mo64

Drew Banfield, who's an assistant coach of the WA under '18s, was just interviewed on SEN. When asked about the draft prospects, he mentioned Palmer, Masten, Rance, Myers and Morton as potential top 10. He then went on to say that Palmer and Masten were the standouts, based on what they'd already achieved at senior level. Care to reconsider your view on Palmer Deemissioner?

Diablo, who do you rate higher Morton or Masten?

Totally agree Hannabal. What excites me about Palmer is his record at senior footy in the WAFL: http://www.sportingpulse.com/nf/team_info....0-49803-4320172 Do we draft Morton on his 'up-side' or take Palmer on his record at junior and senior level?

You still haven't sold me on taking him with pick 4. As previously stated, i'd prefer a genuine midfielder than a flanker who could do a bit of this or that.

True, but like Walker, what position do you see Morton as being best suited to in AFL?

Personally, I hope we go for a legitimite midfielder in Palmer/Masten ahead of a utility in Morton/Myers. With the exception of Goodes and C. Cornes, who played their junior football as key forwards, I struggle to think of many outstanding 190cm+ utility players. Morton reminds me of an Andrew Walker, originally an outside midfielder who has yet to find his true position in AFL footy.

Scott Welsh has been officially delisted by Crows, after being unable to reach a contractual agreement, and he'll nominate for the PSD. It's fair to assume that the Bulldogs have offered him a 2 year deal, however it would not surprise me if Melbourne expressed some interest in him before Robbo was re-signed. Theoretically, we could have traded Robbo to the Bulldogs for pick 22, and picked up a similar player in Welsh for nothing in the PSD.

Thick As A Brick - Jethro Tull. A reflection of whoever devised our new game plan.

Good summation of Al Neville NJH. Sam Mitchell was another who dominated at TAC Cup level, but was initially overlooked in the draft due to his perceived lack of pace. BTW DD36, being an ex Coburg supporter who lives near the City Oval, i've seen Neville play many times. I rate him and Valenti extremely highly.

You are kidding me! Have you actually seen him play? Al Neville has far more football prowess than Godfrey. He has awareness and good disposal, things that were sadly lacking in Godfrey. He's well worth a place on our list. Godfrey playing 100 games of AFL football was an indictment on our club.

What the hell does that mean?

Who are these people in the 'footy world' that you refer too? More likely, just your opinion.

Agree. Definitely worth a punt. I see him as a creative back pocket or hbf, which is something we seriously lack.

Redleg, your comments are highly emotional with little substance. The factual reality is that since the advent of the AFL in 1987 and it's 'rigged draw', 11 out of the 16 teams have won a premiership (69%). Under the old VFL, with it's equitable draw, only 5 out of the 12 teams won a flag in the preceding 20 years (42%). Whilst we continue to whinge about Collingwood's favourable draw, they have been far more competitive when playing interstate than us. Maybe our energy is better served in trying to fathom out why we can't win interstate (SCG excluded), and our recent poor record at TD, than bemoaning the inequitable draw.

You need to factor in the additional off-field responsibilities of the captain during our 150 year anniversary. Too much of a burden for a new captain. Neitz for 1 more year, then McLean.

Little isn't a bad footballer, but is predominently a full forward. Post Neitz and Robbo, i'd have Green as the under-sized ff, and Newton as the pack marker or breaker.

Hannabal, i suggest you read what i wrote more closely. I made the point that CAC 'may' not 'was' instructed to draft a KP backman. I wouldn't know, because i'm not someone of authority within the club. But you obviously are, if you know for a fact that he was asked to recruit the toughest player in the draft. Given that brief, no wonder he didn't pick Nick Dal Santo.

If Judd nominated us as his preferred club, Robbo would also have been put up for trade. Hopefully, our new coach doesn't share your rose coloured glasses, and tells Robbo a few home truths.

Any debate is futile..........

Much depends on what style of game plan Bailey adopts, and the commitment of the players to do the 1 percenters, which was lacking this season. If the players aren't prepared to put their head over the ball and commit to tackling and chasing, how the team lines up is an irrelevancy. Having said that, we need to be more creative on the forward line, rather than relying on players who get their goals by taking marks on the lead. We can't have 2 stay at home forwards like Neitz and Robbo, plus Newton. The other forwards spend all their energy chasing the opposition backmen, rather than being creative. This will shock a few, but i'd only play Robbo against weaker backlines, such as Carlton, Richmond, Bulldogs, and possibly Collingwood. My preferred forward line is: HF - Dunn/Bruce rotating on the ball and bench CHF - Newton leading forward who stays within forward 60 HF - Bate leading forward who can also push back FP - Davey crumbing forward who stays within 70 FF - Neitz leading forward who can crash and bash FP - Green/Sylvia both can mark on the lead and rotate thru the middle and bench

Well I'll challenge you on your 'we could have had' spine. B. Fevola - drafted in what 1999?. Can only play FF, during which time we've had Neitz, or Robbo as back-up. C. Cornes - How many years has he played CHF? Currently an old fashioned utility, not a KPP. M. Egan - So you're rating him ahead of Rivers based on 1 season, in which Rivers was out injured. Prior to this year, Scarlett and Harley were the Cats FB and CHB. B.Rutten - 1st game was as a FF. 3 goals with 1st 3 kicks. Selected as a rookie, hence every club got it wrong with him.

Jarka, the reason why you're constantly 'misunderstood' is due to your flawed analysis of drafting. Unless you were in a position of authority within MFC (and I seriously doubt it), you would not be aware as to whether CAC was briefed by the coaching panel prior to each draft. He may have chosen Molan and Lamb on the basis of best KP backman, upon on a coaching request. Choosing TJ ahead of Ottens was logical given that we traded pick 2 for White. Also the trading of trade picks for existing players is not the jurisdiction of the recruiting manager. Recruiting managers watch little AFL football, hence wouldn't be in a position to appraise the worth of someone like Byron Pickett. If you believe that CAC is a failure, why don't you show us the record of the best recruitment managers in your eyes? I'm sure it would be littered with your definition of 'Fail'!!!!

Richo, you surely don't mean the Matthew Richardson from Richmond? Miller hasn't got the skill or knowhow to be a CHF. I'd rather see Neitz used as the crash and bash forward, whilst Robbo plays out of the goalsquare. Bate and Dunn could be used as the leading CHF. With Carroll being put up for trade, I get the feeling that Miller will be started at full back.

I too have been in that position whilst travelling in Europe, but I wasn't an AFL footballer. Players have to realise that if they want all the benefits that come from being a modern AFL player, they need to make some sacrifices along the way. End-of-season trips are a thing of the past, and players are expected to rock up to preseason in fairly good nick. Sure, take a holiday wherever you like, but destinations such as Ios and the Oktoberfest, suggest that the boys weren't looking at broadening their cultural horizens. A slap on the wrist for Brock, but it shouldn't preclude him from the captaincy down the track.

WD, you have a very simplistic view of drafting and list management. FWIW, CAC didn't have the opportunity to draft Thomas, Pendlebury, Reid, Brown, Marty Clarke, so your comparisons are irrelevant.