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I understand the scepticism re Spargo. He has weaknesses. He's easily knocked off the ball and one on ones are a real challenge for him given his size. His kicking lacks penetration and is wayward at times. Despite early comments, he's not shown an ability to hold marks overhead (yes, I realize it isn't his job) and he isn't lightning quick. But he has some real attributes. He's a genuine footballer who understands the game and gets involved in the play whether he has the ball or not. When he has the ball he's got terrific awareness as the highlights above show. He's really competitive and a genuine role or "team" player. We are used to smalls having real X factor but what this kid lacks in X factor he makes up for in other footy attributes. The first time I saw him was at Casey in a practice match last year. He started forward and struggled to get into the game but in the second half he was moved to the midfield and was very good. His ability to find the ball and more importantly look to do something with it was noticeable. Spargo will learn his trade forward but will ultimately move into the midfield where he will be very good. The kid was 18 all last year and is a baby in terms of his footy potential at AFL level. I'm predicting a very good future for Charlie.

Background All rule changes that have been introduced to the AFL have some impact. Some rule changes address the intended (perceived) issue. An example is the not having to wait for the goal umpire to signal a goal to kick out. It was introduced to keep the game moving and to make it less difficult to clear the defensive zone. And i think has been relatively successful in achieving these aims. Certainly offensive teams would rather a boundary throw in in the forward pocket than score a point. Another example of a rule change that addresses the intended issue has been the deliberate out of bounds rule adjustment where players have to make every attempt to keep it in. There are less kicks to the boundary line now wit the result that the ball stay in play more. Some rule changes have mixed results in terms of addressing the intended issue, outlawing the third man up rule being one example. And some rule changes don't address the intended issue at all. The below the knees rule is good example. It was introduced to reduce the risk of injury - specifically leg injuries- but i think you could mount a case it has increased risk as players are staging for it and the schmuck going for the ball gets bot in his head for his trouble. Think Angus Brayshw against the Hawks However, whether rule changes are effective, partly effective or ineffective there will always, to a greater or lesser degree, be unintended consequences of rule changes. For example with the change to deliberate team will sometime concede that free kick but try and kick 60 meters and then set up their defence. And players are getting better kicking 'for touch' and my feeling is players are more often spiking the ball over the lien as that (stupidly) doesn't get paid as deliberate. Often the unintended consequence is related to how it is governed - eg the stupidity of having to nominate ruck man - or how it is interpreted - eg deliberate or below the knees Discussion This year there are 9 rule changes. A big number by any measure. I'm curious what posters think the impact of the new rule changes will be on both the dees and the competition as a whole. On the latter point one thing i would like to get a handle on is the impact on scoring. One clear objective of the introduction of these rule is higher scoring. The strong trend to lower scores is a real worry for the AFL and these rules aim to address that trend Note: i'm not convinced by the rule changes. But my interest here is not whether they are good rule changes but what the impact will be. That said i understand much will depend on implementation and interpretation, so interested in views on that too as that will be factor in the success of the rule change. I have had a go at answering the question of impact and potential implementation and interpretation issues for the first rule change - and keen on other's views (for that rule change and the others). At some point i'll come back to the others and edit this post to include my thoughts (have run out of time atm) Note: i understand this is obviously a hypothetical exercise and we won't really know the impact until the end of the season. So guesses are just that and the impacts are all by definition potential