Lil_red_fire_engine

Kent was the only one to appear heavier than how I recall them at end of season. I would not say out of shape but certainly stood out to me as not looking right. Petracca looked no different to me than last year. I know it was the first session back but he really does not appear to push himself during running sessions unlike some which I find disappointing.

From being there Kent did appear most out of shape.

Omac was certainly no smaller and looked more defined. I suspect he will take similar trajectory of build development that T-Mac has taken. I would not expect too much change this year.

Without knowing for sure that would make sense as ANB not there as well. Hogan looked seriously lean in a good way. Was getting across the turf beautifully. Wagner the other that stood out for me. Maynard has some serious size on him and did not look out of place skills wise. Was very much a loosener of a session to get the legs moving and some touch. Goodwin alot more hands on with players than I had seen from Roos in prior years. Lots of getting around to each player, quick chat pat on back and move on.

There is a small group on the other side but I have just realised have not seen Weed or Hulett. McKenna moves well and has good size.

Thanks, just went to add him. Also can't see Joel Smith.

Melksham and Hibberd both here. Trac showing no signs of those Bin Tangs. Stretch looks like he has been in the gym since last round and hasn't left there. Can't see Oliver anywhere but no other noticeable 1-4 year absentees without checking the list. TMac and Viney also here of those not required.

Would prefer Terlich which says a lot. Seriously limited footballer.

I just looking forward to smashing the [censored] out of them at the G finally.

Thats a big call to assume he did not want the ball based on the view of the play. Agree he did not expect it to come back to him and had ran the 2-3rd the length of the ground and had decelerated before the ball pinged back. It appears more surprise when it came back and then he has to accelerate again and delivers a haphazard kick under fatigue. He started off slow but was rarely beaten in the last 8 weeks and hardly made an execution error.

Which match if played on Saturday night will draw the bigger attendance and TV ratings? The Bombers have done their time and everyone knows their ladder position will not reflect this years performance. Pretty simple commercial decision really.

I would prefer to break the double hoodoo, smashing another up and coming team at a ground we hate to show we truly mean any team any where. I would much prefer this than the Bombers with the emotion of their return or a wasted MCG home game against an interstater first up. We're not good enough for much more yet...but will be very soon.

Would love to see us get Hibberd for next years 2nd round then trade Dunn and pick 29 for Brisbane's pick 21 or 22.

Based on Mahoney's comment, lock the thread and move on.

I reckon it will be pick 66 and a swap of 3rd round (48 for 57)

In my view it is not important that we draft more kids this year and next. As has been shown we have a young list and more so a young best 22.The focus needs to be on how do you accelerate their development and create as much surety that 8-10 of our under 23 become elite or true A grade players. Unlike most other clubs their is a bunch of players with these traits already on our list (granted you can always have more). Supporting them with quality mature players in Hibberd back, Lewis midfield and Rockliff forward/mid is a good place to start. We still need some outside run and a forward/ruck but I think we have seen enough of Jason Taylor to know that he will pick some gold out of the draft to focus on these needs.

I suspect it will be pick 66 which is a fair deal. Mitchell, whilst a better player, is 1-2 years playing and was first pushed out the door. Lewis will be 2-3 years playing and is not being pushed now that Mitchell is out. Have a look at the hit rate of clubs between 66-75 in the draft and consider the maturity and leadership benefits of a player like Lewis and what Brayshaw, Trac and Oliver alone will learn from him. Then instead of considering him as an ageing star note that he averaged 26 touches and finished 2nd in a finals team B&F whilst we still had Bugg, M Jones, Grimes, Michie, Newton play 33 games combined for us in a relatively injury free year. This is without considering that he is a proud player with a point to prove in 2017 who WANTS to come and pull on the red and blue. Only MFC supporters could whine about this.

I suspect it will be pick 66 which is a fair deal. Mitchell, whilst a better player, is 1-2 years playing and was first pushed out the door. Lewis will be 2-3 years playing and is not being pushed now that Mitchell is out. Have a look at the hit rate of clubs between 66-75 in the draft and consider the maturity and leadership benefits of a player like Lewis and what Brayshaw, Trac and Oliver alone will learn from him. Then instead of considering him as an ageing star note that he averaged 26 touches and finished 2nd in a finals team B&F whilst we still had Bugg, M Jones, Grimes, Michie, Newton play 33 games combined for us in a relatively injury free year. This is without considering that he is a proud player with a point to prove in 2017 who WANTS to come and pull on the red and blue. Only MFC supporters could whine about this.

By the sounds of the Lewis rumour he approached us not the other way. Based on this I have faith in Mahoney and co that we will not overtrade for a 30 year old regardless of how good he is. We seriously lack mature leadership and to gain Lewis for two years without giving much up would do wonders for the development of Brayshaw, Oliver, Trac and co.

Posted this in another thread but I think also worthwhile here. I see the following mids and flankers who got a game at times this year as not part of our starting 22 if we are to become a serious threat. Bugg, Vandenberg, M Jones, Kennedy, Harmes, Lumumba, Wagner, Michie, Newton, Neale-Bullen, Trengove, Grimes White. At times during the year we had up to seven of them in the side at once. At best it was still 3, which not surprisingly was in the consecutive wins against the Hawks and Power. This was in a year when we had a pretty clean run with injury. This to me shows that if we are to improve we still have a clear need to draft, trade and develop our midfield and running depth as well as hope that all of Oliver, Brayshaw and Petracca become consistent top grade talent sooner rather than later.

I see the following mids and flankers who got a game at times this year as not part of our starting 22 if we are to become a serious threat. Bugg, Vandenberg, M Jones, Kennedy, Harmes, Lumumba, Wagner, Michie, Newton, Neale-Bullen, Trengove, Grimes White. At times during the year we had up to seven of them in the side at once. At best it was still 3, which not surprisingly was in the consecutive wins against the Hawks and Power. This was in a year when we had a pretty clean run with injury. This to me shows that if we are to improve we still have a clear need to draft, trade and develop our midfield and running depth as well as hope that all of Oliver, Brayshaw and Petracca become consistent top grade talent sooner rather than later.

I think he improved this throughout the back half of the year. Was a lot cleaner with execution, hardly got caught and seemed to have a bit more acceleration out of the stoppage. Curious to see how much further he can develop.

I know you said not first year but I would not be at all surprised if Clarrie Choo Choo was tussling with Viney as our best mid by end of 2017 season. I reckon what you see from Kent now is about what you will get. Expect Hoges and T-Mac to go another level with another year of strength and conditioning.

I felt a tinge of jealousy but more so validation that it can happen and we are on the right path. They are a young team with a smattering of mature players that have been taught defensive minded, contested footy first by a man now at our club. They then overlaid an instinctive, aggressive, attacking style with a new generation coach who has them bleed for him through building relationships and team brotherhood. Aside from them falling into the finals in 2015 our year this year is not much different than their pre year preparation. It may not happen next year but it wont stop me dreaming now that with the right list management and preparation it could.

I get the sentiment but Hogan is only just ticking into the last year of his contract now. I assume that means MFC should be putting contracts under the nose of all other players out of contract at 2017 seasons end? I assume the player should sign regardless of whether they think the terms are reasonable or whether they think their form in 2017 will have a bearing? Should Christian Salem be offered a 3 year deal and sign immediately?