Leaderboard

off the MFC site This draft might help kick start a whole new gen of supporters !!

We have an easy draw We have the best culture building coach in the league who has had a season to repair us We showed massive improvement at times last year and had a couple of losses that should have really gone our way We have plenty of early draft picks as a result of the 8 years of meritocracy who are now in the right environment and are ready to go Harry O and Garlett are both great players in their own right but also play roles we desperately lacked last season Hogan won the b&f at Casey as a 17 year old power forward. That is unprecedented. I stand to be corrected but I don’t think Dermie even won the b&f as at 18 year old when he played the season in the reserves and then debuted for the Hawkes in the finals and dominated. Petracca and Brayshaw are built and skilful enough to play roles and have an immediate impact. We now have almost no “project” players taking up room on the list. There is real competition for spots. We have been terrible at winning stoppages and clearances over the last 5 years. We have addressed that and now have a stockpile of extracting / ball winning midfielders who will get it out to Salem, Watts and Toumpas Garland was in our top 3 players 2 years ago but never got going this year after having an injury interrupted pre-season and season proper. He will be like a new recruit Tyson and Viney will both improve Essendon will likely be penalised so there is one less team to contend with It is not uncommon for a team to go from near the bottom and charge right up the ladder. We did it under Daniher.

Fark you can be a wet blanket at times OD Let the kids enjoy themselves for a while. There are months until we lose a game. You can dominate the board then

No pickles either.

Just truly tragic for all involved. Summed up my feelings. Shattered...

Hey guys, Long time reader, first time poster here. Love all your work. I think the brilliant result in last night's draft has finally kicked me into gear to contribute. One guy I'm particularly happy we managed to nab for a bargain is Oscar McDonald, and not just for the heartwarming brothers in arms story (I'm a sucker for that too). He looks an athletic type like Tom, but more natural as a footballer. He seems to kick well, and he can mark. Maybe he can play forward, possibly even pinch hit, but most have him pegged as a defender. Now, is it just me, or do we now have three young key defenders in Tom, Oscar and Frost with something in common: toe. Frost is an athlete, with his big strides and smooth movement. I'm not exactly sure how he's performed in the sprints and time trials but pretty well I think, and from what I've seen in his GWS games, he is a great runner. Oscar is reportedly quick too. He may not reach the elite speed and endurance of Tom, but then a rare few in the league could. I reckon the three together is interesting. We have also added Lumumba as a running back, so even with Oscar developing for another couple of years, we should see a significant step up in pace and athleticism in defence. McDonald, Frost and Lumumba all have that burst through half back as a feature of their game. Considering this, a couple of things to ponder: - How might this athleticism play out on game day? How will they shape up against key forwards? (I think it certainly won't hurt, and it could be fun to watch - I love watching Tommy Mac run. But they still need to be disciplined, make good decisions and have the strength not just speed required to beat the big guys - which I think they do). - Do you think this key back speed intake is a bit of a fluke, or a recruiting strategy? (Obviously Lumumba was a need for half-back run but with Frost and McDonald, who were picked up as key position players, the athleticism almost seems like a bonus). Anyway, bit long winded there but the thought of this Usain Bolt-like key defence system for years to come came to me today. It's interesting. Discuss, if you like.

This Draft ( for us ) reads like some sort of hollywood feel good movie where at the end everyone lives happily ever after. Billy Stretch's mate, Neal-Bullen is pinching himself he gets to reunite with a good friend and they get to start off their AFL careers together. Big Tom gets to annoy " little" (gulp ) Oscar all over again .........Brothers in arms The two scallywags in Brayshaw and Petracca were probably of a mind theyd be having to battle against each other , then fate stepped in!! cant wait to see what happens next in "Melbourne's Melting Moments !! "

For all those on the "ready to go " bandwagon. Read the weaknesses Of both boys and it naturally keeps coming up the same - engine and endurance. They may have big bodies but they do not yet have the endurance. I wouldn't put any limits on their first season but realistically they need a couple seasons before they will be regular features in the midfield playing big minutes. I see petracca used mainly up forward to start and even brayshaw will be used sparingly in the guts.