impacts. The changes Traditional playing positions at centre bounces Clubs must have six players inside both 50m arcs, with one player inside the goalsquare. Four midfield players must start inside the centre square with the two wingmen stationed along the wing. Impact on competition: will create an even greater reward and therefore incentive to get center clearances and quick forward entries Will stop teams putting a spare behind the ball at centre bounces (though the 'wingman' will be able to roll back easily enough) - but obviously this will still occur in play Will the above put an emphasis on good one on on defenders such as McGovern? The teams with the best midfields will be even further advantaged Will help the best tap ruck man - Gawn, Grundy, Martin Might marginally take away some advantage of skilled intercept players like rance (in so far as teams can't have spare at centre bounces) Might we see the return of the specialized wingman? Likely to be some defensive and offensive innovations in terms of set ups and structure at center bounces Will the 'wingers' set just outside the 50 metre arc and fold back in as n extra defender? Impact on dees: We are already the highest scoring team - we will be harder to stop now Will stop Goody running two extra defenders off the HB (which he was doing less of anyway) Suits our contested ball winning midfield beasts We have the best tap ruck man - Gawn Might create some opportunity for Hunt, KK, Fritter and Stretch to play as specialized wingman May might be helped by 6 v 6 at centre bounce set up given his strength Potential implementation and interpretation issues: It might be easier said then done to determine if bot tams have their sick inside the arc if they start pushing right up the line Centre clearances straight from the ball up don't happen all that often so it may not have the impact the league is hoping for in terms of stopping teams putting players behind the ball Kick-ins At kick-ins, a player will no longer need to kick to himself to play on from the goal square. Following a behind, the man on the mark will be brought out to 10m from the top of the goal square, rather than the existing five metres. Impact on competition: Impact on dees: Potential implementation and interpretation issues : Marks and free kicks in defence When defenders mark or receive a free kick within nine metres of their own goal, the man on the mark will be brought in line with the top of the goalsquare. Runners and water carriers Impact on competition: Impact on dees: Potential implementation and interpretation issues : Team runners may only enter the playing surface after a goal has been kicked and must exit before play restarts. Impact on competition: Impact on dees: Potential implementation and interpretation issues : Water carriers are not permitted to enter the playing surface during live play. Impact on competition: Impact on dees: Potential implementation and interpretation issues : Umpire contact Players will be prohibited from setting up behind the umpire at centre bounces. Impact on competition: Impact on dees: Potential implementation and interpretation issues : 50m penalties The player with the ball: Must be allowed to advance the mark by 50m without the infringing player delaying the game. Will be able to play on while the 50m penalty is being measured out. Kicking for goal after the siren Impact on competition: Impact on dees: Potential implementation and interpretation issues : A player who has been awarded a mark or free kick once play has ended: Will now be able to kick across their body using a snap or check-side kick BUT must kick the ball directly in line with the man on the mark and the goal. Impact on competition: Impact on dees: Potential implementation and interpretation issues : Marking contests The 'hands in the back’ rule interpretation has been repealed so a player can now: Place his hands on the back of his opponent to protect his position in a marking contest PROVIDED he does not push his opponent in the back. Impact on competition: Impact on dees: Potential implementation and interpretation issues : Ruck contests: prior opportunity A ruckman who takes direct possession of the ball from a bounce, throw-up or boundary throw-in will no longer be regarded as having had prior opportunity. Where there is uncertainty over who is the designated ruckman, the ruckman for each team will still be required to nominate to the field umpire. Impact on competition: Impact on dees: Potential implementation and interpretation issues :

