Leaderboard

Colin was always generous with his time and great with his fans when he was with the Demons. We should all wish him a speedy recovery. Good luck Colin.

Bleeding on the brain, Coln should be fine.

We've supposedly got the worst midfield in the league, stats wise, yet we still won 10 games. Just imagine when our midfield grows and matures to go with the rest of the list. The 17 other clubs would be scared shitless.

Corrrrrrrrrect. With so much AFL devoted media still needing to earn a pay check to get them through Christmas and January it's no surprise that they start pumping up Collingwood and Richmond - they do it EVERY YEAR - Why? Because their crazed fans (no different to us) click onto the articles on the Newspaper websites, on the AFL website, facebok posts through FOX and SEN, as well as picking up the paper (all of which sells advertising space). Same can be said for Freo and WC over there in the West. The media will try and make a news story out of nothing to sell some space and attract attention their way - even when there isn't really a story to tell. With regards to the article itself (I haven't read it) - I know where we stand and who we are better than in the league. We have a bloody tough, honest and hardworking midfield now with some spark and flair developing on the edges, probably lacking a bit of pace but we're easily the most competitive (and 'potentially' talented) bunch of players I've seen in my time (30+ years). Next year will tell us a lot about where we're at and our prospects for the next few years. Fingers crossed all goes to plan.

I couldn't care less, I just want us to make finals and win a flag.

Jesuse, If we are last and can still beat the top two midfield team Collingwood and Richmend then images when Viney, Bradshaw, Patracka, Oliver and Tyson become better players.

Don't mind the article- it is retrospective after all . Strangest thing about it is that Lewis isn't ranked higher. It does two things 1. Puts more pressure on Collingwood/ McGuire/ Buckley 2. Reinforces the message to us : we have to improve - which means we have to work harder!! Two excellent outcomes!!

First mistake.

That is why I will on occassion call out a poster. We can write lines on the failings of Dawes as a footballer. That's a reality. However, he, like 95% of other "failures" give it a shot but due to frail bodies, lack of ability, game going past them or just plain age are not a success. I understand why they are cut and in nearly all cases agree with the decision but giving them a kick up the ar$e on the way out is just so unnecessary. It's not passionate, it's not being a tough club that no longer accepts mediocrity - it is just plain nasty.

I think there is a very good reason for our midfield being ranked so low. They say they are basing it on numbers over two years. That would basically give us Vince and Jones who have played those two years at a high level and Viney at maybe a year and a half. Who else is going to rate a mention over a two year period? Petracca had a few brief stints, but his stats are nothing special. Brayshaw spent almost the entire season injured this year. Tyson had a shocking time in 2015. Oliver is brand new and has only played a handful of games. Melksham was suspended. Over the sample period, our midfield as it is currently listed has done virtually nothing. Half of them haven't even played both years. Of the guys who have, we already know that they aren't the absolute elite of the competition, so why get worked up? What we have are a group of hard-working senior mids who fight for every ball and a crop of youngsters who show every sign of being future stars but haven't produced it yet at AFL level. I don't think the analysis is that unfair when you actually look at the criteria and who we currently have on our list.

Just another quiet night for Col.

Col is a lovable larrikin. Hope he makes a quick recovery - not a good start to his preseason.

If the boys are training Wednesday or Thursday, I am free and will attend and give my customary elloquent and right on the money appraisal of form and eclectic random thoughts on players for all you wonderful folk on Demonland! I think I can already say that Clarry Choo Choo will be "Training the House down"!

Gee it's funny when the guys put on a dress though. Takes me back to those hilarious pie nights of yore. I still maintain a big hairy bloke in a dress is comedy gold. Why tinker with the formula.

One of my favourite players was The Flash who we drafted from the VFL (originally as a rookie). The club has drafted three players this year from that competition and I hope they can have good AFL careers like his. Meanwhile, Aaron has taken up a coaching job at Doveton which is not that far from Casey where two of our rookies were recruited from - Aaron Davey to coach Doveton in South East Football Netball League Good luck Flash!

