of facing reigning premiers Brisbane at the ‘G and the Lions will be eager to reaffirm their premiership credentials after a patchy start. Saturday night sees North Melbourne take on Sydney at Marvel Stadium, with the Swans looking to build on their first win of the season last week against a rebuilding Roos outfit. Sunday’s action begins with GWS hosting West Coast at ENGIE Stadium, a game that could get ugly very early for the visitors. Port Adelaide vs St Kilda at Adelaide Oval looms as a interesting clash, with both clubs form being very hard to read. The round wraps up with Fremantle taking on the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in what could be a fierce contest between two sides with top-eight ambitions. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

    • 273 replies
    Demonland
  • PODCAST: Geelong

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 7th April @ the all new time of 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect another Demons loss at Kardinia Park to the Cats in the Round 04. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human.

      • Clap
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 56 replies
    Demonland