Charlie has tricks, tricks and more tricks. Great footy brain.

Not as attractive to most men as Natalie Portman but, at least the Dees are getting some celeb supporters -

Got it.

We're trialing the 3pick only so 1 best bet is enough Wadda. As individuals, we can add-on as we see fit to make it a 4pick or bigger. Just for a while to see if it works. The thinking is that we as individuals will often have a standout pick for the weekend ... I tried it with mates but they kept putting up 2 or 3 picks each so it didn't work. Multiple options just confuses things. So it is 1 pick only with no optional picks. Exactly the same as the racing best bet. Again, it's just a trial mate - we can go back to having 2 choices each whenever we like. Anyway, I'm on the 'NEREOCA' (the Neo's?) with the other 2 picks and got 21-1 (enhanced)

One issue with the 666 starting formation will be IMO a greater importance to the role of the ruckman (and may be why we have recruited Preuss to play alongside Gawn - something I have concerns about), a good tap ruckman who can give his midfielders first use of the ball and a quick entry into the 50 will be worth the weight in gold. On that, quality contested marks in the forward 50 will be of even more importance due to many of the clearances being long and direct forward 50 entries. This rule has the potential of being enormously beneficial to the Demons

Hes a star in the making, without doubt. I think its easy to forget too that he played the entire season as an eighteen year old ! Played 18 games including all three finals. Melbournes record with Spargo in the team - 14 wins 4 losses

Not sure where to start here Tappy. Okay, deep breath. Yes, Spargo's small. You can't seriously propose that there's no room for smalls in a current AFL team. It's not height, it's heart. One of the beauties of our game is the variety of builds that compose a successful team. For a first year payer in 2018, with a team under the pump for a finals berth, I'm not sure what else you could have expected from him. Not fast? He's quick and sharp at the fall of the ball and knows where his best positioned teammate is and delivers more often than not. Review some replays if you doubt this. Can't kick? Now you're really going out on a limb. Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember him slotting one, under some pressure, from just outside 50 from the members half-forward flank. And his teammates got around him. Not to mention he was nominated for one of the top 5 MFC goals of the year. Not strong? You're having a laugh. He's strong like Boomer Harvey was. You play to your best with the hand and height you're dealt. Not in the top 25. We'll see.

So much History is being rewritten since Hogan left. He kicked 47 goals and also assisted in many others The forward line will be completely different with his absence. Better or worse? Time will tell But Hogan was a dam good mobile player, far better than the credit he is given. I hope the Weid is a better option, but he is not there yet.

What can you say? Easily the best football we played this tournament that I've seen (watched 3 games). Movements forward very good, used the width of the pitch well. Thought Grant gave them some problems down the right. Beasts in the middle of the park with Milligan setting the tone winning nearly every 50-50 challenge. Feel bad for Milos, made a howler but he has performed well. That's the sport unfortunately, lacked just a little cutting edge in front of goal. As stated previously I'm a fan of McLaren but he has way too many of these games at this level. Don't feel he attacks the far post enough at crosses, obviously that's without knowing what he's been instructed but several decent crosses came in with no-one on the end of it. Interesting times for the Socceroos going forward. Definitely quality to return but not sold on Arnie's vision.

Yeah he played back for South Australia in the national champs but I don't think they'll use him there early days. His kicking and decision making could be trouble down back. He should get his chance at Casey to play a fair amount of midfield.

I think he could also be coverage for Nev in the BP...stong kid, quick, good in the air. I noticed in some of his highlights he was either playing back or had dropped back (more likely) and didn't look out of place.

Nev has been raving to me about Toby for 2 years, was overjoyed when we got him, thinks with the correct development we have now will be a crowd/cult favorite when he gets his chance Nev relishes the mentoring role

ANB will be the transition player with his strong running. He'll set another record for km's per game expect 17km in a game, a few times this year. Midfield and Wing, then he'll run forward into a wide open 50 with his direct opponent a long way behind. Sparrow with his long kicking and solid possesion will be his trademark. We'll see him this year. Toby Bedford is dynamic, expect his fitness to increase and his tackling pressure reminds me ex-rugby junior Matthew "The Wrecker" Whelan. I loved watching him play. Haven't seen much of Marty Hore or Chandler.

Surely Natalie Portman is in the conversation if we’re talking about pre season form

C - Viney VC - Gawn Can see the benefits of dual captaincy and would consider it if that's how it looks in preseason. Viney obviously needs to get himself 100% right and it's impossible to know from the outside how the relationships between these guys and younger players are. LG - T McDonald, May, Jones If he settles in well and has the right work ethic and respect with the group I'd throw May in. If he plays anywhere near his best he'll be the leader of the backline, he should have the title. T Mc leads the forward line. Gawn/Viney the mids. Jones should stay in even if he's not locked in the best 22 or playing a vital role because a veteran with the connection to the younger players is important.

I think Lewis should step aside. Jetta would be my choice to replace him.

Water skiing probably

Time to reload as the Neo's dipped out

Write the name of your preferred candidate and/or copy + paste then bold their name. McSizzle will be entering the tournament later in the week.

As for the over-the-top injury concerns ... AFLX is virtually tackle-free. And it is all over in 3 hours. I drove past Gosch's earlier last week and we were conducting simulated match practice of sorts. I saw numerous bodies around the ball, packs flying for marks and various players contesting the ball (the traffic was heavy) My first thought was - someone could easily do an ACL here or at least incur a soft tissue injury. But we are going to play 2 practice matches in the pre-season and the risk of injury then reaches the same levels as they do in the season proper games.

