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It totally defies logic to suggest that the 2021 draft pool is known to be better than 2020 draft pool. If 2020 players are under-exposed because of Covid then that goes double for 2021 candidates. There may be eligible players undrafted in 2020 because of lack of exposure but there are ample opportunities to list any bolters during the 2021 season ahead of the 2021 draft. Yes, when we get to the 2021 draft there will be more certainty about the candidates than there is in 2020, but it could easily be that it's certain it's a worse draft than 2020.

Also why not read direct quotes: "The best way to look at it is we’re bringing our First Round pick forward a year, as we did last year when we were able to secure Kozzy Pickett. "We believe that there is more of a variety of player in this year's draft (compared to next year) which suit the type of players we need on our list. "We think there is an opportunity this year, with the lack of footy that has been played by the Victorians, that clubs lists could potentially be more different than usual. “There’s definitely the potential that players we rate very highly in this draft could still be available with our three picks.”

trades-analysis "Melbourne (38) was one of the rare teams trying to trade into this year’s draft, rather than trading into 2021 for bid-matching or pure talent purposes. Simon Goodwin’s team clearly feels there’s talent to be gained this year, sending out all four of their future picks, including being the only team to trade away their 2021 first-round pick. In the process they landed selections 18 and 19, along with 28 and 50, which will either allow them to again package up picks to move even higher, or simply take four quality kids. There’s a risk to this, because the 2020 draft crop is as unknown a group as we’ve had in recent years - given the inability of most to play under-18s footy this year - but if they trust their recruiters, this could be a defining month for the Demons". Do we know something other clubs don't? Certainly JT is one to trust as he has runs on the board. But, given the talent in next years draft (as signalled by clubs wanting to trade into 2021) are we playing 'russian roulette' trying to cherry pick this year's talents with picks that will be mid 20's plus or mid to late teens (if we can engineer a trade up for such a pick). While we have been successful trading picks to go up the draft order we haven't got as high as we would like in the last two years. I recall mention on DL that we tried to trade up in 2018 to get Zac Butters and in 2019 to get Mitch Georgiades but we didn't get high enough (or able to split a high pick). I guess that is the risk of regularly trading out future 1st round picks and then miss targetted players. I wonder who we really want this year? Hopefully we can get him.

Huge if true

To be fair, development (I think) is generally misunderstood and is not about turning kids into superstars. It’s about rounding players out and giving them the tools to be able to develop into young men who are capable of managing being AFL players, who can then blossom. I found it interesting listening to the Sacked podcast yesterday with Barry Hall, who said that the culture was bad when he was at St Kilda but he was lucky to have some good influences who helped him to develop the tools to stick around and eventually somewhat fulfill his potential. Also being taught how to play as a proper KPF, after getting by in juniors on talent having been a tall mid who went through a massive late growth spurt. Just having someone to spend the time with kids who all chase the footy and use their raw talent, then face the reality of needing to learn the defensive aspects of the game at AFL level and work on their craft, positioning, etc. A club doesn’t need superstar coaches for this work, but they need to put in the resources.

If they were going short term then they would have traded all the picks for players. That we are taking the picks to the draft now and not in 2021 is a medium term strategy not short term strategy. I am calling Occam's Razor here: the club rate our list as quite good and think we have underperformed. They are betting that we will rise up the ladder and our picks will be worth less in the future. Pick 18 and 19 this year is arguably better than just pick 15 or 16 next. We swapped our 2nd, 3rd and 4th next year for other clubs as well. Brisbane's 2nd, Dogs 3rd and Norths 4th. I reckon we are betting that will be a collective win.

It would be fair to assume we traded out our 2021, 1st round pick to help get high up the order this year. I have a theory about our pick swapping and what now look like limited options to get into the top 10 - 12 (which go out to 14 - 16 after affiliated picks). My theory is that we (and few other clubs) did not expect so much draft power in a few hands: Ess and GWS. I doubt anyone would have predicted that Ess would end up with 6, 7 and 8, thinking that one of them would have gone for Dunkley. Or prediced that GWS would prise picks 13, 15 and 20 from Geelong (to add to their pick 10). Even fewer would have predicted both outcomes. Ess and GWS will dictate the draft order of the top 20 picks. If my theory is correct we have been snookered by circumstances. Maybe we swapped our 2021, 1st too early. It would come in mighty handy for pick swaps in the coming weeks. That power Ess and GWS hold and that lots of clubs are vying for the high draft picks they will be very 'expensive' and we may just not have the currency to go further up the order.

So people are upset that Gawn said that he had expectations of success next year in a radio interview? It's like everyone is trying to demonstrate their 'demon cred' by trying to show how cynical they are. It's lame. There are actually some interesting things that he says in there if you can get past the MFCSS.

