Deespicable

We had a play for Ollie Wines two years ago and someone decided we needed an outside runner more - sadly that option is gone now. I still would love someone to confirm who over-ruled Todd Viney on drafting Wines?

I said keep and I am happy to switch to trade if someone can confirm to me the following: a) Does he do boxing sessions once weekly already to overcome his fears? b) Is he called aside at training sessions weekly to do a specialist tackling session to try and get him to actually enjoy tackling, rather than fearing it. My suspicion is that he does neither of these two things weekly and as a result there is hope that his talent is not completely wasted. I think Roosy needs to motivate him to take on these as extra sessions and to take pride in his ability and have some arrogance on the field. At the moment everyone knows he's a nice guy who's soft - Bump him and he'll make way, Run hard off him and he won't chase.

I hate our "Poor me" attitude. I am happy for AFL commission to independently determine which clubs need a priority pick and give them one accordingly. But I despise the fact that we have gone begging for one. What we should be doing is trying to strike a deal to get priority access to NT players, but only after we have shown a commitment to the area with development and a long-term game deal.

OK, before I start this thread and open it up to the Loserville comments like "Who cares" and "In: Flower, Lyon and Schwarz" or "Out: Everyone", I thought I'd make a few actual comments about the selection. The first is that PR has a difficult decision to make about Jack Watts this week and next week. He's spent all year defending him in the media and he's tried him up on the wing so that he can get some easy touches and hope the pressure goes off him, but even PR must have been watching his lack of intensity and willingness to chase that proved so costly against a bunch of boys on Sunday. So can he now forsake him at this late stage in the season? My guess is that PR will again remain faithful and there will only be a few changes. The same principles apply a bit to a number of players who were quiet on Sunday - eg: Frawley, Dawes, Garland. PR has shown great loyalty to his senior group - how can he wield the axe now and if he does, is it a great message going into the off-season? Some might argue that it is the perfect message - it would give them a reminder that their spots are on the line so that they work harder in the summer. Grimes is obviously injured and is one out. Bail is a must for Perth because he runs all day and Pedersen showed great character in magoos and also must come back in - could he be a surprise tagging match-up for Nic Nat? The two easy outs for Roosy (no damage to his senior harmony) are Dom Barry (glad he's got a few games now though) and Matt Jones (he was meant to step up after being axed and he has gone more back into his shell). Riley could be on shakey ground this week as well. I would love to see Salem play down back - I've been banging on about how we are the only club without a left footer in our back half for a few weeks now and he has courage (just ask Davis) and tackles like a backman should. It would be nice to see him getting a few cheap kicks down there and with Grimes out, there's a spot for him. I'd also like to see Garland up forward again because he is not providing anything down back except spoils. So for me it's: Out: Grimes (inj), Barry, M.Jones and maybe Riley. In: Pedersen, Bail, JKH and maybe Tapscott/McKenzie. Team B: Jetta (Cripps or Le Cras if he plays) Frawley (Kennedy) Dunn (McGovern) HB: Howe McDonald (Darling) Salem C: Bail Tyson Cross HF: Garland Dawes Viney F: JKH (only decent crumber we have) Gawn Kent Ru: Jamar Vince N.Jones Int: Pedersen, Michie, Riley Sub: Watts (I've been banging on about this also for weeks. It's the one way Roosy can drop him without a media stir being created and he may come on for a quarter and play with actual intensity.)

How can you put up all those stats and not mention the ones that clearly show him to be among our best three workers - game-high 25 pressure acts. Watch the replay and you see him chasing and running hard when others don't bother - does that make him tired and in need of a break? Rohan Bail is another who chases with intent and those who have been knocking him may now realise that even though he turns it over a bit, he is worth his place until we find other more polished hard-working midfielders. Sure Jack Viney's kicking efficiency has been down of late, but so to has Dunny's and a stack of others because we are getting beaten when we go up the line - partially because half the team now spreads laterally so as to be part of a cheap easy sideways kick.

It's a style that Roosy used successfully at Sydney. The issue is two-fold. 1) We have very few players with the speed or the licence from Roosy or the confidence to take the game on and counter-attack like other sides do. Watts has the speed but he's too scared to use it. Kent has the speed but he butchers it. 2) Roosy's game plan at Sydney was to wait and hold for a lead up the line and eventually the ball ended up in Goodes or Hall's or O'Keefe hands. With Dawes and Frawley unable to do any damage our attacking plan goes out the door and there's no plan B and Nathan Jones, Watts and Crossy are the only ones who consider going up the middle and Watts barely gets it because he doesn't work hard enough.

