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The kid is a star! Quick, evasive, always keeps his feet, knows when to go for the grab and when to stay on the ground for the crumb, excellent acceleration, can turn on a dime, rarely (if ever) fumbles, elite goal sense, elite forward pressure, great field kick, great football brain, can be used for short bursts in the middle to get effect, can quickly turn with a few quick k goals with ease. 40 goals in 2015. 25 years old with many more classy years left in him. Cost us pick 61 FGS!! Lol thanks for this beautiful gift Mick.

I'm not sure how people define "losers" from the pre season but I note that a few are suggesting Jayden Hunt. Perhaps they had better think again. For someone who has come off his initial two seasons at the club wracked by injury, I thought he did well to get game time in two NAB Challenge matches and then to come into a very poor standard Casey Scorpions team and be one of the very few shining lights on the day. On Saturday, he displayed great composure in a defence under fire. He marked, stood out with his pace and good kicking and stood his ground a couple of times with the high ball coming in - altogether his best performance at this level to date and not without a chance to get AFL time if he keeps up the rate of improvement he's shown since last year.

All good news tonight from Mark Stevens of 7 News:- • Angus Brayshaw's knee was tested today. He's ahead of schedule and will play VFL this weekend. He "looks a lock for Round 1." • Christian Petracca will play a practice game at Casey on the weekend of AFL Round 1. He's "finally ready to launch." • Jack Trengove is also set to join Petracca in same hit out coinciding with AFL Round 1 for his "first game in basically two years." • Heritier Lumumba will play VFL again this week. He's "pushing for Round 1."

Mark Stevens ‏@Stevo7AFL 13m13 minutes ago Angus Brayshaw tested knee today .. Ahead of schedule, will play VFL this weekend .. Looks a lock for R1 @7NewsMelbourne

The club have a plan in place, they seem to be making the right moves. I just don't see an issue here at all. King is just stirring things up a bit, it's part of his job. No reason to be sucked in by it. The succession plan has been in place since Roos came on board, why should it change? It's nothing to do with Roos ego, the consistent message to the players is to stick with the plan as spelled out by Jackson & Roos with Goodwin as a key component. I think the players would have a bigger problem if the plan was changed mid stream...it would show that the club is not strong enough to follow through its planning and commitments. I don't understand why we would want to change anything mid stream...

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-13/luxury-of-riches-at-dees?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News "AFL.com.au understands...Jack Trengove may play...with a return over Easter in the VFL possible". I recall Roos saying early 2015 the only expectation they had was just to have Jack able to walk normally again. I was quite shocked to hear the injury was so debilitating. That Jack is close to playing again is a stunning achievement! Speaks volumes about the young man's character. Grit and Determination come to mind. Can't wait to cheer him on!

Pizzed last and unable to post . My impressions. Jack Watts- Wow! Jeff Garlett - Just love it when he has the ball and burns off opposition players. Just about my Favourite player Bernie Vince- Does great work in defense with a cool head and good disposal Wagner - Yes a bit to learn but can play. Our tackling was the best I've seen for years Hogan - that set set shot routine - FMD!!!!! BOG - Our recruiters

Over the next couple of weeks we're obviously going to hear about how goalkicking is the big flaw in Jesse's game and that he is the next Travis Cloke. In case this notion is put to you by any of your mates, please feel free to furnish them with the following information: - Hogan is the 13th most accurate shot at goal since 1965 (of players who have had 50 or more shots at goal) - http://afltables.com/afl/stats/accuracy.html - Hogan was a more accurate shot at goal than any of the players in the top 10 for the Coleman Medal last year - http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbourne-beginning-to-look-like-a-simon-goodwin-team-after-two-years-of-paul-roos/news-story/708c2557c2fa1de1bcc54cbb617ef788 Any journos who are reading demonland (we all know you get most of your 'scoops' from footy fan forums) should also feel free to use this information in any of the razor-sharp 'analysis' they provide for the footy public.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbourne-beginning-to-look-like-a-simon-goodwin-team-after-two-years-of-paul-roos/news-story/708c2557c2fa1de1bcc54cbb617ef788 Quote: Five of Melbourne’s eight first-half goals came from defensive half chains as they produced ball movement that a well-regarded footy analyst praised as “Hawthorn-like”. No greater praise possible! For those on here who criticised Salem: '...Salem made a case for best on ground with 26 disposals, four marks, four inside 50s, six rebound 50s and a SuperGoal.' Not sure what people expect tbh. Re the mistakes. Goodwin said in his interview that “We want our players to be brave and bold so we have to cop the turnovers..." Fans have called for players to be 'instinctive', to not hesitate - something we lost pre Roos. Well it is happening: 'Brave and Bold'! Soon, most fans won't even notice the mistakes and they will become fewer and fewer as the team masters 'Brave and Bold' football. And as our victories mount! On Jesse's goal kicking style Goodwin said he just got his foot movement wrong one time...we won't see that to often from Jess. Said with a wry grin!

