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I know the stats have him at 172cm but he plays like 174cm. So that's a win.

They commentators described him as the most competitive player in this years draft. For the moment, that sounds good enough to me.

Huge upside ~ an Under 18 All Australian. ESPN’s Chris Doerre (aka Knightmare) had him at 16 in his October power rankings:- Harrison Petty (VIC) Best position: Key defender Height, weight: 195cm, 82kg Recruited from: Norwood Projected draft range: Second round Similar to: Robbie Tarrant October Ranking: 16 Rationale: Named South Australia's MVP during the Under-18 Championships. Petty is a relatively untapped talent who has improved significantly this season and is still growing, having shot up 5cm this season. Petty's potential as a still growing key defender with a late-year birthday sees him hold firm despite others rising. Strengths: Intercept marking Reads the flight of the ball early Takes marks at highest point Clean at ground level Effective ball user Composure with ball in hand Rate of improvement Strong performances from limited exposure Weaknesses: Keeping balance in one-on-one contests Strength solid but not as advanced as some of his peers Capable but not a freakish athlete According to Snoop Dog:- “HARRISON PETTY – NORWOOD / KEY DEFENDER / 195cm Tall defender from SA that wasn’t really on my radar leading into Champs but was super impressed with him through them and in the subsequent games I saw. Just reads the footy so well and happy to peel off and intercept. His hands are assured and his ball skills are very good to. Seems to play the game with a lot of composure and could be a steal this late.”

Let's just hope he's not a heartbreaker.

Only two are actually proven quality. That’s not a lot.

Can't understand why I'm excited about it. I'll be sitting on the edge of my couch when our picks come around, heart rate climbing, maybe a bit of sweat on the brow, in nervous anticipation of picking up 4 blokes I have never heard of, and know nothing about.

Cheers intrepid researchers. It was sensibly iffy. There's a massive difference between the all-time121 consecutive goal-kicking games of Peter McKenna compared to the current playing group efforts of Jake Melksham at 12 games. Well, not just massive, but easily quantifiable at one tenth - the same as say comparing Billy Stretch to a 300-game player. But, on a separate note, and now that the dust has settled somewhat - I've been meaning to respond to the Jack Watts Once Kicked the Glorious Winning Goal Against Collingwood on Queens Birthday and So Therefore and So Forth peoples (although I agree that it was winning and that it was glorious) . . . . . . from my very rough estimate (i.e my terribly poor memory), Jake Melksham kicked the 'sealer' in at least four games in the back half of the season. At least two of those were genuine bona fide sealers (e.g had some element of clutch and broke the last resolve of the opposition). I've already openly eaten humble pie as to the man - but the Milkshake contribution of 2017 is still lacking in acknowledgement and respect.

If that doesn't do it, how about Ginger Baker after the famous drummer from Cream?

Harrison? Petty? Are we trying to re-unite the Travelling Wilburys here?

Good selection. Outside of Lever you could argue our other tall defenders (T Mac not included) are still projects as well, and selecting Petty not only gives us insurance but also gives him time to develop as well.

Love a player with a typo in his name

Charlie Spargo will be an absolute gem for us. Ideal pick imo.

Wayne Carey, only shorter and I’m not sure what position he plays.

I hope the commentators are right with their allusions to 'think Boomer Harvey' due to his stature... I can also think of Ben Ken, David Bain, Robin Nahas and maybe Ricky Jackson Welcome kid.

I can't wait to form an opinion on each of the draftees based on their 3 minute highlight clips and then stubbornly refuse to change it for the rest of their careers.

Competitor without the ball. Good evasive skills and vision with the ball means quick and quality decisions. That's a nice combination. More of a midfielder than a speedy crumber but as defenders get quicker I don't think pure speed is going to run them down all that often. I like the pick and I think he'll be a player.

From his highlights package he has great awareness and can use the ball. Only query would be his size, he will have to be elite at everything else if he wants to make it.

