KingDingAling

Pert is a great get. Wiser heads prevailed on this one. Pert - who has experience - against someone with no business experience. Good call to go with the tried and true. Melbourne cannot afford to appoint anyone who could fail, we are in a good position and have to go with the safe - and logical - option. We want to be in a position such as the likes of Collingwood are in, and who better to get us there. Personally I couldn't care what the critics have to say, I mean, our coach was involved in a systematic doping regime, so I am pretty sure whatever skeletons Pert has in the closet - they aren't as serious as setting up doping programs to inject our players. Welcome aboard Gary.

That is what Billings should do when dropped back to the VFL. Most AFL players - even those of a lower standard - should be dominating the VFL when dropped back. Confidence booster for Billings. He needed it.

I disagree entirely. Loyalty means absolutely nothing if you aren't in good enough form to remain in the side - ala Tyson. He can be as loyal as he wants but if he isn't making an impact it means jack sh*t. I am sure many of his teammates at AFL level would prefer if Tyson was putting in more 1% efforts and defensive acts so it makes their job easier. But he isn't, and as a result he is at Casey.

Billings for Tyson in a heartbeat. If we had to add to that deal we could - and should. I would prefer we traded into Gresham, but if Billings is all we could get I'd be keen on that. Jack Billings is going to be a very good football player, he just looks disinterested and unhappy at times (too many times and most times). I suspect he isn't happy at St Kilda, would probably be a far better player in a better side. We should at least ask the question. Tyson is too slow for our side, he will struggle to even break back into it, plus he isn't versatile, at least we could sit Billings in our forward line and get something out of him.

Gerard isn't the most objective type. He would have known Bomber and Hird had history with the gear. I have no affiliation with any club and even I knew Hirdy loved the snow, and according to every Tom, Dick and Harry - Bomber loved the gear for a long time. Gerard is either very bias or just sh*t at his job, and I don't believe he is sh*t at his job.

I think he is a reasonable commentator, and so long as he knows the players then he is receiving a pass mark. That is my base level expectation from Gerard. We know he hasn't played football, but he is still a contributor to game. Hutchy is the same. They know their role, and even though they may have no idea when they step outside of their role - I still appreciate them. May as well.

Brayshaw was excellent. He is an upgrade on Salem in that midfield. Brayshaw did well. He will be a good addition to our midfield should we keep him in there.

And what standards did anyone in the box at EFC set? There is no doubt those in the coaching box would have known about Bombers drug addiction. It is also a fact those in the box known about Dank's suspect doping program (as they were all on board). Any of the individuals tied to Essendon at the time of the saga have no business in the football industry IMO. There is just not enough scrutiny being placed on them and Bomber was a prime example of that. A lot of the blame shifting during the saga ended up being very effective in shifting the blame - Hird was painted as a hard done by and naive coach, and Bomber the guy who wanted to speak up and stop the program but didn't (and lived in regret). Perhaps there was some truth to Bomber wanting to speak up, but ultimately he didn't speak up, and therein lies the problem for many of those in the coaching box - they didn't do anything to prevent any of this mess (and that includes Bomber's drug addiction whilst he was coaching). None of these individuals belong near a football club IMO. Essendon is better off without them all.

Just goes to show how much of a rabble Essendon were under Hird and Thompson. Two drug addicts at the helm, implementing a drug program with help of a shady scientist. Anyone who was at that club and didn't stop it, has absolutely no business in setting standards for AFL level players. Its just disgraceful what people will justify and put up with. I knew something was up with Bomber Thompson in 2010 when he basically pushed Ablett jr up the GC. People just automatically assumed Ablett was going for the coin, but Bombers behaviour at the time (in alienating Ablett) didn't help, and it was unprofessional. It was around that time that I speculated to my family that I think Bomber has a drug problem. So I suspect he is long gone.

Brayshaw isn't very quick, but his lack of pace isn't a bad thing. He needs to slow down going into congestion. It decreases his chance of getting concussed. It is the really short and sharp movements in tight that Brayshaw needs to focus on. He doesn't need to be explosive in a 100m sprint, he just needs to be good in a small space. He is also great on either foot, so if he can improve his spread he should be able to utilize those skills. So long as Brayshaw can avoid getting concussed I think he has a future. We are not talking about a Jack Trengove who has nothing else to offer once he loses his speed, Brayshaw has a lot more tools at his disposal. Should he slow down he can still be very effective.

