Gator

"You disagree" ? I doubt there's much to disagree with. I'm well aware of his attributes and whether he plays 6, 8, 10 or 12 games it matters little to the debate about whether he's "underrated" or not. He's clearly a fringe player, as evidenced by his 2016. I'm certain they'll play Weideman ahead of him where possible, ala Oscar last year over Dunn. I don't see Weideman and Pedersen often in the same team.

The youngest team in the comp hit the wall in round 22. It wasn't a "consistency" issue. In 2013 we lost 11 games by 60 points or more. We did this once in 2016. We won more quarters than the Saints and finished with a higher percentage. We'll be fitter, stronger and more experienced in 2017. We will get good very quickly.

In what way is he underrated ? Clearly he's a solid backup as Weideman is given games, but just as clearly he's a fringe player. He played 9 AFL games in 2016 and 8 VFL games. He would have played more games at Casey if not for their 3 byes in about 6 weeks, as it was at that time he was playing VFL footy. Imo, he won't match his 9 AFL games in 2017.

Jordan Gysberts was genuinely good in the Essendon game 2011. His disposal, which was a weakness, was also good. And he just knew where to be to get the footy, an underrated art. It's a pity he obviously didn't have the required dedication. Trengove also moved better in that game. His first few steps weren't as though they were in concrete.

I don't disagree, although I'm not sure why you're quoting me.

Not as long as the year I copped a while back It's good for the soul.

We get it. You're annoyed about a warning. I copped a month ban, but cop it on the chin. Stop sooking it up.

Seriously !? That short-hared sexless creature ? We're all different I guess. I always had the complete opposite thoughts to yours. As you know though, your male choice (McQueen) is king.

Their prerogative. You don't need to understand it.

I don't know why I have to like every player that pulls on the red and blue. I don't have "feelings" for every player that plays for the MFC. It's not necessarily "turning" on a player. It can be utter ambivalence.

No, you don't.

I don't wish him any ill will and nor do I wish him well. I have zero feelings for this player. Although, I'm happier today than I was the day we drafted him.

I think Pedersen will go the way of the DoDo, just like Dunn did last year. Goodwin wanted games into Oscar and I think he'll do the same for Weideman, who also needs games.

Imo, you won't really know until you see him in an intraclub or practice match.

No. They won't take marks 'inside 50' often enough to hit the scoreboard and are a complete liability when it comes to forward pressure and ground balls. We averaged 3 marks 'inside 50' per quarter in 2016, which is evidence that the ball is on the deck in the forward-line far more often than it's controlled in the air. The best 'player average' was West Coast's Josh Kennedy, who couldn't quite average one mark 'inside 50' per quarter per game. If he can't average one mark 'inside 50' per quarter per game how many do you expect Spencer to take ? And once the ball is on the deck he's virtually useless. It will be rare if Melbourne plays two rucks in 2017. So rare I doubt we'll see one. It happened in 2015 down at the Cattery, but that experiment only happened twice more that season.

I've always thought there was a similarity. One was pick 7 and the other pick 9. I see no reason Salem can't become similarly as good.

We use those terms, because they're accurate and provide a depiction of a player's main role. Even a Jimmy Toumps type player wins 30% contested ball, so yeah, you wouldn't be on an AFL list if your skillsets don't allow you to at times contribute to all facets of the game. And under Goodwin you better go like #$%÷.

I'm not saying he won't sweep up occadionally off half-back, or take a kick-in, but you said "50%" back. Which is why I disagreed.

Yeah, I see a role similar to Lewis.

Wing, bench, forward. I don't see him spending much time down back in 2017.

Lewis will love the luxury of not having to be a prime inside mid and instead be a creative predatory distributor, benefiting from the heavy lifting of Viney, Tyson, Jones and Oliver. He didn't have that luxury at Hawthorn and it will hopefully extend his career.

I can't get vandenBerg into my best 22. I don't see him being a quality third tall that regularly impacts the scoreboard. He's a better, albeit limited, mid in my view, who can push forward for a mismatch. Watts is the creative third tall, who also links play when up the ground. I reckon they'll want to get games into Weideman at Pedersen's expense. Hannan the wild card.

Agree with the thrust of this except for Salem.

Clearly he's going to be playing further up the ground based on training. I believe he'll be far more damaging and still kick 60+ goals.

I don't think we do and nothing I've read from Jackson leads me to alter that view.