Watts the matter

He has done a great job but there is always an element of luck with recruiting and as a club we appear to finally be getting some good luck. The Salem and Tyson trade would be a failure if we utilised pick 2 correctly. However, as we most likely would have taken Billings with pick 2, it is probably an adequate result. Oliver is an absolute revelation, but if we had pick 1 would we have ended up with Weitering? We also bid on Mills and risked the chance of missing Oliver. Weideman isn't looking like the best pick but with Oliver being the best in the draft it is easier to forgive. Brayshaw and Petracca both solid selections and it seemed like they were the only ones considered. Would have been interested to see where the club rated De Goey, who is probably slightly ahead. From looking over the drafts, I am just thankful that we don't have GWS's recruiting team. They have been appalling and are very lucky for their original 17 years olds which netted them some steals (Treloar, Shiel, Cameron)

I agree that Petracca needs to improve but I just found it strange that you said Brayshaw is a good set shot. I've watched countless contests between him and Jones at training and I can't see it. His AFL set shot kicking has done little to change my view. And you can manipulate stats easily. Petracca kicks at 62% for goal over his career, excluding complete misses. He has not started well this season but when analysing players it's important to use all of the information available not just small samples that don't tell the whole story and suit a need.

Is this a joke? Gus can nail set shots? Based on what? He would not have kicked more than 5 goals from set shots in his career. You have a very short memory or you must watch a different game to me. Petrarca's goal kicking has been a bit disappointing this season but it was a strength last season kicking 26.6.

I think this thread is a gross over reaction to a long awaited impressive game from Brayshaw. Trac has the attributes to be the best player in the comp at one stage, Brayshaw doesn't. I was encouraged by Brayshaw's performance on the weekend, but I'm going to need to see it against some better opposition before I get on the bandwagon with everyone else. For me, his kicking is always going to hold him back. I think some of your observations are off the mark also. There is a reason Petracca is the 3rd rated small/medium forward on the AFL player ratings behind only Greene and Betts. He is elite at what he does.

It didn't look as bad as I first thought when watching the replay and I can't recall what other options he had so that's probably fair.

His kicking was very bad in the first half (lucky that Spargo could play out the game after one of those and that was probably the only one that hit the target in the 1st half), but improved substantially after half time. A very encouraging performance and loved the gutsy mark he took early in the game. Thought his hand balling in tight was much better than what he has previously shown at AFL level. Also nice to see him bounce up after a few big hits.

I thought I had read that Gaff was a Melbourne supporter?

He was good on the weekend but not great. Two of Daniher's points McDonald had the chance to tackle him but was unable to get a hold of him. The Devon Smith goal was a shocker from the whole team, terrible mismatch and could see it unfolding from up above.

Are you kidding? He was awful. Took a courageous mark in the 3rd but nearly everything else he did resulted in a turnover. Even the holding the ball free kick he got, his initial contest and inability to kill the ball was poor. His positioning as a back man was shocking and his opponents were constantly goal side of him. We don't have anyone to replace him with so I guess he can stay for now.

Like the fact that McCartney never sits in the box? This has gone on and on because of your refusal to just say you got it wrong. The bigger issue is the leak to the media rather than the move of McCartney itself.

I would love for you to show me some vision or direct me to it, of McCartney on the bench in the opening 4 rounds. Essentially you are saying he has made up this story. The Brayshaw piece, while a buch of fluff essentially just said Fremantle would be interested in Brayshaw. I don't see how Brayshaw would find that insulting. If you interpreted it differently, that is on you and Angus, not him.

I also had this belief. But I find it hard to think a Melbourne supporter who does our weekly podcast would be unaware of this. Perhaps he knows more than us given the contacts he would have within the club. I'm sure he will read this, so I look forward to hearing him addressing the criticism like he did on the previous podcast.

Saty, I know you think you know it all. But this was reported by a Melbourne supporter who does the offical podcast weekly. It was also said with Paul Roos ,who would have knowledge of each persons role within the football department, sitting next to him. If he says he was in the box the last 4 weeks, I know who I am believing.

Firstly, it's news to me that he is a line coach? Is that correct? It was reported on OTC that he has been told he is not required in the coaches box this week (against his wishes). Is it all falling apart?

I don't think anyone is debating that. I have not seen one poster say that he be dropped. DeeSpencer is just making some extremely valid observations on what he has delivered so far and what appear to be some serious limitations that will stop him from being a good AFL player.

I thought he was average at best. He started the game really well then faded out badly and was slow and poor with his disposal as he often is. If he doesn't show some drastic improvement this season, I would be more than happy to hear what other clubs would be willing to part with. It is quite damning that with Tyson and Viney out that he still couldn't find his way into our midfield rotation. If he is not an inside midfielder, what is he?

This is when you know you're in trouble. O'Brien is an ordinary player who can take a nice grab from time to time but lacks the all round game and will never make it as a result.

Such a poor point and simplistic analysis that focuses on just one stat in the least attacking team seen since Melbourne under Neeld. Curnow is light years ahead in every statistical evaluation from last season. I think you've hit the nail on the head with the description about their builds. We drafted yesterdays footballer while Carlton picked up the future of football. I wish Weideman well, but unless he magically improves his agility there will be no role for him with Hogan and McDonald up forward.

Reminds me of Aaron Francis. Glad we don't have our pick 10 to potentially waste on him.

I've said it multiple times, he should not have been in AA squad based on output. A 1st and 2nd is a very generous offer and should be taken off the table if Adelaide don't accept it on the opening day.

All of those players were better than him this season.

With the free kick against Lever, that had to be. Riewoldt also got his 1st goal after giving a big jumper tug to Talia at half forward.

No, Rance has always played on the key forwards, since day dot. He still nearly always plays on the 1st or 2nd tall now. Lever never does and that is a big difference, means you have to carry an extra tall player in the team. The bolded part is true, but seeing his lack of pace today is a worry if he is not gonna matchup on the talls.

I'm getting sick of reading this comparison. Rance plays key position on a key forward every week. Lever never plays on a key forward. There is a big difference and it's extremely wishful thinking if you think he will be a similar player.

Was very average, was OK in the first quarter and racked up some junk time stats late in the game. Gave away a shocking free kick that costed a goal when Adelaide were doing well early. Showed his lack of speed today and again didn't match up on a quality opponent.You would want a player of his size who is not going to play KP, to take the likes of Martin or Dangerfield. Still don't see him being worth the kind of money that is being talked about, whether that is 750 or 900.