Young Billy is happy! Billy Stretch @billyjstretch · 17m 17 minutes ago Cannot believe that my best mate @anealbullen has slipped through to the dees at pick 40!!! Cannot believe it!! Brothers reunited!! Unreal

Given a choice of Saty and his unwavering support and love of every player on our list as opposed to many other who see "spud" and "never want to see him in a Melbourne jumper again" for every player on our list - I'm going with Saty....

One thing I have loved about last night draft was that there were no pick where we all stood up and said whos that???? No smokeys! No skinny project talls that will take 5 years to debut. And I dont class Oscar in this because I see him as a natural footballer who could sneak in a game or two next year just like his brother did. Bravo Jason Taylor

Last night feels like a whirlwind. Combined with the tragic event earlier in the day it was just a surreal period of mixed emotions. The kind of day where you wonder if it really happened.

So we upgraded chips to an Angus burger.

Mfc rated Alex a late first rounder.. awesome result

Thank god Tommy Mac hand passed!

You have to think we'll play a little bit different with the help of :

What an absolute belter of an interview. These guys just rolled off each other looked genuine excited to be together and playing for the Melbourne Football Club. Lot of laughing and banter between em just love it. Thats what footys all about.Compare it to the dull and snooze fest interviews Scully and Trengove gave together couple of years ago.

From Paige Cardona The winners in this draft...... 1 .MELBOURNE 2 Daylight.....

So Melbourne takes five picks to the draft. We use 2 and 3 on the players most regarded as the best in the draft, with the exception of the unavailable Heeney. With our next three picks we take players who by consensus in mock drafts were rated at least 15 spots higher than where Melbourne took them. I doubt that has happened in Melbourne's draft history. The Dees also had sentimental wins with a father-son and the brother of a current player. Even if as a Melbourne supporter you're tempering your enthusiasm and not breaking out the bubbly, you can at least crack open the Maison tonight. It looks on paper to be Melbourne's sharpest, most sensible draft on record.

Listen, the amount of derision Saty seems to attract is for the most part unwarranted, in my opinion. If you don't like the fact that he sees fit to support and defend players he thinks are unjustly maligned, then don't read his reports... simple. I for one appreciate his efforts and have no issue with his level of support; and I would guarantee that if you came under the amount of "attacks" he is the target of, I'm pretty sure you would be cracking a case of the sads as well.

Considering that out of the 11 players leaving only one made a meaningful contribution in 2014, the list will immediately be in a much stronger position barring an injury explosion. The last couple of years I think we have witnessed some very shrewd list management decisions and hopefully some outstanding recruiting. We have been fooled before, but the professionalism is pervading into all areas of the club. Hopefully the club with Plapp can start to settle the Casey situation.

Believe this OD... Final quarter, 2016 preliminary final, 2 minutes to go, Dees down by 4 points to Hawthorn. Tommy Mac swoops on a loose ball in the back pocket - handpass to Oscar Mac - switches play to the members side - superb pass hits Stretch on the chest- two bounces - brutal shepherd from Petracca on Hodge - doesn't move- Stretch spots up Brayshaw in the corridor - Brayshaw takes off - shepherd on Mitchell from Neal-Bullen - doesn't get up - Brayshaw kicks inside 50 - Hogan crashes the pack- Hawk defenders spreadeagled - Petracca runs on to the loose ball - kicks from 30m - GOOOOAAAAALLLLLL! Ball is bounced in centre - Gawn taps it to Jones - handpass to Viney- on to Brayshaw - on to Petracca - Hogan marks 25 m out - kicks truly - Game over! Dees into Grand Final. Ya gotta dream big my friend.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh "I love the smell of optimisim in the Morning" Congrats to recruiters best for a long long time.Now we just have to make AFL footballers of them!

we will be pushing. Roos will, and when it starts to kick in, you can be sure the players will burst their way up, with great enthusiasm, out of the past few years. It's been a while coming, but coming it is; and in my view it will take some stopping when it breaks out. So, more interesting than the when, for me, will be seeing the how. But as to next year, I am hoping to be seeing the phoenix rise, in a triumph such as we have not seen in the AFL for some time.