CD isn't reliable when it comes to this. For instance, because Caddy is ranked as an 'elite midfielder' he is given the same weight as Nat Fyfe, which obviously isn't right. For a much better look at the statistics have a look here https://thearcfooty.com/2016/12/11/how-much-do-midfields-improve-year-to-year/ To me this is much more representative of the current game, and has the Dee's at around the right spot, although I think we all believe it should increase again over the next few seasons

I'm surprised that Viney is rated so low, presumably it is a matter of sustaining form over a period. Plus, there's no great evidence to suggest he creates especially damaging clearances or launches many scoring chances. His disposal efficiency is still low and there isn't a trade-off in his favour from having a big positive impact. Jones I would've thought would be higher, too. But again he is just not that damaging most of the time. Champion Data will likely fall madly in love with Angus Brayshaw once he gets some more fitness and racks up some more disposals. The rate at which his possessions become score-assists, effective inside 50s, score launches and the like is terrific. You'd argue that Petracca has the same kind of danger to his game. At the moment our midfield has a few established top accumulators (Jones 28disp/5clr, Viney 26/6, Tyson 25,4) and a few young 'weapons' in Brayshaw and Petracca, with much fewer disposals to spin to gold. Plus the mystery beast Oliver. As for Collingwood and Richmond's high ratings, and the Freo-Bulldogs comparison made prior to the season - The power of Collingwood's midfield is demonstrated by the fact they were mostly competitive in 2016 despite have absolute gobshite forward and defense groups. Richmond is practically defined by their tradition of having a great top end and then depth resembling the detritus of Big Day Out concerts. Right now they've got Cotchin, Prestia and Martin included in their main midfield group. All 3 are more potent than any 1 we've got at the moment, if you can leave the Cotchin-bashing aside for a second. Going back to Fremantle and their anticipated rating for 2016. Neale, Hill, Mundy, Pearce and Barlow were pretty good in 2015, I hear. The they recruited Harley Bennell, and champion data could only go on his stats from play. And that Fyfe kid goes alright. I don't think there'd be many claiming their forward-line depth and sparkling defenders were the factors that took them close to glory, either. Bulldogs are a slightly different deal. I'd argue two factors had them middle of the range of midfields at the end of 2015. First, many players were exciting, obviously terrific talents, but still not quite putting it all together, with each having different gaps in the combination of "control it, get it, use it, do it again". Exactly how we might look at Petracca, Oliver and Brayshaw in 2017. The other factor is that a lot of the Bulldog's 2016 potency was built on flankers contributing really effectively in their roles as well as when they ran through or rotated through the midfield, which means their performance might not be considered part of the compared 'midfield' squad in 2016, let alone in 2015. The Bulldogs transformation from exciting to supreme was all about 'completing' the full package for already excellent players and having great depth which gave great tactical initiative. Think of it like Jesse Hogan. If he comes out in 2017 and has an ideal set shot routine and never shows poor body language, all we'll remember from 2016 if that he was already great and kicked 40+ goals. The halo around him will outshine any memories of his youthful imperfections. So... Champion Data are probably right, within their terms of reference. Collingwood and Richmond do have great top-end midfields, (but the floorboards have rotted through everywhere else). Fremantle did have an amazing midfield... during the 2016 pre-season. The Bulldog's midfield could only be called 'exciting but incomplete' based on their 2014-15 performance. And, based on exposed form over the last couple of years, Melbourne's midfielders are nothing much to shout about. Other things being equal, they weren't generally going to win you a game. But that time should come.

Good luck Flash. The 'Duvvy' supporters will be very excited about seeing someone with a full set of teeth. Or any teeth for that matter. I wouldn't necessarily be taking my car to the ground though.

i remember there was a spate of people flying off balconies in the 60's and 70's

Sorrento will be stoked to have the big man down there Good Luck Dawesy

These days you have a serious accident and whats your first thought. Share it on social media.

Sorry to point out a slight contradiction there Saty. Seems there is conjecture about his fitness, work rate in the off season and perhaps attitude. That coupled with his minor DD infraction suggests he needs a little re-programming. Nothing drastic. I'm sure the club is on to it. They have learned lessons in the past about players who think they can perhaps cut corners and how to manage them...

Here is objective: We have beated the Pies the last 3 times we have played them We were no 3 for centre clearances in 2016

We were top 5 for clearances for the majority of the year. Our midfield this year was pretty solid. Not top 4 material, but inconsistently top 8 worthy. This was written for the Herald Sun. Whatever sells the most papers. Collingwood stories will sell more. If they've worked out an incredibly ridiculous statistical anomaly that suggests Collingwood are in any way, shape or size the best midfield in the game, is it any surprise Jay Clark has gone for it?

As we all know he is now getting put through a rigorous program by none other then Daniel Cross which im completely happy with as there is no other better professional to learn off. Its not a major issue..

