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Young has always been a midfielder until he went to the Rays. It was a part of trying to teach him other roles and responsibilities as often happens with really talented kids. Having seen the boy play since he was 10, coaching against him and knowing him through junior rep cricket as well as footy, I can guarantee that he is a genuinely multifaceted footballer. His pace is good (not express), he is courageous - going back into packs is not a problem, he's a great mark for his size (can play a bit taller than his 188 cm) and his kicking is elite. He can find his own ball and is also great on the outside. He may play some defence, but I think ultimately he'll work between half back and the midfield, like Whitfield. If we don't take him at 3 then whoever we do take had better be bloody good because they'll be hard pressed to carve out a better career than this bloke will.

Young will be taken with our first pick. Source: recruiter at another Victorian club. It’s apparently already widely known amongst AFL circles that we’ll be taking Young with our first pick. Unknown yet if we bid for Green, but Sydney will definitely bid for Green if we don’t. Cant wait to see Young in red and blue commanding the half back line for the next 10 years!

The more I hear about this kid, the more I want to keep 3, take him and hopefully have a good player for the next 10 years. Splitting picks is great except the chances of getting a really good player decrease. If we nail it with 3 and 8, that is 2 players who should be added, very soon to our best 22. With Langdon and Tomlinson that is 4. 4 best 22 in one year is a fantastic haul and well over the odds. We need to get it right with these 2 picks. With 2nd year players in Sparrow, Jordon and Nieta also chances to make it, we are in a good position. We can then cherry pick another draftee and maybe a DFA or 2 plus some rookies.

I've had similar thoughts but if Young works out he's going to get 15-20 kicks per game - which is what designated kicking half backs and only a select number of midfielders can do. Salem was at 16.70 last year. The attacking benefits of an elite kick getting more kicks than any other player on the field have to be worth a lot, maybe up to a couple of goals a game if he's lasering it in to the corridor. Then Young's got the size and ability to contribute defensively and composed ball use stops turnovers. A gun key forward is probably still the most valuable recruit, challenged only by the Dusty/Dangerfield style mid/forward bull and maybe the absolute silkiest 30+ disposal goal kicking mids. Rowell is the gun accumulator/goal kicker, Anderson is the mid/forward star and there's not a highly rated key forward. After that does it matter if you draft an in an under on baller, a wing, a half back, a ruck, a key defender? Isn't a good player a good player?

I don't get the fixed view that some hold regarding Harley. When was the last time he made a mistake? Injury aside. A long time ago. People change. Harley has a small family. His mistakes are in the past. Injury is the only concern, but I'd jump at signing him on a one year deal to see if he could get his body right. The Richmonds and Collingwoods of this world seem to have little issue giving players a second and third chance. (Cousins, Kraks). And even though some don't work out, they remain strong as clubs and continue to perform. Meanwhile, we have supporters who would rather the feel good Billy Stretches and ANB's of this world. Great characters, professional trainers. Yadayada. But will do very little for us in the way of influencing a game. Every team is trying to get a leg up on the other. It's about time we tried something against the grain.

You’re welcome to your opinion. I’m personally very excited to be drafting the next Luke Hodge!

Jack is an amazing 'lead from the front/follow me' type. Some stand out games were vs Crows in 2017 when Jesse had been diagnosed with cancer and couldn't play. He revved the team into a frenzy and played like mad men! Then the 2018 finals series speak for themselves. He is now showing maturity and 'good shepherd' leadership characteristics in this northern training trip. And I vividly recall he sitting with the inconsolable Weideman in the change rooms after Sam missed the set shot that would have won a game this year. I wouldn't be surprised if there were other relationship building things he does which we will never see. We know his leadership weaknesses but it is up to the club to give him a) the media training to represent the club without putting people to sleep and/or have a co-captain eg Max who excels at that; and b) the education to develop his footy IQ and ensure the 'generals' we have (May, Lever etc) get actively involved with Viney during games.

Jack is growing into the role of leader. Great initiative by him for helping with the young guys fitness and relationship building. Sounds like Burgess has the team working hard in the off-season. Great base from which to start the pre-season.