I don't really buy this angle. We're looking at picking kids. If we're resting our hopes on 3 or 4 new kids coming into the team and radically changing it ala Port a few years ago, I don't believe that's a sound strategy. Way too much of a lotto. I think we have our eye on 2 or 3 we think might slide to our picks and we're happy enough with our position in 2020 that a few interesting kids could slip. 2021, we simply do the same thing again and trade in. It's a credit strategy and I like it.

Max is being quite honest. I doubt many would disagree with this comment: “When we do flash back to 2018 and see a Prelim Final, but nothing else either before it or after it, you almost see that little dynasty as a fail". He is virtually saying 2018 was an aberration. Following on from his comment a month or two ago that 2019 was 'a fail', I'm not sure it is fair to describe his comments as 'fluff pieces'.

I thought there was one relatively insightful take away (well, insightful because it came internally not from us) when Gawn said something about "the midfield has another level to go, the defence is holding up to a high standard but we felt we lacked an A grader up forward, and now we've got one".

I’m trusting JM and JT. I’ve called out Jack Carroll as a quality youngster that fits our team perfectly with his skills, reasonable pace, footy IQ and ability to win the footy. Saw him in the Futures u17s game on the G last year. Reminded me of a young Simon Black. Connection to MFC as he played for East Freo Colts last year with Riv and LJ. I think he was shot up the draft boards as he has been able to play WA Colts footy this year. We might have our radar fixed on him but he’s probably now ranked even higher than our picks. But you never know. So fingers crossed.

I trust we wouldn't be accused of poaching?

My grandfather being one of those “losers” (kidding of course). He was lucky enough to see all the Dees success but admired RDB so much that he supported the blues When he moved across. He got to see 2 sets of glory years for the clubs he supported. Dad and I mercilessly mocked him for not sticking true and he would just laugh telling us we were fools for following the Dees... here I am at 43 trying to brainwash my 2 lads into our cult lol.

I love Gawn and I know these garbage articles are just fodder for the media and have to be done. But Jesus if my eyes could roll out of head while I read the same thing each pre-season, I would have gone blind years ago.

One of the great quotes from Marradona is dreams of beating the poms with his opposite hand.

just remember where you were and what you were doing at the time a highlight story for the grandchildren

Not left in Collingwood so intact apparently. Only set-back was that it couldn't be moved until the bundle of investment prospectuses were removed from under the wiper blades.

Pickett, Rivers and LJ were developing nicely.

The development boss who hasn't actually developed any young players in the past four years? I'd say not.

I'm not sure that's a correct assumption. I see it more as being that the club saw 2021 picks as being overvalued by the market, and 2020 picks as being undervalued by the market. As a result we have sold our expensive 2021 pick for some bargain 2020 picks. I think it's a value trade, most of all.

That's a poultry contribution

I wondered about that strategy. And like you I hope such shortsightedness is not the case. fwiw, if we are relying on 3 or 4 newly drafted 18 year olds (in practice 2nd round picks) to succeed in 2021, it is starting to feel all a bit too desperate. The chances of them getting games (even if we happen to swap some picks for one higher) I reckon this years draftees will come in less developed for not having played much in 2020 so will need a bit more development and time especially those from Victoria. New draftees won't materially affect 2021 results. imv we either have the list to succeed already or we won't succeed.

I like that the footy department is backing themselves to find talent in this draft. The next 3 years should be the time for this team to peak. Drafting talent a year early like we did with Pickett last year allows talents coming through to add further quality that’s ready to go when the majority of our list is at their peak. I think most demonlanders would have Jackson, Pickett and Rivers in their best 22. If we could pick up 2 players in this draft that would be in our best 22 by the end of next season I think that would be a massive result for us and have us in the “ flag window” if other things click. With a bit of improvement hopefully we can recruit more mature players via trades next year instead of the draft. On the other hand if we don’t do well this year we will prob lose some star players at the end of it in which case we will probably get strong draft picks as compensation. JT has proven himself over the past few years to be keen on certain players long before they were considered high draft picks. Given what has happened it 2020 this draft could be his finest hour. Fingers crossed.

Because your insulted at the fact Melbourne players have media obligations, the very obligations and turn a profit for the club via ad revenue. Of course we're going to hear positive messaging. What do you expect, him to get in front of the camera and self-flagellate? What about the next generation of Melbourne supporters? Reckon we'll get more kids' on board to ensure our future growth by telling everyone how bad we are every pre-season? Not everything the club does from a media perspective is catered to the hardened MFCSS sufferer, nor should it be. We need the players on the energy bus and looking forward, not wallowing in the disappointment of years gone by. It's simple business. It's not a ploy to offend or insult members.

Fair point but I was being a little flippant. I thought it a strange comparison

David Zaharakis is a 217 game player. I would be wrapped if we could get that much value out of a pick in the mid 20s in a crapshoot of a draft.

Nominated for the draft for an AFL career. Was very unlucky to be picked up by a club which was about everything except winning games.