Our backline is starting to take shape with Howey and Jetta showing they can tackle, have speed, have aerial ability and the vision necessary to be really strong contributors. Dunn and McDonald are the tall rocks and Grimes, for all his critics on his occasional turnovers, is a smart, courageous player who reads the play well. Our seven-man rotation down there still needs a left-foot small defender with great kicking skills (solved if we get Malceski) and one more tall (Frawley if he stays). Garland does not have the confidence to provide run as a tall but is a handy back-up tall, but I'd prefer to see him sent forward in a defensive role similar to Goldsack and if Malceski doesn't come, then Salem is the ideal player to fill the left-foot small defender. Pedersen is also a back-up tall but if we lose Frawley then we will need to make one of our high picks a potential tall. Our midfield has improved heaps but it is still our top priority and our first pick should, and will, go on either Petracca or Brayshaw. We also should get Billy Strech with our second rounder and given his latest form with Glenelg, there's a high chance he will be ready to replace Matt Jones on the wing by Round 1. He will provide run and he's pretty quick as well. I wouldn't be adverse to us drafting Jarrod Pickett as well should we get a Frawley compo pick, that way we will no longer be the slowest team in the comp. We have three fairly useful rucks and we are in an era when there are no really dominant ruckman (Nic Nat is one of the few who can hurt when he's on song), so there's no need to waste a pick on another ruck. We have enough tall forwards - just got unlucky with Hogan and Clark this year. We should however draft a tall forward prospect with a late selection and if Frawley does go, then our extra high pick should go on one or on Pickett if we want to gamble. We also have added small forwards in recent times with JKH and Kent, so this is no longer an area we need to panic with - as we did when we picked up Shannon Byrnes. But ultimately the No.1 thing we need is a star (ideally two or three of them). Unfortunately luck, or poor drafting, has dealt us a poor hand when it comes to this and we haven't really had a gun player since Garry Lyon, it's now 27 years since he made his debut. The Bulldogs by contrast have drafted three players in the past two years who look like they could be genuine stars of the future - The Bon, Stringer and Macrae. As a result their club is on the rise. We just have to hope that Petracca or Brayshaw or Stretch has that character that will take them to greatness. But at least in Viney, Tyson and Jones we now have three real quality guys in the middle and they are getting good support from Crossy and Vince. We are not miles away from being competitive, we just need a star or two.

It's a good point but no, they have right-footers in Stratton and Spanger to balance it up a bit along with Lake when he comes back. My point is actually that you need a balance down back and not having anyone comfortable peeling left like we do is not a good set up. You only have to look at how soccer team's are desperate for left-footers to play left wing and left back to know it has an advantage. We've picked up a few left-footers lately with Viney, Kent and Tyson but we one down back IMO. I also think it will allow Salem to sue his sensational kicking skills - it's a lot easier for defenders to get a kick than playing as a small forward, so why waste him.

Bummer - 20 kicks, six handballs, 12 marks and two goals and they were playing Adelaide as well, so it was a huge game by him. I think it's safe to say that he will now take our second round pick but at least he's shown he's worthy of it against a side that included 14 AFL-listed Crows.

Playing Hogan would be a nice touch but I doubt that the club would go to such extreme lengths of rushing someone in like that - let's see who was the last guy we rushed in for a debut - JW. But I've been saying for three weeks no Roos should start Watts as the sub. The reason is that if he drops him, it ends uo being a huge story about how Roosy has lost faith in him and media has a field day. By making him sub, his demotion gets lost in all the game-day stuff and if comes on and makes an impact then Roosy can explain it as a planned move because of a long season. Grimes will come straight back in if he passes a fitness test - he didn't do hardly anything at all on Thursday so I doubt he will be right. Pedersen will be considered but with Gawn firing, unless they are going to drop Garland, there's no spot for him. The only other change I'd like to see is Salem and I'd prefer he played down back - another thing I've been banging on about is how we are the only side in the AFL with a back six that are all right footers - hence we struggle with precise kicking down left side of park unless Dom floats back. Salem tackles well, he's not a bad mark for his size and we all know he can kick. Obviously if we get Malceski the problem's solved a bit but the Hawks have five left-footers in their back seven - Duryea, Suckling, Hodge and Gibson and Birchall - could be something in why they do that.

