Lil_red_fire_engine

I watched the first quarter last night and it amazing the things you forget i.e: Jones with hair, Mclean could at one stage cover the ground well, Neitz was better than most give credit. Neitz, Yze, Davey and Green aside we had a core group of mature bodied role players and some promising kids in Bell, Jones, Sylvia and Mclean at the bottom end. Jones aside the others never developed as required and our picks to replace those that left aside from Frawley were poor. Even then we never had a premium mid that could lead the way and still haven't found one. For me it wasn't that the game style changed as through the last 7 years various styles have taken teams to the top. It was we recruited and developed poorly to bridge the gap of those quality players that made up the structure of the side.

Comparison with Hawthorn is all about proof that the structure works and not about the quality of the player. Of course it will work better with consistent quality midfield delivery as its fair to argue that any forward structure does. The key with this structure is regardless of the quality of player they all have good endurance and in the case of Clark, Hogan and Howe have excellent mobility for their size. I am less concerned about our small forwards as I expect in typical Roos style it is more mids that will rotate through to play these roles rather than permanent crumbers or specialist pressure forwards. This is probably even more likely with the introduction of interchange restrictions.

Didn't read this before I posted. I concur with your points.

I cant see how anyone finds that top heavy. It basically mirrors the current premiers set up of Franklin, Roughhead, Hale and Gunston. Given Clark, Howe and Hogan are extremely mobile and good below their knees I don't see any issue.

LIKE. Just posted exactly the same point.

Its up to you whether you choose to rate him or not but being his best game last year was a 20 possession 7 tackle game in a 68 point loss to Geelong in the pouring rain I don't quite get this point. For those that had seen him prior Toumpas was clearly not himself last year and under performed against most peoples expectations. I expect if Roos was coaching last year we would not have seen him at all. However he showed a capacity to want to work and a care to want to get the best out of himself. I look forward to seeing what Jimmy can do with a full preseason not hampered by hip surgery and expect most of the doubters will be eating their words reasonably quickly.

Terlich, McDonald, Garland Toumpas, Frawley, Grimes Vince, Tyson, Watts Trengove, Dawes, Howe Viney, Clark, Hogan Gawn, Cross, N Jones Michie, Dunn, M Jones, Evans Jamar, Clisby, Blease

Mine would be for Demonland to bring back the Like Button. As this post would possibly get my biggest like of 2013. Merry Xmas to all of us mad enough to follow the MFC. Go Dee's.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Love Terlich's attack on the ball and willingness to take the game on but his two strengths also lead to his biggest weaknesses in that he leaves his man and also attempts to do too much. Such things can be refined with a good coach. Also a bit harsh to talk average goals conceded against players who are not having the number of inside 50s even close to what our defence have to handle. Like most he will look better defensively as the side improves and with a lack of similar style players can see him being a mainstay for a good portion of the year.

I was up on the Gold Coast for work the last couple of days and bumped into Kevin Sheahan at the airport. I asked him who he would take at 9 between Salem and Freeman and he stated Salem without a seconds thought. Whilst mentioning he thought either would be good he stated beautiful kick, hard at it and more positional flexibility than Freeman. I then boarded the same flight that Salem was on and that was enough of an omen for me. Welcome to the Dees Christian.

His write ups and the agreed limited amount I have seen remind me of the Strauss skill set. That doesn't mean he is a Strauss clone and I am clear in the lack of depth in my knowledge. If this draft board was kept to the opinions of those in the know there would be 4 people posting on here and neither you nor I would be one of them. His highlights, write ups and the 2 games I have watched him play did not enthuse me.

On the limited amount I have seen I would not know whether Salem does. His numbers don't really confirm it though.

Averaged 17 possessions with a high percentage uncontested?

I was about to write a similar thing RobbieF. Everything I read about Salem makes me think of Strauss.

I confirmed with Fox Footy yesterday that it will definitely be on Fox Footy and will be updated in the guide.

If Zac's last name wasn't Jones none of these discussions would be occurring,

Great pace but poor tank and awful disposal. No thanks. As others have stated. Roos isn't one for permanent crumbers you need the ability to push midfield as well.

Freeman or Acres for me unless Sharenberg or Billings slide which must be unlikely. Salem did nothing for me in the championships and although some of highlights look good a 17 possession average as a midfielder is worrying.

I know they're highlights packages but I found the Freeman video a bit underwhelming. Good speed but just seems to run (granted quite fast) sometimes into then out of trouble and jam it on the boot. Did not show him winning the ball well or showing good decision making or really even looking that balanced as a running mid. I found the Lennon video the most satisfying of the players that could be around the mark of our pick. Good size, decent speed, well weighted kicks, showed clean hands and decision making. Hey but I wasn't impressed with Hogan in the champs so what would I know

Myers is contracted until the end of 2014.

Bugger. You get my drift though

I assume we are confident we will get who we want at 9 and that we see Tyson as a homesick pick 3 coming into his 3rd year as better than an unknown pick 2 with no development.Also big believer that you should go by how a kid finishes their year to see what to expect they will build on. The below is a good sign. Look forward to recording these games when Fox Footy play them in a couple of weeks, Just missed Michie' round 13 game v Geelong as it was played 3 days before we announced "But he finished the season in brilliant form, with 24 disposals against St Kilda in round 22 and 26 touches against North Melbourne in round 23."

Well it looks like we have right royally messed this up. No Simpson, Burns, Dew, Tudor. I have a feeling we have put all our eggs in the Dew basket and this will certainly throw a spanner in the works.

If it's Vince for the pick we get for Sylvia I would see it as at least evens to us.