Mick did owe us after MN...

Agree and I think that Roos can allow the current situation to continue, while still being the senior Coach. He can do the TV match grabs and press conferences etc and can even continue to sit on the bench and talk to players about things during the game. Whether he addresses the group at breaks, or Goodwin does, will probably not really matter, as Leigh Matthews said, " everything is really done during the week". it is working and there is no need to change, Roos is the Coach and Goodwin is driving the new game plan.

Wagner is renowned for picking up the tempo in the last Stanza.

The only reason I thought Clayton may struggle to get a gig in Round 1 was if the coaches considered he may need to build more fitness. So I looked up his figures from today. Time on ground = 68%. There were 19 Melbourne players who were given more playing time today Disposals 18, Marks 4, Tackles 6, Goals 2. Handy contribution for a bloke who was sitting on the pine for almost a third of the match. So the conundrum is that he probably isn't fit enough to play the whole game but is too good to leave out.

I need to lie down - all this good news is stressing me out.

Some good news. Mark Stevens ‏@Stevo7AFL 8m8 minutes ago Angus Brayshaw tested knee today .. Ahead of schedule, will play VFL this weekend .. Looks a lock for R1 @7NewsMelbourne Mark Stevens ‏@Stevo7AFL 9m9 minutes ago And great news on Petracca ... Will play practice game on weekend of AFL round 1 finally ready to launch @7NewsMelbourne Mark Stevens ‏@Stevo7AFL 9m9 minutes ago Trengove also set to join Petracca in same hit out coinciding with R1 .. First game in basically two years @7NewsMelbourne Mark Stevens ‏@Stevo7AFL 8m8 minutes ago Lumumba will play VFL again this week ... Pushing for R1 @7NewsMelbourne

Supporting Richmond

If he can start turning those three goal games into four or five goal games he will be a genuine star. The thing that about him that doesn't get any credit is his bodywork in marking contests. For such a small guy his ability to hold an opponent under the ball so that he can then run into an open goal is pure class.

Posted 5 Nov 2015 (edited) · Report post Jack is the most overly criticised player in the AFL, all because of his draft position. If he was pick 50 no one would comment. There is a bloke running around for the Giants getting $1.2m a year, playing pretty ordinary football and escaping criticism for his pick 1 position and high salary. I think we will see an improved JW now, especially if he is allowed to settle in one position. BTW, I think he is the leading goal assist at the MFC and probably the best kick for goal. And yes there is a spot in our 22 for him. This is one of my pro Jack Watts posts and another said," I think he can be our big improver in 2016." Pretty comfortable at the moment with Jack's start to 2016.