So based on your words it does have meaning?

Yes you are right Evans does have a contract, but that doesn't mean we can't delist him. Every year, every club has one or two players they have to weigh up whether to break their contract. It's not as if he's on big bucks and will cause a salary cap blowout because we still have to pay him. In his case, the contract extension came about under Neeld, so if Roosy doesn't see any future in him, why would he keep him. As to the guy saying Evans is better than Grimes, ignore him - he's just stirring or is from another planet.

You were obviously at the same game as me. My only change would be to give Howey the 3 and Cross the two but I'm splitting hairs. Jetta was sensational - 10 tackles - and for the first time in yonks we won the overall tackle count. Our backline is finally taking shape - just need a left footer back there and there's only one on our list who can fill that role - Christian Salem. God knows why they are trying to make a forward out of him.

You have to think that Bleasey got his marching orders today in being left out this week, but as I have stated before he will be picked up by another side either by way of a late pick trade or the rookie draft. The other non-contracted players to depart are set to be:Nicho, Strauss and Clisby. Frawley wil go and Byrnes and Clark are already off the list. I think Tappy may yet survive - he's Roosy's kind of player and will get another year. The rest of the players are contracted and it is hard to cut them, especially given our financial situation. Having said that I still think Roosy will send Evans on his way because he can't kick. As to our current rookies I think Harmes has probably played his way into another year in recent weeks, but I'm tipping Georgiou to go home and King to be chopped as I think Fitzy will be told he will be redrafted as a rookie by us - given that you need a bit of tall security. All up we would then have seven picks plus two rookie picks subject to trades. One pick will go on ROK and another may go on Nick Malceski, but the rest I suspect will be draftees.

I'll be curious to see if Roosy backs up his words of disgust post-game with a stack of changes at selection table. My suspicion is that we'll see the usual one or two changes as he stays loyal to a number of non-performers. Either way we are shaping up for a belting unless we can figure out a way through Clarko's cluster. By my reckoning there's six players who could all come in this week and two are a must - Gawn and Cross, unless Grimes recovers quickly and make it three. The Hawks are playing two rucks (McEvoy and Hale) plus two more bigs up forward (Roughy and Gunston) so there's no way we can go with Pedo as a back-up ruck. If Pedo is not dropped then he should play back this week on resting Hale/McEvoy with Garland either sent forward as a defensive half-forward on Suckling or given some time in the magoos. Crossy's return will probably cost Blease his spot but it could also mean McKenzie is expendable because Cross can mark up Smith and Viney is doing well in tagging roles. I'd like to see Viney go to Lewis, who has been the Hawks' main man of late. The other four potential, but unlikely, ins are: Michie - He deserves another crack, but which central mid does he replace. Matt Jones - He's now done two weeks penance and he does provide run and makes space well. Christian Salem - He's the future but I want him to play in defence because we don't have a left-footer down there and we keep cocking up our disposal down left wing. Strauss - His form has been better in VFL the past few weeks (according to reports) and his career is over unless he can get a couple of game's to show his value in next few weeks. So, what I expect to happen is: Out: Tapscott (knee), Blease. In: Cross, Gawn But what I'd like to see is the following side: B: Jetta (Breust) Dunn (Roughy) Pedersen (Hale) HB: Howe (peeling off Puopolo) McDonald (Gunston) Salem (Duryea/Woodward) C: Blease (Hill) Tyson (Mitchell) Cross (Smith) HF: Kent (Birchall) Dawes (Schoensh.it) Garland (Suckling) F: Kennedy-Harris Frawley (Gibson) Vince (Hodge) Foll: Jamar Viney (Lewis) N.Jones (Shiels) Int: Gawn, Riley, Terlich Sub: Jack Watts (this way Roosy can avoid focus of dropping him and still give him a rev up). Out: Tapscott (knee), McKenzie and Bail (for butchering the ball the most last week).