DD and AF from your posts over the years you both appear to know footy, but for the life of me I can't figure out why you respond to this idiot. Review the threads where this troll puts bait out, with no response the threads die

True. But also clubs like Carlton and Essendon, have dug their own grave in no less significant ways and still have never suffered poor draws like we have. Yes I know, big clubs and so on and so forth. Hard to become a big club with this level of inequality though.

My expectation is that this will be an almighty whingefest, despite the fact we have pretty much dug our own grave.

How about we all agree to put Olisik on ignore and for those who don't, please do not quote him. I'm going to do that now. His comments are worthless trollings and should not get oxygen through replies.

Waiting for sharks to snap at their heels.

No worries, there should be plenty of them everywhere.

My expectations are that we will have a crap draw from a commercial point of view after stinking it up this year. Having finished 17th we should have an easier draw, but I assume we will still have crappy short breaks, trips to Cardinia Park, Tassie and whatever other random spots they feel like throwing us to. Pert did a great job for Collingwood on the draw. Let’s see if he’s pulled the same muscle for us. At least we have two big home games this year in Anzac eve and Queens Bday.

Turing into a real leader, can't believe people want him to step down, he may not be a polished speaker in the media but he bleeds for the club and that the first thing you need as your captain, think a combination of Viney and Maxy compliment each other perfectly. With T Mac as Vice.

Said few weeks back that I don't think you can go wrong with either Serong and Young. Both are going to be jets. If you're picking someone based on needs then i think Young is the first priority. Where's Serong I see someone who can slot in straight away and make an instant impact across half forward. At the moment I am still undecided on Young/Serong for pick 3. There is a difference between having an opinion and just blatantly trolling which you are doing. You go on every single thread and crap on about how Goodwin is a [censored] coach because all he will do is pick inside mids in this draft. It's no wonder everyone takes the [censored] with now at every opportunity because you are well renown as a troll. I do hope mods pick up on this and send you away for good with @Matsuo Basho

Calm down David Koch.

Bleeedingly obvious statement, but this guy is an absolute legend. The MFC should induct him into our Hall of Fame. Immediately.

if he is available take him. this guy will be hungry to play and get back to AFL football. We need players hungry to play, not just feeling they are safe because our list is thin. He now knows what the downside of his bad behavior he is very unlikely to do it again.

Houli, Tom Stewart, Tom Langdon, Callum Mills, Jarryn Geary, Sicily, Hurn, Andrew McGrath, Zac Williams etc all say hello.

I can get excited about drafting any player, in any position, who is a potential elite-disposer of the ball. And the footage I’ve seen of Hayden Young tells me he is exactly that.

Frost would have been great depth sure. But you can’t pay depth players the kind of coin he was chasing. Would you rather keep Frost or re-sign Oliver and Gawn when their contracts are up? List management is about a lot more than just keeping onto players you think are OK. We have to manage our cap. Oh and the McDonald conspiracy theory is amazing. I love it. Unique and refreshing. Tom must be one hell of a negotiator. Getting new contracts for himself and his brother and getting rid of their competition. Shame he couldn’t stop them recruiting May and Lever.

Of the bottom 6 we will get the hardest draw possible: 1 return game with a top 6 team, 2 return games with a mid 6 team and 2 return games with bottom 6 teams (probably Sydney and Freo). Don't rely on the draw to get us back up the ladder ala Brisbane c 2019. It won't be financially advantageous as we will be relegated to the Sunday afternoon games, few prime FTA spots and Home games will be against the low drawing clubs . Thankfully it is our year for Home games on ANZAC Eve and QB which might boost the coffers a little. The AFL will look favourably upon its darlings: Carlton and St Kilda and 'reward' their potential with more prime time FTA ala Ess c 2019 and Carlton c 2017. Don't know what happened to the 'need to win games, to get FTA time slots vs big teams'. All that MFCSS aside, I would like reasonable breaks after games to the WA or NT and to play them in the cool of night.