Pre-Season Positives and Negatives* : POSITIVES: - Winning in general. We're the only team in the AFL that needs to get that 'feeling' back after a game. Even if it is NAB challenge. And it's clear, that was one of our goals despite the throwaway 'it's only nab challenge' line. I might add that the bulldogs game was an exception simply because we weren't playing against an AFL side. But for the Port Adelaide and St Kilda games who both fielded really strong sides, the wins were very good. Not only is it beneficial for our group to experience winning, but it's clear it will have a really positive effect heading into what will be a very tough round one game. The group will definitely feel united and upbeat though and for that, it's clearly a positive. - More attacking and confident gameplay. Not news to anyone but clearly we're much more proactive with ball in hand and hopefully it will be the end of our 'slingshot' attacks which was our main source of goals last year. - Midfield depth and quality. Clearly it's improved and we now have a several players who can go through the middle and have an impact. Only a positive. - Certain players looking to take the next step, (as they should and need to). Including Max Gawn, Jack Viney, AVB and Christian Salem. Really important that others follow suit so that we can continue our journey back up the ladder. - Clayton Oliver. Obviously very early days but I'd say we're all confident we nailed that pick. Has some really special attributes and will provide further excitement for the club heading into the season. Another who will become part of 'the core' in time. - Injury list. Overall, I'd say we're in the best shape I've seen in some time. (Last year was also pretty good). With Petracca and Trengove almost ready to play, it will really add to our depth and talent levels. NEGATIVES: (No it won't go for two-pages and yes it will feature Garland so look away now Wiseblood and co..) - I think it would be fair to say we still lack polish and class in all areas of the ground. Yesterday's game whilst overall a positive outcome, showed our weakness is still foot-skills coming out of defence. I can't remember how many goals St Kilda kicked in the first half from our turnovers but it was definitely most of them. Again, if posters would like to point out that it's Nab challenge that it 'doesn't matter' you miss the point. St Kilda are a reasonable side who are probably a little ahead of us at this stage but during the season, if we continue to turn the ball over in our defensive 50, we will keep ourselves out of games. It's as simple as that. We're more proactive with the ball and attacking yes, but I'm yet to see any signs of improvement from regular turnovers resulting in shots on goals for the opposition. It will literally determine outcomes of games this year. - Dunn and Garland. I know ya'll love to hear it. Two members of the dark days who continue to play greatly inconsistent football. It's a negative because neither have inspired confidence in me as a supporter in any NAB challenge game thus far. Both have played at really high levels once in their career but since then, like so many of our past players they've fallen apart. Garland in particular. Part of the reason I don't believe we'll rise as quickly as many supporters do this year is because of these two. They're senior players. Both have been in and out of the leadership group, (which says a lot to me for players of their age and experience). They need to be playing high level football, and they're not. It's a negative. - Ruck Coverage and depth and Key Position depth. It's a problem and god help us if any of Gawn, Hogan or T Mac go down with serious injuries. We simply cannot cover for them and as I've said before, I wish we brought someone in as insurance. A worry for me is that Oscar McDonald seems way off the pace and in my view his Nab games have been pretty average. He lacks intensity and hardness which as of late, has been a prerequisite in our draftees and he has made some really basic errors. Whether it be missed marks under zero pressure or mis-kicks. No I'm not writing him off, but I definitely didn't like a lot of what I saw. He's nowhere near ready for senior footy and it's a worry because he is our only depth as a KPD at the minute. Overall: - I think one thing that's important for all die-hard Melbourne supporters is that we're not the only team that has 'improved' over the off-season. And sometimes I think that is forgotten. We have been in the doldrums. No other club has performed has horridly as we and we're only now beginning to match it with the lesser clubs within the AFL. That is the reality of the situation. Sure we can take a scalp here and there but I definitely don't see us making the 8 unless we have a non-existent injury list all year and we start the season with a bang. We lack depth in some really key areas and we're only now starting to play relevant football. I think we have a really exciting and solid group talent. A 'core' who can come through together. But we are where GWS were a couple of years ago. Their core have now played between 50-100 AFL games and they have a much better supported group of senior players. Round 1 will be extremely tough. But it's winnable. And so is our Round 2 match. We need to win the first two to really believe that we're a relevant footy team again. Looking forward to it. Go Dees. * Edited because I've forgotten to mention Watts as a positive. The best I've seen him play was on the weekend and all three games during NAB challenge he has performed strongly. Hoping he carries it into the season. Would have to give him confidence.

Paid carlton bigfooty a visit. ''Jeffy in the goals with 3 already , just into the third quarter''. ''He was looking good and lively before he'd kicked one''. ''Thanks again Mick'' Eddie and Jeffie. The crazy thing is both these guys may never have played at the highest level if not for us. Then we lose them through our own ineptitude. ''So hard watching Jeffy running around and doing well for Melbourne''. Takes me back a few years when he was the premier small forward in the game

Anyone else really impressed by Harmes' game (aside from goal kicking)? He's best 22 for me at the moment, I really rate him.

When Watts took that strong contested mark early on I was pretty relaxed we were going to win. A bit like that match Simon Godfrey kicked a goal on the run from just inside the 50. You just knew it was going to be our day

who said we were 'relying' on anything? all I care about is 4 premiership points and I will welcome the opposition's best players being unavailable when ever the opportunity arises

Roos, like most great leaders, has built a great team of coaches & assistants around him, getting the right people into the right jobs in the football department. They work as a team, which is far better for us than depending on one person, even one person as capable as Roos. Like all great leaders, Roos is aware that he's not the best person for everything that's needed for sustained success. If we get into the "it's Roos" or "it isn't Roos" argument, we miss the point. It's the team that Roos has built. Whatever Roos's capabilities as coach, it's his leadership capabilities that we have needed most. And part of those leadership capabilities is making sure that he can step out, when the time is right, without us missing a beat.