Great first post, doug. Nothing suss there. Go Pies. Melbourne's midfield was ranked 5th for clearances and 6th for contested possession. There's two of the key functions of any midfield where Melbourne was objectively in the top third. Only the most self hating supporter would think we're dead last. Any system that rates Mitch Wallis as 'elite' and V.iney as 'average' is a broken system that clearly doesn't place sufficient weight on a player's last 12 months.

Hun article designed solely to sell newspapers to toothless readers, nothing to see here, move along

The corresponding article last year had Freo ranked 2nd and Bulldogs 10th

Wish him well, nice bloke and injuries stopped him at Demons.

An article like this should provide some fire in the belly for our guys to prove them all wrong. In a way, this is better result than over inflating their egos by announcing them as the best, and then wondering why they under achieved later on. much happier to see this happen to Collingwood.

You can add Mark Neeld to that list from collingwood as well.

We didnt get sold anything. We recruited two ex-premiership players. We knew their worth, we knew what they were capable of, we knew everything about them. We live with our choices. It's not the players fault (so long as they gave or give their all).

Actually the beard is trimmed I'm afraid to say, and after discovering the brioche at ALDI, the number of pillows required might be lessened ,

I'm trying to work out which is more likely: they were allowed to compete because Stephen Dank provided compelling evidence to show how the Russian athletes did nothing wrong; or they were allowed to compete because the Russians were able to prove they had no association with Stephen Dank.

Most club are football/netball combined NC

have been following this thread for awhile,sure he did not succeed but he tried.Went to sandy to watch him play you could not fault is endeaver

Jeezus! There should be a warning with that pic. Just had lunch... Lucky fellow.

Unless you take another breath.

It does not matter that collingwood and Richmond have a better midfield, collingwood have no defenders at all, dunn is now their best defender, and they only have one forward moore, and Richmond only have jack revolt, also they are judging from last two season's take away season 15 that's irelvant, also good luck if wells plays 10 games, if u have a resent history of injuries and u are over 32, u don't get better and he will be 33 next year, caddy I don't rate prestia is over rated, our midfield smashed gold coast with prestia and ablett playing, so Richmond and collingwood might have a better midfield but both are very weak every else on the field, our midfield has greater growth then them both

Champion Data brought to you by Dreamworld Australia!! Quite reliable most of the time!!

Try ad be objective and not so defensive. Seriously, we do not have an A-grader in our midfield. I love Jonesy and young Viney and there is loads of potential which I am Salivating at the prospect of seeing develop but at least Treloar and Pendlebury have the stats to back up Champion Data

Chris Dawes playing for Sorrento in 2017. Don't know if this has been brought up before: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/mpnfl/sorrento-lands-prized-recruits-andrew-lovett-and-chris-dawes/news-story/4e9062fde039049ad1bbaddc18c04dd9

There's something clearly wrong with whatever formulas they're using to reach their rankings if Richmond and Collingwood's midfields are considered two of the best in the league. I mean, Jesus... RICHMOND? Their midfield is horrific.

The former player known as the Prince?

It's the last training for the year. They can't have it the next week! It's a shame it isn't the Saturday or even 3pm on the Friday so people could take the arvo off, but I guess they are trying to stick to their routine and get the year done before the players break for 2 weeks. Take the kids out of school in the morning and return them at lunch time?

Melbourne's debt is 52 years.

Not a great Footy Show fan, but when I do watch it, I thought Rebecca Maddern and Brayshaw were ok together. But to replace him with Hutchison!?!? A surly, sefl-inflated grand stander who likes to take a contrary position on most subjects to make him look intelligent (which never works) and who does not let co-hosts finish their sentences because he has another pearl of wisdom to share or another contrary statement to make. The worst footy person on TV, and that is a huge statement considering some of the gits who get given air time. Nothing of substance holding the Footy Show together now. The bell is now tolling...

Brayshaw has obviously upset somebody - off the cricket and now the footy show. Not good for your self esteem to be replaced by the moronic Hutchy. Even more reason not to watch it.

I am no Dawes fan but he did IMO give his all. His failure was not due to lack of effort.

Like all trades - you trade and hope. Some work and some don't - Bernie Vince has been a win. Daniel Cross for free was a definite win. I liked the idea of Dawes at the time but he has definitely been a loss. "H" and Benken - "H" hasn't worked and Benken - too early but on exposed form to date it looking less likely to be a win. This year we have Melksham, Lewis and Hibberd - I am hoping for at least 2 out of these to work.