redman

Was able to get along to my first training session today, and thought it's only fair to report my thoughts after all the good work by others keeps me updated each week! How the detailed reports are done I don't know, with all the players covering the full length of the ground it certainly is a challenge. The main overarching theme to training is Transition. The majority of the session revolved around drills that had each group working on moving the ball from the backline at pace, taking the best/first option as quickly as possible. Coupled with some contested clearance type work (at least on my side of the ground) it was good to see as it meant in my opinion we were focusing on two of the biggest weaknesses we had last year. After some warm up drills, they broke into a full ground drill, a person would start in the pocket, dodge some stationery metal characters and hit a leading target on the back 50. The lead would have quick hands to another person running the opposite direction out of the 50 and launch a long ball over the square to a player entering the forward 50 whom will run in and finish. Good kicks that enabled the finisher to not break stride were Neal-Bullen (same to hear about his dislocated knee), Salem, Watts, Toumpas and Newton. Next main drill was also full length drill with the same focus, It was more match simulation in feel and the group split into 3 groups. 2 groups would be on the ground at once. One team would need to move the ball again from the pocket taking the short options quickly as possible. Once the ball made it into the forward line the group on the side went onto the ground and some in the forward line would come off and jog around to the wing to wait. Each time a group went onto the ground, Rawlings would say 6 v 8 etc and they would change tops to work it out. Grimes, Jamar and Jones as you would expect were quite vocal, yelling at the team on the field. Petracca has some swagger and was also vocal, while Brayshaw was very reserved so the early comments ring true with those two. Next drill, was split into what appears to be forwards, mids and backs to some degree. In front of me (on opposite side to main crowd), we had a small group of the young mids, Toumpas, Salem, Riley, Brayshaw. Petracca and a ruckman who rotated through with the other group of older mids who were doing a larger scaled version. The ball would be lobbed in and one team had to get the tap, and clear it out of the surrounding area. Lastly, it was a match simulation, split into 2 teams. The ball would be kicked up into a teams back pocket and they would move it from end to end. If a decent mistake was made then Roosy would stop play, instruct and then it would reset and start with the same player down back to start again. There was clearly more a direction to switch the play quickly where possible. Newton was good here, he made space a couple of times and hit good options. Petracca was hesitant, but on one occasion when struggling screw a kick around and hit his target 30-40 metres away on the lead which was impressive. Grimes was good, other than that errant left footer. Left once the group was brought in. Call outs: Newton - was the stand out for me, he is ready to go – no doubt, knows how to find the footy consistently and users it well and didn't see him waste possession. Toumpas – thought he trained well, not sure what everyone expect every single player to stand out each week. He was energetic and encouraging whichever drill he was in and used the ball well from what I saw. But agree with not seeing where he will play but haven't lost belief he can develop into a good player. Hogan – most of his work was away from where I was but I did see him clunk a few after pushing his opponent out convincingly. Riley – most disappointing, wasn't clean at all, would fumble and mis-kick but followed up so hoping it was an off day. Michie – was tidy I thought, didn't see a lot but like his games just goes about his business quietly and before you know it has 20 possessions. Harmes – like his spirit, after reading the weekly updates I had the picture that he was progressing well and I can see it. Fights for everything and has good hands to clear. He and Hunt look so similar so hope it was him! Haha! Jamar – will be no.1 based on today, dominated Gawn and Spencer and looks in great nick as all previous reports have stated. Happy to comment on anyone else if anyone is interested. End novel.

I relation to the super trade - this is how it could work? Pick 13 (hopefully) to Gold Coast, Caddy to Bombers Bombers send Monfries to Port Port send Butcher to Demonland! Think Monfries is the weak link in value and he's FA so that needs a tweak... Stranger things have happened!

So thinking out loud here - this is how I understand the situation: Assuming we finish where we feel we will after the past two matches - 16th. Mini Draft Pick 1 - GWS Pick 2 - GC Pick 3 - Demons Pick 4 - Compo Pick (first round) Pick 9 - Compo Pick (mid first round) We don't have to use either of our Compo Picks so they remain the same, so the only way we would need to use Pick 3 on Viney is if either GWS or GC nominate him pre-trade week that they would use either Picks 1 or 2 respectively on JV. However, if we decide not to match that bid then they are locked in to using that pick on Viney. That then allows a Whitfield type to slip down to us at 3 in a worst case scenario Therefore, it comes down to whether they want to give up a Whitfield/Stringer for instance for Viney and risk that Melbourne does match the bid with the next available (Pick 3), With the strong family link there's not a hope in hell that we wouldn't match it - but do they still risk it? So in a perfect situation they don't match it and we keep picks as above and use our second round pick in the late 20's (factoring in other compo picks pushing it down the order) on JV. That's 4 first round quality players in super draft being compared to the Hodge/Judd/Ball in depth. Not bad.