Really??? He wants to sue the club that threw him a chance, who he then chit all over by doing blow as well as being a convicted drug cheat. Yet he hasn't sued the tin pot club who injected him with totally unknown substances?

He doesn't worry me. He'll do his job, is rarely beaten one on one and is smart. He can play tall and small. Many here don't rate him and I understand why. He's not a glamour footballer. He's just someone that can be relied upon to do his job. I thought he was good yesterday - in a Garland sort of way.

Then I suggest you listen to your tinea. It must be difficult being so much smarter than everyone else. I think the point King made re Goodwin and Roos is one of the more interesting issues facing the club in the immediate future. He knows Goodwin is taking over - der - he was asking when is the right time. It's been well documented that Goodwin has driven preseason and Roos has taken a more back seat role. Goodwin has also been given the senior coaching duties during the preseason cup and the performance of the team has exceeded external expectations. The old saying of "don't fix it if it ain't broke" could be good advice for us now but the management of this is difficult. Roos has been undeniably fantastic for this club IMO. I've mates that question his motives but the results speak for themselves. Our footy club looks like one now thanks mainly to Jackson but also significantly to Roos. But what is clear over the Roos journey is his ego is evident and his image important to him. He's made some terrible public utterances such as "sometimes the players just don't listen" and on 360 he was saved by Buckley on several occasions when the heat went on him personally. I think the best thing for this club now is for Roos to hand over the senior coaching role to Goodwin- if not in name then in practice. It will allow a consistent message and delivery to the players for the rest of the season and what is clear is the players are getting that message. But I also thing Roos ego won't allow that. I think we'll see Roos as the senior coach in the box on game day and we'll see him address the player at game breaks. But what a wonderful thing it would be if Roos said words to the effect that Goodwin has progressed much faster than could be anticipated and he thought it best he should remain in control of the playing group allowing Roos to concentrate on broader issues within the club. I've raised these question all through the off season but IMO this is Goodwin's team now. He'll make selection decisions, game plan decisions and at season end list management decisions. Let's hope Roos lets this natural progression continue and ego doesn't get in the way. If he could he'd stamp himself as a true leader.

The answer is to actually buy a membership and turn up the game whenever we can so that we don't have to put up with the inept commentary. Helps the club and works on keeping the blood pressure down.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/nab-challenge-clash-shows-melbourne-and-st-kilda-are-both-on-the-rise/news-story/8ad9160cbad586777364f6fdbc6ad4bb Quotes: -“We stayed way too straight today,” he added as he praised Melbourne’s bravery with the footy. (Richardson) -Four of their (Demons) six leading possession-getters for the match were under the age of 23, with Christian Salem, Jack Viney, Dom Tyson and Tomas Bugg contributing on all corners of the ground. -...the Dees are blessed with a number of players in the 21 to 25-year-old bracket who could potentially make the move into the elite...Jack Viney (21), Jesse Hogan (21) and Angus Brayshaw (20) are obvious contenders while Max Gawn (24) and Tom McDonald (23) already rate in the top 35 per cent of their positions and could rise even higher this season. -Throw in 20-year-old Christian Salem who appears set for a big season as well as top-five picks yet to debut with Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver and you can see the core of a flag contender coming together. No longer the laughing stock of the league! Respect is building! A Final quote from the article" -The club and its supporters can see it on the horizon — their banner for Sunday’s clash read ‘heading in the right direction, prepare for a Demon resurrection’.

Any guys with severe brain damage who need a job should apply at Foxtel. Pig Dunstall is just a fat arsed farce with a sad and bitter soul that he likes to vent on what he perceives as weaker people. Sandy has dimentia. David King (scoop) thinks Goodwin might push Roos out of a job (no shyte Sherlock). My tinea is more informative than this trio of old tarts.

There's lots of improvement still required, but gee, it's hard to put into words just how happy I am to be following a proper footy team again.

Wouldn't "dee-luded" be obliged to notify us that he was sub-contracting his posting?

Piggy is one of the better analysts and I think he has a case; let's not get carried away by the NAB Challenge. We're improving, no doubt, and we've got plenty of grunt but we still butcher the ball too much and the top teams will make us pay time and again. Brisbane were undefeated in last years NAB challenge and look how that turned out....

