TeamPlayedFine39

Awsome photos once again. The players have come back in very good nick esp.VDB, Stretch and even Hunt's starting to fill out.

The single most productive 24 hours of my adult life.

The 2009 draft should be a cautionary tale to all, inside and out of the MFC. The way Carlton is parading their draftees around and talking up the value of 'first rounders' at the expense of experience is almost a carbon copy of our carrying on. We should all remember the mistakes (most) made in over-valuing talent over output when we label out current crop of kids as future 'superstars' and 'elite'. I'd say you could mount an argument that Trengove and Scully both outperformed Brayshaw in their first years, and Gysberts first two games and Scully's performance against the Bulldogs on a wet Friday night were amongst the best produced by a first year demon in about 20 years.

Thanks for the reports, they're very much appreciated. It's great that we get some variety and different points of view in these threads as they help to paint a more accurate picture for those of us who, for whatever reason, cannot attend ourselves. Really appreciate that you put in the time and effort to share your observations.

I was annoyed when the club rookied Jetta and he'd shown a lot less than Viv. All the best to him- hope he makes the most of this opportunity!

Happy with our draft yesterday, it doesn't change my Round 1 line-up however. JETTA DUNN GARLAND LAMUMBA MCDONALD MELKSHAM WATTS JONES VINCE TRENGOVE HOGAN KENT GARLETT DAWES FROST GAWN TYSON VINEY BRAYSHAW PETRACCA VANDENBERG SALEM

I voted McKay. He'll definitely be there at pick 7 (10) and he's a player with a huge ceiling. He'll go first round in the draft after only playing the game seriously for 12 months - he's a huge talent, huge gamble, huge pay-off.

Thanks for the reports - they are much appreciated. You get a look at the very nasty looking scar on Kent's hamstring in the gallery above. Explains how he missed so much footy this year.

I'm quite shocked by the poll resorts TBH. I voted for Parish but though the voting would be much more even than it is. You sometimes get the sense that the media is manufacturing this doubt and confusion so their reviews, previews, phantom drafts, etc have a bit of variety and a point of difference. Parish looks like the right choice.

Fair enoigh and I see your point, but did your friend refuse a test from the Police? That for me is crossing a big line. I actually don't think it'll effect his draft position at all, but it speaks to a complete disregard for authority and the safety of others.

ANB and OMac to be the surprise packet for Melbourne supporters. Salem to surprise the rest of the league with a move to the midfield. You

I would be very much against any change to our club's song. It is our victory anthem and, as such, only has positive memories associated with it. Even if any alterations were made, very few people would actually remember to sing the correct lyrics as they are so ingrained. I would hope that changing something as fundamental as our song would at least be put to a members vote.

Does anyone know the rules regarding who can train today? My understanding is that players are essentially forbidden from official training with the club until after their break, which for 1-4 year players is now over.. If a senior player wanted to return to training today, are they allowed? Or is that something that'd be blocked by the AFLPA?

It's all very exciting, but I just hope we don't fall into the trap of drafting for need. The pundits seem to be under the impression that we'll be going tall this year with at least one of our picks - the same chatter that was doing the rounds in 2010. That year we had our eyes fixed on Tom Lynch, who was taken one before our pick. When we lost him we moved to the next best available TALL, rather than next best available player... Lucas Cook. We're all licking our lips at the prospect of either Weideman, Curnow or McKay (and now seemingly Collins), and I'm fine with that, as long as they are the best available PLAYERS available at those picks. FWIW I don't believe that Curnow or Weideman will make it through to our pick at 7, however I haven't seen or heard anything that proves to me that either of them is a better footballer than Parish.

Was devo when he picked Carlton over us. Phew.

Agreed. 98 was an exciting year but we were never the real deal like 94 or 2000.

I don't think the forwardline was ever our problem in the 90s - it was always the backline. Insert our backline of the last ten years into the 90s team and you'd pinch a flag IMHO.

Great topic! The make-up of the 94 forward line was influenced by injuries and availability of Jakovich in particular. Lyon moved to full forward in the second half of the year when it looked like Jako wouldn't be back. The 98 forward line was essentially the same players, just a little older and a lot more battered. I would also suggest that the 2000 forward line, while similar to 98, was superior. Of those years, assuming all are fit and available... It might look something like: 1994: Lovell. Schwartz. Lyon. Pike. Jakovich. Charles. 2000: Green. Schwartz. Yze. Robertson. Neitz. Farmer.

Of all the DFSs out there, he's the one I'd offer a lifeline to.

FWIW... Head says Parish Heart says Curnow Both have been known to be spectacularly wrong in the past.

Very true. They released a lacklustre highlights reel for Brayshaw which had people on DL very nervous about his kicking. Week of the draft, they released the 'real thing' and DL rejoiced. Highlight packages are a bit of fun, but you can't take too much away from them.

I've never like the 'home' games in Darwin, but I'm a lot more comfortable with Alice Springs. The climate is far more conducive to AFL football and the ground is in a spectacular location. The effects on the players should be no greater than any other interstate match and it should, over time, build a supporter base that will make it a clear home ground advantage. That is dependent on our club handling the NT football supporters well and getting them signed-up and decked-out in red and blue.

Had a sensational first 10 or so games. I think he was feeling the pressure this year and tried to do a little bit too much every time he got the ball. Hopefully he can work on his tank over the preseason and focus on doing the simple things well when it comes to match-day. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression he played his TAC footy as a pure midfielder... perhaps being played out of position, like Nev Jetta's days as a small forward...

The AFL stagger the release of these updates, building towards the Draft. A decent highlights package for Brayshaw didn't appear until the week of the draft last year. All the ones that were released before then were pretty ordinary looking.

What the hell is going on?! Every time I step away the deal gets better! Mahoney bashers line up for apologies...