Toumpas was sh*t even before the draft. I thought he was hopeless in the Nationals that year, but like myself and many on footy sites, perhaps the recruiters got sucked in by the hype. I know I did. I watched the Nationals of Toumpas and came away thinking that kid is useless I hope we don't pick him, but then after the chatter elsewhere you start to buy into the hype. Wines on the otherhand was exceptional in the Nationals, and is the player he is now. It was bad drafting and our drafting experts were no better than us mugs when assessing players those bad years.

If he was good at it he would be still there. He wasn't good enough at it to keep his position. Brayshaw is an out and out midfielder, and is actually a quite capable one. He does need to make some adjustments - in order to limit his potential for head knocks - but if he can do that (and it looks as though he is making inroads there), then there is a position for him in the midfield. He would be better than Salem (who is unwilling to actually go in and get the footy and prefers to sit stationary off of the pack). Brayshaw shouldn't be disappointed that he is at VFL, but should use it as an opportunity to work on his game because that third midfield spot is up for the taking (Tyson isn't good enough - lacks awareness and is a poor kick), and Salem is unwilling to go in and get the football. Until Viney gets back its there for the taking. I hope Brayshaw steps up because he is capable, he is the guy who would do well in that spot and clearly wants it.

Ahwell, his value has just gone through the roof.

The thing with Brayshaw is that he can't play anywhere else bar midfield.

Still a year or two away IMO. I don't understand why clubs take project players, but they do, and when they do these players need time.

I am still stoked we landed Fritsch. I thought at beginning of trade night, if we walked away with Fritsch I'd be happy, anything more is a bonus. I don't know much about the others. I have only seen Fritsch play a handful of times - but he looked impressive. I remember watching Mitch Hannan play most of his games the year we drafted him, and I was happy we landed him, he did it against men, and his frame wasn't a limitation. I don't expect Fritsch frame to limit him at all. I think he may play early. There is nothing about his game that suggests he has to put on size (at least in respect of contributing at AFL level - size will naturally come in time). So its a good get for mine. Hope he does well.

Well said. I agree. Less pressure on them and less whinging from all of us. I am guilty of expecting too much too early off of draftees, and I think part of it comes from the mediocre performances off of our senior blokes. We are always looking for some youth to step in - because our seniors are letting us down. Since we have had Roos we have improved I believe. 5-6 years ago I'd be hoping Petty was the next big thing because we needed him to be. Now it feels as though it doesn't matter as much. We appear to have a ready made list now. There is no excuses for the guys in the side. Best MFC team I have seen in a long time. I do get ahead of myself but our side looks really promising. Hopefully Petty just develops at Casey and gets to learn his craft without expectation. We still have key position back in Keilty who will be ready before he is. That should ease the pressure.

Size is no longer a disadvantage in this game. Because players can no longer are not supposed to dive on the ball, it means they have to bend down and pick it up (mostly that is what happens). Smaller players do not have to expose their neck, they are mostly already there at the ball. They don't have to bend down as much (so they should be able to get the ball quicker). They just have to watch out for the hip and shoulder - which is practically outlawed. I watch Caleb Daniel make a mockery of his opposition. And if you watch Daniel he basically scoops the ball up with absolute ease, his low centre of gravity means that he is also very evasive, and strong through the core. Small players have advantages if they know how to use them. If this kid can play he is a good pick up.

Adelaide had a pick inside the top 10. Then neither Adelaide or Port had another pick before we selected Petty. I suspect that is why we were able to land him.

They kind of had to go for a flag. Their best players are Gray, Boak and Ryder. Not only do they owe it to those guys to give them a shot at a flag, but there is no guarantee in the future that they will be this close to a flag.

Geeez that is a good deal for Carlton. Gibbs has played 231 games. In all likelihood he only plays another 70 or 80, and that is if he gets a good run with injury. Smart trading by Carlton, they were patient, and they didn't rush into a bad deal. Good on them. They obviously have people in charge who know what they are doing.

I reckon we will use 27 or 35 to take Fritsch. Based on what I have seen he is worth either of those picks. It will just be a matter of where we believed he will be picked, and are other sides interested in him. I suspect teams will be interested in him but not speaking to him - and will just take him. I wouldn't be against us using 27 on Fritsch, but believe its more likely he probably goes at 35

Ha. great reply. Well done bud. Top notch!

MFC speaks a good game but just can't negotiate. Lever did all the leg work, and put us in a strong position at the trade table. We just gave away a future first round pick we didn't need to. MFC once again pulling the trigger early. Amateurs.

Instead of the Charlie Cameron pick we need to be asking Adelaide for their 2018 first round pick. They probably won't make top 4, and in fact could drop out of the top 6. It would be good if a club didn't bend us over at the trade table for once.