I will be the first to admit due to work committments on Sunday I did not see the game against Brisbane, however I did see Sandringham pump Bendigo on Saturday.

The player who stood out was Valenti. He never stopped running, tackling and gathering possessions. This is my first time seeing him and I was impressed and he seems worthy of a game in the red and blue.

Hopefully it was not a flash in the pan and this has been his level of play all year.

Perhaps there is someone who has seen more of him, but I thought he was great and well worth a run in the 1s.

Thoughts?

There's still many question marks over Valenti, but if his form at Sandy continues then he will force his name on to the table. He was easily BOG this week, so perhaps we could see him debut against Freo.

What are the question marks?

What are the question marks?

His speed and disposal. The theory being that he's too similar to Jones, McLean, McDonald, and Moloney. We need pace not more of the same.

That said, what the hell have we got to lose ?

His speed and disposal. The theory being that he's too similar to Jones, McLean, McDonald, and Moloney. We need pace not more of the same.

That said, what the hell have we got to lose ?

I can appreciate that he is similar, but why then does Buckley not get in. He looks to have dash, takes the game and kicks the ball well.

I did listen to part of the MFC game and every time Moloney got the ball the commentary went like this "...Molonet gets it, tries to break a tackle...gets his kick away....seemed to get under that one...."

Very hard for forward to mark balls coming down vertically on there heads.

Valenti should come under consideration, he is too good to have at sandy

His speed and disposal. The theory being that he's too similar to Jones, McLean, McDonald, and Moloney. We need pace not more of the same.

That said, what the hell have we got to lose ?

Well simple if he has earned selection then drop one of them on form.. Jones no, McLean no, Junior maybe, Moloney yes, his turn overs are terrible to watch. That one in the first term was appalling, bombing it to ff with not one MFC player within 20!

His speed and disposal. The theory being that he's too similar to Jones, McLean, McDonald, and Moloney. We need pace not more of the same.

That said, what the hell have we got to lose ?

another Jones wouldn't go astray - at least he tries

id take valenti over say buckley who has pace. were there similar queries over sam mitchell?

another Jones wouldn't go astray - at least he tries

Personally, I'd give Valenti a go, but I'm also mindful of not accepting more crap footballers just because we want change for change sake.

Give him a go, give all of them a go, whats the difference?

id take valenti over say buckley who has pace. were there similar queries over sam mitchell?

Sam Mitchell polled 32 votes in 11 games to win the Liston Trophy if that gives some indication of how good he was at VFL level.

By the sounds of it Valenti is a similar player to Leigh Adams of the Kangaroos who played a couple of games last year.

Think he got a dozen touches in his first game when the Roos beat the Cats.

If Valenti does get promoted I can see people going off the "bandwagon" very quick if he doesn't adjust straight away to the pace of AFL

His speed and disposal. The theory being that he's too similar to Jones, McLean, McDonald, and Moloney. We need pace not more of the same.

That said, what the hell have we got to lose ?

I have had this argument over Valenti with people for a year now. I pushed for his drafting as I did with Martin. I remember pushing a delisted Freo midget several years ago and an indiginous player at Port Melbourne a few years ago. All I got was that there was something wrong with them. The Freo player was Bell and the Port Melbourne lad was Aaron Davey. For the last year I have been told that Valenti is too small, to slow too whatever. All I see is him playing well each week. He may not be any good at senior level but he has earned a go to find out. I am sick of the negatives. Try him and in a few games we will know if he is up to it or not.

Unlike many others in the seniors he can pass a ball by hand and foot.

I agree Red. I think its a bit of the zest and confidence that he has that might even...god forbid ...become infectious.

Still .. who is going to come down with the "footy flu" to allow an upgrade ?

I agree Red. I think its a bit of the zest and confidence that he has that might even...god forbid ...become infectious.

Still .. who is going to come down with the "footy flu" to allow an upgrade ?

Give the kid a chance. Do a Capuano if we have to but having senior players playing in the VFL does nothing.

Give the kid a chance. Do a Capuano if we have to but having senior players playing in the VFL does nothing.

Capuano actions are banned by the AFL following the incident between the Saints and Capuano.

You will need either a LT injury to a listed player or *cough* a retirement.

ATM Valenti is still a rookie and not a senior player.

You will need either a LT injury to a listed player or *cough* a retirement.

ATM Valenti is still a rookie and not a senior player.

Is Neita not a long term injury?

Is Neita not a long term injury?

8 weeks out apparently or *cough* retired.

I have had this argument over Valenti with people for a year now. I pushed for his drafting as I did with Martin. I remember pushing a delisted Freo midget several years ago and an indiginous player at Port Melbourne a few years ago. All I got was that there was something wrong with them. The Freo player was Bell and the Port Melbourne lad was Aaron Davey. For the last year I have been told that Valenti is too small, to slow too whatever. All I see is him playing well each week. He may not be any good at senior level but he has earned a go to find out. I am sick of the negatives. Try him and in a few games we will know if he is up to it or not.

Unlike many others in the seniors he can pass a ball by hand and foot.

Red when is the resume going into to the MFC for any recruiter positions?

I think we are all very keen to see Valenti on the books if you will. And all of these comments about being the same type of player is garbage. If they were good enough on the current list we would not be getting smashed in clearences every week or turn it over if we do win it. If he can deliver the ball then see you later, Moloney or Bell (I know he is not playing as a mid)...

Red when is the resume going into to the MFC for any recruiter positions?

Don't worry about my resume, one of our own is responsible for the career of probably the greatest finals player to have played the game, with respect to Ablett and Dermie. Whispering Jack saw something in Wayne Johnston while with Prahran, after he had been sacked by the Blues twice before ever playing a senior game. An attempt to get him to Melbourne, which through a chain of circumstances, saw the Blues reluctantly give him another chance and the rest as they say is history.

Don't worry about my resume, one of our own is responsible for the career of probably the greatest finals player to have played the game, with respect to Ablett and Dermie. Whispering Jack saw something in Wayne Johnston while with Prahran, after he had been sacked by the Blues twice before ever playing a senior game. An attempt to get him to Melbourne, which through a chain of circumstances, saw the Blues reluctantly give him another chance and the rest as they say is history.

Wasn't having a dig Red.... was more hoping if you've got a good eye for it you might be able to help out the boys as they seem to have had a little trouble identifying top notch talent at the pointy end of the draft....

I thought I read - on here, so grain of rice - that we could upgrade Valenti while Neitz was injured.

I can appreciate that he is similar, but why then does Buckley not get in. He looks to have dash, takes the game and kicks the ball well.

I've been to most games, and I also watched him pretty closely in a couple of those, and his workrate is pretty poor.

I have had this argument over Valenti with people for a year now. I pushed for his drafting as I did with Martin.. For the last year I have been told that Valenti is too small, to slow too whatever. All I see is him playing well each week. He may not be any good at senior level but he has earned a go to find out. I am sick of the negatives. Try him and in a few games we will know if he is up to it or not.

Agree Redleg...lets see both Valenti & Martin get a go a go this week...and Maric as well at the expense of 'putting my tin hat on now - ready for the abuse"... Aaron Davey

I thought I read that we could upgrade Valenti while Neitz was injured.

We can, but won't until we are ready to select him for the senior side.

Wasn't having a dig Red.... was more hoping if you've got a good eye for it you might be able to help out the boys as they seem to have had a little trouble identifying top notch talent at the pointy end of the draft....

I know you weren't having a dig, I just wanted to let everyone know of WJ's talent.

We can, but won't until we are ready to select him for the senior side.

So all the comments, in relation to Valenti's possible selection, about him not being on the senior list are moot.