Why do people keep bringing up dream options like Wingard and Wines and Fyfe and Dangerfield here. Happy to talk about ROK here because it is actually quite realistic. Roosy used to rate him highly at the Swans, he's a tall-bodied midfielder which Roosy likes and none of the flag-challengening clubs are going to be interested in him because he's 34 in Jan. Can you imagine Hawthorn, which wanted him five years or so ago and has depth to kill for, actually saying yes to him now? He's also almost certainly going to be a delisting which means we can pick him up as an uncontracted player like we did for Crossy and offer him a one-year deal. The only clubs we have to vie for him are St Kilda, Brisbane, Suns and GWS who may want him to add experience to their youthful line-ups. We don't really have a youthful line-up because Roosy prefers older, seasoned bodies like Ross Lyon, so he's got to be a big chance of coming to us. Obviously he's no longer quick enough to be a gamebreaker, but I've heard he's still hard at it for Swans reserves and trains with intent - so maybe another good role model to go with Crossy. My gut feel is that he'll be more like Shannon Byrnes, clogging up our list, but so long as we don't offer him more than a year, I have no problem with it. The only caveat on us getting him, in my view, is that if we make a huge play for Nick Malceski, as I suspect we will, then I don't really think we can pick up two 30-plus year olds to go with Cross and Jamar. One more old boy is enough. Having said that I still think Malceski will resign with Swans once they figure out how to pay him more.