I haven't taken much interest in cricket in recent years however wish to send my condolences to Phil's family and also Sean Abbotts. I've seen some horrible things that I would never repeat to family or friends however seeing Phil stagger after being struck will stay with me for a long time. By all accounts was a well respected young man. RIP Phil.

The best thing I heard when Roos was interviewed was that "we now have to develop all our draft picks properly". Geez it's nice to be in good hands for a change. Couldn't be happier with CP. Welcome.

Great interview with Christian and Angus. http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-11-27/petracca-and-brayshaw-bolster-dees-midfield

We've just added 5 babies to our list; I'd be putting the declarations of a complete list away for a while. If any more than two of them are in or near the side in round 1 I'll be surprised. One or zero more likely I'd think.

I still can't believe we nabbed Brayshaw AND Petracca - big bodied mids that can win there own ball at the stoppage. No more stick insects! Interestingly, we also landed the to highest ranking 'pure mids' from SA in Stretch and ANB. Over the next few years these guys (with Jones, Tyson, Viney) will allow Salem, Toump and JKH to play on the flanks as 'finishes'.

The MFC website has our next training session down for next Monday. The Devil Inside has reported that today's closed session will in fact be a three kilometre time trial. The four new draftees are expected at Monday's training session and one of the highlights for me will be this family reunion:- tweet from Tom McDonald.

Same here WYL. I saw that cartoon last night and lost it.

I think we are lucky the bulldogs seem to have an aversion to drafting KPP players. They just kept on passing him. They had a real Barry Prendergast style flankers draft, not that I don't rate the kids they picked, some of them look beauties, but we went for meat and potato mids and key defender.

Pretty tough to work out which is his preferred kicking foot. A HUGE skill to have. Very hard not to expect massive things from this kid, but I'm trying

I agree we'll be pushing...ive predicted we'll go 9th i just think we might after some serious exertions run out of legs a little bit by the back end of the season. then , another preseason, better/bigger tanks and into the 8

Angus has a Capital A FFS!

so we've now got the Junior and Big Mac...also got the Angus Burger Getting some real MEAT into this team.....just need to avoid the fries chaps as there's NO SPUDS allowed here on in !!

check out his draft highlights video his kicking is excellent, in fact his first job should be kicking coach for his big brother yeah, i know its just a highlights video but technique totally different.....watch it

Prendergast dabbling in recruiting again? Carlton seems to be doing some strange things.

Until 2017 ?!?!?!?

THe coaches have talked for several years about creating competition for places and pressure on the guys in the side. Now we have it.

Love the wrap for Melbourne's recruiting efforts! Paige Cardona @paigecardona · 1 hr 1 hour ago My Top 5 from tonights #AFLDraft 1 - Melbourne *daylight* 2 - West Coast 3 - Richmond 4 - St Kilda 5 - Collingwood

Probably more likely to do the opposite. Roos would probably like to let the kid make it on his own, having the old man around the club wouldn't be the best thing.

"He's gonna kill me!" Fantastic clip. There was something about those two. I've never seen draftees come to Melbourne that just looked like they were going to make it. They oozed confidence together. I hoe we see that on the field. Amazing.

You're all over the important issues tonight Goodvibes.

There's just something about landing Petracca that is so un-Melbourne like and it utterly excites me. I cant put my finger on it, but he is exactly the type of player we were never meant to have landed. Hes the type that goes to other clubs...surely... Best draft i can remember in such a long time..if ever..as it stands.

I'm a self confessed clueness nuffie when it comes to draftees, but I love this from a personal perspective. Happy times in the McDonald family tonight I reckon.

Agreed. He's dynamic and physically dominant, which gives a point of difference with our other midfielders.

We all appreciate the reports of OUR club and we should all realise that reacting to belittling with more belittling is pointless and self-defeating. Saty can ask the players whatever he likes, the players can politely ask him to GAGF or talk to him, posters can have any (non-defamatory) opinion they wish, and all of this can happen without this BS.