Rhino Richards

Agreed Maurie. And good players learn to overcome a tagger. Its a limp excuse why your "best" players dont perform.

Its pretty much spot on about Valenti.

Since he has been at MFC, I dont think there has been that "Kick it to Colin" arrangement so I dont think that plagues him. Aside from his OP and the inabiilty to put in a full pre season, Colin has the lack the coaching and player development pre and during his MFC time. I would hope that with Bailey's teaching style of coaching that Colin learns and benefit. Which player has Colin been favoured over to get a place in the side? Colin has fought for a place in the side as hard as Brock has. He earned his place on merit. Statements to the contrary are a fallacy. Bottom line both Brock and Colin are in their fifth years of AFL footy. If Brock is fit and Colin gets a pre season under his belt then they both need to deliver and produce.

Correct. FWIW for all his preseasons TJ was a chronic underperformer over his 10 years at MFC.

If modern footy is VFL standard then yes he has it in bucketloads. If its AFL he does not and has proven nothing IMO. As BBP, pre season scratch match football is a very lightweight version of the real thing.

Genuine excitement to a team from a player taken from either the PSD or the rookie is rare and becoming increasingly so especially for Victorian Clubs. I think what we did with Davey was an exception and it was fortunate it was us that benefitted. Sampi was not taken in PSD because he did not show sufficient commitment to the requirements of AFL. Regardless of his past exploits, Sampi at 92kgs and out of condition is useless as a footballer. The Club gave him 5.5 weeks to train and impress. He didn't. Taking him would have been a waste of pick. Spencer is a rookie and an opportunity to try and develop a ruckman for the future. It was not a choice between Sampi as a PSD and Spencer as a rookie.

Whatever fire in the belly that was there was well insulated. I agree Nozz. I think he is finished. MFC was his last chance and he did not have the commitment.

Thinking the same thing! A peripheral nice to have issue at best.

How many sub 80kg players can you feasibly play in an AFL team? BTW, both Davey and Pearce are exciting players on their day but their lack of body size limits their capabilities. If Aussie is as good as Pearce then he might challenge for Davey's role. But there are many aspects of his game that need to be developed. I think some posters may be premature on his selection in the 2008 pre season competition especially given that there are another 10 new faces on the club list and many others with AFL experience needing to prove themselves after poor and injury ravaged seasons. Its a pretty ordinary competition in SANFL and if he has only played 12 games its hardly pedigree. He's kid, he's raw. I would suggest he is a project player that needs development.

Thoughtful response.

The various North Boards have been providing the straws for the basket for years. North have chosen an agenda in conflict with the AFL and are going to pay the price. The AFL action is hardly a surprise given the Fitzroy and South Melb experience. They werent just going to throw their hands in the air and say "Oh well".

Agree its a big change to the list and you could expect a large number at the end of 2008 if certain senior players dont perform.

You're completely wrong. There is limitation to how many light body players you can have in an AFL side. At MFC, Pearce and Davey would be potentially fighting it out for one spot. Are you saying Aussie is as good as Pearce? Big call indeed. If Aussie is realistically going to survive in AFL he needs to be as good (even better) than Davey or improve his build to survive the rigours of AFL.

Once again, much appreciation for your efforts Craig. Its a true test that you leave a place in a better way than when you arrived. I have always appreciated your honesty and commitment to Demonland and to MFC supporters in general. All the very best.

He has had one year /12 games in the SANFL which is a pretty ordinary competition if you have ever seen it. It a good gap from even VFL standard. The kid's green and we should grant the reasonable right to develop within the AFL competition and not rush him.

Given the decision of the North board, Rick Aylett's public support for the move put him in an untenable conflict position. So great! North now stride forward with no CEO and an uncertain future. What a basket case in the making.

Godrey only got another year on account of Bartram's injury. Clint is very important to this side and his absence was sorely missed last year. I understand he is not yet training with the main group yet.

What's that song...There's a hole in my bucket...... Whatever talent CJ is certainly not in the bucket loads and at present he does not fit into modern footy. Both CJ and Bode have yet to demonstrate that they can sustain the performances required for AFL. I admire the way Bode has work up from the fringe to at least make AFL. CJ is a profound disappointment. 2008 will find them out one way or another.

Sampi is 178 cm and 94 kgs Aussie is 182 cm and 78kgs Same body shape??? Go figure.

After about three reads... :D

I think that about sums it up H. I wish the Martin and rookies well and if we get one serviceable player out of the lot we are doing well.

I did not expect you to get it. Anyway enjoy the gushing.

I wish him well at MFC. But for FCS, he is an 18 yo from the bush and is only 78kgs so as a rookie he will be likely ot be honing the craft. building his physique and understanding AFL through a developmental phase. Unless he does develop Aaronesque skills, at his current weight I could not see how MFC can possibly have 2 players (Davey being the other) who have limitations in the physical aspects of the game and have problems in competing with larger bodied players. At present, Aaron Davey at his best is enough. Beside the odd cameo from time to time, Davey will be mostly forward line opportunist benefitting from a more competitive midfield with better feeds into the F50.

I'm with you Brocky. There is no point in recruting out of condition footballers who are sooooo talented. Clearly the Club had him under close review and made the call on him. They are in a better position to judge such players than poster who too often regugitate "Big Footy" hot air.

No problem. Just get rid of the weakest one or two at season end. Given it was a shallow pond to fish in, I cant get overly excited about what we have selected given how raw and uncertain their talent is. Hopefully one of the players will make it to the big time and contributed. Having seen Valenti and Martin play, I cant get excited by either. For all his courage, Valenti is slow. Martin cant kick and is indeed raw.