Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted
35 minutes ago, demoncat said:

As good as Sanders is as a midfielder, he is very vanilla and can’t play any other position, hence why he didn’t get much game time 

Compare that to the top 5 or 6 of this draft - Lalor and Langford could come in and rotate forward/midfield, Smith could come off half back or even play a small forward role, FOS is dynamic enough that he could play anywhere from wing to half forward 

Not hard to see all of those guys playing most games next year 

Having said that I do agree that a couple of draftees - however good - won’t significantly change our fortunes next year as we’re still very reliant on Trac and Clarry playing at an elite level to be contending for the flag

Lalor needs to recover from a major injury and do his first ever preseason, he’s more a year 3+ guy.

Langford should play some but a big slow kid in the forward line with 3 talls and Fritsch probably just gets in the way.

Jagga has no aerial ability, has strong evasion in traffic but not speed to run down or run away from opponents and his kicks hang in the air. He’d be a liability down back. Probably plays a fair bit as a high half forward but if we have an elite midfield he won’t be in it much year 1. Slightly more run to get games as a forward but slighter body, I see him on par with Sanders as a year 1 option.

Goody generally plays and sticks with his high picks but I think expectations for performance are way too high. These guys aren’t Clarry/Gus level ready to go and if we are bouncing back up the ladder it won’t be on the back of first year kids.

  • Sad 1

Posted
1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:


As opposed to which players who are instantly ready?

Riley Sanders last year was a plug and play midfielder. Made no impact. 

I get the Armstrong skepticism, he’s more raw than you’d like and just drops more marks than he should.

But if JT pulls the trigger I can see why he’s rated. Not many talls move like he does and present as well as he does.

Also, let’s be honest, it’s a rebuild in all but name unless we get a drastic Clarry and Tracc turnarounds and find a few players out of thin air (which is hard when you keep the same list year on year).

Gawn, Viney May aren’t every week guys any more, we don’t have any experienced tall forwards and kids aren’t going to cover the midfield and flanker gaps like for like.

Oh i dont know, kids like Nick Watson, Caleb Windsor, Harry Sheezel, Colby McKercher, Will Ashcroft and Nick Daicos.

  • Like 6
Posted
1 minute ago, Dannyz said:

Langford & Hotton. 

Is that what you're hearing or just based off your own personal opinion?

  • Like 1

Posted
2 hours ago, #11-TonyAnderson said:

Sorry Picket - think Cale Morton comes close to this benchmark too

Yep! 

  • Like 1
Posted
34 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

Langford & Hotton. 

I think I've read that Hotton is unlikely to be picked up early so if we like him, we could split pick 9 and still probably get him

  • Like 2
Posted

Taru sounds like he might go a bit later...do we want him or Armstrong if we get the late choice between them?  

First pick I reckon Langford but wouldn't be upset with Smillie either...toss of the coin between those two, imagine if we got both with 5 and 9!!!!  Would love Lalor but probably won't be available.

  • Like 1

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Oh i dont know, kids like Nick Watson, Caleb Windsor, Harry Sheezel, Colby McKercher, Will Ashcroft and Nick Daicos.

Any of them available at 6 (yet alone whatever pick 9 becomes) in this draft? Watson and Windsor are the only 2 who weren’t top 2 pick level talents.

23: Sanders, Windsor 

22: (5-8) Tsatas, Humphrey, McKenzie, Clarke

21: 6-7 Rachele, Ward 

20 5,7, 9 Braeden Campbell, Hollands, Perkins

19: 5, 7, 8 Dyl Stephens, Young, Serong

Probably have to go back to Freo’s picks in 2019 for guys who made consistent impact in their first 3 years.

Edited by DeeSpencer
  • Like 1
Posted

Dont split 9. We have plenty of almost very good in the top 25 players. We only have 15 very good players. Stick to the quality, never mind the width.

  • Like 7

Posted

Agree. Keep 5. Keep 9. Two aces …
All In Reaction GIF by Travis

so at 5… imv Langford. As per my many posts, he’s definitely shown strong consistent footy and offers the size, skill and endurance required.  He’s got so many AFL qualities and is local lad.

it’s likely he is available at “5”.  If not, then it means options may include Draper, Smith or O’Sullivan.  

so at 9… imv Travaglia.  Just like his competitive nature.  You can’t teach intensity.  He’s got the energy to succeed.  Run and carry.  Can develop as half back and then move into a midfield role.  
if he’s not available, then Allan,  Lindsay & Reid are other options.  
Not sure we see Smillie as an option. 

I think we will look for two midfielders. Armstrong and Shanahan are good key forwards however our list imv needs a midfield refresh.  

All youngsters within this years top 12-15 will be very good. There is a lot of talent. 

  • Like 3
Posted
On 09/11/2024 at 14:17, DeeZone said:

Hoping Langford / Smith at 5.

Armstrong / Travaglia / Allan at 9 depending on who is available 

 

Armstrong has to be our No. 5 pick, surely. 

  • Haha 1
  • Sad 1
  • Angry 1
  • Vomit 10
Posted
5 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Also, let’s be honest, it’s a rebuild in all but name unless we get a drastic Clarry and Tracc turnarounds and find a few players out of thin air (which is hard when you keep the same list year on year).

didn't have you for a hanrahan

Posted
5 hours ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

I can't help but feel this is true. I find the whispers along the lines of "the group feel they're ready to burst back into finals" optimistic. 