Perhaps you should watch the game rather than shake your head. Saints kicked 4 goals for the quarter. Goal 1: Salem kick out to Roberton who kicks long to front of goal where Bruce out marks Oscar McDonald. Garland not involved. Goal 2: Salem clears defensive 50 to Ross who kicks into Billings inside 50 on the lead. Garland not his opponent and not involved. Goal 3: Point kick out to Wagner who kicks across goal where Billings intercepts and kicks goal. Garland not involved. Goal 4. Garland kicks across goal to Lonie who marks and finds Billings 20 metres on his own and goals. Garland involved and responsible for turnover. So he didn't give away 3 goals. He was involved in one goal. Shake your head all you like but you're wrong. Reality is Garland is obviously respected by the FD who offered him a new contract last year. You don't. That's fine but don't make stuff up to pot him.

Let's not get TOO carried away. I'm thinking he'll kick 10 against Essendrug. Better?

Great news! I see Pederson as the only real 'swingman' we've got atm. We need him to give Max a spell. He is a genuinely good mark and a good kick. He could go back and forward. I hope Frost will surpass him but at the moment Pedo is better.

disagree Goodwin has been in the box for 3 practice games. He is not the one who should be getting the credit for the progress we have made. It is Roos. Another year of Roos is another year of improvement. My concern is what it has been from day 1 - which is that we will be losing his services at the end of the year.

The difference is Hogan was filthy with himself. Kyrgios' ego tells him it is everybody else that is at fault so he lashes out like a spoil brat.

He should take a good hard look at himself!

I would be very surprise. In fact couldn't think of anything more stupid to do. He was born a senior player right from when I watched him absolutely ragdoll kids last year and his last 3 weeks has proved that this is exactly his level. If he needs a rest we'll give him a week off. [censored] Casey

For someone not born with great natural ability and coordination, yesterday's performance really highlights the pride he takes in his own performance which is a quality all leaders possess. He is another whose attitude is first class and he consistently wants to get the best out of himself as a player. For that I commend him. His positive contribution yesterday greatly outweighed the turnovers he made, (again) and it's clear he kept it simple and thought his way through situations which he needs to do. Last week he was rightly lambasted and this week he rightly wins the applause. But again I stress the following: The difference in performance from last week to this week needs to be a lot smaller. The team will improve if our key posts play consistently well and it needs to happen if we're to keep rising. Take note Colin Garland.

Great to see a very steady preseason with no blowouts, no real lapses, and plenty of players giving the selectors a round one headache. Watts! He was more Riewoldt than Riewoldt. That was the most complete game he's played for us. Showed his class ... and grunt! He had the look, all day, of being the glue that held the side together. A taller Hodge? Harmes has gone from being a raw young bloke who doesn't yet belong to being a young bloke who belongs in AFL. Oliver is ready made. Kent whether down back or up front looks so solid and reliable. I don't get the knocks on Wagner or Oscar. They are inexperienced players who need experience. Given there's no home and away yet, where better than in a NAB cup game against real opposition? Many of our regular suspects (Jones, Viney, Vince) were quiet but we didn't suffer for it. That is a very good sign. Hoges' hands went on a wildcat strike ... he was double teamed at every opportunity but our forward line looked potent. How do you double team him and keep Pedo, Kennedy, Garlett quiet? We now have so much talent and ability that all we have to do is stay focused and determined on field and we will win (more than) our fair share.

he's developing nicely, just needs more time. i can see good things down the road. bagging him at this stage is just classic mfcss consider where he has come from. neafl, no tac academies, rookie listed, limited pre-season (only coming in after draft), change of state etc worth a re-look at his draft highlights video

He's a young skinny kid, instead of dropping his head and going into his shell he found some composure and had a decent last quarter.

This is his first full AFL game and i put down his first half to simply to nerves adjustment to the tempo. In the 2nd half he was alot better and seemed to adjust well because his awarness and kicking was a whole lot better. Has a crack which is good to see. Can't see him being in round 1 though. Needs time at Casey.

Hit under the shoulder which forced the arm upwards and made it look high. Will get off. Or I'll bake Stuie a kilo of hash cookies. Pedos last quarter was inspiring.

Oliver's been a big winner.

A cringeworthy performance by him today. I estimate he called the wrong player at least ten times with the worst being when he called Hogan 'Holmes'. Seriously, Fox.

Three from three is as good as you can get. The commentators are a few weeks away from looking like fools. They can say what they like I don't care because we won.