Given that we've all had the weekend off, I thought some of you may like to read my ramblings. Sorry but there's no three-word definitions here. Feel free to tear strips out of my assessments. Dees review A-graders (1) Nathan Jones – Has taken a step up from just being a hardnut this year with his evasive ability and clever mix of short (frowned upon under Neeld) and long kicking. Anyone who saw his game against Carlton when he took Marc Murphy and gave him a lesson would rank him this highly and his third b&f in September will make it even more obvious. Has vision and is one of few granted licence by Roosy to send the ball inboard under pressure. B-graders (9) Lynden Dunn – Backed up his big year last season with an even better one and a chance for AA honours if he can come home with five big weeks. Long-kick makes him one of our few linebreakers and his booming deep voice makes him a strong presence that we need. The easing of rules on tunnelling forwards this season has helped him counter the bigs and made him even more useful. James Frawley – His detractors need to remember he has had to play most of the season as a forward and his acceleration on the lead has made him pivotal and point of difference to Pedo, Gawn and Dawes. As a defender he is a bit like Richmond’s Rance – fantastic one-on-one, but occasionally his kicking lets him down. It will be sad to see him go because he now has versatility, but it sounds a fait accompli. Jack Viney – Watch Joel Selwood fight for every ball and you realise how important a player with that intensity is. Jack still needs to polish up his delivery and pick up a few easy balls but when he is there, you know every ball will be contested. Down the track he may become a quality tagger – just ask Jnr Libba. Dom Tyson – Has an uncanny ability to extract the ball, his left-foot kick can be booming and he has vision and quick hands. Will need to get used to being tagged next season but he compliments the smaller Viney and Jones well. He was a late starter to pre-season, but he’s one that will benefit from specific sprint coaching in the off-season (see notes on Trengove, Toumpas). Mark Jamar – Has always been a good strong-bodied tapman, but his marking has re-emerged this season, which has meant he is again highy-rated. He’s getting on (31 soon) but provided he doesn’t skimp pre-season, he should be able to keep Gawny at bay from No.1 ruck spot for another season. Bernie Vince – Right from his first pre-season game against Richmond, he has fitted in and while occasionally he just bangs the ball on his boot, he generally uses the footy well and has a thumping kick – especially around goal. Only 28, so hopefully a key for two or three more years yet and has the size that Roosy likes. Daniel Cross – How good a pick up was he? Last off the training track most weeks, smart, disciplined and still quick enough at this level. Hands up if you knew he was a great mark for his size as well? He’s like a taller version of James McDonald and so team-oriented it’s not funny. Jeremey Howe – It’s a tough gig being a consistent key forward, particularly at Melbourne where ball-use is not always great. But Howey has found a niche down back and provided he continues his desire to tackle his man, then he’s a potential AA defender next year. His aerial skills make him a fantastic third-man up spoiler down back – a bit like Clint Bizzell in his prime. And he’s a better kick than Biz. Tom McDonald – Some might argue that B grade is overrating him, but he’s really stepped up this year, played on all the bigs and rarely gets beaten in the air. He also takes the game on down back, which means there’s a chance we can move quickly on the counterattack – something that Col Garland needs to do. C-graders (8) Jack Watts – He’s the closest to an A-grader on our list and the furthest away at the same time. His disposal skills and vision is elite and I’m sure his presence helps lift the standards at training because he rarely misses a target. He’s started to lay the odd tackle but we are all waiting for that breakout game where he nails seven or more tackles. Even better if he committed a suspendable offence, but sadly we all know that’s not his nature. He needs to really hurt himself off-season getting stronger (both upper-body and endurance fit) so that he can become that elite, creative tall midfielder that Roosy correctly earmarked from day one. Jesse Hogan – How can you give a guy who has never played an AFL game a rating? If you saw him in the pre-season, you would know he will be an instant success once he’s fit and more than likely a B-grader within weeks of his first game. Neville Jetta – Some might even now argue that he’s B-grade, but let’s wait and see if he can show such poise and elusiveness next year as well. He’s proof that rookie-listing a player can sometimes work and make them more motivated. But realistically you have to say that he was played in the wrong position for four years, perhaps because James Bennell was the chosen one as a small defender. What I have been impressed with (read surprised) is his ability in the air. Chris Dawes – It’s sometimes hard to get a gauge on the big fella because he doesn’t dominate and kicks bags of goals – but tell me which Demon has done that. What he brings to the table is a physical presence, just ask Adelaide’s Jaensch what he thinks of being tackled by him. I certainly wouldn’t want to be caught holding it by him. To fully earn his money, can he please show Jack Watts how to really work out in the weightroom. Rohan Bail – There’s a group of you who want him dropped each week, but he’s the No.1 Melbourne player when it comes to pressure acts and he plays as a high forward so he doesn’t get any cheap kicks either. Sure his disposal lets him down at times, but his run is ultra important and until Kent or Blease reach his fitness level, then he’s a valuable commodity. Seems to have more awareness of what’s around him this season – hence no knockouts. Col Garland – Second in our b&f last season, Col has the application and speed to be a B-grade defender, but lacks the confidence to take the game on and invariably resorts to the long return kick up the line when he gets it. He did attack a bit more against Port last week, so maybe someone had a word with him. But his closing speed and versatility makes him a key member of our back six. Not sure why he never gets thrown forward, but I reckon he can be a swingman in the Goldsack mould. Jack Grimes – Plenty like to vilify him and seem to memorise his errors. But he’s a smart team player who puts his body on the line and reads the play well. He’s one who needs to go to the Chris Dawes weightroom class, because he can’t seem to shrug off tackles, but that may be partly because of his shoulder problems in the past. There’s no doubting his desire and courage though. Jack Trengove – Anybody who saw his second season knows he can play. He’s a good mark, has good vision and he loves to tackle, but I reckon his lack of pace has made him doubt his value. While his smarts overcome some of this, he urgently needs to find a sprints coach to help build his confidence. The best thing the club can do for him when his foot is right would be to bring in Matt Shirvington for a six-week training block this summer. Misson is good for endurance, but needs to be helped out with sprint drills and technique. D-grade now but with potential to rise (8) Christian Salem – It’s not an easy gig to go from midfield junior to playing small forward in our side, but he gave us all a few great glimpses. He tackles well and that left-foot has been traded down by Adem Yze. As with Yze, I think he needs to spend a season or two playing down back. We really need a classy left-footer in our back six, especially if we don’t lure Malceski, and he’s got great vision. Salem also needs to join in with the sprint classes that have been prescribed for Trengove and Toumpas. Jimmy Toumpas – We all need to get over the fact that Jimmy was taken as an outside mid with speed. He has a good workrate, has a nice sidestep, has great vision and is a deadly accurate kick and every club needs a few characters. But if he is going to make it as a bigtime player, he is going to have to work on his speed and like Trengove needs Matt Shirvington or some other highly-rated sprint coach to come in and help him find the extra yard. Otherwise he’ll have to make it as an inside-mid, which