Everything that could possibly have gone wrong this season did go wrong. And still we only finished two games out of the 8. Finals should be the bare minimum objective next season.

  • Like 7
Posted
3 hours ago, Damo said:

Dont split 9. We have plenty of almost very good in the top 25 players. We only have 15 very good players. Stick to the quality, never mind the width.

This isn't a shot at you - but I don't understand this view.  It is based on the idea that there is a clear cut top 10/20 etc.  But we know Jason Taylor often rates the draft differently to others and has a great record drafting.  If he wants to push 9 back a few picks (to get the same player he would pick at 9) and snare another for someone else he rates, then why wouldn't we do that??  Eg the Pickett / Rivers scenario

Of course if the player who we rate clearly the best available when we have our pick 9 is going to be picked by the next club/s then it would be silly to entertain a pick swap.

  • Like 5

Posted
4 minutes ago, Mouseymoo said:

5 Langford 

9 Reid

I'm locked in now. Absolutely been sleeping on Reid, he looks  beauty! 

 

You wouldn’t be concerned that both of the lack leg speed? I’m locked in on Langford too but not sure we can pick up two players who have question marks about their pace. 

  • Like 2
Posted (edited)
12 hours ago, Colm said:

100% agree with where are needs are Binners. If we are asking Santa for everything we want with two players I’d probably add in contested marking and leadership. 
We have a few who can clunk them but not enough IMO. We still rely on Max for most of our contested marks and he won’t be around for much longer. Having someone on the middle of the park who can take a good grab would hopefully stop us turning it over as much. 

Yeah, that's a really good point. 

Those players who can take marks around the ground are super important, both in terms of as you say not turning it over as much, but also being able to control the tempo. 

The lions use that strategy well.

In 2021, 2023 and 2023 tmac played that role, ditto benny Brown (and Jackson on 2021).

But Tmac playing back and Brown out of the side meant we struggled to cover that role, particularly with petts a long way from his best.

Hopefully if petts can hit the season fit and injury free he can push up the ground and clunk marks.

And I think turner will play that role too.

Edited by binman
  • Like 3

Posted
7 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Oh i dont know, kids like Nick Watson, Caleb Windsor, Harry Sheezel, Colby McKercher, Will Ashcroft and Nick Daicos.

 

Plus the poster boys for premiership-influencing kids, Selwood and Rioli.

And just for fun extending it slightly to players who had a meaningful part in a premiership before their 50th game - Jackson, Pickett, Rivers, Bowey, and Sparrow.

Picks 5, 7, 9 and 13 in two seasons is a massive surge of potential talent to complete a best 22 which is already competing.

Anyone pretending that can't have an impact is just being sour.

  • Like 8
  • Love 3
Posted
11 minutes ago, binman said:

Yeah, that's a really good point. 

Those players who can take marks around the ground are super important, both in terms of as you say not turning it over as much, but also being able to control the tempo. 

The lions use that strategy well.

In 2021, 2023 and 2023 tmac played that role, ditto benny Brown (and Jackson on 2021).

But Tmac playing back and Brown out of the side meant we struggled to cover that role, particularly with petts a long way from his best.

Hopefully if petts can hit the season fit and injury free he can push up the ground and clunk marks.

And I think turner will play that role too.

Despite being very underdone and down on confidence especially early in the year Petty was 11th in the league for contested marks.

Im not against the idea of a key forward because Petty probably goes back long term but the big thing we need is to stop relying on contested marks on the wing for ball movement. Long kicks to packs down the line means you’ve failed in your ball movement.

We have to study the way Brisbane spread their forwards out, move the ball in different ways and kick to isolate forward on the lead or one on one.

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 2
Posted
25 minutes ago, Colm said:

You wouldn’t be concerned that both of the lack leg speed? I’m locked in on Langford too but not sure we can pick up two players who have question marks about their pace. 

They don't have to break lines with pace they have beautiful lateral movement and exquisite disposal. Sharp looks to have a bit of toe and will add some pace next year 

  • Like 3
Posted
8 minutes ago, Mouseymoo said:

They don't have to break lines with pace they have beautiful lateral movement and exquisite disposal. Sharp looks to have a bit of toe and will add some pace next year 

I definitely don’t think speed is the be all. Windsor, McVee, Rivers, Langdon, Chandler, Kozzy and Sharp all have decent wheels to varying degrees, so I think we will have enough foot speed in the side. I still hope we get Travaglia with pick 9 though, but all for Langford at 5

  • Like 6
Posted
27 minutes ago, Mouseymoo said:

They don't have to break lines with pace they have beautiful lateral movement and exquisite disposal. Sharp looks to have a bit of toe and will add some pace next year 

That’s true but at some point your opponents will also have the ball. You can’t carry too many slow players because it reduces your ability to defend.

Generally slow players need to be really, really good because of the defensive limitations and you can’t play too many together in the one team. If that slow player is Bontempelli then you make that trade off but the Bulldogs couldn’t also find room for Macrae and Sanders in that midfield together with him and Liberatore.

  • Like 2

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...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 3

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...