Yeah for sure a couple years in the system and he should bulk up well Bull, Dec and now Fritta, 3 Casey boys, Dec is over the moon

Wrapt we took Bayley. He's a beaut and it shows great support for our seconds. Casey is proving to provide great development and pathway into the AFL...two years in a row.

Love this! Been on about Spargo for 18 months. Boy can play!

I was close

Welcome to the Demons, Andrew Brayshaw (in 2020)

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-11-23/melbourne-makes-fourth-consecutive-profit Key Stats: Profit of $1.3m Debt reduced by $1.3m to $4.1m (Was $8.1m when Barlett and Jackson arrived) Revenue up by $2.m over 2016 ie 9% “A key factor in the financial result was the support of members. A Club record 42,233 signed up for the 2017 season, with the Club also breaking its attendance record with over 830,000 people watching the team play this year – an increase of more than 146,000 from 2016. An incredible turnaround in 4 years to go from a financial basket case to one that is financially stable, thanks primarily to Jackson. Fair to say In-Jackson-We-Trust

So today’s the day when it all unfolds and the Demons pick up four new players. Follow the day and night’s action here. TV - Fox Footy Channel from 6.30pm Radio - SEN from 6.45pm Melbourne’s first pick is likely to be read out at some time after 8.00pm.

This one is going to take a few years before we really consider giving him games I would think. The great advantage of having a strong line-up with some depth behind it is that you can take your time with the kids and not play them until they are ready.

Pace and competitiveness. It's definitely a theme.

Absolutely rapt that we have him! Was top of my 'wish list' '

Yeahhhhhh Bailey!!!!!! So god damn happy about that!!!!!

Fritsch!!!!

Pick 29 - Charlie Spargo

The AFL is not the Peoples Moral Police. If pokies are legal, they ought to keep their damn noses out of the clubs business. It's bad enough they send the poorer clubs all over the land, in the crap timeslots, then make a song and dance over equalisation funds. To then tell a poor club such as ours to ditch our best revenue stream outside membership/major sponsors, would be feel good politics and nothing more.

Is this code for dopes who make poor decisions and lack personal responsibility ?

Think the only certainty is that Jason Taylor will call a name and we will all go who?

It is well known that Jackson won't be with us long-term, but it would be great if we could sign him up for at least the short and mid-term. Another 3 years after 2018 would be great. Gives us enough time to either really develop our own from within, or plenty of time to find a more than acceptable replacement.

Financial basket case may have been a tad colourful but I suggest we weren't in a good place financially when Jackson et al took over. Certainly Jimmy deserves great accolades for saving our club and turning the ship around. But sadly it wasn't sustained. While huge work went into fund raising/selling games (Brisbane then NT) our 'core revenue' was in decline. And I suggest that one of the main reasons we posted profits in 2009 to 2012 (the 'minor miracles' as you put it) was because we grossly underfunded the football department, football facilities and player development. This under funding wasn't sustainable. When Jackson et al took over we didn't have a major sponsor(s). We had very low and decreasing membership . People didn't come to our games. So 3 of the 'core revenue' streams were on heart support post Jimmy/McLardy. The precious fund raising during Jimmy's reign, while desperately needed had papered over the financial cracks. I'm with you in praising the work Jimmy did but I hold a different view to the years that followed. The business model and spending priorities we have now is vastly different to that pre Jackson/Barlett. This 're-engineered' business is now a sustainable and financially stable club. FWIW, my view is we would not be where we are without Jackson. He had a vision and slowly put the building blocks in place to fulfill it.

I like Charlie Constable. He has an arresting personality.

I like the idea of playing two talls forward with Hogan playing the connecting hybrid role, as well as pushing forward himself. I think Hogan would be terrific in this role. I'm not convinced Weideman is good enough, but he's got ability, so let's hope so.

The only reason he’ll slide that far will be because of his recent health condition that clubs are now aware of. Based on his talent alone, I can’t see how he’d last to our first pick and if he did, we’d have to take him.