Names of some players who could be in red and blue soon - KEVIN SHEEHAN'S TOP 40 AFL DRAFT PROSPECTS

C’mon demonstone, that joke is œuf!

Come on Gawney let's get serious not Delirious! We are becoming the Gunna guys. We are Gunna do this and we are Gunna do that. Stop breaking my heart !

It has to happen some time, funny Ooze said Similar words about the team needing to jell together, we have the team and the talent do we have the heart and desire to be the best that we can possibly be???

The selection criteria on The Australian of the Year website is: selection criteria are: Significant contribution to the Australian community and nation An inspirational role model for the Australian community Demonstrated excellence in their field The Local Hero award acknowledges a significant contribution at local community level

If you're confused, how do you think he feels....

Can you guys just beat it with these egg jokes already.

doesn't mean we have to like it, wwsw ☹️

The strategy might also reflect Goodwin's and/or the club's concern that unless the club does well this year, there might not be a "next year" for the current football department. Just like politics, the needs for short-term decisions might interfere with the greater good. I hope that's not the case, but it's a possibility that shouldn't be ignored.

I'm not someone who obsesses over DFAs and would generally give an untried kid a spot on the list through the draft, but Schultz is a tackling machine and would be our best defensive forward straight away. He always looks threatening around goal, and at the feet of Brown, Weideman and Jackson, he may get more opportunities than he would at Freo. Surely a 2 year deal, a return to Victoria and a spot on our list would trump a year on Freo's rookie list?

Well done Neale you are a legend and inspiration.

glorious just glorious

He's a great man battling an awful illness, a true inspiration.

I've seen it suggested elsewhere on here before that the Big Freeze should be shifted from QB to the Melbourne-Essendon game, an idea I like. QB won't lose anything of its status or crowd, but it would lift the Dees-Bombers game into the blockbuster category - a win for both clubs and the league. And I also agree with @Wrecker45and others that it's long past overdue for Neale to be named Australian of the Year - what are they waiting for?

Too many variables to put absolutes on it, though I think anyone saying Top 4 is kidding themselves. Maybe next year if all goes well this season, but the distance between us and the genuine Top 4 sides is still a chasm. But what I'd be looking for more than anything is consistency, lack of which was our undoing this year.

Saw a snippet of David King talking about Carlton’s chances in 2021, one remark he made stood out to me as very relevant to Melbourne. I’m paraphrasing a little, but he said building for a flag is more important than aiming to make finals. If your aim is to make finals, you’ll just be a middle of the road team indefinitely - I know King flops around depending on which way the wind blows, but we need to be working towards becoming ready to win a flag, rather than just making finals. The most important position for us to finish in this year is as a really genuine flag contender for 2022 (if not 2021)

Weideman's 2020, holds up well or even exceeds his draft class. (2) Schache 2 goals. 2 games. (9) Weideman 19 goals. 13 games. (10) McKay. 21 goals. 13 games. (14) Hipwood. 24 goals. 19 games. (16) Himmelberg. 15 goals 16 games. We're probably marking him harshly because he showed so much at the end of 2018, and had a disappointing 2019. His progression this year has been on par with his peers, some of whom are very overrated when you look at their actual output.

Totally agree with the comment that Omac has a stack of potential and is every chance to get picked up by another club and establish himself there. Players get delisted all the time and some get another shot at AFL. Take Mitch Brown. A key position player, taken at pick 15 by Geelong and delisted by them at the same age as Omac is now (24). Went to the VFL for a season before being drafted by the bombers. Being a big Vivaldi fan, he played four seasons with Essendon, before they too delisted him. And then ironically we drafted him - and have just extended his contract for another season. The classic journeyman. I reckon Omac was pretty stiff to come out of contract when he did and unlucky to be delisted by us. Obviously Lever and May being recruited made things tough (though it is fair to say their recruitment was related to the fact omac is a serviceable player not a star), but I actually think recruiting Ben Brown was a big factor. With Brown in, we suddenly have a surfeit of forwards - Brown x 2, TMac, Jackson and Weeds. Which means that our best player not to play last season, Petty will almost certainly go back (which will be terrific for us - huge potential as player, an excellent mark, good one on one and will slot into the true full back role perfectly.). Add in Tomlinson, who is too slow for the position we recruited him for (what's that about?) and the possibility Tmac might also go back (ye gads) and we suddenly also have a surfeit of key defenders. In order of my ratings, contenders next season for key big defensive positions are: May, Lever, Petty, Tomlinson and Tmac (who remarkably we couldn't trade, almost wins a Coleman in 2018 and can't find a suitor two years later). No need for a sixth key defender. So goodbye Omac. That's footy. Particularly at the bottom end of the pay grade.

What a load of rubbish. He gave the club very good service and got himself an AA guernsey when we were tripe. Good luck to him but clearly haters are gonna hate.