is not beyond him, but is a very hard gig. Aidan Riley – One of the few highlights of a depressing game against Geelong. He’s a typical North Melbourne footballer – great tackler, fearless and can baulk players too. He may lack a little polish, but who cares. He could develop into a Michael Barlow type if he can get really fit after a big pre-season. Dean Kent – Recruited as a midfielder his selfish tendencies, and lack of endurance fitness, have led him to be used as a small forward and to his credit he has applied himself really well in games. His disposal choice still lets him down a bit, but his pace and tackling desire make him worthy at this level. He is only 20 and missed a lot of pre-season, so if he works at it, he could graduate next season into a very useful wing, half-forward. Max Gawn - Big Max is just doing time waiting for his chance to show he can do the biz as the first ruckman and Jamar’s renaissance has meant he has had to do a lot of waiting. We won’t really know where he’s at until he get the No.1 job and we see if he can counter the likes of Jacobs, Lobbe and Minson, but his development has been good and a good reason why we don’t have to waste a high draft pick on another ruckman this year. Jay Kennedy-Harris - I just love the way he picks ball up at pace and gives it off in a flash. Sure he can’t always stick tackles yet, but he has a crack at them and another year of bulking up should see him better-equipped for AFL. The only issue is whether Roosy can overcome his “small-man” phobia and play him and let him take the game on. Matt Jones – After 38 games straight, a zero-tackle game against Geelong brought him unstuck. But it is his “zero-goal games” that worry me. He is an outsider mid with a fair bit of run, a right-foot version of Kade Simpson at his best, but the big difference is that he rarely hits the scoreboard and as such you just wonder if his ability to find space is wasted. The big test will be when he comes back from his VFL punishment, whether his game shifts up a level. Ultimately he may just lack a weapon at AFL level. Sam Blease – Has had to wait a long time to get a game, which is surprising given the fact that he was listed on a wing in Roosy’s media side of those up to it at Melbourne in 2013. He made a late start to pre-season but looked good in the pre-season game against Richmond. A couple of bad fumbles on the run the following week against Geelong and then Hawthorn led to a line through his name. His tackle count has improved slightly at VFL level and we all know he likes to run and score – as he did against Adelaide. I still wonder if he has enough vision (perhipheral) to make it and based on Roosy’s reluctance to play him till now, then you have to think he will be shopped around at trade time. His pace means another club will take him, although third-round at best. But my preference is for us to keep him – he seems to be coming around to the fact that the game is not all about him and goes up the line more now. True D-graders (6) Jordie McKenzie – I wonder how we’d rate Jordie if he was the tagger on a side with plenty of champion midfielders - a luxury that Macaffer and Crowley have. He’s tall, disciplined but his disposal hurts him and he’s only scored 10 goals in 76 games – which given he is never matched up on by an opponent is disappointing. You have to hurt the stars the other way on occasions. Well worth keeping until we decide if Viney is going to be our No.1 tagger or our No.1 ball-winner. Cam Pedersen – A revelation this year, but I’m afraid I still only rate him as a very useful back-up to our talls. He’s shown he has a good leap and he’s got a good work ethic and tank for a big bloke, but lacks the speed on a lead of Dawes or Chip. As a result, I actually still think he could be more useful as a tall backman, an ideal replacement if Tom Mac or Dunny are injured. Jake Spencer – My view of Spencil changed last year when he cleaned up Ben McEvoy and his first seven weeks this season showed he is a very hardworking tapman. Sure he lacks class, but so does Pyke, Mummy, Maric and quite a few others. A very useful back-up behind Jamar and Gawn and I’m really pleased they resigned him. If he’s fit next year, he could lead our VFL side to the finals. Alex Georgiou – He showed in the first six weeks that he is quick and disciplined and not intimidated, but with Tom Mc and Dunn stepping up a level, it’s hard to see him getting a game and his disposal, while efficient, isn’t line-breaking. Happy for him to play on as a rookie but I suspect he’ll want to head back to Norwood and win a flag again. Given the cash problems at Casey, I wouldn’t blame him. Luke Tapscott – It was great to see him playing down back again v Adelaide as that’s where he looked most at home in 2011. We all got excited because he looked like Chappy when he played forward, but Tappy doesn’t have the same evasive ability hence won’t make it up there. His courage and attack on footy is first-rate but he needs to go to the same summer sprint school as Trenners and Toump to really make it. I suspect we’ll re-contract him, but if we don’t, I think he’ll be rookie-listed at another club based on his initial season as a defender. Dean Terlich – At times he can look like he’s a B-grader with his pace and dash but over the past two seasons it’s become obvious that he doesn’t do enough damage on the counter-attack like a Jarrod Harbrow or Rhyce or Heath Shaw because his kicking lacks depth. He’s now lost ground to Jetta’s poise and aerial skills, but he is still worth keeping as a back-up – especially if Clisby, Strauss and Nicho are all delisted. E-graders (7) Viv Michie – I’m not sure why we traded to get him given Roosy seems to prefer tall mids. While he looks smooth, I am not sure he has a major weapon at AFL level, being not overly quick or a damaging kick. Dom Barry – Couldn’t believe it when he got a game at AFL level and worse still we signed him up for two more years. Hopefully the club knows more about his potential than I do. Mitch Clisby – Hopefully he gets a chance at AFL level in next few weeks, but while he’s a reliable running defender, he’s not a thumping kick and his aerial skills are just OK. Jetta’s arrival means he’s one of three small defenders who could be moved on. Michael Evans – His disposal really hurt him when he got his chance this year and after some promising signs three year ago, it now looks like he’s not going to make it. Has another year but wouldn’t surprise me if contract is broken. Dan Nicholson – Unlike most Demonlanders, I actually really like Nicho’s style. He works hard, takes the game on and if he was 5cm taller and could kick it further I reckon he’d be a permanent fixture down back. But alas I suspect Old Melburnians are going to be the happiest amateur club going around next year with a new B&F. James Strauss – I really thought Straussy would make it. He’s quick and is a long kick, but he just lacks intensity and maybe confidence. If I was him I’d head to the WAFL or SANFL where I reckon he will be a regular and his self-esteem could finally grow enough for him to make it at AFL level if given another chance. Jack Fitzpatrick – We were all excited by his development late last year, but he really blew his chance in those first few weeks of the season. He’s been a project player for five years now and he’s quick enough to make it, but his balldrop still hurts him and he just doesn’t intimidate like Dawesy. He’s contracted for next season, but I’d do a Jetta and offer to rookie list him. Not up to it yet (3) James Harmes – I know there’s quite a bit of manlove going around for Harmesy but I still don’t see what aspect of his game is worthy of raving about. Touch and go I think whether to delist him or give him a second year. Jayden Hunt – Looked good in pre-season training, but then struggled at VFL level to win the ball despite his pace. He will need to remain injury-free next season to have a chance to develop enough to warrant a third year. Max King – Another who looked good pre-season, but struggled at VFL level before a succession of injuries ruined his year. Has good skills for a big bloke, but may lack pace and the mongrel to make it. Another who would be touch and go to remain on rookie list. Retired Shannon Byrnes – Yes I know he hasn’t announced it yet, but I’m sure he is just waiting to make sure he gets his full injury payout before announcing it.

