Rhino Richards

Its a big assumption that because there are women who follow AFL that netball must be closer. And as another poster quite aptly pointed involvement in a sport at junior level does not translate to support of a peripheral sport at adult level. Netball has no real financial or spectator presence, few if any professional players, no major TV coverage and is very much a 2nd tier sport Soccer Australia may be competing with NRL and AFL for support but its clear that from just even the posters on this site that there is a huge cross over of interest between both codes amongst supporters. As soccer plays the summer season and AFL plays the winter season this more than feasible. MFC might not gain much from a Liverpool but by crikey I think an association with Melb Victory in Team Melbourne would be a positive.

Longer term he isn't. I would be disappointed if one of the players you mentioned did not step up in the next two years. I also think Carroll is warming a spot for someone else in the side. Warnock has been on the list for four years. I think the Club has had sufficient opporutunities to evaluate him. He is capable at VFL but I dont think he is AFL level standard. I think the fact that we have turned over a large number of mature age NQR players has given him another year on the list. 2008 like any year is about putting your best team on the park whoever they are. BTW, I would not rank Holland an established player. He is in the mix with the rest of the players you mentioned. Anyway for side that finished 14th I think every player needs to earn their keep and establish their credentials.

Thanks Champ. As 20th man, did he get a run? Its funny when you get those brilliant teams with consecutive premierships that besides the stars there are those that can count themselves fortunate for being in the right place at the right time. Martin Pike was the ultimate. A good player, a feral ratbag off the field but 4 flags...

They are not! Makes Team Melbourne seem an even more minor issue then. The Milanese team association is a low key one. Whats it based on?

Who?? There a number of players over the years who by fate or other matters get to play in a premiership. They are generally no 22 selected in that team. It recognises their good fortune but does not vindicate their talent. Steven Armstrong and Shannon Motlop are 2 such players. Are there any famous No 38's ? (I dont mean Pamela Anderson! )

By your list, neither Garland and Frawley are established AFL players. Martin is a punt and Warnock could not crack a game last year despite the injuries. He is doubtful for AFL. So there is a 1 to 2 year time gap that Holland can fill while these player come on. None of the others you mentioned who have gone could have done that and were rightly moved on. Holland was selected for an impact now not in the future. The fact that no one has selected him highlights that the average supporter knows less than the DB! B)

I quoted the sentence in full and acknowledged the statement you made. It says what it says notwithstanding you not wanting to be involved with a powerful international brand. The two sentences make two different statements. I dont agree that soccer is a diametrically opposite code. There is clearly a strong crossover of people who follow AFL and/or soccer. More so than netball.

No. Brown had indicated that this year was his last sometime during the 2007 season. Good on him to finish his career full of running although his 2007 form had been patchy earlier on. Brown's best year was 2004 by a mile. Every since then he slowly deteriorate as a footballer as his lack of pace and questionable ball usage got found out. In fact his hard work in 2007 is testimony to his character as his 2005 was horrible and the gap between that year and 2004 was disturbing. West Adelaide have picked up a top bloke and a good leader. Good luck to him.

Aside from Neitz, the No 38 has been an ordinary number for MFC. In fact, can anyone name a player from any Club that has had a prominent AFL career and worn the Number 38 guernsey? Can't think of one myself. Interesting considering No 42,43 and 44 have carried their fair share of champion players.

Thanks Nasher. Ignore the rookie bit. If he is closer than 2 years away from being capable of playing AFL then we are doing well. By that time Holland would have retired. Damn the AFL for running the PSD and rookie draft on the same day!!! :angry: B)

At this point neither Garland or Warnock are banging on the door for a spot in the team. Martin is a rookie so I cant see how Holland holds him back? Unless there is an injury that results in the promotion of a rookie and Martin is ready for the step up, Martin is 2 years away from possibly playing AFL. Holland would have retired by then. Frawley is still green and learning the caper. If he demands a spot ahead of Holland then he gets it. Holland is a serviceable player who can pinch hit at both ends of the ground and can take a contested pack mark. Within an organised defence he works well with other players and provides an honest foil for a key forward. IMO he should be left 1 on 1 with an opponent as his lack of mobility will crucify him. I am not so worried about gorilla forwards as there seem to be fewer around and many of those are close to retirement or are past their best. Rocca, Richo, Tredrea and Gehrig come to mind. Holland has been serviceable to MFC over the course of his 4 years to date with MFC. I would like Garland and Frawley to come up this year. The Club has high hopes on those two. Martin is a possibility in the future. Warnock should count himself lucky to still be on the list and he either comes through and makes it at AFL level or he's gone. And it wont be Holland's fault as they play different defensive roles.

Did Liverpool's attachment with that song take prominence at a memorial service of Liverpool fans for those Liverpool fans who died during the crowd stampede at a UK soccer match? I am hazy on the details. If so I can sort of understand Liverpool's attachment to it. Ac grim connection at best. I just dont see the songs application or that style of supporting fitting with AFL and MFC.