It's not going to hurt to go a bit more defensive orientated, But I also think that by bringing in some defensive half backs it will enable the likes of Tappy, Grimes and Blease to move up into the midfield with adequate cover in the backline playing that rebound role. Or with there versatility be able to rotate them all through when required. All about the pieces of the overall puzzle...

Well I did like his thorough analysis - and your right he did have big wraps on him "SELLAR, James (14 ADE) [3] 195cm skilled, well-built footballer with athleticism, smarts, hands, disposal. Flaky '06, intensity query but you don't physically lose what he had displayed prior. Very bottom-age. I'm prepared to virtually ignore '06 as he apparently had to endure various on and off-field difficulties. In the '04 and '05 U16 Champs, I considered him even more impressive than Gibbs. Started 2006 as #1 in my rankings (Gibbs #2). In the end, Gibbs' performances were just so compelling, and without the queries that Sellar's '06 form raised, that I had to slip Sellar behind but I dropped off him only marginally. Even in his "disappointing" '06, he kicked 4g in 1st half of his 1st SANFL Seniors game (as CHF!), beat the highly rated Gumbleton as CHB, and averaged 17 disposals in the U18 Champs. (How many 195cm types, let alone any who had just lost 8kg through illness, do that in any U18 Champs?). By comparison, we were all quite satisfied with the Champs form of Gumbleton, Hansen and Leunberger, and they averaged 15, 13, and 11 disposals respectively and Sellar's disposal was the best of the lot. He even had 15d in just the 2nd 1/2 of one Champs game (albeit as virtually a loose wingman). Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. He did NOT have a disappointing year for a bottom-age 195cm kid, even a highly rated one. He just had a disappointing year for Sellar, based on our expectations of him specifically. Why did we have such high expectations? Because of the talent he had shown over a 2 year period prior to that. I suspect he has a personal issue to conquer but I would have taken him on the assumption that he can, such is his upside. Should be very versatile but especially has the makings of an outstanding CHB (although his preference is CHF). An exciting, and rare, combination of not only leap, 195cm, marking strength, defensive and negating skills, cool head and smarts but, importantly, the pace and confidence to give regular run and linking out of defence and roost the ball long to a target. I foresee him regularly turning defence into goal-scoring opportunities. I also think he is more suited to the straight ahead aspects of CHB than the "stop/start" of CHF. Excellent ruck skills and could well be a good AFL ruckman/follower a la Goodes (without the freakishness), despite being only 195cm, as he has such a big leap and athleticism and he seems to enjoy ruck contests. Has virtually all the attributes of a modern CHF also and I do rate him highly in that role. Makes the right decisions. Good evasion. Good vision and disposal (including depth), even on the run. Good hurt factors. Trademarks are (1) Fluency - in everything. (Always looks to be doing every action "on the bit", effortlessly). (2) One-grab mark, positioning and timing well, then either a quick, accurate feed or immediately run off his opponent and do a fluent, long, probably accurate kick. (3) Run to link, moving with arms stiff and hanging down, seemingly moving in slow motion until you notice the opponent struggling to keep up" Fair pump up - rated him higher than Gibbs as one stage, played CHB and beat no.2 pick in Gumbleton... Hopefully we see him reach this potential!!

I spoke to guy whom went to the Before the Game/Bounce pre match function where a coach speaks along with Cam Schwab. It was prior to the Brisbane game and the question was asked of Scotty West why wasn't Ricky in the side. Apparently he has been sent back to work on his defensive pressure and general field kicking. And it's true, he is definately a mark and kick type forward and his field kicking isn't his strong point but I still think he offer's enough to the side. It probably didn't help that Casey didn't play last week and therefore no players could press claims for a spot this week. If we lose tonight, I'd expect him to come straight back in.

The proposed move to the new docklands is nothing new and has be floated before. It appears as though we are sharing the costs with Netball Victoria and the City of Melbourne for a feasibility study to be completed. Demons to investigate new Docklands base Plenty of comments from Big Jimmy on the proposal to move into "Western Park" next to the Bolte Bridge. If it's deemed a better option than AAMI Park with its State-of-the-Art facilities then we can't lose!