Best bet for tomorrow. Race 8 Moonee Valley - No. 10 Sikandarabad

Oh yeah, look not having a crack at Viney, he's one of my favourite players on and off, more just talking about areas we need help with as far as leadership goes and weaknesses (IMO) that I'd love to see him improve upon. FWIW I think Viney will still be a co-captain next year, along with Gawn, and I hope we improve the support for him with more 'directional' type leaders and Jack himself starts to work on that area.

I'm team Jack. I love his attitude, i love his desire, i love his aggressive nature. I think it takes a while to be a good captain, and i think he can be that, he has plenty of footy left in him and i think he will thrive now that there is no Nathan Jones, it's his capatincy now, Max might join, but its his. Go back and watch his finals in 2018, coming off hardly any gametime or prep, he was huge.

I remember when a significant portion of draft watchers on here wanted us to take Jayden Laverde because of his electric highlights package. Similarly, most here thought Parish was a can't miss prospect and were upset when we drafted a fat ranga at pick 3 instead of him. I love the draft. I love picking my favourites. But let's not pretend we have a clue how any of these guys will go, especially if you're forming strong opinions off highlights packages.

Like you I think he is a great get. Along with Burgess he will add some much needed credibility. Clubs like Hawks, Tigers and more recently Lions have built their attractiveness on their ability to rehab players or minimize injuries. My impression is that club doctors are part-time as they also work in private practices. Sometimes they see players at those practices sometimes at the club. I wouldn't be surprised if Dr Brukner's role is a bit hands off when it comes to player contact but heavily involved in the processes for injury diagnosis and management. The club has shown faith in keeping at least two of the existing doctors so perhaps he will be involved in the more complex or chronic cases.

One thing's for sure. You can't have enough capable people in an organisation. People with knowledge, skills and experience. Brukner has those attributes. And I would probably throw in a dose of wisdom. He certainly brings years of experience dealing with players, administrators, coaches and fitness gurus. In short, people skills. He would also have a wealth of contacts from his years in the field and his academic role suggests that he will be up to date with latest research and injury management techniques around the world. With his own years of experience at the coal face of sporting clubs that is impressive. My only doubt would be the question as to his level of involvement and how much time he will have for the MFC.

It will tighten a little i reckon. Because it is the best horse by a mile. The track will be firm as there has been basically no rain today (so won't chop out tonight) and it will be windy tomorrow, drying out the track and making it hard for leaders (my understanding is Lys Gracieux is very versatile - has the speed to start quick from his wide barrier and get a good smother up 4th or 5th, or can sit at the back and has the brilliance to quicken from the back and make a sustained run over the last 400. Look at out WFA races this spring. This horse is better than out best by panels. I mean Black Heart Bart is carrying 2 more kilos - 4 lengths. Please. Currently at 3.70 which i reckon is well overs. Only the wide draw and the queries about travelling and being first up at the valley (and the massive pool) have stopped it getting into something like 2.50 or shorter. So great value. I plan to launch at it. And a have throw at the stumps in exotica with only internationals, who i think will fill the first four placings. I'm going to get in early and even without having done my form make it my best bet for the day. Moonee Valley: Race 9 number 9 Lys Gracieux @ 3.70

Fully agree with these sentiments, hemingway. Yet another poor reflection on our coaches and footy department staff as it is - he was our best and most-attacking backman all season. The McDonald duo - with one of them holding the club to ransom over the maintenance of a useless career of the other - strikes again. Goodwin falls for it. Frosty was thus rendered 'excessive to needs' despite proving himself time and again with increasingly effective backline work.

Probably starts the year at Casey, but as we found out the hard way this year, it's always good to have a surplus of options.

Seems Lys Gracieux has been the range all week after trainer Yoshito Yahagi claims it is a far superior horse than Caulfield Cup winner Mer De Glace... His comments sold me & I got on early in the week thinking it would come in but it has drifted slighty... But wont be complaining if it gets up

Yrs, but can he cure mfcss?

