Lil_red_fire_engine

McCartney list update on Hunt from MFC site. "He returned from the off-season break far from satisfied from a real breakout year. Jayden made it pretty clear to us that he wanted to actually ‘go again’ and improve again. He has done that so far in training. Jayden has a real appetite to be successful and a real appetite to play in a great team."

A lot has already been said. No real stand out which I guess is what you hope for. All look in good nick including Pedo and Clarry. Those in rehab none appeared too far off. Tyson and Hullett the only ones who appeared to be missing aside from the first years. Clear focus on hard spread, widening the ground, quick hands and kicking on opposite foot to clear space. Short kicks out of back preferred with long kicks to deep 50 once in the attacking half. I thought skills were consistently good, the sessions generally seemed much more organised with limited rest between drills and all players knowing what to do quickly. However I thought the intensity was less than I would expect in the drills that were held.

Next lot are up. Frosty, Garlo and Garlett. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-01-07/list-update-frost-garland-and-garlett

Sorry if you have mentioned this elsewhere but did he train with the backs or mids when they split into positional training?

It will be interesting to see whether Sam has an O-Mac type year where games are initially put into him ahead of more mature options or form completely dictates who plays. If he plays 10-12 games with snippets of those big launches at the ball would be an excellent second development year of footy. Anything more I think would be pushing it unless we purely want to get games into him.

1. Stretch 2. Brayshaw 3. Salem

Billy the Kid is starting to look like a man. Doesn't get the kudos of our higher profile kids but is quietly developing his game and body beautifully in a role we don't have much of.

Great to see this article in this morning's HUN. Expecting a massive year from Gussy and Tyson to elevate his late season form and go toe to toe with Viney as our best mid. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/christmas-break-not-really-a-holiday-for-afl-players/news-story/c326bda30274964110495fa9ea74a235 A snippet for those that cant access. "Angus Brayshaw completed a brutal running session on Christmas Day.“100 x hundred metre efforts for Christmas,” he posted on Instagram. “Santa gave us 35 degree heat to do it in. Cheers Santa #merrychristmas #4thyearsrunning.”This period is “really, really important”, especially for players trying to make their mark in 2017, Jackson said. Gussy looks in ripping shape

Go you Big Red Fire Engine.

I feel Fyfe will leave for success not $$ as I feel the $ at Freo and the post football money of being a one club player in WA will outweigh the change. I don't think we need a saviour but if we play the right brand of football this year he might just come our way.

Worth reading just for the bit I have bolded.

The simple way of looking at it is we have added 3 players I expect are walk up best 22. We have not lost any player who was walk up best 22. Our depth past spot 30 will lack maturity but will likely be better in quality if called on occasionally. Additionally the additions to the list bring a more balanced mix of positions in my view than what we had prior.

Stoked to see how he goes in a full time elite training program.

I'm not sold on any of those holding a first 22 spot all year. Two of them potentially will be gone by years end. Probably reaffirms why we would have another swing with a late pick particularly when we are expected to play an even more attacking game style in coming years.

Being we made a decent profit it is interesting we will not take our full fill of rookies particularly with HL likely freeing an immediate spot. That says to me we have close to tapped out on our list of players we think are worthy of even a rookie investment.

Congrats to any players who ran PBs. That is the key improvement you want to see across the group. Sounds like ANB has come back in ripping shape but it won't mean much if he still struggles to hit a target. All the best to him though hoping he can turn into a Lenny Hayes type.

I agree that its preferred that Harmes cleans up this part of his game, however arguably the 2 best mid/forwards in the game in Danger and Fyfe are both average kicks. The key is to know how best to minimise the damage like they do but it wont be the death of him if he doesn't and other parts of his game continue to develop.

I dont think Olivers tank or lack of has anything to do with his will. Its just not natural to him, as long as he continues to improve year on year that is enough for me.

Easy to say in hindsight but you could also argue we would have been guaranteed to have played Carlton and Geelong earlier rather than when we were cooked. You could also argue we would not have played the eventual premiers or our bogey team StKilda each for two losses. We potentially would have gone in with a middle bracket of teams and been able to reset to focus on getting one of two remaining finals spots (not much different than what we did anyway). Once its set those what if moments disappear and the removal of who was advantaged by only playing team x once or team y twice goes away. There really is no clear way I can see pro's and con's for all options. How would you set the 3 divisions?

Unless there is a clear stand out two of the best 7 selections versus number 1 is a decent reward. Also the ability to trade one for a quality player whilst retaining a high position in the draft. I don't like the lottery idea but see how it makes sense to some.

7-12 are playing off for the last 2 finals spots is my understanding. 1-6 are locked for finals its then about finishing order and who gets the double chance.

Its expected to that 13-18 will play off with the team highest after the final 5 rounds to gain the number 1 draft selection. To balance it out it has been discussed that the team finishing 18th would potentially get selection 6 and 7 and then go back to front of queue for subsequent rounds. I like the concept of 17-5 but wonder what it could look like for a member where there is an heavy skew of interstate sides in a sector. ie: 4 of top 6 this year were not Victorian How will they decide who plays where to keep it fair or does ladder position after round 17 also affect this. The concept certainly removes current challenges but possibly creates others along the way.

Good thread. We played a contested game, we handball short and our younger bodies made it easier to stick tackles against us.

Most were timing themselves for laps. I assume when they change from their running shoes they likely drop the watch as well.

Both Hibberd and Melksham will add to our long bomb goal ability. Both have shown a penchant to get down the ground and launch from 50+.