The morals police are out again. ffs, have your EVER heard of personal responsibility? Tell me what difference it will make to a gambling addict, if we remove our machines? The only thing that it would impact positively is your "feelings"

The whole draft system is now characterised by enormous speculation, anxiety on the selections left available and the final return as the draft itself continues and ends. The end-products as far as the clubs are concerned have few guarantees, if any, as we all attempt to get the best value/s in potential players based upon the system's in-built redundancies - the hierarchy of selection order. As far as the MFC is concerned, I'd say that we have had good opportunity and success in our recent experiences over the past few years and that these players, with considerable preparation in senior games experiences are now ready to 'burn' for the red and blue onfield. This may not be a great selection year due to our selection sequence but past successes can be more telling in our rush to the finals in 2018. Therefore, we should not lose hope, at all, whatever our outcomes at the end of this day. 'Carna Dees!

Callum Twomey doesn't have him in his top 30. Others rate him a top 10 but Twomey comments that "there are questions on his running." If he was available at 29 or whatever, I would personally handcuff him to the draft table and claim him.

no such thing these days as a starting 18. it's a starting 22 you only have to look at who starts on the bench each game, and the time on ground % of each player to realise it's a starting 22 wallace needs to get out of the past

We weren't a financial basket case 4 years ago. In fact, we were in quite a decent financial position with excellent ongoing revenue streams. The ship just needed to be righted - Peter Jackson made special mention of that when he arrived in 2013. On field - we were deplorable. Mixing up the 2 areas (Financial & on-field) is a common misrepresentation. It's true that we posted a loss in 2013 but we had previously posted profits in the 4 years prior to 2013. And that one poor financial return can be put down to our gate returns hitting rock bottom after an equally deplorable year in 2012. PJ obviously righted the ship but let's not forget to acknowledge the financial turnaround that we all witnessed during the Jimmy Stynes era. In 8 of the last 9 years the club has posted a profit. It's all there in black & white in the annual reports. There are 4 main reasons why we've posted profits since 2009 (other than the increased dividend that all the clubs are now receiving from the AFL) Pokies (the profitability of our 2 venues has matured & increased year-by-year) NT (800k per game) Foundation Heroes (large sums of money were raised initially & 3 - 4 years hence) Increased Membership We can now add the increased revenues from our home fixtures against other big clubs apart from Collingwood (ANZAC eve, vs Cats season opener etc) Considering how unsuccessful we've been in the recent past, it's a minor miracle that we have posted a profit in 8 of the last 9 years. In real terms, having a debt of only 4.1 million is not an issue when considering our more-than-solid revenue streams and cash-flow.

...and the tell sign is...? To answer your question - Melbourne born to Italian parents so I guess that sort of makes me European and an Aussie - equally proud of both.

Had forgotten how big the debt had become prior to Jackson. Scary. A remarkable turnaround. Prudent financial management by Jackson. Highlights the key role of a capable CEO with his hands on the clubs financial levels. The fact that Jackson has achieved this with a minimum of fuss and without ripping the guts out of the club speaks volumes for his management strategy and style. Also a reminder that significant financial improvement can only come by long term sustained success on the field over a 5 to 10 year period. Better take out that membership again for 2018.

Just listened to the segment. I thought Wallace was absolutely spot on, but for some slightly curious inclusions and omissions in the best 22. Interesting that he said 'Jack Watts? I personally would've kept him, but it won't hurt the club long term'. Despite the 1 billion posts on that topic here, I think that pretty well sums up that trade perfectly.

Did I read the TMac is in the rehab group due to his ankle clean ups? With Jesse slimming down, I'm salivating at the sight of TMac leading out from FF and slotting his straight kicks, while Jesse runs them ragged as a big, strong half fwd. Tommy has such good aerobic strength I can see him getting back to full training as soon as his ankles are up to it. As big Kev would say, I'm excited!

He will never be a Sargent

Top 20 might drop a little but Won’t make it to our pick sadly. As you’ve brought up Brayshaw - rumours circling Freo like him at 2!!!!!