He seems to be the typical North Melbourne recruit to me - tough, ferocious, ungainly and lacking quality at times but a real goer and happy to chop down tall poppies. A huge bonus for us that he was delisted by Adelaide after his broken leg and an even bigger bonus that Brad Scott didn't want him. I know Roosy reckons we still desperately need tall midfielders but you have to wonder how many more we can include before we have too many. Michie can't get a game, Trenners is injured and Salem was taken as a midfielder but none of them are a chance to play in the engine-room when you've got six inside-mids already - Viney, N.Jones, Riley, Vince, McKenzie (when tagging) and Tyson. Maybe we have room for Petracca, but Riley's rise means there is no urgent need. What we need is quality outside run - maybe Stretch!

My big question is how Riley was chosen to be subbed off. He'd laid seven tackles, had 19 pressure acts in just 51 per cent game time. I am looking at replay now to see if he copped knock, but it's hard to figure out why. Tapscott, Blease, JKH and even one of our tall forwards were more obvious options.

Jones had zero tackles last week and I'm trying to think how many goals he's scored this year - maybe two. Tell me which midfielder that doesn't score and doesn't tackle that is rated highly at their club. Matt Jones's strength is that he is good at making space and mans up well. But he has no weapon - he's not a long kick, he's pretty quick (but not explosive), he's not a physical tackling beast (hence he plays outside mid), he doesn't have a magical baulk. He is a smart linkman. At his best he's a bit like Kade Simpson, a uselful linkman, but the difference is that Kade Simpson kicks the occasional goal and can hurt other sides going forward. I'd suggest he's been sent back to the twos to work on hitting the scoreboard and also to make sure he doesn't come off a game where the club had 80plus tackles with zero next to his name. Even Wattsy lays more tackles than that. Hopefully Bleasey gets a shot at his wing. Bleasey has flaws too, but when he doesn't [censored] it up, he hits the scoreboard.