Giles sounds like a good prospect - Adelaide recruiting manager Matt Rendell says Giles is the best ruckman outside of the AFL. And it doesn't look like Gold Coast pre-listed him.\ Kicked 21 goals for the year and with 4 being his highest.

The only thing questionable about Cloke is his kicking for goal - the rest of his game is A-Grade, sure kicking goals is an important feature of being a key forward but they do sooo much other important stuff that cannot be over looked. He has a massive tank, is quick, takes the number 1 defender, creates space for others, contests in the air and creates spillages, provides a get out of jail target... thumps it 60 metres.. Cloke one of collingwoods most important players and if he could kick a little straighter he would be one of the best in comp it pains for me to say... I don't like the guy - but can't knock him for the majority of his game.

This is a tough one - Watts has the most natural talent, and Grimesy will have the determination and drive to get him far. Watts by a nose.

The poll does relate to who you would pick at 12 - but the whole post is about drafting strategies. By selecting the type of player you take at pick 12, this will dictate the rest of the strategy. By using a Judd v Kosi comparision your using one thing a recruiter doesn't have - hindsight. At the time Kosi was rated quite highly obviously at a similar level as Riewoldt and Didak... as Deemolition Man says i'd take a risk on a kosi/riewoldt-like player over a judd-like because its what I think we need. Of course you would take the best midfielders first because of how they have been ranked - but you still end up with 5 midfielders being added to your list. Surely that would create an imbalance and less spots for players that play other important roles?? Re: Gysberts, that could be true - but BP might have thought that with the loss of Mclean and the future retiresment of Jmac in the near future that getting a inside/clearance player was important? Both are possible..

That might be the best strategy if you think there is some real depth in talls and hoping one lasts late might enable us to get what we are after. I remember with Gawn and Fitzpatrick - they were both targets but at pick 35 or whatever they felt Gawn was less likely to be around at 51(?) so it can come down to there research on what other clubs are thinking aswell. But gee I hope your right re: KP depth.. would open up our options. But by going best available each time your not building your list correctly. You could list the 150 players in order of ability using the subjective opinions of the recruiting team, and mark them off as they are taken. That could leave you with 5 ruckman or 5 midfielders if the cards fall that way - the draft has to be looked at more in-depth than just simply best available. Clubs will research what other clubs are doing, the players current & potential ability, their personailties and how that will affect the group, the players onfield role and the likelihood that another club might take the same player if you risk him to your next pick. They will target certain players at certain picks, because they are building a team with many requirements. Future drafts will also play a role, last year they didn't take a KP player at pick 11 when everyone else thought they would. BP would have known the depth of KP in this draft would be better so Gysberts was taken. In 2012 the club will know that Jack Viney will be coming to the club - would you recruit multiple midfielders in 2011 knowing that? If you think theres no strategy then your not giving our recruiting staff enough credit. D16, I like Darling for the same reasons - he's been described as a aaron hamill type player and while he might not end up a out and out superstar that role could be vital. Throw in a bit of agression and he could be just what we need. Its just something that would complement our other forwards imo. The whole mystery around draft day makes it so interesting....

I'd love Moloney to be named captain - he shows the most passion for the club both on and off the field. His boxing camp and the package he puts together to show the new recruits the history of the club shows me that hes the ideal candidate. Having said that Green will probably get the gig..

Brilliant news! definately made my day! favourite son coming back to the MFC! The fact that we can create a new role and add to the football department shows how far we have come! We can now invest more money in the development of this young side! And we combined that with an experienced favorite son! It's a beautiful thing...

It's not that simple. In previous drafts I would have agreed with you, but this draft is different. We have built a strong list containing plenty of potential in the majority of positions, and this is hopefully the last time we have a good first round pick as we move up the ladder. This is a good oppotunity to finish off the list and cover all bases. By taking best available we might not fix the holes, and the only way would be to fix it via trade - and that seems hard to do these days. Lets say a Gorringe is marginally the best available - is taking another developing ruckman the best option for the list when we have Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Spencer already in those positions? Or a small forward when we have Wonna, Maric, Bennell, Jetta? We will still need another key forward won't we? and will someone trade us a good one when we are knocking on the top 4? you'll be relying on another side having too many and us having something they want. To add the fact that the draft is quite even and doesn't have the depth of top end talent of 08/09 then getting someone we need is a more logical move. If a pure gun somehow slides that far, then sure best available. But otherwise its finishing your list off and stratgizing the best way to do it...