What team in their right mind trades their fastest speedster?. It'll finally click for Frost within a couple of years, and he's going to embarrass us when we meet Hawthorn. Honestly, all the best Frosty.

#Humble brag I once presented at a conference for international cricket (in a different discipline) in Sydney, he was the keynote, discussing fat vs sugar in the diet , particularly in the context of sport, before this conundrum has become media popular. Was an insightful monologue. He is well versed, clearly has a wealth of experience and history and I hope he brings forensic assessment to his role On a flippant side note... Perhaps JohGle (Josh Mahoney/Glenn Bartlett) have persuaded him to connect to his inner altruist, rather than capitalist for the love of the club. Perhaps there is ‘seduction in a fading power’...

100% a forward and from what i hear will train as a forward this pre season.

Most experienced and credentialed sports med physician in Melbourne. I would suggest he’ll work in an overseer/consultative role. To address any confusion, fitness and conditioning ‘gurus’ like Burgess and Misson are only that. They are not trained to, or expected to assess or diagnose pathology, and ONLY manage players with injuries as relates to their return to match fitness. In this they will be advised by medical staff as to what players can and can’t do. When they are the mouthpiece, as Misson was week to week, on where players are at with rehab, it’s easy to assume they are more medically involved I guess. They do not make any of the injury based decisions.

I saw Vic country v SA under 18s. It was a high standard game and great performances by Serong, Flanders, Ash, Kemp and Weightman. Kemp had the ball on a string and showed his pace, strength and kicking. I thought he was BOG but it was probably also because he kicked the winning goal. Serong also showed that he will be very very good player and I wouldn’t be disappointed if we called out his name. Kid called Will Gould was also outstanding for SA. Had him for a top 10 pick. Reminded me of Shannon Hurn. His presence and long kicking was top grade.

I hope your quote wasn't in Ernest

Ah, you changed the wording, but not the content. Congratulations.

Pulled an 11hr day, so instead of going home and cooking for one (wife training) I went to the pub for a steak Santa and a stout. Race going at Geraldton, put a trifecta on and it wins paying $68. Well there is the meal, beer easily paid for, got some poppies for rememberance day and off home to put the feet up.

Going by his insta he has been training incredibly hard and is in ripping nick!

Slots in at CHB. Push Sicily to the flank to play the interceptor, Impey misses with ACL.

Set up Olympic Sports Medicine Centre at Olympic Park approx 30 years ago, the first dedicated multi-disciplined sports clinic for elite athletes and the weekend jogger. It was at the time, we first started to hear about Sports Medicine and doctors specializing in the field. A researcher and practitioner, he is a Professor at Lat Trobe Uni. At the same time, he was MFC doctor in the Northey years. Lots of photos of him with the team in those days, sitting on the bench etc. At the time, he was a professed Demon supporter. Was involved with other AFL team, Collingwood being one and also Sports doctor for Olympic teams such as hockey, Aussie Test team and other sports. Also spent time in UK. Would be in his mid to late 60s, so has lots of experience. Not a bad thing. Also written text books on Sports Medicine and regarded as one of the doyens in the field. There are mixed views in the field about him but this is not unusual in medicine with its petty jealousies and rivalries. He has built a successful business so my guess is that he would not come cheap. With all his other interests, he would not be full-time but act more as consultant as needed. My guess.

We've got a number of docs and medico's on staff that all sit behind Burgess, but Brukner is a massive get, his experience in the sports medicine field is nearly unmatched. No matter how big/small his role this is great for the club. Have a look at his resume if you want to know more. https://www.peterbrukner.com/

That was some year from Bayley, I believe that he can develop into something really special for MFC, attitude and behaviors remind me of a young Robbie Flower. So happy to have him on board..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am convinced beyond any doubt that he was carrying an injury last year; he was a mere shadow of his former self. He looked slow, lacked agility and wasn't displaying the running power and confidence that we have seen every other year of his career. He was protecting his toe at stages during the preseason, but there was little to no mention during the season itself. If he's fit, we'll see the player we saw in the second half of '17 and all of '18.