Yep I know we only played them six weeks ago, but we are back playing Port, who are now in a slump. Adding to this is the fact that Adelaide Oval is now almost our favourite venue - our best strike rate this year after our Crows win! Last time we played Port, Dawes was missing and Chip played a big game up forward. To me, we've actually looked the best in games where Chipper plays up forward because he is quick on the lead-up and with Roosy's gamestyle - lead-up is all important. Dunn has not looked anywhere near as good as a forward as he has as a defender, so he needs to stay back. Howey also has finally found his niche down back and his aerial intercept ability and quick long direct kick means he is more value back there. So I'd send Frawley forward again until Hoges is right. The other third tall forward lead-up options are Garland (he's hardly setting the world on fire down back) and Watts (his past two weeks as a high forward have seen him barely touch it, though.) I'd love to see a few changes, but that's not Roosy's style. Given how we lack cleaness and cleverness up forward, I'd love to see JKH back in side - he was really good at Adelaide Oval last time and I reckon he may come in for either Terlich or Tappy in the only change and given how quick Port are and how many small forward they ahve, I'd prefer to keep Terlich this week. I'd actually start Watts as sub this week with a view to keeping him fresh for a big two weeks of hard training yards with the break. So: In: JKH Out Tapscott B: Jetta (Polec), Dunn (Schulz), Garland/Terlich (White) HB: Howe (Wingard) McDonald (Westhoff) Grimes (R.Gray) C: M.Jones N.Jones Vince HF: Kent Frawley Riley F: JKH Dawes Bail Ru: Jamar McKenzie (Boak) Viney Int: Terlich, Tyson, Pedersen Sub: Watts

Stats just in and yes JKH did play - 25 disposals, one tackle. Salem didn't play - perhaps he was 23rd man for seniors and its a two-hour drive to Bendigo. Barry kicked three goals but just nine touches and no tackles. Harmes had best output - 31 touches - perhaps he read my blog that he hadn't done enough to warrant retention yet. Gawn was listed as 80 hitouts - not sure if that's a misprint or not.

So Dom Barry is so good that we signed him up for two years (not one) and on the same day we drop him! Go figure. Having said that, at least we have picked a very strong-bodied side for the Cats, albeit a slow one.

Maybe his band could be the Chipmunks! Based on what manager's and clubs are saying he'll be on around $700K a year - so I think that makes him band 1 and we get a good bargaining Chip for Roosy with a likely pick 5.

2017: Dunn 2016: Dawes, Grimes (RFA), Watts (RFA), Michie*, Vince, Tyson*, Kent, M Jones, Spencer 2015: Clark, Trengove, Jamar (UFA), Garland (RFA), McKenzie, Howe, N Jones (RFA), Evans, Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Viney, Toumpas, Pedersen, Hogan, Salem, Kennedy-Harris, Hunt 2014: Frawley (UFA), Tapscott, McDonald, Blease, Strauss, Bail, Byrnes, Barry, Terlich, Cross, Clisby*, Riley*, Nicholson, Harmes ®, King ®, Georgiou ®, Jetta ® * = Best guess of contract length. Would love confirmation Thanks for putting contract's together - I love this stage of the season when we are all madly hypothesising what might happen. I reckon we will bring in about 10 new players overall - (seven via draft - with one of these spots for Jetta, one experienced UCP recruit as with Crossy and three new rookies). I'm afraid I don't subscribe to the theory that contracts can't be broken and I reckon Roosy will want to move Fitzy and Evans on. Both may end up being rookie-listed by a club but don't start making out they can be traded - they aren't that good! Obvious omissions: Clark, Byrnes, Nicholson and Strauss Likely departure: Frawley Rookie omissions: Harmes and King - sorry neither have done enough and don't have a weapon to warrant retention. Georgiou will be kept as insurance down back, unless he decides he'd rather go home to play for Norwood than Casey. That leaves eight uncontracted - McDonald, Clisby, Riley, Bail, Barry, Tapscott, Terlich and Blease. Bail is 26 and Roosy is a fan so the only decision is whether he gets one or two more years. McDonald is currently in negotiations and is deserving of a three-year deal. Terlich is 24 and is pretty much a regular - I'd be surprised if he is not offered another year. Riley is 22 and coming off a leg injury - it would be amazing if he didn't get another year. So in my view Tapscott, Clisby, Barry and Blease will be fighting for probably two last spots. I just hope Roosy plays them in the next few weeks so thay at least have a chance to press their claims. Of the four only two of them - Blease (because of his pace and goalscoring nous) and Tapscott (because of his great start to career as a courageous defender) - have any chance of being used as a trade deal. But both would be late third rounders at best.