Hey @binman - great thread but I thought I'd condense all the rule changes into a block. Many are unaware of the changes (at least in detail) so here's the overview. Traditional playing positions at centre bounces Clubs must have six players inside both 50m arcs, with one player inside the goalsquare. Four midfield players must start inside the centre square with the two wingmen stationed along the wing. Kick-ins At kick-ins, a player will no longer need to kick to himself to play on from the goal square. Following a behind, the man on the mark will be brought out to 10m from the top of the goal square, rather than the existing five metres. Marks and free kicks in defence When defenders mark or receive a free kick within nine metres of their own goal, the man on the mark will be brought in line with the top of the goalsquare. Runners and Water carriers Team runners may only enter the playing surface after a goal has been kicked and must exit before play restarts. Umpire contact Players will be prohibited from setting up behind the umpire at centre bounces. 50m penalties The player with the ball: Must be allowed to advance the mark by 50m without the infringing player delaying the game. Will be able to play on while the 50m penalty is being measured out. Kicking for goal after the siren A player who has been awarded a mark or free kick once play has ended: Will now be able to kick across their body using a snap or check-side kick But must kick the ball directly in line with the man on the mark and the goal. Marking contests The 'hands in the back’ rule interpretation has been repealed so a player can now: Place his hands on the back of his opponent to protect his position in a marking contest Provided he does not push his opponent in the back. Ruck contests: prior opportunity A ruckman who takes direct possession of the ball from a bounce, throw-up or boundary throw-in will no longer be regarded as having had prior opportunity. Where there is uncertainty over who is the designated ruckman, the ruckman for each team will still be required to nominate to the field umpire.

In this enlightened day and age, where “inclusion” and racial tolerance is supposed to be the norm, why is the AFL engineering a competition where one team is solely based on race and none of the other teams are? Either all teams are based on ethnic background, or none are. How do the AFL expect to cut out racial taunts from spectators at games, when it’s the AFL who are promoting race as a point of difference with idiotic competitions like this? Just another example of how poorly run and how out of touch our AFL leaders are.

I’m hoping in years to come, Spargo develops like a Sam Mitchell. He is similar in a lot of ways (footy brain, great awareness, quick with hand and foot, unbelievable vision, same limitations). He just needs to build up his strength and endurance over the next 3 or 4 years and he could be a champion inside mid.

This is a great thread Binman. The first rule change you listed and detailed, is the most surprising to me. Generally the AFL want to improve the spectator experience. Positioning was a real issue back with the ‘flood’ game style, but more recently positional coaching has been far more nuanced and interesting. Coaches, in particular Goody, were trying out new ways to set the team and I thought that was exciting, sometimes frustrating, always interesting. You could argue those manoeuvres are too ‘inside baseball’ for the wider audience, so the AFL don’t care to let that play out. But then there’s the incredible drama of tight games and those last few minutes where the captain has to direct the team to setup defensively to protect a slim margin... dramatic, even when we didn’t and left the game exposed, then lost! These are great moments in the game. I’m not sure what the AFL are gaining here? Perhaps a really clear graphic setup of the positions in AFL, lasting for just a moment before it becomes a scramble to reposition. I liked that Goody had new ideas and was brave enough to try them. Gave us an edge, with so many players being trained to be so adaptable. I’m marking this one down as a loss for the AFL and a loss for the Dees.

Thanks Watson Those stats maybe say a bit about an individual player’s involvement and commitment in pressure games. Weed’s chasing, tackling and pressure has been streets ahead of Jesse, as well as his set shot goal kicking routines, and outcomes.