Just makes your rant about not linking with the Vixens as part of Team Melbourne (which includes Melbourne Victory and Storm) all the more sillier.

Thanks DD for your input. A comprehensive summary also.

Great report. Very comprehensive and informative. Well done. Thanks

The bulk of our list is under 24 and the focus of our future is there. We might start with the spine Paddo speaks of but I would suggest that unless Carroll and Miller really turn it on that they are warming the bench for others.

Rubbish. All the answers to those questions were well known to coaching staff. White has had time playing a kick behind the ball and as a player who does not play body on body he's useless down back. PJ has done little to suggest he can mix it with capable ruckman at the centre bounces and has little to offer up back. What ever Ferg could give us an AFL footballer was down back. He had no capability as a forward.

Its actually two and if he cant make headway this year his career is in doubt. He has been a long time out of the game. He had a very good first year with us but he needs to concentrate on his decision making and his defensive skills when he does not have the ball.

Do tell!! I dont think Sylvia is either a pisshead or deserving of any special tolerance. I agree with your hopes for him in 2008.

Its a good point. Lets look at the 2003 draft. For all the supposed talent it has been a lack lustre draft to date. None of the top 10 are champions and the close to an AA this year was pick 33 Adcock from the Lions. Priority 1 Adam Cooney West Adelaide Football Club Western Bulldogs Priority 2 Andrew Walker Bendigo U18 Carlton Priority 3 Colin Sylvia Bendigo U18 Melbourne 1 4 Farren Ray Peel Thunder Football Club Western Bulldogs 1 5 Brock McLean Calder Cannons Melbourne 1 6 Kepler Bradley West Perth Football Club Essendon 1 7 Kane Tenace Murray Bushrangers Geelong 1 8 Raphael Clarke St. Mary's Football Club St. Kilda 1 9 David Trotter Calder Cannons Kangaroos 1 10 Ryley Dunn Murray Bushrangers Fremantle 1 11 Beau Waters West Adelaide Football Club West Coast Eagles 1 12 Ryan Murphy Gippsland U18 Fremantle 1 13 Brent Stanton Northern U18 Essendon 1 14 Fergus Watts Sandringham U18s Adelaide Crows 1 15 Troy Chaplin North Ballarat U18s Port Adelaide 1 16 Josh Willoughby Glenelg Football Club Sydney Swans 1 17 Billy Morrison Tasmania U18s Collingwood 1 18 Llane Spaanderman East Perth Football Club Brisbane Lions 2 19 David Mundy Murray Bushrangers Fremantle 2 20 Sam Butler Central District Bulldogs West Coast Eagles 2 21 Alex Gilmour Tasmania U18s Richmond 2 22 Cameron Thurley Tasmanian Devils Football Club Geelong 2 23 Matthew Moody South Fremantle Football Club Brisbane Lions 2 24 Chad Jones Claremont Football Club Kangaroos 2 25 Harry Miller Port Adelaide (SANFL) Hawthorn 2 26 Daniel McConnell Eastern U18 West Coast Eagles 2 27 Adam Campbell North Ballarat U18s Fremantle 2 28 Jay Nash Central District Bulldogs Essendon 2 29 Tim Schmidt West Adelaide Football Club Sydney Swans 2 30 Brad Symes Central District Bulldogs Port Adelaide 2 31 Joshua Krueger Glenelg Football Club Adelaide Crows 2 (f/s) 32 Brayden Shaw Northern U18s Colingwood 2 33 Jed Adcock North Ballarat U18s Brisbane Lions

Its actually a valid point....

Moloney is still OP ridden and has missed two years of football. I wish Beamer was fit and did have more ability than McLean and Jones. Fact is he does not. I doubt whether Beamer if he stayed at Geelong and fit would have made the GF. I was critical of the Cats for trading Beamer to get Ottens. They got rid of a surplus midifielder and picked up their No 1 ruckman. Great trade.

Realistically, unless you are involved in the Footy dept how could you make an informed judgement?

I cant understand why? Because he is tall. In today's game demanding greater mobility the rules for a 6'6 player are the same as a player who is 6'0. I think some of the versions about Colin's socialising circulating aoround rely little on the facts.

When you drop a player you need to have another player to bring up? Given we had Neitz and Robbo injured and others not available, who would you have brought up to replace him. Who were they? Its simplistic and self serving to measure the position purely on possessions given that possessions are so cheap and easy these days. Bluntly CJ is crap and has been crap in his games so far. He has been totally out of his depth at the AFL standard and he is fully fit too. For some supremely talented he has been supremely crap. He is lucky to be still with the opportunity to play AFL. Sylvia's got his limitations both physically and with his learning. FCS he has shown far more than some supremely talented NQR players who have shown zip.