I love what Hogan could have brought but time started ticking after the Sydney game last year so we already have some evidence. 2018 Record. With Hogan, wins against final top 8, 0 out of 6. Hogan kicked 8 goals Without Hogan, 4 out of 5. Weids kicked 8 goals. Hogan is a huge talent. We didn’t make the most of his speed which is what should set him apart. But for all his strengths attitude was and is questionable and forward pressure was poor. We’ll perform far better if Weids kick 30 goals but simply applies pressure. Good exhibit is the Port game last year where we kicked 9 goals from over 60 forward 50s and Hogan’s direct opponent was BOG. I doubt Weideman let’s that happen.

Finally we have some people in list management that know watt their doing. a good job... development and culture also say hello.

Have I missed the purpose of this discussion, getting the wrong mail or something, but I keep hearing that Lever won't be ready for selection until around Rd 9 - 12, so I'm having problems understanding why so many here (and in the 'proffesional' media) have got him in their Rd 1 sides for us.

I watched Hore in the match simulation last Friday. He was defending and seemed to me to be out of position, keeping the an eye on two or three forwards, not near any of them and looking a bit lost. However when the ball was kicked to his area he prevented his opponents getting a clean possession and killed off the forward thrust. Could develop into a pretty useful defender.

Thanks for this amusing anecdote Saty. Toby is lucky to be learning from a master. From his first game, it was obvious that if you got tackled by Nev, you stayed tackled .. and it may well hurt.

To me that’s a bit silly to say! Doesn’t work like like and if you read the Guthrie article it’s clear what issue is and makes total sense! Trac looks trimmer than ever and I expect him to blast out of blocks in more mid focused role this year.

Disagree wholeheartedly here.. I Now assume he is a lock & that Jeff will battle Bedford for 2nd Spot with Weeds, TMac, Melksham, Trac all locks.

This is very reasonable; it will also give Nibbler the opportunity to straight-line his assets into the forward line; he does return to position and zone very quickly, and well. Wagner certainly could be snapper nearing the goal mouth, too.

Incredibly, four of the nine listed were born within a six day period in May 2000. Bradtke and Bedford both born on the 27th, Nietschke one day earlier on the 26th and Sparrow on the 31st.

Yes I think 90% of demonlanders and observers think Sparrow will play for MFC in 2019. But I’m happy if he has a full year at Casey. That would mean we had enough mids and low injuries. He probably gets a game if we start to run down midfield stocks. Wagner is the same. Handy depth. Hore is a very good signing and should see some MFC game time. Lewis could get rested during this year and Lever is unlikely to be ready for Round 1. Most of the others should have a year to develop at Casey with no pressure to step up just yet.

sorry for the tough conditions Dr. By the way, maybe its time you changed your avatar name to 'Dr Time'... just sayin.

Toby Bedford learnt a valuable lesson in the session yesterday Was matched up on Nev at one point and cheekily gave him a love tap Nev bided his time and then happily buried Toby in a ball and all tackle Chandler is my early pick to be a surpise packet Corey Wagner will be keeping all the medium small forwards honest

Yeah It's Time. We all love the Melbourne Footy Club, but family love is a different kind of love. All the best!

Full game. Just does not get old ? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GDRDtbQeo8Xgc1tpxOLWHhFYP8inGKbE/view?fbclid=IwAR3RMPQ8fdjrf0Tamv4e6mGykQk8fDSmX4x8SFA_clfHOeIUL9xCopv5dbI

If Ross talks to Gus, I'll fly over there and burn his bloody house down. Ross that is. Not Gus.

I admit I was unsure about him prior to his return. A lot of people had him in their best 22 and I couldn't see why as I thought we had enough of his body type. I was definitely wrong, he's got a competitiveness that is immeasurable and was a huge part of our late surge. Given what he was able to achieve without much preparation and so much time out of the game last year, he could make a big difference to our team with a good pre-season.

I think we will stop more goals in 2019.

More Pavlich for me.

Dangerfield: The seasons too long, I’d like to see it reduced in length. AFL: We’ll pay you a small fortune to dress up as a superhero and play in a pre-season tournament. Dangerfield: Where do I sign?

C - Jack Viney VC - Nathan Jones LG - Max Gawn and Jake Lever Viney is the inspirational leader we have waited for. Certainly time for him to take the reins solo imo, especially as Jonesy's performance could slide next year